Things to do in Omaha with Kids in December

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Omaha! There are so many fun activities for families. From Santa sitings and concerts, to holiday lights and NYE fireworks, there are so many things to do in Omaha this month!

This Guide is brought to the Omaha Community in partnership with Laurtizen Gardens. 

Bright Nights Dates

December 1, 4-8, 11-23, 26-31

GET YOUR BRIGHT NIGHTS TICKETS HERE

Ongoing events 

First Saturday of the Month | Art-tastic Saturdays, Joslyn Museum
11 am to 2 pm
Enjoy gallery activities, special presentations, and creative exploration designed for all ages. 

First Wednesday of the month | Li’l Sprouts at Lauritzen Gardens 

Thursday nights | Night Light at Kiewit Luminarium
Grab a drink, mingle and play with more than 100 interactive exhibits during an adults-only evening of discovery and fun. Try hands-on activities in the Maker Space and learn with Luminators. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but reservations are encouraged. 

Benson First Friday
Experience Omaha’s creative hub where artists show off their work, galleries open their doors, live music rings and people mingle, play, dance, and create masterpieces with sidewalk chalk and paint.

Blackstone Second Saturday
Come out for live music and other special events on the second Saturday of every month. 

Looking for more holiday festivities? Check out 40+ Things to do in Omaha for the holidays.

Things to do in Omaha in December

Through Dec 31 | Lost World of Dragons, The Durham Museum
Dragon lovers! Explore the histories of these legendary beasts and the cultures around the world that celebrate them.

Through 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.

Through Dec 26 | Meet Santa’s Reindeer, Mulhall’s Nursery
Let your kids meet Dasher and Dancer at the greenhouse. 

Through Dec 30 | Zoolightful, The Omaha Zoo
Don’t miss this walkthrough light display, Santa’s meet-and-greet, and more surprises. 

Through 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. 

Through 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.

Through December 22 | Santa’s Lost Reindeer, Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure
Help find Santa’s reindeer in this fun-for-all-ages scavenger hunt.

Through 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.

Through Jan 1 | Holiday Lights Festival, downtown Omaha

Through Jan 26 | Glow, Kiewit Luminarium
Don’t miss this celebration of light, art, and science. 

Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 8 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dundee Theater

Dec 1 | Santa’s Sleigh Ride and Tree Lighting, LaVista
1 pm to 6 pm 

Dec 1 | Sarah Brightman A Christmas Symphony, Orpheum Theater

Dec 1 | Omaha Flea Holiday Market, 950 S. 10th St.
10 am to 3 pm
Discover unique gifts and holiday treasures, all while supporting small businesses. 

Dec 1 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Pt 1 in concert, Holland Performing Arts Center
2 pm 

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 | 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 | 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, 19 | Holiday Stroll, Little Bohemia
4 pm to 8 pm
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 6–22 | A Christmas Story, The Musical, The Rose Theater

Dec 6 | Winter PickleBall Nights, Florence Community Center
6 pm to 8 pm 

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 | Winter Wonderland Craft Fair, LaVista
12 pm to 4 pm
Explore an array of handcrafted goods, unique gifts, and artisanal treats in a festive outdoor setting. 

Dec 7, 8 | Holiday Market
10 am to 5 pm
Don’t miss one of the premier holiday markets of the season, located at Old Market and Aksarben Village. Parking is free.  

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
11am to 4pm
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 13 | Full Moon Hike, Fontenelle Forest
5:30 pm 

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, 15 | Holiday Market, Heartland of America Park at the RiverFront
11 am to 5 pm 

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 | Grand Opening Play Day, Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool Elkhorn South
10 am to 12 pm
Take a tour of the stunning new school, meet their dedicated teaching team, and discover what makes Little Sunshine’s Playhouse so special.

Dec 21 | Winter Solstice Celebration, Camp Brewster
5:30 pm 

Dec 21 | Candy Cane Course, 5K/12K, Inner Rail Food Hall Aksarben Village
8 am 

Dec 22-23 | Manheim Steamroller, Orpheum Theater

Dec 31 | NYE Pickleball, Montclair Community Center
6 pm to 9 pm
Adults only.

Dec 31 | Kid’s NYE Sticker, Stamp, and Stencil Party, La Vista Library
10:30 am

Dec 31 | NYE Fireworks Spectacular, CHI Health Center
7 pm
For the best views, head to The RiverFront and the Old Market.

Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add your event to the list.

We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.