The holiday season is here in Omaha and with it comes wonderful holiday events and activities to celebrate with your whole family!
We created this guide of more than 30 holiday events happening in Omaha to help you know when and where the magic is happening this holiday season.
This Guide is brought to the Omaha community in partnership with Lauritzen Gardens.
Laurtizen Gardens Bright Nights
All aboard for holiday fun! Set a merry mood with friends and family and explore the illuminated floral display hall and the houses of the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory during Bright Nights.
With 31 dates to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 17 nights with Santa, and 5 nights full of holiday cheers, Bright Nights brings festive fun for everyone!
Bright Nights Dates |
November 22-24, 27, 29-30
December 1, 4-8, 11-23, 26-31
4:30 pm to 9 pm with last ticketed spot 7:30 pm
Lauritzen Gardens Family Fun Nights
Santa Stops at Laurtizen Gardens
Get your tickets here
Holiday Events in Omaha
Nov 11 | Motown Christmas Holiday Spectacular, Holland Performing Arts Center
7 pm
Nov 13 | U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, Gene Leahy Mall
5 p m to 7 pm
Don’t miss the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the 11th Street Promenade.
Nov 17-Feb 14 | Season of Lights, Turner Park
Stroll in the glow of a cherished holiday tradition at Midtown Crossing. Experience the beauty of tens of thousands of white LED lights strung throughout Turner Park and along Farnam Street.
Nov 20–Dec 26 | Meet Santa’s Reindeer, Mulhall’s Nursery
Let your kids meet Dasher and Dancer at the greenhouse.
Nov 22–Dec 30 | Zoolightful, The Omaha Zoo
Don’t miss this walkthrough light display, Santa’s meet-and-greet, and more surprises.
Nov 22- Dec 31 | Bright Lights, Lauritzen Gardens
Explore the illuminated indoor gardens on select nights during the Merry & Bright: Holiday Poinsettia Show. From a 20-ft. tall poinsettia tree to a tropical paradise, see festive installations that glow and shine. Timed ticket reservations required.
Nov 22-Dec 22 | A Christmas Carol, Omaha Community Playhouse
Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Nov 22 | Winterfest, Bayliss Park, Council Bluffs
6 pm to 8 pm
Free activities include: Lighting Ceremony (takes place promptly at 6 p.m.); Santa’s Workshop featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus; Reindeer, and more!
Nov 23–30 | Festival of Trees, Tangier Shrine
The decorated, gift-laden trees are raffled off on Nov. 30.
Nov 23, 24 | The Nutcracker, 1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs
American Midwest Ballet
November 29 – January 12 | Christmas at Union Station, The Durham Museum
Experience the magic of the holidays with this long-standing tradition featuring Omaha’s official Christmas tree, holiday concerts, and Santa himself.
November 29– December 22 | Santa’s Lost Reindeer, Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure
Help find Santa’s reindeer in this fun-for-all-ages scavenger hunt.
Nov 29–Jan 5 | Winterland at Heartwood Preserve
Bundle up and bring your loved ones to experience the joy of gliding on ice in the heart of West Omaha.
Nov 30–Jan 1 | Holiday Lights Festival, downtown Omaha
Bundle up and take a stroll through the streets of Omaha surrounded by twinkling lights.
Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 8 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dundee Theater
Dec 1 | Sarah Brightman A Christmas Symphony, Orpheum Theater
Dec 3 | Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, Holland Performing Arts Center
Step into a world of enchantment with this show that is the perfect fusion of circus artistry and beloved holiday melodies.
Dec 3–8 | Peter Pan: The Musical, Orpheum Theater
Dec 5 | Lights on Dundee, 50th and Underwood
5 pm to 8 pm
Experience the joy of the season with delightful photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the enchanting Dundee mural off 50th and Underwood and photos with Santa’s Helpers at the North Pole (near 50th and Dodge).
