Mutual of Omaha and
Mutual of Omaha Bank
Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, November 26, 6 pm
Gene Leahy Mall, 14th and Farnam Streets
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 and the Artist Cooperative Gallery on 11th and Harney. 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. Cash donations will also be accepted.
http://www.mutualofomaha.com
http://www.mutualofomahabank.com
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 Heartland Harmonizers. 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 the Adopt-A-Tree program and Kids Cafés from throughout the city will lead the crowd in a countdown that will culminate with the illumination of a spectacular display of twinkling lights.
Following the lighting ceremony, choose from the following entertainment options:
Making Spirits Bright Concert
Thursday, November 26, 7 pm
Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th & Douglas
http://www.omahaperformingarts.org
http://www.nebraskawindsymphony.com
The fifth annual Making Spirits Bright Holiday concert will please audiences with beautiful holiday music performed by the Nebraska Wind Symphony on Thursday, November 26. 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 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. "Sleigh Ride", "A Christmas Festival", "Let’s All Sing for Christmas" and "A Fresh Aire Christmas" are some of the festive pieces that will be performed. Vocalist Melanie Walters 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 26, 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. Horse-drawn carriage rides by MJ Carriage Services will be offered until 11 pm. Businesses to be open include:
13th Street Coffee Company
Artists' Cooperative Gallery
Barry O's Old Market Tavern
Billy Frogs
Cibola of Omaha
City Limits
Cubby's Old Market Grocery
Dubliner Pub
Hollywood Candy
Images of Nature
Iron Décor & More
Myth
Old Market Candy Shop
Omaha Visitor Center
Overland Sheepskin
Passageway Art Gallery
S.G. ROI
Scooter's Coffeehouse
Soul Desires Bookstore & Coffee Shop
Susie's Baskets
Tannenbaum Christmas Shop
Ted & Wally's Ice Cream
The Holiday Lights Festival
is only possible through the generosity of others. Make your tax deductible donation today and keep the Holiday Lights Festival thriving for many years to come!
