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.
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Note: As is the case with live theater and other events, show times are subject to change or cancellation.
Holiday events & shows in November
Christmas in the Country
When: Nov. 5, noon to 8 p.m., and Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Elk City Town Hall, 22829 Elk City Drive, Valley, Neb. (hosted by the Whistle Stop Country Store and Homeward Bound)
Cost: FREE
Small Town Christmas
When: Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Louisville, Neb. (shops along Main Street)
Cost: The event itself is free, and shoppers will receive a raffle ticket for any purchase they make.
“Holiday Shorts: An Evening of One Acts”
When: Nov. 11-13, 7 p.m.
Where: Arts Center at Iowa Western, 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cost: $8
Holiday Art Show
When: Nov. 12, 5-9 p.m., and Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Split Gallery, 2561 Leavenworth St.
Cost: FREE (artwork will be for sale, all under $200)
Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing
When: Nov. 14 through Feb. 14, 2022
Where: Midtown Crossing, 34th and Farnam streets.
Cost: FREE
Holiday Take & Make
When: Nov. 15, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Do Space, 72nd and Dodge streets.
Cost: FREE
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents “Christmas Eve & Other Stories”
When: Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cost: $40-$79+ (through TicketMaster)
Winterfest at Bayliss Park
When: Nov. 19, 5:30 to 8 p.m. (tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Bayliss Park, 100 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
Cost: FREE
“A Christmas Carol”
When: Nov. 19 through Dec. 23; show times are Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 2 & 6 p.m. Read my review of the show and what to expect if you take a kid to it!
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St.
Cost: $45, tickets
Santa’s Rock N Lights
When: Nov. 19 through Jan. 2, 2022; hours are Sunday to Thursday 5:10 to 8:30 p.m., and Friday & Saturday 5:10 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: $19.99 to $29.99
American Midwest Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”
When: Nov. 20 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. (Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs), and Dec. 4 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. (Orpheum)
Where: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., Omaha
Cost: $45-$65 (details)
Merry and Bright – Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: Nov. 20 through Jan. 3; day time hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Bright Nights are Nov. 20-21, 24, and 26-28, Dec. 3-5, 11-23, 26-30 and Jan. 2-3 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.
Cost: Included with garden admission; timed tickets are required.
Tangier Shrine Feztival of Trees
When: Nov. 20-27, except on Thanksgiving; hours are Saturday, Nov. 20 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 21 – Noon to 6 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 22 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 23 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 24 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 26 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 27 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Tangier Shrine, 2823 S. 84th St.
Cost: $2 per person, age 13 and above. (No charge for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult.)
Old Market Lights
When: Nov. 22 through Jan. 3, 2022
Where: Old Market district
Cost: FREE
North and South Omaha Lights
When: Nov. 22 through Jan. 3, 2022
Where: Six-block area around 24th and Lake streets and along 24th Street between L and Q streets.
Cost: FREE
Christmas & More with Daniel O’Donnell
When: Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
Cost: $39-$99, tickets
Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade
When: Nov. 24, 6 p.m.
Where: Shadow Lake Towne Center, 72nd Street and Highway 370, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Lights of Aksarben
When: Nov. 26 through Dec. 3, 10, and 17; activities are from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Stinson Park at Aksarben Village, 2285 S. 67th St.
Cost: FREE
“Santa’s Magic”
When: Nov. 26 through Dec. 23; multiple performances a day
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission and free for member families
“Christmas in My Heart: A Concert Featuring Camille Metoyer Moten”
When: Nov. 26 through Dec. 23; Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 2 p.m.
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St.
Cost: $35, tickets
“A Very Die Hard Christmas”
When: Nov. 26 through Dec 19
Where: Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St.
Cost: TBD
“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience”
When: Nov. 26 through Dec. 31l; shows are Wednesday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 6:30 p.m.; and NYE at 7 and 10 p.m.
Where: The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.
Cost: $20-$100
Christmas at Union Station
When: Nov. 26 through Jan. 9, 2022
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with museum admission
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” in concert – Omaha Symphony
When: Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 28 at 2 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
Cost: $20-$89 (students tickets also available)
“Hip Hop Nutcracker”
When: Nov. 28, 2 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.
Cost: $20-$60, tickets
Winter Wonderland
When: Nov. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Papillion, 122 E. Third St.
Cost: FREE
More things to do in Omaha this November
There are some on-going things to see and do in November, as well. Here’s a list of holiday light displays and drive-thrus around Omaha, which includes the Holiday Lights Festival in North Omaha, South Omaha and the Old Market.
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.