Grand Island News & Updates

The Grand Island Parks and Recreation annual Christmas Light Contest has 16 entries this year. Residents can vote for their favorite decorated homes via social media.

Voting is now open for the Grand Island Christmas Light Contest, allowing the public to select the winning display. Heartwell Renewables also donated over 1,000 toys for a Christmas gift distribution program.

Finalists have been chosen for the Grand Island Christmas Light Contest, with public voting commencing on Tuesday. This event highlights festive home decorations across the city.

The BVCA gift giveaway program aims to ensure no child goes without presents on Christmas morning in Jefferson County. This initiative provides essential holiday gifts to families in need.

The 28th annual Community Christmas Dinner will be held at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The event is scheduled to serve approximately 1,000 meals to the community.

The 28th annual Community Christmas Dinner is set to take place at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m.

Christmas is a significant time for local first responders who participated in the 'Holiday Heroes' event. This initiative helped children with their holiday shopping in Grand Island, NE.

Shoppers visited the Barn Festival Christmas Market in Hastings seeking unique holiday gifts. The market is located in Hastings, NE 68901.

The Barn Festival Christmas market in Hastings has now wrapped up its operations. The event was located in Hastings, NE 68901.

St. Pauls Lutheran Church is holding its 28th annual Community Christmas Day dinner. The event will take place in the church fellowship hall from noon to 2 p.m.

MDM Pest & Termite Control held its annual employee appreciation Christmas event, successfully raising a record amount for the Santa Cop program. This initiative supports law enforcement efforts during the holiday season.

A white Christmas this year is unlikely for Grand Island, according to a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Residents hoping for snow on Christmas Day may need to keep dreaming.

The Grand Island Little Theater is presenting a wild comedy centered around mistaken identities, marking the arrival of the Christmas season in Central Nebraska. The play promises entertainment for the holiday period.

Experts are warning about the misuse of artificial intelligence during the Christmas shopping season. Scammers are leveraging AI to find new ways to target consumers.

The Grand Island Independent reports that the local calendar is filled with holiday activities. These include theatrical productions, concerts, colorful tree displays, and special community events.

Christmas Cheer is organizing efforts to provide holiday meals for those in need within Hall County through grocery vouchers. Early contributions are now being accepted for this charitable initiative.

A cherished Grand Island Christmas tradition, the Trinity United Methodist Live Nativity, is making a comeback. This event returns after a five-year absence.

The Stuhr Museum in Grand Island is inviting visitors to experience "Christmas on the Plains." This exhibit explores how early settlers along Nebraska's Platte River Valley celebrated Christmas.

Pioneer Village is presenting "Christmas on the Prairie" for its visitors. This event offers a glimpse into historical holiday celebrations.

The Nebraska Christmas tree has been moved into place in the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda. This marks its arrival ahead of the 77th annual lighting ceremony.

An AI-generated video has circulated, falsely claiming that Grand Island's Mayor Roger Steele banned Christmas lights. This incident follows other AI-generated videos.

The 2025 Nebraska Christmas tree has been moved into place in the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda. This event is part of the state's holiday preparations.

Minden is spreading holiday cheer with the return of Christmas on the Prairie at Harold Warp Pioneer Village. This event brings festive activities to the museum grounds.

The second annual Grand Island Christmas Light Contest is back, aiming to bring holiday cheer to the community. This year's contest features bigger prizes for participants.

A new 24/7 Christmas music station has launched on 99.7 FM in Grand Island. The station will broadcast holiday music through Christmas Day to spread cheer.

Pioneer Village is set to host a "Christmas on the Prairie" weekend celebration. This event aims to bring Christmas cheer to the museum grounds.

The Christmas Walk on The Bricks in Kearney is scheduled to take place on December 4th. This event is a local tradition celebrating the holiday season.

The holiday season has officially begun in Central Nebraska, bringing with it festive displays of trees and lights. Community celebrations and special events are planned to usher in the festive spirit.

The 2nd-Annual Grand Island Christmas Light Contest is back, featuring an increased prize pool of $800 to illuminate neighborhoods with holiday cheer. Nominations are also open for Grand Island's Top 35 Under 35.

A special mailbox for letters to Santa Claus has been set up at Good Samaritan and St. Francis hospitals. This initiative is part of the community's holiday support and expanded prizes for the Grand Island Christmas Light Contest.

A new children's Christmas book by a Hastings educator has just been released, adding a festive literary option for the holidays. Meanwhile, Grand Island customers are discussing their experiences with holiday shopping.

Grand Island customers are sharing their thoughts on shopping for the holidays, with discussions about seasonal purchases. A new children's Christmas book by a Hastings educator has also been released.

A new children's Christmas book titled 'While by Their Flocks' has been published by a Hastings educator. This release adds to the festive season's offerings.

