(DES MOINES, Iowa) July 6, 2023 — While most Iowans are stepping into the summer sunshine and warm temps, Make-A-Wish Iowa president and CEO Sara Kurovski is gearing up to kick off the 2023 holiday season with a big announcement for the nonprofit’s Jolly Holiday Lights event.
“After 27 years of an iconic drive-through light show, we are thrilled to announce we’re moving to a new event format at the Outlets of Des Moines that is reflective of what our attendees have been asking for,” said Kurovski. “Among other things, we’ll now offer an experience that pairs lights with holiday music and brings back the Wish Shop. In order to push forward in our efforts to grant the wish of every eligible critically ill child in Iowa, we need to adapt to the changing business climate.”
In partnership with the Outlets of Des Moines, located in Altoona, Jolly Holiday Lights will be much more of an immersive experience for the community, shoppers and sponsors. It will kick off with a “Christmas in July” event on Monday, July 10 at 11 a.m. at the Outlets. The opening day for the holiday event will begin with a Wish reveal and tree lighting by a Wish child and Santa on the evening of Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. It will run daily through Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
“From a special tree lighting to exclusive Sip-n-Shop nights, we have a variety of new and traditional events people of all ages will enjoy,” Kurovski said. “One thing we love about the Des Moines community is their eagerness to embrace new things. We feel the revised, upbeat format of Jolly Holiday Lights in 2023, paired with the popular location of the outlet mall, will make for a great holiday experience for everyone.”
“Outlets of Des Moines is delighted to be the new home for Make-A-Wish Iowa’s Jolly Holiday Lights, a truly magical experience reimagined this year to be even more immersive and spectacular,” TJ Just, Outlets of Des Moines general manager, said. “We welcome everyone to visit the center and enjoy this special holiday event to benefit Make-A-Wish Iowa.”
Jolly Holiday Lights is the organization’s primary fundraising event and funds the majority of wishes granted by the state chapter. In 2023, Make-A-Wish Iowa has a goal to grant at least 200 wishes. Each wish costs approximately $15,000 and is as unique as each child who makes their request.
Kurovski said a calendar of events and additional details about unique experiences will be revealed as part of the Christmas in July kickoff. To be part of the magic, learn more about event sponsorship opportunities, or in-kind, monetary and service donations, visit Jollyholidaylights.org.