I’ll be the first to let you know that November is not the prettiest month to explore Omaha. It’s not a winter wonderland with snowy landscapes just yet. It’s cold and gray. But, on the plus side, there are a lot of great indoor things to do in Omaha when it’s cold out – especially if you’re looking for holiday activities. Here’s a HUGE list of things to do in Omaha this November!
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Note: As is the case with live theater and other events, show times are subject to change or cancellation without notification.
Top exhibits to see in November 2023
Several area museums and galleries have temporary exhibits worth checking out this month. Here’s what’s currently open:
- “Julia Child: A Recipe For Life,” “Cream of the Crop: Omaha Pioneers of the Food Scene” and “Byron Reed Favorites” at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
- “Linda Fleming: Experimenta De Vacuo Spatio” at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St., Omaha, Neb.
- PACE Fall Showcase at Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St.. Council Bluffs, Iowa
- “Jurassic Nebraska” at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St., Omaha, Neb.
Ultimate calendar of events for November 2023
Note: This list will be updated regularly.
Season of Lights
When: Nov. 12, 2023 through Feb. 14, 2024; daily at dusk
Where: Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, 31st and Farnam streets, Omaha, Neb.
Cost: FREE
“A Christmas Carol”
When: Nov. 16 through Dec. 23, 2023; Sensory friendly performance (Dec. 2), shadow interpreted performance (Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.), audio described performance (Dec. 17)
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets are $40.
“Glow”
When: Nov. 16, 2023 through Jan. 11, 2024
Where: Kiewit Luminarium, 345 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Included with admission
James “Murr” Murray
When: Nov. 17, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $40
Zoolightful
When: Nov. 17 through Dec. 30, 2023; hours are 6 to 9 p.m. (and 10 p.m. on weekends)
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Cost: $16 for kids, $20 for adults (members receive 50% on tickets on select nights)
Santa’s Rock N Lights Drive Thru Christmas Light Show
When: Nov. 17 to Dec. 31, 2023; open daily from 4:50 to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on weekends)
Where: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: $25.99 to $34.99 per vehicle with up to 6 people ($7 extra per person over 6 people); tickets must be purchased online in advance
DIY Ceramic Christmas Tree
When: Nov. 18, 2023 with two sessions available (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
Where: Mangelsens, 3457 S. 84th St., Omaha, Neb. (in the craft department)
Cost: $50. Must register to attend.
Big Play: Kindermusik Jingle Jam
When: Nov. 18, 2023 at 11 a.m.
Where: Fat Brain Toys, 16909 Burke St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage
When: Nov. 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $29
Gladys Knight
When: Nov. 18, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $39.50
Brit Floyd
When: Nov. 18, 2023 at 8 p.m.
Where: Liberty First Credit Union Arena, 7300 Q St., Ralston, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $33
Forever Young Film Series featuring “Ratatouille”
When: Nov. 18 & 19 and 25 & 26 at 10 a.m.
Where: Film Streams Dundee, 4952 Dodge St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: $5
Circle Theatre presents “The Wise Men of Chelm”
When: Nov. 18, 2023 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. There will be a pre-show act.
Where: JCC Omaha Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater, 333 S. 132nd St.
Cost: Tickets are $20.
Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: Nov. 18 through Dec. 30, 2023; open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on November 18-19, 22, 24-26 and December 1-3, 8-23, 26-30 when last entry is at 3 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Where: Lauritzen Gardens, First and Bancroft streets, Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Included with admission
Bright Nights
When: Select nights on runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on select dates in November and December: Nov. 18, 19, 22, 24, 25 & 26, and Dec. 1-3, 8-23, 26-30
Where: Lauritzen Gardens, First and Bancroft streets, Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Advanced tickets required; $15 admission (ages 13+), $9 admission (ages 3-12); Garden members: $7.50 admission (ages 13+), $4.50 admission (ages 3-12); ages 2 and under are free and do not need a ticket
American Midwest Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
When: Nov. 18 & 19 and Dec. 9 & 10, 2023
Where: Performances on Nov. 18 & 19 are at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and on Dec. 9 & 10 at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, Neb.. The Nov. 19 performance is a sensory-friendly performance, designed to increase accessibility for people on the autism spectrum.
