There are a ton of things to do in Omaha in the winter, and it’s especially true when it comes to events. Check out this Omaha events calendar for things to do today, this weekend, and future kid-friendly activities, exhibits, stage shows, and more happening in the Omaha Metro Area.
NOTE: This page is updated almost daily. I try to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date but things change or get canceled occasionally, so please double-check with a venue before going to an event.
Things to do in Omaha today
Santa’s Rock N Lights
When: Through Dec. 31; event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays (and some Sundays), and from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays (not all Sundays)
Where: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: Online prices are $24.99 per vehicle up to six people on weekdays and $29.99 per vehicle up to six people on weekends and Dec. 19-24 (additional $5 per individual beyond the six)
Christmas at Union Station
When: Through Jan. 5; Santa is at the museum Nov. 30 through Dec. 22; Saturdays, Nov. 30 through Dec. 21, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sundays, Dec. 1-22, 1 to 4 p.m.; and Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10 & 17 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with museum admission
“Santa’s Magic”
When: Through Dec. 23, multiple shows daily
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
Cost: Included with regular Museum admission, which is $14 for ages 2+, $13 for seniors, and FREE for children younger than 24 months and members
“A Christmas Carol”
When: Through Dec. 23; performances are Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 and 6:30 p.m. There is no performance on Thanksgiving. The sensory-friendly performance is Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. ASL-interpreted performance is Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Spanish-translated performance is Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St.
Cost: $40-$50, adults; $26-$30, students
Santa’s Wonderland
When: Through Dec. 24
Where: Cabela’s, 12703 Westport Parkway, La Vista, Neb.
Cost: FREE
“Frida Kahlo’s Garden”
When: Through Jan. 4, 2020
Where: El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: Through Jan. 5, 2020 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day); the Bright Nights evening event is 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, and Dec. 7 & 8, 14-23, 26-30 and Jan. 2-5.
Where: Lauritzen Gardens, First and Bancroft streets
Cost: Included with admission, which is $10 adults, $5 children 6-12). Members are admitted FREE.
“RACE: Are We So Different?”
When: Through Jan. 5, 2020
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with museum admission, which is $11 for adults; $8 for seniors; $7 for children 3-12; and FREE for members and children
age 2 and under. Admission is FREE to all on Sept. 29 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Looking for even more ideas of things to do in Omaha? I always check the Visit Omaha calendar for special events!
Holiday Decor at General Crook House
When: Through Jan. 12
Where: Gen. Crook House Museum, 5770 N. 30 St., #11b
What: The house is decorated for the season and festivities are planned with the theme “Books: Keys to Life’s Treasures.”
Cost: $6, adults; $5, students/seniors/military; $3, children (ages 6-11); and FREE for children younger than 6.
“Louder Than Words: Rock, Power & Politics”
When: Through Feb. 2, 2020
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
“Diggin’ Dinos”
When: Through April 11, 2020
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
“Influence”
When: Through Aug. 20, 2020
Where: KANEKO, 1111 Jones St.
Cost: FREE
Looking for more holiday events in Omaha? Read this post to find out where to find Santa, Christmas concerts and more.
Things to do this upcoming weekend in Omaha
Supper With Santa
When: Dec. 13-21; Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium; held at Lied Jungle and Durham TreeTops Restaurant on Dec. 13 & 14, and Scott Aquarium Conference Center on Dec. 20 & 21.
Cost: $23, members; $28, non-members; and FREE for children ages 2 and young
Holidays At Hummel
When: Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Hummel Park Nature Center, 3033 Hummel Park Road
Cost: FREE (pre-registration recommended)
Toy Story Meet & Greet
When: Dec. 14, 1 to 2 p.m.
Where: Regency Court, 120 Regency Parkway
Cost: FREE
Pancakes & Presents
When: Dec. 14, 8 to 11:30 a.m. (There are two timeslots from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: $13, children; $15, adults (RSVP by Dec. 6)
Classic Christmas
When: Dec. 14, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Mahoney State Park, 28500 West Park Hwy, Ashland, Neb.
Cost: FREE (valid 2019 Nebraska park entry permit is required)
16th Annual Jane Austen Tea
When: Dec. 14, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St.
Cost: FREE (pre-registration recommended)
Winter Wonderland at Sycamore Farms
When: Through Dec. 15; hours are Fridays from noon to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Sycamore Farms (Junkstock), 1150 River Road Drive, Waterloo, Neb.
Cost: $5, adults (weekend pass is $10), and kids 12 and under are FREE
“Elf: The Musical”
When: Through Dec. 22; performances are Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays at 2 p.m.
Where: The Rose, 2001 Farnam St.
Cost: Main floor tickets are $20 for members and $27 for non-members; balcony tickets are $15 for members and $22 for non-members.
A Log Cabin Christmas
When: Through Dec. 29, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
Christmas At The Orchard
When: Through Dec. 21, Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m. (outdoor lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.)
