Holiday Happenings: Family-Friendly Events in Omaha this December
December in Omaha is always full of fun and exciting things to do! The Holiday Lights Festival is a great way to kick off the holiday season with amazing light displays and fun activities all over the city. You won't want to miss seeing The Nutcracker at the Orpheum or A Christmas Story at the Rose Theater to really get into the Christmas spirit. If you're looking for special gifts for your family and friends, be sure to check out the Christmas markets and craft fairs happening all month long. And don't forget about New Year's Eve - there are lots of parties and events around town to help you celebrate the start of 2025 in style. Whether you love the winter wonderland vibes or just want to enjoy some holiday cheer, there's something for everyone to enjoy this December in Omaha!
Dec 1 (10am-4pm) | Bancroft Street Market
Cost: FREE
The Handmade Omaha Holiday Art & Craft Bazaar has been going strong for 12 whole years! It's like a super cool tradition that happens every year, where you can help out local small businesses in our community. There are 26 artists selling all kinds of awesome stuff, like soap, lotion, yummy chocolates, jewelry, cool art, and even greeting cards. It's a great place to find unique gifts and support local artists at the same time!
Dec 1 (10am-3pm) | Café Postale
Cost: FREE
Omaha Flea is a fun event where you can find one-of-a-kind items made by local artists and small businesses. They've got everything from handmade ceramics and jewelry to candles, prints, and even furniture. It's a great way to support local shops and find some really cool stuff at the same time. Don't miss out!
Family Fun Night: Holiday Express
Dec 1-8 | Lauritzen Gardens
Cost: $18
Come join the fun at a train-themed event for families! Hang out with Santa, check out cool model trains, listen to a holiday story, make a craft, play games, get your face painted, and do other fun stuff to make your holiday season awesome!
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Dec 3 (7:30pm) | Holland Performing Arts Center
Cost: From $39.50
Get ready to be amazed this holiday season with Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland! It's like a magical circus mixed with your favorite holiday songs. This year is extra special because it's the 15th anniversary of this awesome show. You'll be filled with joy and wonder as you watch the incredible performances and listen to the festive music. Don't miss out on this unforgettable holiday experience!
Dec 5 (5-8pm) | Dundee
Cost: Free
Get ready to start the holiday season in Dundee! Come with your family for a super fun night full of holiday spirit and awesome things to do for everyone. You can take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the cool Dundee mural while listening to students sing Christmas songs. Plus, there will be special stuff happening at the local stores too!
First Thursday Downtown Omaha Art Walk
Dec 5 | Old Market
Cost: Free
Check out the Old Market galleries on the first Thursday of each month. You can meet artists and see some beautiful pieces at places like Artists Cooperative Gallery, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, KANEKO, Passageway Gallery, Old Market Artists Gallery, and Ground Floor in The Passageway. Don't miss out on this chance to explore the vibrant art scene in your city!
Dec 6 (4-9pm) | Durham Museum
Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors/veterans, $8 kids 3-12, free for children 2 and under, free for members
Come check out the Holiday Cultural Festival to see how different countries celebrate this special time of year! Over 30 groups will be showing off their cool crafts and traditional outfits. There will also be awesome music and dance performances all night long. And don't forget about the yummy food and cool gifts you can buy from all over the world!
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Dec 6-21 (Fri-7pm, Sat-2pm & 7pm, Sun-2pm) | The Rose Theater
Cost: From $32
Come along with Ralphie Parker as he searches for the ultimate Christmas present – a Red Ryder air rifle. This fun musical version of the popular movie includes all the funny moments like when Flick gets his tongue stuck to a flagpole, Dad wins a special award, a crazy trip to see Santa, and more. Gather your family for a heartwarming show that captures the joys of being a kid, all from the perspective of a nine-year-old boy.
Dec 6 (starting 5pm) | Benson
Cost: Free
Come check out the coolest spot in Omaha - Benson! Artists are showing off their awesome work, galleries are opening up for everyone to see, there's live music playing, and people are hanging out, playing games, dancing, and making amazing sidewalk chalk art. You can also shop at different vendors and grab some yummy food while you're there. It's a blast!
Dec Fridays & Saturdays (times vary) | Moylan Tranquility Ice Plex
Cost: $10.95 for 13 and over, $8.95 for 12 and younger, $13.95 for Saturday's twilight skate,
Come hang out with your crew at Moylan Tranquility Ice Plex during open skate hours. It's a blast and a great way to stay active. Saturday nights are lit with party lights and good vibes when the sun goes down.
