Central Nebraska Ethnic Festival

Thousands of visitors converge on downtown for the annual three-day Central Nebraska Ethnic Festival. Come celebrate Grand Island's vast ethnic population with a variety of entertainment and foods from several different cultures.

Upstairs Downtown

Have you ever wondered what secrets lie in the upper levels of downtown buildings? Here is your opportunity to find out during our Upstairs Downtown tour. Check out renovated office spaces remodeled loft-style apartments and spaces that have the potential to be great.

Harvest of Harmony Parade

Beautiful floats are judged and a Miss Harvest of Harmony is selected during this parade that has been a Nebraska tradition since 1938. Come early to get the best view and remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets as the parade will last about four hours.

Downtown Trick-or-Treating

October 31, 10:30 to noon celebrate Halloween with spooks and ghouls of every variety in downtown Grand Island. We have it on good authority that these little hobgoblins were partial to candy in large doses. One downtowner experienced in dealing with this annual paranormal phenomenon offered the following observation: The best way to handle the tricksters was to fill their little pumpkin pails to the brim with sugar treats and send them home with a smile!

Holiday Light Show

Watch for a new attraction in the Kaufmann-Cummings Park (3rd & Wheeler Streets).  Come see a Holiday Lights Show with numerous lights and accompanying music.  You’ll want to check it out and share in the spirit of the season.  The Lights Show is expected to begin on November 20 and continue through early January and is sponsored by various downtown businesses and supporters.

Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas

You better watch out, better not cry, better not pout, I'm tellin' you why-Santa Claus is coming to Downtown! The Downtown Christmas season will officially arrived on Friday, November 20, 2009 with the much anticipated annual Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas event taking place in the heart of Downtown. This holiday extravaganza traditionally brings out hundreds of children, parents, grandparents and friends to Downtown. Each year we add to our children's memories or, the memories for the children in all of us.

The Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas exemplifies what Downtown is about...the heart of the community. What better time to demonstrate our heart than during the Holiday season. The purpose of the event is to bring back the real spirit of the holidays-caring, sharing and goodwill.

This year's event was filled with the traditional holiday sights, scents and sounds such as strolling carolers, cookies and cider, popcorn, funnel cakes, sleigh, pony and train rides, storytelling, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live entertainment provided by local dance and performance groups capped off the night.