Dec 5 | Posadas Celebration, Goodwill Retail Store & Donation Center, 3505 L St.
4 pm to 9 pm
Don’t miss this night filled with delicious food, drinks, music, and culture presented by Casa de la Cultura.
Dec 5, 19 | Holiday Stroll, Little Bohemia
4 to 8 p.m.
Shop, drink, and eat locally at your favorite spots in Little Bohemia!
Dec 6–8| A Country Christmas, Ditmar’s Orchard in Council Bluffs
Check out local vendors, see Santa, take a hayride, and more!
Dec 7, 8 | Christmas at the Farm, Bellevue Berry Farm
Families are invited to celebrate the season with hot cocoa, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, write a Christmas list, and take a picture with Santa.
Dec 7, 8 | Joyful Noise: Salem Baptist, Steelhouse Omaha
Shake off the chill with holiday classics and new music from the Grammy Award®-nominated Salem Church Choir, local favorites and guest artists.
Dec 7 | Christmas in the Village, 24th and Lake
12 pm to 5 pm
Enjoy holiday performances from local artists, choirs and dance groups, a live nativity scene with a camel, free carriage rides, free toys, gifts and candy, face painting, a balloon artist, costumed cartoon characters, interactive games and activities, shopping and food.
Dec 7 | Santa Goes to Space, Strategic Air Common and Aerospace Museum
12 pm to 4 pm
Warm up with hot cocoa and cookies during story time, meet your favorite Star Wars characters, send a letter to the North Pole, and more.
Dec 8 | Winter Season Celebration, Fontenelle Forest
1 pm to 4 pm
Experience the beauty of the Forest transformed by the changing seasons + enjoy a variety of festivities for all ages.
Dec 8 | KETV Family Festival
11 am to 4 pm
Enjoy a festive day full of family-friendly activities at your favorite Downtown Omaha attractions!
Dec. 12-15 | Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration, Holland Performing Arts Center
This is Omaha’s biggest holiday performance, complete with Broadway singers and dancers and the Omaha Symphony.
Dec 13 | Shaun Johnson Big Band Christmas Tour, Holland Music Club
Get into the holiday spirit with this swingin’ celebration featuring your favorite Christmas classics.
Dec 13–15 | The Nutcracker, American Midwest Ballet, The Orpheum Theater
Dec 14 | Jingle Jam, The Garden Gallery, 2721 N. 206th St., Elkhorn, Neb.
12 pm to 4 p.m.
This is a family-friendly event with live music, local vendors, sleigh rides and more.
Dec 14 | Lights Walk – 5k & 10k, WEST entrance to KANEKO, at 12th & Jones
4 pm to 6 pm
This year the annual lights walk is being sponsored by The RiverFront, so everyone walks for free! Bring hats, gloves, mittens and socks to donate to local homeless shelters. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, as well as door prizes at the end of the walk.
Dec 14 | City of Omaha Christmas Concert “A Disney Christmas”, Strauss Performing Arts Center
6:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the Nebraska British Brass Band with special guests including vocalist Libby Aschoff as “Belle”, pianist Dr. Denis Plutalov, and Santa Claus celebrating with music from Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Beauty and the Beast, and more.
Dec 14–21 | Cookies with the Clauses, Omaha Zoo
Enjoy storytime with Santa, decorate cookies, and more.
Dec 16 | Blue Gem ABA’s Holiday Event, Omaha Children’s Museum
4 pm to 7 pm
Enjoy free entry to the museum along with pizza, drinks, train rides, bubble show, and more!
Dec 18 | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Orpheum Theater
6:30 pm
Experience the beloved holiday tale like never before.
Dec 20 | The Rat Pack is Back! For the Holidays, Orpheum Theater
Dec 21 | Candy Cane Course, 5K/12K Inner Rail Food Hall Aksarben Village
8 am
Dec 22-23 | Manheim Steamroller, Orpheum Theater
