12 Festive Christmas Lights Displays You’ll Want To See In Omaha (UPDATED for 2026!)

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 2026 for current dates.

Families walk on the board walk near Sofia's Play Garden during Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens — Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens

Drive-thru holiday lights displays in Omaha

The Omaha Metro typically has a couple drive-thru lights displays, and they vary in what they offer beyond driving through festive displays.

ChristmasLand Drive-Thru, a production of Brite Ideas Decorating, is now open and runs through Jan. 3, 2027. The drive-thru is located at 4979 N. 252nd St., Valley, Neb. Spread out over 70 acres, ChristmasLand has more than 2 miles of paved road to drive along. It’s open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. This year, they’ve added concessions. Tickets are per vehicle. A portion of the proceeds from the 2026 season will go to the Salvation Army of Omaha and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Foundation of Omaha.
Santa’s Rock N Lights drive-thru experience is Nov. 25 through Jan. 2, 2027, at Werner Park Parking Lot, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, Neb. Two new things this year: Guests can purchase hot cocoa and cookies and there’s now a photo op pull off. Tickets are per vehicle and must be purchased online in advance.

Walk-through lights displays in Omaha

The red sleigh at Midtown Crossing is a great photo opp during the holiday season. — Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing

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. 15! 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 is at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium on Wednesday through Sunday nights from Nov. 18 through Jan. 10, 2027. Special Monday and Tuesday openings are on Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29. Pathways at the zoo are surrounded by larger-than-life animal lanterns, lush rainforests, and dazzling holiday displays. There are several activities and performances going on throughout Zoolightful, so your ticket is not simply to see light displays. Hours are 6 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is per person; members receive 25% off tickets.

Two girls act silly in a light tunnel at Zoolightful at Omaha's zoo — Zoolightful

Falconwood Frosty Nights Christmas Village & Lights at Falconwood Park, 905 Allied Road, Bellevue, Neb., features interactive displays, lots of photo opps, a snowless sledding hill, and a makers market and so much more. It runs Nov. 13 through Jan. 2, 2027. Daily admission passes and season passes are available.

Christmas in Olde Towne Holiday Lights & Music Show starts each year on Thanksgiving night at Washington Park, 1943 Franklin St., Bellevue, Neb. The display is nightly until 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. It usually ends on the first Sunday of January.

Holiday Lights Festival Lighting Displays run from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1, 2027. The tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. at Gene Leahy Mall. Gorgeous light displays are free to see and enjoy in four iconic areas of Omaha: Omaha RiverFront (Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park & Lewis & Clark Landing), 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 also usually has an impressive holiday lights experience projected on structures by the Gene Leahy Mall. The production incorporates color-changing lights and 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 can be seen every Friday and Saturday throughout the holiday season, running every hour. A 2026 start date has not been announced.

The City of La Vista’s lights display, La Vista Wonderland, is at Central Park, 8305 Park View Blvd., home to Santa’s Workshop. The tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 29 at 6 p.m., and the display will be on nightly. It’s free to walk through.

A display at Heartland of America Park that's part of the Holiday Lights Festival — Holiday Lights Festival tree at Heartland of America Park

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.

Memorial Park is aglow in November for Veterans Day — Memorial Park

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. There are lights outdoors, as well, including inside Sophie’s Play Garden. Timed tickets are required to go to Bright Nights; prices vary. Bright Nights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on select evenings from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3, 2027.

And finally, if you’re looking for Omaha’s largest Christmas tree, you should go to The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Every year, they have the largest indoor tree around during Christmas at Union Station. The tree lighting ceremony is on Nov. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m.