Events

Join OPL and Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project for a virtual interactive session! There will be a brief presentation on the significance of the lotus flower and the Lotus Lantern Festival, a step-by-step craft session where participants create their own traditional Korean lotus lantern, and a short documentary on Korea to close the event. This craft is suitable for ages 13+ and younger participants are encouraged to complete the craft with an adult caregiver. Registration is required.

Hold a wishing stone. Feels its presence. Ask yourself, what would I like to wish for today? Focus your energy into creating your own magical piece of art to carry into the summer. Visitors will be using watercolor pencils for control and liquid watercolor to let go. Feel the stillness when they set their intentions in “stone” (well, a painting of a stone). Meet at the Arrival Plaza next to the Discovery Playground! 

OPL's mascot, Scamper the Prairie Dog, will visit storytime to celebrate the opening of the new Central Library! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. Explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Get ready for a super-powered story time! Join us for a special event with wrestling superstar, Latin Thunder. Latin Thunder will read a story, demonstrate some of his signature wrestling moves, and answer all your questions. After the story, it's your turn to unleash your inner hero! Decorate your very own luchador mask and then strike a pose with the champion himself!

Get ready for a super-powered story time! Join us for a special event with wrestling superstar, Latin Thunder. Latin Thunder will read a story, demonstrate some of his signature wrestling moves, and answer all your questions. After the story, it's your turn to unleash your inner hero! Decorate your very own luchador mask and then strike a pose with the champion himself!

Are you worn out after a busy work week? Do you need a "pick me up" to kickstart your weekend? Grab your friends, coworkers, or significant other and come wind down during our Sunset Hike! This hike will explore the gravel and dirt trails near the Nature Center, then head out to the third loop of the Boardwalk to watch the sunset over the Missouri River.

Cat Cafe: Coffee and Kittens at the Bennington Library

Get ready for a super-powered story time! Join us for a special event with wrestling superstar, Latin Thunder. Latin Thunder will read a story, demonstrate some of his signature wrestling moves, and answer all your questions. After the story, it's your turn to unleash your inner hero! Decorate your very own luchador mask and then strike a pose with the champion himself!

Calling all gamers! Have a blast learning how to code while building robotic games to test your code. You will learn about sequencing commands, value and sensor inputs, and loops.  This month, kids will create a Robo Spider. This is a free event for kids 10-12. Children under the age of 10 will not be admitted into this program. Registration is required

Celebrate the world of Mario with fun activities for ages K-8.  Drop in anytime, no registration required.

Get ready for a super-powered story time! Join us for a special event with wrestling superstar, Latin Thunder. Latin Thunder will read a story, demonstrate some of his signature wrestling moves, and answer all your questions. After the story, it's your turn to unleash your inner hero! Decorate your very own luchador mask and then strike a pose with the champion himself!

Celebrate reading with a party all about bookmarks! Kids can decorate a variety of bookmarks using fun supplies and their own creativity. From colorful designs to imaginative patterns, everyone will leave with a collection of unique bookmarks to enjoy with their favorite books. All supplies are included while supplies last. This is a free event for kids ages 6-10, and registration is required.

Learn about designing and printing items on a 3-D printer! Watch as they are used and take some time to design and print a small item to take home. This free event is open to adults, teens and kids over the age of 11. Registration is encouraged but not required.

The first 700 kids will get a children's goody bag, plus they can get fitted for a FREE bike helmet (while supplies last), courtesy of Children's Nebraska! Bounce Houses, Family Fitness Demos, Sports Activities, Mascot Race, and more!

Grab your family and friends for a fun afternoon of canoeing on the lake!  Includes instruction and all equipment for a safe and fun canoeing adventure!  Participants must be at least 6 years and older and at least one adult is required for each canoe. $25/canoe (max 4 people). Register for a one-hour time slot: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm.

Local sewist Alejandra will introduce us to the basics of sewing, hemming, and upgrading clothes to give them new life. This series is open to beginner & advanced sewists who want to try a new project, meet other enthusiasts, and share project ideas. Bring your own machine or use a library machine. (limited availability)

Experience the energy of India through a dynamic showcase of student talent. Our program features a colorful blend of classical and folk dance, rhythmic percussion, and high-energy fashion acts. It’s more than a performance—it’s a journey through the rich, diverse traditions that define Indian culture.

Learn about designing and printing items on a 3-D printer! Watch as they are used and take some time to design and print a small item to take home. This free event is open to adults, teens and kids over the age of 11. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Join our Creative Movement Workshop! Perfect for all levels, this fun session explores expressive movement to boost confidence and unique style. Learn a simple dance routine from a teaching artist with Pear Tree Performing Arts. This is a free event for kids 6-12. Registration is required.

