The Durham Museum is proud to offer free admission on Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., to invite the community to experience Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition.

Since capacity is limited, advanced registration is highly encouraged. Register online at www.DurhamMuseum.org/Mandela.

Find many more Fun Things to Do this Spring here!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

The Durham Museum is proud to offer free admission on Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., to invite the community to experience Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition.

Since capacity is limited, advanced registration is highly encouraged, and they ask that members and frequent visitors consider allowing those who may not otherwise be able to visit the museum the chance to enjoy this opportunity.

Register online at www.DurhamMuseum.org/Mandela.

Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition is the major new global touring exhibition that takes visitors on a personal journey through the life of the world’s most iconic freedom fighter and political leader. The Durham Museum is thrilled to welcome the exhibition to Omaha now-July 3, 2022.

Presented in association with Round Room Live, the exhibition is an immersive and interactive experience that features previously unseen film, photos and the display of over 150 historical artifacts and personal effects on loan from the Mandela family, museums and archives worldwide.

Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition is designed to educate, entertain and inspire using many personal belongings and objects never previously seen outside of South Africa. These items combine with immersive media presentations and scenic re-creations, to enable visitors to actively engage with and experience key moments in Nelson Mandela’s life. The exhibit takes visitors on Mandela’s life journey, from his little-known beginnings in rural Mvezo, Transkei, through decades of turbulent struggle against the apartheid regime, to his eventual vindication and final years as South Africa’s first black president, ‘Father of South Africa,’ and a globally loved and respected figure.

Find More Fun:

• Fun Things to Do this Spring

They are doing it again!

Members of the Omaha Public Libraries will be able to check out tickets to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium! (while supplies last)

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

WHEN: Beginning February 1, 2022, zoo tickets will be available at OPL locations. (while supplies last)

WHO:

Omaha Public Libraries: Adults ages 18+ who are Douglas County residents or have a non-resident paid membership to OPL are eligible to check out the tickets. Accounts with outstanding balances greater than $50 may start a payment plan in order to obtain a ticket. Expired accounts must be renewed and outstanding fees must be paid in order to obtain a ticket. Due to the great demand and limited supply, tickets cannot be held or reserved. Tickets are good for one-time use. Only one ticket per library card and patron can be issued, admitting up to two adults and six children. An OPL library card must be presented to the zoo at the time of redemption. Find out more here.

[Please note: If you have an Omaha library card through a Lincoln library card, you are not eligible for these tickets. Thank you Katie for sharing this information.]

WHERE: All Omaha Public Library Branches will be participating in the program (while supplies last). 

For more information and to check on availability, visit online or call your local Omaha Library.

More Library Partnerships

• Omaha Children’s Museum
• Fontenelle Forest
• Lauritzen Gardens
• Durham Museum

Find More Fun:

• Winter Fun Guide
• Top 10 Things to Do in Omaha with Kids
• Indoor Playgrounds and Activities

For the final day of the 12 Days of Giving, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is giving the community the gift of free admission to children under the age of 12 beginning Sunday, December 26, through Friday, December 31, 2021. Up to six children can be admitted free to the Zoo with each paid adult.

This is the fifth year Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has offered this holiday gift to the community. The free admission for children under the age of 12 is an exciting culmination to the 12 Days of Giving that every visitor can enjoy.

Click here for details.

“The 12 Days of Giving brought out the holiday spirit in all of us at the Zoo,” said Dennis Pate, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “We are now even more excited to offer this final gift to all the children in our community. We hope people will use this opportunity to enjoy what our great Zoo has to offer and create memories with their loved ones.”

The Zoo has seven acres of indoor exhibits to enjoy during the winter months. In the Lied Jungle, visitors are transported to the hot and humid climate of a rainforest while viewing species such as Malayan tapirs, monkeys and macaws. The Desert Dome, the largest indoor desert in the world, offers 42,000 square feet of desert native plant and animal species. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium allows visitors to come nose-to-nose with sea turtles and sharks in its 70-foot shark tunnel.

Omaha’s Zoo and Aquarium is currently open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lied Jungle closes at 3 p.m. and the other exhibit buildings close at 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Christmas Day.

