The Kiwanis Holiday Lights Board of Directors is pleased to announce that for the second year in a row $100,000 will be donated to the 63 non-profit organizations that assisted with the event this past year.
“It never ceases to amaze us the generosity of the people that visit this free event, and the businesses that sponsor us.” said Scott Wojcik, Kiwanis Holiday Lights President. “Preparations have already started for year thirteen.” Wojcik added.
Additional statistics include:
Over 165,000 people attended the free event in 2024.
The event remains completely volunteer-driven.
All set-up was completed over ten days during the five weekends prior to opening.
All tear-down was completed in two and one-half days in early January.
$100,000 will be donated back to the non-profit groups that assisted with set-up, tear-down and evening volunteer help during the event.
63 non-profit groups participated, providing 14,400 volunteer hours with 2,500 volunteers participating.
For the twelfth year, visitors were encouraged to vote on their favorite non-profit tree this year. Winners were.
1st place – One Bright Star - $300 prize
2nd Place – Mankato West VEX Robotics - $200 prize
3rd Place – Merely Players - $100 prize
Over 3,000 children visited Santa, and each received a Kiwanis Holiday Lights coloring book.
51 Greater Mankato businesses participated as cash sponsors, and 30 Businesses were in-kind sponsors, showing continued support for the annual event.
Nine tons of food were collected for 19 area food shelves.
The opening night parade was presented by Girl Scouts River Valleys Troops 34494 & 37938. The winner of the float contest was Taylor Corporation.
Over two million energy-efficient LED lights glowed brightly throughout the event.
51 area restaurants donated food to help feed the volunteers during the event, as well as during set-up and tear-down.
The opening parade and lighting ceremony for the 2025 Kiwanis Holiday Lights season will be held on November 28th, 2025.
THE IMPACT OF KIWANIS HOLIDAY LIGHTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2012
150 tons of food has been collected for area food shelves.
$790,000 has been donated to the non-profits who have provided volunteers.
Over 1.95 million people have visited the event to date.
Over 23,000 volunteers from over 130 nonprofit organizations participated.
Over 190 businesses have been involved as sponsors, volunteers, or in-kind donors.
About Kiwanis Holiday Lights:
The mission of Kiwanis Holiday Lights, Inc. is to create a celebration of holiday lights and displays that is 100% volunteer driven, promotes the Greater Mankato, Minnesota community and raises food/cash donations for those in need.
Kiwanis Holiday Lights truly shines as a beacon of community spirit and generosity! Over two million neon and lights create such a magical atmosphere while making a real difference through donations and volunteer efforts. Kudos to everyone involved for lighting up lives in more ways than one!