An Epic End To Summer: Top Things To Do Labor Day Weekend In Omaha (2026)

There is a head-spinning amount of events and things to do in Omaha the first weekend of September…AKA Labor Day Weekend. Whether you want live music or an early visit to the pumpkin patch, or if you want to stay indoors and catch the final weekend of a special exhibition, it’s all happening over Labor Day Weekend. Here’s the local guide to things to do over Labor Day Weekend:

UPDATES: This post was first published in 2021 and has been updated in August 2026 with current event information.

2026 Labor Day Weekend events

There are some events and festivals you can always count on to happen on Labor Day or over Labor Day Weekend. I’ve got a calendar full of them so I’m not going to list them all here. But I’ll pick my favorites.

Here’s a look at the Top events for Labor Day Weekend 2026 in Omaha:

The 42nd Annual Festa Italiana is over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-6, at Il Palazzo. The event celebrates the Italian heritage with 30 varieties of authentic Italian foods and live entertainment. It’s super kid-friendly but also something that couples can enjoy without their kids (think: Dancing under the stars). Tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance.
Ralston Days is Sept. 4-7 in the parking lot of Liberty First Credit Union Arena. There will be a carnival, inflatables, foam party, a car show, and free admission to pre-season Omaha Lancers games.
Afro Fest Omaha is Sept. 5 at Sonny’s – Builders District. The festival includes live music, African cuisine, arts, Innovation Zone, Kids Zone, EGA Pitch, and more than 80 vendors. Tickets options range in price, depending on if you plan on attending for the main concert, featuring the Nigerian performer Ruger as the headliner.
Some of the area’s largest pumpkin patches open on Labor Day Weekend, each focusing on a different festival theme in September. It’s the final weekend of the Sunflower Festival at Nelson Produce & Farm. Meanwhile this weekend, Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch kicks off its Wildflower Festival and Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard kicks off its Apple & Cider Festival. Expect photo opps, specialty foods, and family-friendly activities more so than pumpkin picking at this point in the season.

Love music? Some of the shows happening over the weekend include free concerts like the LOVAM Jazz Festival at Turner Park and Music at Miller Park featuring Chad Stoner Band at Miller Park. Prefer comedy? Mike Epps will be at the Orpheum Theater and Cody Woods & Nancy Lee have several shows at The Funny Bone.

There are plenty of other great events going on, including the Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson Historical Park, the Downtown Omaha Block Party (Rally on the Route) on 16th Street, First Friday events in Benson and downtown Omaha, and so much more.

See The Events Calendar

Labor Day Weekend hours at popular attractions

Many of the Omaha Metro’s largest attractions will be open for at least part of Labor Day Weekend, some with special hours. Check out the list of just a few of the many places to visit that first weekend in September.

Buffalo at the Nebraska Wildlife Safari in Ashland, Neb.

Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plaza, is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s typically closed on Mondays.
The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., open Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Closed on Labor Day. The special exhibits on display are “Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume,” “Nebraskaland: Celebrating 100 Years Outdoors” and “In Search Of The Signers.”
Fontenelle Forest & TreeRush Adventure, 111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, Neb., forest is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Note: Raptor Refuge opens at 10 a.m.) Open on Labor Day. TreeRush Adventure is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fun Plex, 7003 Q St., is open Saturday through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Labor Day will be the final day of the season at Fun Plex.
Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dogs will be allowed at Lauritzen on Labor Day from 5 to 8 p.m. for Leashes at Lauritzen. The special outdoor exhibit it “Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors.”
Louisville State Recreation Area Lake No. 2 is open daily until Labor Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bounce Village is open daily through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The swimming beach at Lake No. 2 is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Monday. Note: The inflatable obstacle course may not be open.
Mahoney State Park has summer hours for the Activity Center (Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday & Sunday and Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and horse trail rides (Friday through Labor Day at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2, and 3 p.m.). The aquatic center does not have Labor Day Weekend hours listed, so I would not count on it being open.
Nebraska Wildlife Safari, 16406 N. 292 St., Ashland, Neb., is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open on Labor Day. The 2026 exhibit is “Dinosaurs Unearthed: A Trek Through Time.”
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St., is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open on Labor Day.
Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20thSt., Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also be open on Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Current special exhibits are “Ciao Bambini!” and “Super Sports Squared.”
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb., is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open on Labor Day. The special exhibit is “2theXtreme.”