Get fit with fun as the Amazing Athletes guide you through a variety of active activities. Then, nurture your muscles and your mind with a healthy snack and a fun craft activity!

Join for a cozy evening of sweet treats and beautiful views at S'mores and Sunsets! Gather around the fire at one of our local parks, where we'll be making delicious s'mores while enjoying the breathtaking sunset. This family-friendly event is open to all ages, and no registration is required. Just bring your appetite for marshmallows and a love for the outdoors! We look forward to seeing you there for a fun and relaxing evening.

Learn about designing and printing items on a 3-D printer! Watch as they are used and take some time to design and print a small item to take home. This free event is open to adults, teens and kids over the age of 11. Registration is encouraged but not required.

The Young Playwrights Festival showcases the work of some of the best teenage writers in the Omaha area. Most of the scripts featured in this production are created as part of The Rose’s yearlong Young Playwrights class, which is led by The Rose’s award-winning Playwright-in-Residence, Brian Guehring. Written entirely by teens, the works are filled with comedy, tragedy, hopes, fears, romance and all-out fun.

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Learn about designing and printing items on a 3-D printer! Watch as they are used and take some time to design and print a small item to take home. This free event is open to adults, teens and kids over the age of 11. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Ages 0-12. Create a May Day Basket for a friend or relative. Don't forget to leave it for them without getting spotted!

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Have you ever wondered what the Forest looks like after the sun goes down? Now you can find out at our Full Moon Hikes! Come on an evening hike with us and experience the Forest under the light of the moon.  

Join in the fun as comic book stores and Libraries across Omaha celebrate Free Comic Book Day! Stop by participating locations to pick up free comics from top publishers and discover new stories, characters, and creators. Many shops will also feature special events like artist signings, cosplay, giveaways, and family-friendly activities.

Kids 5+ and their grandparents will have a fun morning at Hummel Day Camp participating in a variety of activities together including archery, games, and crafts. Then they will enjoy making their lunch over the campfire. Don't miss this opportunity to make lasting memories! $10 per person. Register online March 23- April 30.

OPL invites you to explore the city’s rich history within the sacred grounds of Bohemian Cemetery — one of Omaha’s historic cemeteries. Following a brief talk about the significance and history of Bohemian Cemetery, participants will have the opportunity to uncover stories in plain sight.

Let’s find out! Participants will smell various spices in their native state and then attempt to identify each spice by smelling the oil of the spice, which has a high concentration of the scent molecules. The structure of the scent chemicals impacts how our neurons detect its scent, and models will be available so participants can connect the microscopic molecular structures to the macroscopic scents.

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Join OPL at The Joslyn for storytime, featuring stories, creative movement, music and exploration of a piece of art. Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. This Storytime is part of The Joslyn's monthly Art-tastic Saturdays.

Calling all gamers! Have a blast learning how to code while building robotic games to test your code. You will learn about sequencing commands, value and sensor inputs, and loops. This month, kids will create a Catapult. This is a free event for kids 6-9. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted into this program. Registration is required.

Get your geek on! Pick up free comics; make your own superhero mask; and get free character sketches done by artists Rylie Blum, Robb Blum, Matt Haney, Tracey Mauk, and Bruce McCorkindale. Featuring special guests The Ghostbusters, members of the 501st and Rebel Legions, and more. Sponsored by the Gretna Community Fund, Krypton Comics, and Dave & Lisa Bell.

Celebrate Star Wars with an out-of-this-galaxy party filled with themed crafts and activities. Whether you’re Jedi, Sith, or somewhere in between, join the fun and channel the Force with fellow fans.

Come enjoy a cooking demonstration with No More Empty Pots to learn skills such as nutrition, teamwork, and food-safety. The session will feature local, seasonal and garden fresh foods. This free event is open to adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Registration is required.

Learn about the many amphibians that call Nebraska home in a lecture-style presentation in the Schramm Education Center Classroom and view live examples of many of Nebraska's frog, toad, and salamander species. Then, with the supervision of a professional scientist, learn and practice catching and identifying frogs outdoors at a pond. Register in Advance

Join for a special presentation of A Japanese Fable: Monkey and Crab told by Dr. Sharon Ishii-Jordan! Dr. Ishii-Jordan will not only read the beautifully illustrated book but will also teach children a few simple Japanese words along the way. Through lively storytelling, participants will learn new vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and discover how language brings stories to life. This event is best suited for kids ages 6-10.

Enjoy a sip of spring at the 5th Annual Spring Cocktail Party! Each participating establishment is offering a signature spring cocktail sure to delight your tastebuds. Visit as many neighborhood establishments (all within walking distance of each other!) as you like, in any order you like, and cast your vote for the best cocktail in midtown! Food pairings and full menus also available. Sign the Rail! In between cocktails, take a moment to sign a rail section to be installed on the Omaha Streetcar line.

