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40+ Family-Friendly Events In September

I love September in Omaha because theater productions start back up, pumpkin patches start to open up, and apple picking begins. You’ll find a few of my favorite events below (including Fields of Flight and Touch-A-Truck). For more seasonal day trip ideas, visit my posts about 10 Things You Must Do In Council Bluffs In The Fall and Exploring Nebraska City With Kids!

 

40 Fun Things To Do In September

Out & About Storytime

When: Sept. 1, 10:15 a.m. (Aromas Coffeehouse at Flagship Commons); Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m. (Azria Health Montclair); Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. (Joslyn Art Museum); Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m. (Benson Park Goodwill); Sept. 29, 10 a.m. (Wenninghoff Farms); Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m. (Do Space)

Where: Various locations

Cost: FREE

 

Living History Re-Enactments

When: Sept. 1-2, and Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, 201 S. Seventh St., Fort Calhoun, Neb.

Cost: A valid NE state parks pass is required for vehicle entry

 

La Festa Italiana

When: Sept. 1-3; hours are Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 11 p.m.

Where: American Italian Heritage Society, 5110 N. 132nd St.

Cost: $5.50 in advance, $7 at the door, FREE for children ages 12 and younger

 

Apple Grass Music Festival

When: Sept. 1-3; music starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday

Where: Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: $10 per person for one night; $25 for a three-day pass; children 12 and younger admitted FREE

 

Septemberfest

When: Sept. 1-4 (parade is Sept. 4 at 10 a.m.); runs Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday through Monday, noon to midnight

Where: CenturyLink Center, 405 S. 10th St., parking lot D

Cost: $5, children 5 and younger admitted FREE

 

Family Night

When: Sept. 1, 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: Union Pacific Railroad Museum, 200 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: FREE

 

The 100th Block Party

When: Sept. 2, 6 to 10 p.m.

Where: 100 block of West Broadway, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: FREE

 

Labor Day Weekend

When: Sept. 2-4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St.

Cost: Included with regular zoo admission, which is $19.95 for adults (ages 12+), $18.95 for seniors (65+), $18.95 for military adults (ages 12+), $13.95 for kids (ages 3-11), and $12.95 for military kids (ages 3-11), and FREE for zoo members.

 

Zoo Run

When: Sept. 3, 5-mile run departs at 7 a.m. & 2-mile run departs at 7:15 a.m. (check-in starts at 6 a.m.)

Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St. (main entrance)

Cost: $30 for zoo members, $40 for non-members

 

Omahawks 2017 Labor Day Air Show

When: Sept. 4, 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Standing Bear Lake Park, 138th and Fort streets

Cost: FREE

 

Leashes at Lauritzen

When: Sept. 4, 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.

Cost: Admission is $10, $5 for dogs, and FREE for garden members and their dogs

 

9/11 Remembrance Event

When: Sept. 6, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Memorial Park, 5651 Underwood Ave.

Cost: FREE

 

Biscuit Visits Story Time

When: Sept 8- ; Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m. (Florence), Sept. 9 at 10:30 a.m. (Millard), Sept. 11 at 10:30 a.m. (Abrahams), Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. (South Omaha), Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m. (Willa Cather), Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. (Elkhorn), Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. (Saddlebrook), Sept. 16 at 10:30 a.m. (Sorensen)

Where: Various Omaha Public Library branches

Cost: FREE

 

Fields of Flight

When: Sept. 8 and 9; Friday events start at 5:30 p.m. with live music, Fun Flight at 6 and glow at dusk; Saturday events start at 7 a.m. with Competition Flight, another Competition Flight at 5:30 p.m., live music at 5:30 p.m. and glow at dusk; Sunday event is a Competition Flight at 7 a.m.

Where: Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: $10 for parking

 

“Babe The Sheep Pig”

When: Sept. 8-24; performances are Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 5 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Where: The Rose, 2001 Farnam St.

Cost: $20 (members receive four FREE tickets)

 

Skinny Bones Opening Weekend

When: Sept. 9-10; hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday

Where: Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch, 3935 State Highway 133, Blair, Neb.

Cost: $13, and children younger than 2 are admitted FREE

 

World O! Water

When: Sept. 9, noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Papio-Missouri NRD at Wehrspann Lake, 8901 S. 154th St.

Cost: FREE

 

Get Smart: Pirates & Ships

When: Sept. 9, 10 to 11 a.m.

Where: Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 West Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.

Cost: Included with museum admission

 

Make-A-Wish Iowa’s Hunt For Wishes

When: Sept. 9, 9 to 11:30 a.m. (registration opens at 8)

Where: City-wide scavenger hunt starts at 30 Valley View Drive, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: $30 for ages 13+, $20 for ages 12 and under

 

Touch-A-Truck

When: Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: First Data, 6855 Pacific St.

Cost: FREE

 

Rockbrook Village Art Fair

When: Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Rockbrook Village, 10819 Prairie Brook Road

Cost: FREE

 

Taste of Florence

When: Sept. 10, 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: 7915 N. 30th St.

Cost: $15 for adults, $7.50 for children 5-12, FREE for children younger than 5

 

Teen Movie Night

When: Sept. 14, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Abrahams branch, 5111 N. 90th St.

Cost: FREE

 

Life-Size Games

When: Sept. 15, 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Sorensen branch, 4808 Cass St.

Cost: FREE

 

2nd Annual Omaha Food Truck Rodeo Part 2

When: Sept. 15, 4 to 11 p.m.