Dec 7 | Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum
Cost: $17.50 Saturday general admission adult, $9 child (4-12)
Get cozy with some hot cocoa and cookies while listening to stories, hang out with characters from Star Wars, write a letter to Santa, check out cool gifts at the market, and enjoy some festive tunes from the Salvation Army band and carolers all day long! And don't forget to say hi to Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Dec 8 (1-4pm) | Fontenelle Forest
Cost: $15 adult general admission, $9 child (ages 2-17), free for members and kids under 2
Don't stay cooped up inside just because it's cold outside. Fontenelle Forest is throwing a Winter Season Celebration that's all about having fun in the snow! You can go on snowy walks, play in the new Acorn Acres playground, and even sip on some hot coffee or cocoa from Blue Line coffee. There's also nature crafts, a chance to meet Santa Claus, sing carols around a campfire, and even meet some cool birds of prey. So bundle up and come join in on the winter fun!
Dec 8 & 9 | Bushwacker's Saloon
Cost: $25
Get ready for a super cool Christmas concert called FLiCKER: A Candlelit Christmas Concert! It's going to be so awesome with members of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra playing. Imagine a cozy Holiday Bar all lit up with flickering candles, making everything feel warm and festive. The Nova String Quartet will be there playing classic Christmas songs like O Holy Night and Carol of the Bells, as well as fun favorites like Jingle Bell Rock and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. It's going to be a magical night filled with holiday cheer and great music!
Dec 13-15 | Orpheum Theater
Cost: From $27
The Nutcracker by American Midwest Ballet is like a magical fairy tale come to life! With amazing dancers, beautiful costumes, and a heartwarming story, it's no wonder families love watching this show every year. The dancers are so talented and the music is so enchanting, you'll be mesmerized from start to finish. Plus, there are even some local students who get to join in on the fun and show off their skills on stage. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!
Dec 14-15 (11am-5pm) | Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront
Come check out the first-ever Holiday Market put on by the same people who organize Midwest Fest! There's something for everyone at this market. You can find all sorts of cool stuff like home decorations, handmade jewelry, unique treasures, and awesome artwork. Plus, there will be talented artists and yummy food trucks at The RiverFront. And don't forget about the ice sculpting and DJ at the Skate Ribbon to keep the holiday spirit alive!
Dec 14 (10am) | Blackstone District
Cost: $25 Adults (14+), $10 Children (13 and under)
Get ready for the most festive fun run in The Blackstone District! It's a great time for everyone, no matter how fast or slow you are. You'll get to wear special holiday clothes and take on challenges made by Santa's elves. You can choose how far you want to run - either one loop for 0.8 miles or two loops for 1.6 miles. After you finish, you can relax with a cup of hot chocolate and check out the Holiday Market at the Cottonwood Hotel. The first 200 grown-ups (14 and older) will get a Santa Suit, while kids (13 and under) will get a cute holiday headband. Everyone's holiday outfit will fit just right.
Dec 14 (all day – starts at 11am) | Blackstone District
Cost: Free
Come hang out in the Blackstone District every second Saturday of the month for some awesome live music and fun events! Make sure to visit the Blackstone District website, Facebook, or Instagram to see who's playing and where the party's at.
Cookies with the Clauses at the Zoo
Dec 14-21 (9:30-11:30am & 1:30-3:30pm) | Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Cost: $30/person
Hey everyone! Santa needs your help! Come on down to Santa's North Pole for a fun day with the family. Santa will tell you a story, you can decorate yummy cookies and learn how to make gifts for the animals in your backyard. And to top it all off, you get to go to the Zoo afterwards. It's going to be a blast!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Dec 18 (6:30pm) | Orpheum Theater
Cost: $25-$55
Get ready to see Rudolph like you've never seen him before! Join Rudolph, the reindeer with the shiny nose, as he goes on a cool adventure to find out who he really is and learn to love himself. This awesome musical has catchy songs, fun characters, and lots of jokes that will make you laugh. It's a super fun way to get into the Christmas spirit and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Plus, everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the show, no matter what.
New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular
Dec 31 (7-8pm) | CHI Health Center Omaha
Cost: Free
Get ready to ring in the New Year with an awesome fireworks display that you can watch right from your car! You can park for free in MECA Lots A, B, and C by the CHI Health Center, or in the Gallup Parking Lots at 1001 Gallup Drive. The lots open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks will be set off in MECA Parking Lot D. Don't forget to tune in to STAR 104.5 to listen to the music while you watch the show!
Dec 31 (7pm-2am) | Venues at the Granary
Cost: From $20
Get ready to ring in the New Year in a big way at the Granary! Last year, more than 1,200 people came together to celebrate the start of 2024 with an awesome party that took place in three different areas. This year, we're gearing up for an even better celebration to welcome 2025. There will be live music, delicious food, an outdoor ball drop, and fireworks to make sure you have a night to remember!
Dec 31 (10am-2pm) | Durham Museum
Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors/veterans, $8 kids 3-12, free for children 2 and under, free for members
Hey kids! Get ready for an awesome party with Dino O'Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars! There will be cool crafts, fun activities, and live music to dance to. Make your own party hat and get ready for a bubble wrap stomp and a balloon drop at noon. Don't miss out on the fun - get your tickets early starting December 2nd!
Holiday Happenings: Family-Friendly Events in Omaha this December
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