3rd Annual Derby Day Celebration. Grab your fanciest hat and sharpest bow tie and join for the 3rd Annual Derby Day! Experience the excitement of the 152nd Kentucky Derby while making a meaningful impact in our community.

They’re turning Main Street into the ultimate outdoor party—complete with a large-screen viewing of the Kentucky Derby, and plenty of ways to celebrate with friends, family, and the community!

Join for culture, storytelling, and community with The Japanese American Citizens League-Omaha Chapter (JACL). The JACL Dance Troupe will perform multiple dances that honor Japanese dance culture. At the end of the presentation, the dancers will teach audience members “Bon-Odori,” a traditional dance used in community gatherings to honor and memorialize ancestors.

Learn to identify Nebraska amphibians by their calls through a quick classroom presentation followed by a walk down to the park (roughly 1 mile round trip) to hear frogs calling. We recommend bringing a head lamp or flashlight.

Get to know the new OPL Do Space in our Skills Class! Each session will focus on learning a new skill, machine, or software. This session will focus on the introductory 3D modeling skills. Participants will be able to get to know the software Tinkercad and start their 3D printing journey!  Register now for this 2-hour, hands-on program.

Experience an interactive, sensory-filled drop-in program led by Renee Sans Souci, Umoⁿhoⁿ educator. She will have a variety of materials to touch and talk about, including buffalo hide, items made from buffalo, and samples of bison bites from Riverview Bison (while supplies last).

Celebrate Star Wars with an out-of-this-galaxy party filled with themed crafts and activities. Whether you’re Jedi, Sith, or somewhere in between, join the fun and channel the Force with fellow fans.

Learn more about gardening from a NE Extension Master Gardener and plant your own seed to take home! This event will take place outside, weather pending. In case of bad weather, it will be held in the Large Meeting Room.

Explore Filipino culture! Join us for a drop-in exhibit led by the Filipino-American Organization of Metro Omaha to learn about Filipino culture and crafts. In addition, this group will perform traditional Filipino dances from 3:30–4 p.m.

Join for “Sayaw sa Cuyo” and “Pandanggo sa llaw,” traditional folk dances performed by the Filipino-American Organization of Metro Omaha. An exploratory table featuring Filipino crafts and information will be available before and after these special dances!

The Secret Life of Ants. Ants may be small, but they are mighty! Join us to get an up close look at the secret life of ants, how they live and survive, and learn about the special roles they have in maintaining our woodland ecosystem!

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-5 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

From the soulful swing of Wynton Marsalis to the rich lyricism of Dvořák and the timeless grooves of Stevie Wonder, the Omaha Symphony Forte String Quartet brings a vibrant, genre-spanning program to life. This free event is perfect for all ages and is a great opportunity to enjoy an incredible performance and connect directly with musicians in your community.

Bring your imagination to life with stories and scrapbooks! In this creative workshop, participants will use a instant camera to take pictures (and/or bring their own pictures!) and turn them into colorful scrapbook pages using paper, stickers, letters, and more. It’s the perfect mix of storytelling and hands-on art—no writing or crafting experience needed!

Nestled among the trees and trails of Fontenelle Forest, stories take flight! Join OPL at Fontenelle Forest for a special storytime celebrating birds, nature, insects, and more. We’ll explore the wonders of nature through stories, songs, and movement. While this program is geared toward preschoolers, children of all ages are welcome.

Penelope the Dinosaur will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Celebrate reading with a party all about bookmarks! Kids can decorate a variety of bookmarks using fun supplies and their own creativity. From colorful designs to imaginative patterns, everyone will leave with a collection of unique bookmarks to enjoy with their favorite books. All supplies are included while supplies last. This is a free event for kids ages 6-10, and registration is required.

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-11 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

The event will begin with a brief evening hike on dirt-packed trails through the prairie and forest. Then as night falls, we will watch for shooting stars together while learning about meteor showers, seasonal constellations, and general astronomy. Members of the Omaha Astronomical Society will be available to share their expertise (and telescopes) during the program.

Curiosity Crew is a one-hour, hands-on STEM program for children ages 2-5 that blends play, exploration, and early learning! May Theme: Bees and Other Pollinators! Stop by to learn about the important role pollinators play in our environment! Space is limited. Registration is encouraged.

Lil Rosies Teaching Artist, Chloe Hug, from The Rose Theater will be visiting to lead an interactive reading of the book "Frozen." Children and families will get to enjoy the story, participate in fun theater activities, and get excited as we prepare for our spring show "Frozen." Don’t miss this lively morning of imagination, singing, dancing, and storytelling—all inspired by snow, princesses, and the magic of live theater! All are welcome!