Where: Ditmars Orchard and Vineyard, 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cost: FREE
Things to do in Omaha in December
Story Time with Santa
When: Dec. 12, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Shadow Lake Towne Center, 72nd Street and Highway 370, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Forever Young Film Series featuring “The Muppet Christmas Carol”
When: Dec. 12, 14, 15 & 19
Where: Film Streams at Dundee Theater, 4952 Dodge St.
Cost: $10, general admission; $7.50, seniors, students, teachers, military & those who arrive by bike or bus; $5, members; $2.50 for children ages 12 and younger
Las Posadas
When: Dec. 18, 6 to 8 p.m. (traditional Posada is at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St.
Cost: FREE
Omaha Symphony’s “Physicians Mutual Christmas Celebration”
When: Dec. 19-22; performances are Thursday & Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
Cost: $19-$91
Mariachi Herencia de México “The Posada: A Christmas Tradition”
When: Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.
Cost: $10-$25
Live Nativity & Reindeer
When: Dec. 21, 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Scattered Joy Acres, 4966 Newport Ave.
Cost: TBD
Winter Solstice Constellation Viewing
When: Dec. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Neale Woods Nature Center, 14323 Edith Marie Ave.
Cost: Included with daily admission and FREE for members
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
When: Dec. 21 and 22; performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.
Cost: $38.25-$78.25
Forever Young Film Series featuring “It’s A Wonderful Life”
When: Dec. 21, 22, 24-26
Where: Film Streams at Dundee Theater, 4952 Dodge St.
Cost: $10, general admission; $7.50, seniors, students, teachers, military & those who arrive by bike or bus; $5, members; $2.50 for children ages 12 and younger
If you want more ideas for cultural attractions to see in the city (even if there isn’t a must-see temporary exhibit), check out this list of 20+ Omaha museums you should visit.
Penguins and Pancakes
When: Dec. 26-30; seating times are at 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. seating.
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium at the Scott Aquarium Conference Center
Cost: $20, adult members, and $25, adult non-member; $15, child member (ages 3-11), and $20, child non-member (ages 3-11); and FREE for children ages 2 and younger
Family Safari – “Noon Year’s Eve” Safari
When: Dec. 30, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St.
Cost: $45-$48 per person
Noon Year’s Eve
When: Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with museum admission
Bubbly New Year’s Eve Party
When: Dec. 31, 4 to 8 p.m. (bubble drop will be at around 7:45 p.m.)
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission, which is $14 for ages 2-59, $13 for ages 60+, and FREE for members and children under 24 months.
Holiday Lights Festival – New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular
When: Dec. 31, 7 p.m.
Where: New location near CHI Health Center and TD Ameritrade Park. Free parking to view the up-close show will be in Lot A, Lot B and Lot C of the CHI Health Center.
Cost: FREE
Weekly Activities In Omaha For Families & Kids
These activities are on-going and held on the same day each week. Still, it’s a good idea to call ahead before going, just to be sure.
Toddler Tuesdays
When: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St. (gym or at the pool starting at 10:30)
Cost: FREE for members; non-members participate by paying a $4 activity fee for your toddler (age 9 months to 4 years) and the attending parent is FREE.
Toddler Tuesday
When: Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Fat Brain Toys, 16909 Burke St.
Cost: FREE
Crafty Tots
When: Wednesdays, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Omaha Public Library Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave.
Cost: FREE
Tots of the Town
When: Second Thursday of the month, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Shadow Lake Towne Center, 7775 Olson Drive, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Story Time At Barnes & Noble
When: Fridays at 9:30 a.m. (Crossroads) and Saturdays at 11 a.m. (Crossroads and Oakview)
Where: Barnes and Noble at Crossroads, 7400 Dodge St., and Barnes and Noble at Oakview, 3333 Oakview Drive
Cost: FREE
Inflatable Fridays
When: Fridays, 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St.
Cost: FREE to members; non-members pay daily entry fee of $5 per youth, $7 per adults
Kids Craft Time
When: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mangelsen’s, 3457 S. 84th St.
Cost: $1
Second Saturdays Nature Program
When: Second Saturday of every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Heron Haven Wetland Sanctuary, 11809 Old Maple Road
Cost: FREE
Kidz Kayak Racing
When: Saturdays, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St.
Cost: FREE to members; non-members pay daily entry fee of $5 per youth, $7 per adults (for ages 8-12)
Arts for All
When: Saturdays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Omaha South Public Library, 2808 Q St.
Cost: FREE (ages 8-12, registration required)
Sunday Funday
When: Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St.
Cost: FREE to members; non-members pay daily entry fee of $5 per youth, $7 per adults (for ages 8-12)
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I'm a mom, wife, writer & coffee addict. I love my hometown, Omaha, but cannot resist the thrill of travel. Life is best spent discovering the extraordinary at home and on the road. With any luck, I'll inspire you to think the same. Inquiries at ohmyomaha@gmail.com
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