Cost: Tickets start at $27
Tangier Shrine Feztival of Trees 2023
When: Nov. 18-25, 2023; hours are Friday & Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and Monday – Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving.
Where: Tangier Shrine Center, 2823 S. 84th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: $2 per person for ages 13 and up; children under the age of 12 are FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Handel’s Messiah
When: Nov. 19, 2023 at 3 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: FREE
2023 Tree of Lights Family Festival
When: Nov. 19, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Where: American National Bank, 8990 Dodge Road, Omaha.
What: Festivities for the Salvation Army Tree of Lights Family Festival Presented by American National Bank kick off with free food, family-fun activities, and pictures with Santa. At 5:30 p.m., the live music begins. The 75-foot-tall LED-enhanced Christmas tree just before 6 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Pentatonix: The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year
When: Nov. 21, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
When: Nov. 22 starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Christmas in Olde Towne Holiday Lights & Music Show
When: Nov. 23, 2023 through Jan. 6, 2024; hours are Sundays through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. (the show for people with sensitivities to flashing lights and sounds will run from 5 to 6 p.m.), and Friday & Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Washington Park, 1943 Franklin St., Bellevue, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Happy Holiday Trees Class
When: Nov. 24 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St., Omaha, Neb. in Studio 206 (second floor)
Cost: $25 per person; pre-registration required. Class fees are non-refundable.
Lights of Aksarben Tree Lighting
When: Nov. 24, 2023 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Lights of Aksarben will be held Friday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 1 & 8, as well
Where: Stinson Park at Aksarben Village, 2232 S. 64th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Enjoli & Timeless Featuring Big Wade
When: Nov. 24, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, Neb. (in the Holland Club)
Cost: Tickets start at $30
“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience”
When: Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, 2023
Where: The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $25
Christmas at Union Station
When: Nov. 24 through Jan. 7, 2024; hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Included with museum admission
“A Very Die Hard Christmas”
When: Nov. 24 through Dec. 17, 2023
Where: BLUEBARN Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: $44 (SOLD OUT)
“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold”
When: Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, 2023
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: $40
Handmade Omaha Holiday Art + Craft Bazaar
When: Nov. 25 & 26, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Bancroft Street Market, 2702 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Shop Omaha Holiday Market
When: Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Oak View Mall, 3030 Oak View Drive
Cost: FREE
Winter Wonderland
When: Nov. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Papillion, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Holiday Lights Lighting Ceremony
When: Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.
Where: Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha at around 11th and Farnam streets
Cost: FREE
Holiday Modern Market
When: Nov. 25 & 26, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Santa will be there on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.)
Where: DC Centre, 11830 Stonegate Drive, Omaha, Neb.
Cost: $8 in advance and $10 at the door; kids 12 and younger get in FREE
Monster Jam
When: Nov. 25 & 26, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $22
Omaha Symphony presents Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert
When: Nov. 25 & 26, 2023; performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $20
Santa’s Sleigh Ride & Tree Lighting Celebration
When: Nov. 26, 2023 from 3 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Sleigh ride will be through La Vista streets, ending at Santa’s Workshop at 7 p.m., located at 8305 Park View Blvd., La Vista, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Kanesville Symphony Orchestra’s “Christmas Present”
When: Nov. 26, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Where: Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cost: $19
“My Fair Lady”
When: Nov. 28 through Dec. 3, 2023
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Lights On Dundee
When: Nov. 30, 2023 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: Various locations in historic Dundee, 5000 Underwood Ave., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Bush: Nowhere To Go But Everywhere Tour
When: Nov. 30, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Where: Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $50
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2023
Where: CHI Health Center Arena Omaha, 455 N. 10th St., Omaha, Neb.
Cost: Tickets start at $55
More things to do in Omaha this November
There are some on-going things to see and do in November, as well. You might not be in the mood for all-things-holidays right now. If you want just regular activities, especially for this time of year, check out these posts:
- 30+ things to do in Omaha in the winter
- 5 things to do at Omaha’s zoo in the winter
- You could also just eat and drink your way through Omaha. Here’s a list of food flights to try, as well as food challenges to conquer.