GI Family Radio is launching an all-Christmas music format for Grand Island. The station will break its current simulcast to begin broadcasting holiday tunes.

Guests can enjoy a festive experience on Grand Island's upcoming Holiday Tour of Homes. This event promises a delightful look into decorated residences.

GI Family Radio is set to begin airing Christmas music starting Monday. This marks the arrival of the holiday season for listeners.

The 2025 Railside Christmas event in Grand Island, Nebraska, saw a strong turnout this year. Attendees enjoyed numerous sights, sounds, and festive characters.

Pine Patch Tree Farm in Hastings continues a Christmas tradition for Joe and Nikayla Kindig. Customers can choose and cut their own Christmas tree, experiencing the sights and smells of the season.

Joe Kindig discusses the history of Pine Patch Tree Farm located in Hastings. He shares the experience customers have when purchasing a Christmas tree from their farm.

A deepfake AI video falsely claimed Grand Island is banning Christmas lights. Mayor expressed reassurance that holiday lights are safe and encouraged their display.

Valentine is decking its downtown with a holiday storefront competition to spread Christmas spirit. This event brings big holiday cheer to the small town.

The Heartland United Way is seeking donors for its Christmas Cheer program, which provides holiday meal vouchers to families in need. This initiative aims to ensure everyone can enjoy a festive meal during the holiday season.

The Fantasy of Trees event has opened at the Stuhr Museum, offering visitors a chance to admire many beautifully decorated Christmas trees. This event is a highlight of the holiday season for local museums.

The Railside event officially ushered in the Christmas season for Grand Island. This event marks the beginning of holiday festivities in the area.

An AI deepfake video falsely depicted the Grand Island mayor banning Christmas lights, causing local amusement. The city responded with humor to the fabricated news.

The city has responded with humor to a fake AI video that falsely showed the Grand Island mayor banning Christmas lights. This deepfake video has been circulating locally.

Christmas trees are a significant business, generating approximately $550 million annually. Retailers attended a wholesale auction in Pennsylvania to source their trees.

Artificial intelligence was used to create a deepfake video falsely showing Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele announcing a ban on Christmas lights. This incident has caused local attention.

Grand Island's Railside Christmas event brought excitement to the downtown area on Friday. This event marks a festive start to the holiday season.

Grand Island officially began its holiday season with the Railside Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Crowds gathered to watch the tree in Amur Plaza illuminate and greet Santa Claus.

The Railside Christmas event in Grand Island marked the start of the holiday season with a well-attended celebration. Attendees enjoyed sights, sounds, tastes, colors, and characters.

Local holiday programs are making a comeback this year, aiming to help families create magical Christmas experiences for their children. These initiatives are returning to Grand Island, NE.

The Grand Theater is set to play a significant role in the upcoming Railside Christmas event in downtown Grand Island. This marks another year the theater will be part of the festive celebrations.

Nebraska businesses are encouraging consumers to support local shops during the holiday season, with Grand Island specifically mentioned in relation to Railside Christmas. This initiative aims to boost local economies.

The Grand Island Railside executive director spoke about an upcoming Christmas event. The event is planned for Grand Island, NE 68801.

Santa and the Grinch will be flown in by helicopter for the Downtown Scottsbluff Christmas Parade. The event is scheduled to take place in Scottsbluff, NE.

The Grand Island Public Library is kicking off Thanksgiving week programs with a sled dog presentation. Teens ages 12-18 are invited to create Christmas ornaments during a special session.

The City of Grand Island has announced the arrival of this year's Railside Christmas tree in downtown. A Colorado Blue Spruce was transported to Amur Plaza, setting up the centerpiece for the city's holiday celebrations.

Grand Island crews transported a Colorado Blue Spruce to Amur Plaza, setting up the centerpiece for the city's Railside Christmas. This marks a long-standing tradition for the city to have a community Christmas tree.

The city of Grand Island has announced the arrival of this year's Railside Christmas tree in downtown. A Colorado Blue Spruce was transported to Amur Plaza, serving as the centerpiece for the community's holiday season.

A donated Christmas tree has made its journey to Grand Island's Railside district, arriving at Amur Plaza. This Colorado Blue Spruce will serve as the centerpiece for the city's community Christmas tree tradition.

The Annual Light Up Lexington Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 7th. This event is a highlight for Central Nebraska.

Honor a loved one this holiday season by purchasing a personalized Christmas ornament. Proceeds from the Tree of Love ornaments benefit the hospital foundation.

Railside Christmas is set to return to Downtown Grand Island on November 21st. Heartland United Way is also making holiday giving easier for the community.

The magic of the holidays is returning to Downtown Grand Island with the annual Railside Christmas celebration. This event brings festive cheer to the heart of the city.

Rockefeller Center has chosen a Norway Spruce from East Greenbush, NY, to be the 2025 Christmas tree. The tree will be displayed at Rockefeller Center in New York City.