With Omaha, Nebraska, being the family-friendly city that we know and love, there is no short supply of holiday activities. While the whole country gets lit up with magic during the holiday season, many argue that Omaha is a little extra so. Whether it’s the lights, the snow adorning the streets, the hustling and bustling Old Market, or the ice skating rinks, there are endless opportunities to get out and enjoy the season with your loved ones. Let’s go over some activities and events that you’ll all be sure to remember and enjoy.
Best Omaha Holiday Events
The Old Market
The Old Market area is one of the many highlights of the Omaha Metro. Once Halloween decorations start to come down, it slowly turns into a winter wonderland. The Old Market hosts the Omaha Holiday Lights Festival with over a million lights and snowflakes intricately placed on various trees and bushes. You’ll find carolers strolling around the brick streets, along with street performers looking to spread some holiday cheer. Horse-drawn carriages are available if you’re looking for a more romantic experience. The restaurants and bars are plentiful, and there are plenty of Christmas shops to pick up any last-minute gifts or souvenirs.
Durham Museum
The Durham Museum is another popular venue for families looking for some Christmas cheer. One of the stand out features is the 40-foot tall Christmas tree that’s displayed every year. Fun fact, it’s one of the tallest in the Midwest. They also feature a Holidays Cultural Trees Display that’s decorated with ornaments that represent various countries around the world.
Lauritzen Gardens
Although not quite as tall as the Durham tree, Lauritzen Gardens is home to one of the most unique trees you’ll find in Omaha. This 20-foot tree is made out of over 700 poinsettias. Not a sight you get to see regularly. Along with this beautiful tree is one of the most beautiful model trains in the city as well. Lauritzen Gardens also stars scale models of the most iconic buildings in Omaha. The entire facility is adorned with Christmas decorations as you make your way around. And last but not least, there’s even a fire pit outside the visitor center where you and your family can roast up some marshmallows and s’mores.
North Omaha, South Omaha, and Midtown Crossing
If you’re looking to cruise around gazing at Christmas lights for the night, some of your best areas to drive over to will be North Omaha, South Omaha, and Midtown Crossing. In 2020, it was all part of the Holiday Lights Festival. There’s a six-block area in North Omaha with some of the best views (near 24th and Lake streets). At the annual Christmas in the Village, you’ll find music, dancing, carriage rides, vendors, and concessions.
Head on down to South Omaha and you’ll find Latin music and food with Christmas lights and festivities. This area is home to some of the best Mexican food in the city, so don’t forget to stop in for some tacos.
In Turner Park, you’ll find thousands of lights strung on the trees throughout Midtown Crossing. Check out a movie at the new Alamo or grab a bite to eat in the cozy Culprit Cafe. The wonderful thing about Midtown is it’s not huge. Therefore, you can stroll around the whole area with a warm cup of coffee in just under an hour.
Santa Claus
Head into Bass Pro Shop or the Children’s Museum and you’ll be sure to find Santa. If you’d like to meet his reindeer, you can head over to Mulhall’s or Scatter Joy Acres. At Scatter Joy you’ll actually witness a nativity scene with live animals. Your kids won’t forget it.
There’s no doubt that Omaha knows how to do the holidays right. Whether it’s extravagant Christmas lights, intricately decorated massive trees, or Santa Claus and his reindeer, you’ll be able to find all of the above in all corners of the city. It doesn’t matter if you’re west, north, south, or downtown, the endless Christmas festivities are just under your nose.
Additional Source: Omaha Events Calendar
Graves Development Resources | Land Developer in Omaha, Nebraska
Graves Development Resources (GDR) has been designing and building the market’s finest neighborhoods since 2000, with over 5,000 homesites and important commercial development projects throughout Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
Our pages showcase current neighborhoods where new home buyers may select from hundreds of home sites. We are definitely “phone friendly” and welcome the opportunity to provide you all the information you need before making one of the most important decisions of your family’s future. Contact us with any questions.