Find more fun over Winter Break here!

Find More Fun:

• 10 Things to Do Over Winter Break
• 10+ Free Things to Do Over Winter Break

Photo Credit Brad Williams Photography

This year, several local organizations and businesses have come up with creative and safe Drive-Thru Holiday events to enjoy from your car! Additionally, we have added Outdoor Holiday Events that are happening this Season. 

PLEASE NOTE: Many events require pre-registration, have limited capacity, or offer timed slots. As things continue to change during this time, it is highly recommended to verify details, closures, cancelations, hours of operation, and any requirements or procedures for guests before visiting. Thank You!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Old Market, North Omaha, & South Omaha Lighting Displays – Nov. 22 – Jan 3 (nightly), FREE

• Old Market Display – The display will run from 10th to 13th Streets, and from Harney to Jackson Streets.
• The North Omaha lighting display will be showcased along a six-block area around 24th and Lake Streets
• The South Omaha lighting display will be showcased on 24th Street between L and Q Streets.

Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing – Nov. 14 – Feb. 14, FREE

• Stroll through tens of thousands of white LED lights strung throughout Turner Park and along Farnam Street. Plus, visit the beautifully decorated tree in Farnam Court.
• Location: Turner Park (31st Ave. and Farnam St.), Omaha, NE.

Light Up Bellevue: Christmas in Old Towne Holiday Lights and Music Show – Nov. 25 – Jan. 8

• Visitors are invited to drive down to Washington Park in Bellevue to enjoy the Light Show from your car or walk through the park if weather allows.
• Location: Washington Park, 20th Ave. & Franklin St., Bellevue

Walking in La Vista Wonderland – December (Santa visits on select days) – Walk-Thru event

• Enjoy elf character cutouts, candy cane lane, lights, and more as you walk along the path! See Santa and reindeer on select nights. 
• Location: La Vista Wonderland, 8305 Park View Blvd.

Drive Thru Santa, Lights & Music Show – December 4 (5 – 7:30 p.m.) 

• This Drive – Thru event will give everyone the opportunity to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy the Holiday Light & Music Show at Washington Park all without having to leave the comfort and safety of your car. There will be holiday goodies handed out by local businesses and organizations until they run out as well as other holiday decorations and festivities to look at and enjoy all through out the route.
• The Bellevue Food Pantry will be accepting non-perishable food donations and monetary donations will be appreciated at the end of the route to support the great work Light Up Bellevue is doing around our community.
• Location: Entrance to this event will be at the intersection of Mission Ave and Franklin St. in Bellevue. 

KETV Drive-Thru Family Festival – Dec. 5 (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

• This drive-through experience will include picking up craft kits to do as a family, holiday characters and Santa, Police Officers on their horses, and holiday entertainment – all in the warmth and safety of your vehicle. The first 500 vehicles will receive a complimentary book, courtesy of Omaha Public Library.
• Volunteers will be on hand to collect food donations for the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, so bring nonperishable food with you if you wish to contribute.
• Location: Omaha Police Mounted Patrol Barn, 615 Leavenworth St., Omaha.

Illuminate Inclusion – Dec. 10 – 11 (5 – 9 p.m.), FREE (Donations welcome)

• Grab your hot chocolate, load the family into the car, and drive-thru the Illuminate Inclusion holiday light display at Zorinsky Lake!
• Donations will be accepted to help make the accessible and inclusive playground at Zorinsky a reality.
• Location: Zorinsky Lake Park, Water Park Entrance, 3808 S. 154th St., Omaha, NE.

Santa’s Rock ‘n Lights at Werner Park – Open select days November 19th – January 2nd., $24.99-$34.99/vehicle. [Online Ticket Purchase Required]

• More than 700 feet of light tunnels, including a new techno rainbow tunnel. 
• Location: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular – Dec. 31 (7 p.m.), FREE

• Enjoy the spectacular firework show in the warmth and safety of your vehicle or home!
• Arrive early and park for FREE to view the up-close show in the recommended viewing areas listed here.
• The fireworks will be launched from Parking Lot D of the CHI Health Center.