Downtown Omaha’s premier holiday event, the Omaha Holiday Lights Festival, kicks off Thanksgiving evening, 24 November, with the lighting of the Gene Leahy Mall. It continues through the month of December with Sounds of the Season, the ConAgra Foods Ice Skating Rink, the Wells Fargo Family Festival and the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular.
This free family event kicks off with a holiday concert at 6 pm, followed by the Santa Parade at 7 pm, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony and free carriage rides. You can also munch on cookies and sip hot cider.
Village Pointe Shopping Center
17305 Davenport St.
Omaha, NE 68118
http://villagepointeshopping.com/
Come to the Durham Museum to see the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at around 7 pm. (The event actually starts at 4 pm and runs until 8.) Take part in cookie decorating and other holiday crafts or tour the holiday-themed exhibits. Christmas at Union Station continues throughout the holiday season, until December 31, with special events on various days. Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children 3 and older.
Durham Museum
801 S. 10th St.
Omaha, NE 68108
(402) 444-5071
http://www.durhammuseum.org/
Come to the Gene Leahy Mall on Thanksgiving night for the Holiday Lights Festival kickoff. At 6 pm, gather at the mall to count down the turning on of the festival lights with Mayor Jean Stothert. The festivities continue until 7, after which you can tour downtown to see its businesses and residences in their holiday finest. Lights will continue to burn from 5 pm-1 am on January 2.
Gene Leahy Mall
14th & Farnam Streets
Omaha, NE
Ballet Nebraska presents this Tchaikovsky classic in an afternoon performance at 2 pm.
Ballet Nebraska
2700 College Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
http://balletnebraska.org/
It’s Let’s Play Monsters with hip-hop duo BOTH, for the admission price of $5 at the Slowdown.
Slowdown
729 N 14th St.
Omaha, NE 68102
Violin/viola/hip-hop duo Black Violin performs their version of classical music at the Holland Performing Arts Center. The duo has performed at South by Southwest and on tour with artists such as Alicia Keys, Jay Z, and Kanye West. Concert starts at 7 pm; tickets are $20 and up.
Holland Performing Arts Center
1200 Douglas St.
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 345-0606
https://www.ticketomaha.com
See flute/saxophonists Tower Duo perform at the first Eko Nova Omaha event from 7-9 pm. Cost $15.
Kaneko
1111 Jones St.
Omaha, NE 68102
http://thekaneko.org/
Shop local for the holidays at Baxter Arena. Just $1 gets you admission to this event from 10am-5pm, where you can check out holiday trim, the Beauty Bar, food, prizes, and meet Santa from 11:30-1 pm. Parking is free.
Baxter Arena
2425 S. 67th St.
Omaha, NE 68106
(435) 229-8342
Tour Joslyn Castle and several other historic Omaha homes by means of shuttle service. Shop the Holiday Boutique, and enjoy cider and cookies. $20.
Joslyn Castle
3902 Davenport St.
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 595-2199
