As the holiday season unfolds in Omaha, the city transforms into a twinkling wonderland, and I’m totally here for it. If you love Omaha’s stunning annual holiday light displays and drive-thru experiences as much as I do, then this is the blog post for you! I’ve included walk-thru and drive-thru light displays on this list.
Update: This post was published in November 2020, and has been updated in November 2024 for current dates.
Drive-thru holiday lights displays in Omaha
Santa’s Rock N Lights Drive Thru Winter Light Show is a mouthful to say, but it says it all: This drive-thru is an epic experience featuring hundreds of thousands of lights that twinkle and dance to music. It’s held at Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb., and it’s the longest of the drive-thru shows in the Omaha Metro.
The drive-thru experience runs Nov. 22 through Dec. 31; it’s open most days from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m. (check the calendar for the dates it does not open). Tickets range from $29.99 to $37.99 per vehicle.
Tip: You have to purchase tickets in advance.
Magical Lights at Lake Cunningham, 8305 Rainwood Road, runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 31, and features more than a million lights. Expect the drive to take 20 to 30 minutes Hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Fridays & Saturdays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets per standard vehicle (no more than 20 feet in length) are $20 from Mondays to Thursdays, $30 from Fridays to Sundays, and $30 on Dec. 24 & 25.
Illuminate Inclusion is a two-day drive-thru holiday light display at Zorinsky Lake on Dec. 13 & 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Radio Talking Book Services will provide audio descriptions of the display on Saturday night. The event starts at the 156th Street and Waterpark Entrance. Free-will donations will be accepted to help build an inclusive playground. It’s FREE to drive-thru; donations are welcome and appreciated.
Walk-through lights displays in Omaha
Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing is one of the earliest displays to go up in the Omaha Metro each year. This year, it starts on Nov. 17! You can see it each night through Feb. 14, 2025. The magical display is throughout Turner Park, as well as along Farnam Street, and it’s free to visit.
Prime photo opportunities at Season of Lights include the decorated tree in Farnam Court and Santa’s comfy sleigh positioned with glimmering Turner Park in the background.
Zoolightful at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium runs Nov. 22 through Dec. 30, 2024 (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). The ticketed, evening event at the zoo features displays of archways and sculptures aglow, as well as activities like sliding down the 120-foot slides and decorating gingerbread sweets. Cost starts at $16-$20, though there are discount days for members. Save money by purchasing tickets online.
Christmas in Olde Towne Holiday Lights & Music Show starts each year on Thanksgiving night at Washington Park, 1943 Franklin St., Bellevue, Neb. This year’s hours have not been announced yet, but in the past, they’ve been on display nightly until about 10 p.m. What’s unique about this show is that they offer an experience for people with sensitivities to flashing lights and sounds on Sundays through Thursdays that runs from 5 to 6 p.m.
Holiday Lights Festival Lighting Displays are set up in three neighborhoods in Omaha each year. In 2024, they will be on full display from Nov. 30 through Jan. 1, 2025. The gorgeous light displays can be found at the Old Market (10th to 13th streets, and from Harney to Jackson streets), North Omaha (six-block area around 24th and Lake streets) and South Omaha (24th Street between L and Q streets).
The Holiday Lights Festival will also include an impressive holiday lights experience at Gene Leahy Mall, which will be produced by The RiverFront. The production, also beginning Nov. 30, will incorporate color-changing lights, video projections onto the Gene Leahy Mall Performance Pavilion and Burlington Building, thematic video on the 10th Street Bridge LED wall and holiday music sounding throughout the park. The free multimedia show, which is about 7 minutes long, can be seen every Friday and Saturday throughout the holiday season, running every hour.
There are three more Holiday Lights Festival display locations: Omaha’s Old Market from 10th Street to 13th Street and Farnam Street to Jackson Street; North Omaha along North 24th Street from Burdette Street to Ohio Street; and South Omaha along South 24th Street from L Street to Q Street.
Another smaller display, but still pretty neat to walk through, is set up each year at Memorial Park located at 6005 Underwood Ave. It is more of a patriotic display that opens just before Veterans Day each year.
For an indoor lights display, you have to go to Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., to experience Bright Nights. The conservatory and floral display hall are decorated each year with a different theme. Timed tickets are required to go to Bright Nights; prices vary.
The 2024 can’t-miss tree lighting ceremonies
- Winterfest at Bayliss Park is one of Council Bluffs’ most anticipated holiday events each year. In 2023, Winterfest will take place on Nov. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bayliss Park, 100 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, Iowa. The best part is: It’s all free. Activities begin with the holiday lighting ceremony promptly at 6 p.m. New this year is that there will be guaranteed snow! Activities after that include:
- Every year, the giant Salvation Army Tree of Lights towers over the intersection of 90th and Dodge streets. The ceremony to light it, the Tree of Lights Family Festival is one worth attending at least once. This year, the free Tree of Lights Family Festival takes place at Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. at American National Bank, 8990 Dodge Road, Omaha. There will be live music and Santa.
- Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion always has a fun celebration each year when the large Christmas tree’s lights are turned on. The 17th Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting at the shopping center takes place Nov. 29, 2024 starting at 6 p.m. The free event is held at the center of the mall. Santa and his friends will be there along with horses and Cinderella in her carriage.
- Village Pointe Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration is Nov. 29, 2024 starting at 6 p.m. with a Peppermint Elves Performance at 17151 Davenport St., Omaha. Santa arrives at 7 p.m. by parade. Free carriage rides will be offered until 9 p.m.
- The Holiday Lights Festival Lighting Ceremony kicks off the multi-week festival on Nov. 30, 2024. The free events starts at 6 p.m. at Gene Leahy Mall at 11th and Farnam streets.
More Omaha Christmas events and Santa visits
If you’re still looking for MORE things to do this holiday season, you’re in luck!