Where: Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

Cost: FREE to attend, but food is additional cost

 

133rd German Day/Oktoberfest

When: Sept. 15, 5 p.m. to midnight, and Sept. 16, noon to midnight

Where: German-American Society, 3717 S. 120th St.

Cost: $5 for adults, FREE for children ages 12 and younger

 

Vala’s Opening Weekend

When: Sept. 15-17, hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday

Where: Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, 12102 S. 180th St., Gretna, Neb.

Cost: $14.25, children younger than 2 admitted FREE (buy online to save $1)

 

“Mamma Mia!”

When: Sept. 15 through Oct. 15

Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St.

Cost: Adult tickets start at $32 (Wednesdays) and $42 (Thursdays – Sundays) and student tickets start at $20 (Wednesdays) and $25 (Thursdays – Sundays)

Discounts: Whatta Deal Wednesday ($10 tickets on the first Wednesday of the run (Sept. 20 only) available in person at the OCP box office starting at 4 p.m. on the day of the show; Twilight Tickets (half-price tickets when purchased in person at the OCP box office after noon on the day of the show); Lucky 7 Tickets ($7 tickets for students for opening weekend performances only (Sept. 15-17 only, good in person at the OCP box office or by phone at 402-553-0800)

 

Monarch Tagging & Children’s Monarch Tagging

When: Sept. 16, 9, 10 and 11 a.m.

Where: Hitchcock Nature Center 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, Iowa

Cost: FREE (pre-register by Sept. 6), valid annual park permit or $2 vehicle daily entrance pass needed

 

Farnam Festival

When: Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: 40th and Farnam streets

Cost: FREE

 

Omaha Performing Arts’ WeBop® Family Jazz Party

When: Sept. 16, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.

Cost: $10 per child

 

Family Story Time – Fancy Nancy Tea Party

When: Sept. 16, 10 to 11 a.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Benson branch, 6015 Binney St.

Cost: FREE

 

Fall Festival

When: Sept. 16 and 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Gifford Farm Education Center, 700 Camp Gifford Road, Bellevue, Neb.

Cost: $5; FREE for children younger than 2

 

Southwest Iowa Art Tour

When: Sept. 16 and 17; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Harvester Artist Lofts, 1000 S. Main St., Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: FREE

 

Midwest Winds Kitefliers

When: Sept. 16 and 17, noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: FREE

 

Superhero Party

When: Sept. 16, 1 to 3 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Saddlebrook branch, 14850 Laurel Ave.

Cost: FREE (ages 3-12, pre-registration is suggested)

 

100 Block Classic Car Show

When: Sept. 16, 4 to 7 p.m.

Where: 100 Block of West Broadway in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Cost: FREE

 

Full STEAM Ahead

When: Sept. 19, 4 to 5 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Benson branch, 6015 Binney St.

Cost: FREE (registration required)

 

Teddy Bear Picnic Story Time

When: Sept. 20, 10 a.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Bess Johnson Elkhorn branch, 2100 Reading Plaza, Elkhorn, Neb.

Cost: FREE

 

S.T.E.A.M. Stations

When: Sept. 20, 3 to 5 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Abrahams branch, 5111 N. 90th St.

Cost: FREE (pre-registration suggested)

 

Ban This Book! Lock-In 

When: Sept. 22, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Swanson branch, 9101 W. Dodge Road

Cost: FREE (registration required; for fourth through sixth graders and their favorite grown up)

 

Teen Movie Night: “Selena”

When: Sept. 25, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library South Omaha branch, 2808 Q St.

Cost: FREE

 

Rodeo Roundup – up to age 5

When: Sept. 27, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Saddlebrook branch, 14850 Laurel Ave.

Cost: FREE

 

Ultimate Willy Wonka Party

When: Sept. 28, 7 or 8 p.m.

Where: Alamo Drafthouse Omaha,12750 Westport Parkway, LaVista, Neb.

Cost: $26.88 (includes merchandise)

 

Family Lotería

When: Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Omaha Public Library South Omaha branch, 2808 Q St.

Cost: FREE

 

Fall Into Fall

When: Sept. 30, noon to 3 p.m.

Where: Youngman Park, 192 Street and West Dodge Road

Cost: FREE

 

More Fun Events In September

The following events are on-going, or had started in a previous month:

“Dinosaur Safari”

When: Through Sept. 3

Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.

Cost: Included with museum admission, which is $12 for ages 2+; $11 for seniors, and FREE for children younger than 2

 

“Glorious Flights: Illustration Art of Alice and Martin Provensen”

When: Through Sept. 17

Where: Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge. St.

Cost: FREE

 

“Top Secret: License To Spy”

When: Through Sept. 17

Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.

Cost: Included with museum admission, which is $11 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children (ages 3-12), and FREE for children younger than 2

 

“KINETIC”

When: Through Oct. 14; Tuesday – Friday, noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: KANEKO, 1111 Jones St.

Cost: FREE

See my video on the exhibit here!

 

Toddler Tuesdays

When: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon

Where: 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.

 

 

Crafty Tots

When: Wednesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 20, and 27, 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Omaha Public Library Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave.

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

 

Omaha Farmers Market – Old Market

When: Saturdays, Oct. 14, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: 11th and Jackson streets

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)

 

Omaha Farmers Market – Aksarben Village

When: Sundays, through Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Aksarben Village, 67th and Center streets

Cost: FREE

 

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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