Top Outdoor Concerts In Omaha For Families

I love summers in Omaha, and a big reason is that there is always free, live entertainment every weekend. No matter where you live in Omaha, a free outdoor concert is not far away. I have a list of free 2024 concerts if you’d like to see who’s playing where this summer.

We’ve been taking the kids to outdoor concerts since they were little. Some of my family’s favorite memories include dancing by the stage at Jazz on the Green.

Let’s head east to west, shall we?

– Downtown. On the weekends, you’re almost guaranteed to stumble upon a festival with live music. Most festivals are free. Most. Check before going if that’s a concern. Sure bets are festivals like Taste of Omaha, as well as more neighborhood festivals like the Greek and Italian festivals.

– Midtown. Stinson Park at Aksarben Village has live music on Saturdays beginning at 7 p.m.  Plenty of green open space and there’s a sand-less playground and small water splash area.

Midtown Crossing’s Turner Park is home to Jazz on the Green (Disclosure: I worked for Omaha Performing Arts, who helps put this shindig on), the Thursday night event runs mid-July to mid-August. Music starts at 7:30 p.m.; the green opens at 5 and people are there waiting to claim a good spot. Expect a big crowd – so if that overwhelms you, stay clear.

Turner Park has more concerts throughout the summer, so check back at Midtown Crossing’s site to see who’s playing the End of Summer concerts.

Free concerts near Omaha

• In Springfield, you can enjoy free concerts year-round at Soaring Wings Vineyard. Summer time is my preferred time to go since it’s outside then and it just seems more kid-friendly (plus you can bring your own food to the outdoor concerts – not your own beverages, though).
• Head out to Papillion’s Shadow Lake Towne Center, 72nd Street and Nebraska Highway 370, for free concerts on Fridays this summer starting at 6:30 p.m. Papillion also has a Concerts in the Park each summer. These are held on Wednesday nights to coincide with the farmer’s market at City Park, 84th and Lincoln streets.
• LaVista has a cool movie and concert combo each month in the summer. The series is held on select Friday nights starting at 7 p.m. outside of the La Vista Public Library, 9110 Giles Road.
• Council Bluffs is growing its music scene and a big part of it will be held at River’s Edge Park, located on the east side of the pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River.

Did I miss any big outdoor concerts? What’s your favorite?