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101 Best Attractions & Things To Do In Omaha, Nebraska (2024)

If there’s one recurring theme I notice with first-time visitors to Omaha, Nebraska, it’s this: Surprise. Omaha is not a big city, but it has most everything here that would would find in one. Only, it’s all much more affordable to do it all here. Ready to see what Omaha has to offer? Here are my favorite things to do in Omaha and the must-see attractions I recommend to all visitors.

And who am I? I’m a born and raised Omaha girl. I’m one of the city’s biggest fans.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

UPDATED: This post as first published in 2022 and has been updated in March 2024 with new attractions.

Events and Festivals In Omaha By Month

Want to know what big festivals or annual events are happening in the Omaha metro area by month? Click the link below to jump to the month below:

Each section of this guide will have a list of events that occur during the month with relevant information. Click the included links to read more about it and get dates and details.

Events in January

Events in February

  • Mardi Gras is celebrated at a few places in Omaha. Upstream Brewing Co. has a more family-friendly atmosphere with live music, face painting, and food specials (at least, earlier in the evening). Crescent Moon’s party is a bit more adult, with Hurricanes, drink specials, Cajun food, and live music.
  • Temperature Tuesdays are a big deal in Nebraska, at least, for Runza lovers. The price of a Runza sandwich each Tuesday in February is whatever the temperature is at 10 a.m. (with purchase of fries and drink).
  • Omaha Fashion Week typically hold its Spring event in February.
  • Omaha Film Festival typically is held at the end of February or in early March.

Events in March

A green and orange colored horse for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Omaha
  • One of the largest parades of the year, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, is held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Omaha.
  • Lenten Fish Fries are a big deal in Omaha, and they’re usually held on Friday nights during Lent at various churches, community halls, and some restaurants.

Events in April

  • The NE SciFest is held around the state in April, with several locations in Omaha hosting events.  
  • Earth Day is celebrated on the Saturday after Earth Day each year in Elmwood Park.
  • Bockfest, an annual tradition of blessing and tapping the bock beer, is every April at Crescent Moon (typically outdoors under tents). This is the event where they poke the beer with a hot iron.
  • Junkstock is held twice a year at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo each year. Typically over the course of two weekends in April and May and then again for two weekends in September and October.

Events in May

The Cinco de Mayo Parade in South Omaha is every May

Events in June

A full baseball stadium for the NCAA Men's College World Series in Omaha
Photo courtesy Visit Omaha

Events in July

Star Wars characters at Werner Park
  • Omaha Performing Arts presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing starts the Thursday after the Fourth of July. It’s a free event and typically people bring huge picnic spreads for it.
  • Omaha Storm Chasers usually have Independence Day fireworks celebrations following one or two games each July.  
  • The Santa Lucia Festival is held over five days in July. There’s music, a crowning of a queen, and lots of food.  
  • Native Omaha Days Festival is held on the odd years at the end of July or early August. It’s a reunion of North Omahans and lasts about a week.
  • Omaha Children’s Museum holds its annual Fairytale Ball in July each year.
  • Railroad Days is in July at railroad-themed attractions in Council Bluffs.  
  • Playing With Fire is a free blues concert series held one weekend in July and one weekend in August.  
  • The City of Omaha’s Celebrate America Memorial Park concert is held every July, followed by a large fireworks display.
  • The one-day Ribstock Festival is held in July each summer.
  • Omaha Under The Radar Festival is held every July at various locations in Omaha.
  • Heartland Pride Festival is held every July in Omaha, and includes a parade and youth pride festival.
  • Maha Festival is an annual music festival in July. **Note: The festival is canceled for 2024**
  • Gretna Days is held at the end of July each year.
  • Benson Days is held at the end of July each year.  
  • Westfair is held at the end of July at the Westfair Fairgrounds & Amphitheater in Council Bluffs.  

Events in August

Events in September

Junkstock in the fall
  • Septemberfest is held over Labor Day Weekend, and includes a carnival, music, and parade.
  • Junkstock is held twice a year at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo each year. Typically over the course of two weekends in April and May and then again for two weekends in September and October.
  • Afro Fest Omaha is held in early September each year, and features food, live entertainment and the Children’s Village.
  • Omaha Whiskey Fest is every September in downtown Omaha.
  • The Harvest Festival is held the last Saturday in September at Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewery in Springfield.
  • The annual Intertribal Powwow is held one day in September and highlights traditional dance, storytelling, and foods of the state’s Indigenous Peoples.
  • Fields of Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival is held in September at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in September.
  • Omaha Restaurant Week is held over 10 days every September at various locations in Omaha. 
  • Midwest Winds Kite Festival is held in September at Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in September.
  • Oktoberfest celebrations are held at various times throughout September, including popular events outdoors at Crescent Moon and at the German-American Society.  

Events in October

A tea ceremony during Japanese Ambiance Festival at Lauritzen Gardens
  • Howl-O-Ween Safari is held over a weekend in October at the Wildlife Safari, 16406 292nd St., Ashland, Neb, featuring a hayrack ride, enjoy dinner and Halloween-themed games, roast some marshmallows, and more.
  • Baseballoween is a free event held in October at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb. 
  • The Great HALL-oween Haunt is held in October at The Durham Museum.
  • Japanese Ambiance Festival is held one weekend in October at Lauritzen Gardens each year.  
  • Omaha Symphony holds the family-friendly concert Symphony Spooktacular one Sunday in October each year. 

Events in November

Santa's Magic show at Omaha Children's Museum
  • Holiday Lights Festival kicks off on Thanksgiving night and runs through early January.
  • A Christmas Carol” is performed every November through December at Omaha Community Playhouse.  
  • “Santa’s Magic” interactive show is held at Omaha Children’s Museum starting on Black Friday and running through Dec. 23 each year.
  • The annual Holiday Poinsettia Show is held at Lauritzen Gardens from mid-November through early January.  
  • Christmas at Union Station, featuring the largest indoor live Christmas tree in the city, is at The Durham Museum from late November through early January.  
  • Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade is held in November at Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion, Neb.
  • Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium holds Zoolightful in November and December.

Events in December

Braving the cold for New Year's Eve fireworks in Omaha
  • Noon Year’s Eve celebration are typically held on Dec. 31 at The Durham Museum and Omaha’s Zoo. All-day festivities for Bubbly New Year’s are held at Omaha Children’s Museum on Dec. 31.
  • New Year’s Eve Fireworks are held in downtown Omaha at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve each year.

Omaha FAQs

Q. What is there to do at night in Omaha?

A. Nightlife beyond the bar scene is more varied than you’d think. There are comedy clubs like The Funny Bone and The Backline; karaoke havens like Renos; and several escape rooms. There are also restaurants, bars and breweries that hold a weekly trivia night — and it seems like there’s one every night off the week!

Omaha’s zoo and the Wildlife Safari also offer another unique nighttime option: Campouts. You’ll have to plan in advance, though, and reserve a tent or space for your family. There are 21+ campouts at the zoo, too, as well as seasonal food truck nights for adults.

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Book a stay in Omaha

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Plan an awesome weekend in Omaha, Nebraska with this list of the best things do in Omaha. See the top attractions, hidden gems, and quirky hangouts.

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Gina

Monday 14th of February 2022

Flying Timber indoor axe throwing, The Monster Cafe, Midwest Paranormal Historical Tours.

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