CenturyLink Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony

Thursday, November 24, 6 pm

Gene Leahy Mall, 14th and Farnam Streets

The Holiday Lights Festival will kick-off on Thanksgiving evening with the annual lighting ceremony at the Gene Leahy Mall. At 5:30 pm, pre-show entertainment will begin with The Sarpy Serenaders. The official lighting ceremony begins at 6 pm. Stop by the Shine the Light on Hunger booth to enjoy Swiss Miss cocoa and support Food Bank for the Heartland. Mayor Jim Suttle and a group of children from local Kids Café will lead the crowd in a countdown that will culminate with the illumination of a spectacular display of twinkling lights.

 

Elderly and citizens with disabilities are welcome to view the lighting ceremony from the fourth floor of the W. Dale Clark Library. Public restrooms for the event are available in the W. Dale Clark Library and Landmark Building at 14th and Farnam Streets. Everyone attending the lighting ceremony is encouraged to bring a can of food to support the "Shine the Light on Hunger" campaign benefiting Food Bank for the Heartland. Donation barrels will be located throughout the event to collect non-perishable foods and household goods as part of the campaign.

 

Following the lighting ceremony, choose from the following entertainment options:

Mutual of Omaha

Making Spirits Bright Concert
Thursday, November 24, 7 pm
Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th & Douglas
http://www.omahaperformingarts.org
http://www.nebraskawindsymphony.com

The Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert will please audiences with beautiful holiday music performed by the Nebraska Wind Symphony on Thursday, November 24. The free concert will take place at 7 p.m., immediately following the Lighting Ceremony at the Holland Performing Arts Center, located on the corner of 13th and Douglas. Limited seating is available.

Nebraska Wind Symphony musicians will fill the Holland Center’s Kiewit Concert Hall with winter-themed songs and sing-a-longs that the whole family will enjoy. Vocalist Susie Thorne will be joining the Nebraska Wind Symphony for several songs.

 

The Nebraska Wind Symphony, established in 1977, provides Omaha musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds the chance to participate in an accomplished band. The 85 musicians, between the ages of 23 and 81 perform everything from transcriptions to original works.

Old Market Shopping and Dining
Thursday, November 24, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Don’t miss this opportunity to jump-start your holiday shopping or just relax with friends and family. Some of the Old Market’s finest shops, restaurants and pubs will be open following the Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony. While shopping in the Old Market, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride with your loved ones, available with Magical Journey Carriage Service. Businesses to be open include:

13th Street Coffee Company
Artists' Cooperative Gallery
Barry O's Old Market Tavern
Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar
Cubby's Old Market Grocery
Dubliner Pub
Eat the Worm
Hilton Omaha: Liberty Tavern
Hollywood Candy
Mangelsen’s Images of Nature
Mr. Toad’s Pub
Myth Martini Bar
O Dining
Old Chicago Restaurant
Old Market Candy Shop
Omaha Visitor Information Center
Passageway Art Gallery
Rick’s Boatyard Café
Rock Bottom Gold Medal Tap
Scooter's Coffeehouse
Soul Desires Bookstore & Coffee Shop
Tannenbaum Christmas Shop
Ted & Wally's Ice Cream