Events

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided.

Come explore different service vehicles from your community. From fire trucks to police cars, there will be a variety of "trucks" for all. This will be held at Papillion Landing, north of the Field House.

Enjoy the timelessness of painting “en plein air,” an inspiring way to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors as you capture it on canvas. Supplies are provided; however you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Join Metropolitan Community College at the Canopies in Gene Leahy Mall for this artistic experience.

It’s your time to shine! Join OPL and instructors with Pear Tree Performing Arts studio to explore culture through the power of oral tradition, folktales, and drama. Participants engage in a variety of arts-based lessons and learn about the world, diversity, different cultures, values, virtues, and morals through tales passed down from generations. This is a free event for kids, ages 6-12. Registration is required

Enjoy a fun evening with family friendly activities including guided nature hikes, games, crafts, archery, and s’mores! Stay until dusk to see all the lightning bugs come out! Bring your own jar to decorate and catch/release these amazing insects. RSVP starting May 19th by clicking the button below!

Visit the 11th Street Promenade to see a magic show featuring cards, rings, ropes, silks, and even an escape. It's the Tricks of the Trade performed by Old Market Magician, Ryan Chandler. From The CW's "Fool Us" to the "Penn & Teller: Try This At Home" magic special, Ryan is known for his unique street style which often combines magic and elements of music. You can find out more about Ryan and his show at Old Market Magician.

Navigate like a true adventurer! Discover the science of magnetism and direction by creating your very own compass.

Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. Explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking and writing in each storytime! Children of all ages are welcome; storytimes will be tailored for the age of the children present. At this storytime, we will learn about fire safety with a local firefighter and even see a fire truck!

Join for 30 minutes of fun with professional dancers from the American Midwest Ballet! We’ll hear a story, watch a dance, and learn some moves of our very own! In the event of inclement weather, this program will move to CB Library Meeting Room A.

All Ages. Donna Trout Clown Demonstration.

Missing any socks? You just might find the culprit at our store! Author Lisa Smith and illustrator Cherri Yost will be here to read and sign their book The Sneaky Sock Gremlin. Don't miss out!

Join OPL as we engage in digital storytelling through exciting STEM and coding activities with our new community partner Snapology! While children are exploring robotics, coding, and design challenges using LEGO® bricks and technology, they are learning new skills and having fun! This is a free event for kids 6-12.

Ready for a thrill ride? In this hands-on Design It class, students will plan, build, and test their own paper roller coasters! Using strips of paper, cardboard, and marbles, we’ll explore physics concepts like gravity, momentum, and kinetic energy while getting creative with loops, drops, and turns. It’s a fun and fast-paced engineering challenge where imagination meets motion! Registration is required for this event.

Jeff Quinn's all-new magic show needs YOU! Get your friends and family together and join Jeff Quinn's Summer Reading Show. This is a free event for all ages.

Join on Tuesday evening, June 24, at E.T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center to learn all about irises! The Sass Memorial Iris Garden on the grounds of Mahoney State Park displays and preserves over 300 iris cultivars. Learn to appreciate irises in a new way after discovering the rare and award-winning flowers of the collection. Join the Greater Omaha and Lincoln Iris Societies for an educational program and garden tour.

Ages 0 - 8. Meet at Southwind Park for some messy art activities! Wear clothes you can get dirty.

Join OPL staff at different parks and places for storytime, featuring stories, creative movement, music and more. Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Rain or shine, we'll be there!

Theatre and balloon art come together with this highly interactive show.  Audience volunteers will dress as (premade) balloon characters and act out a story with Patti as the narrator and the audience as the sound effects.  In the event of inclement weather this program will be moved to the CB Library.

Come watch as Dr. Oxygen brings science to life in this "hands on and minds on" show.

Bennington Library Community Partners

Join OPL at Lake Cunningham, Entrance 3, for storytime! Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome to join in the fun. Rain or shine, we'll be there! We will be in the shelter at Entrance 3 at 9600 Garvin Road.

Join at the library on Wednesday, June 25, for a magical event! Local magician and hypnotist Jeff Quinn will surely amaze you.  This event is open to all ages, so bring the whole family!

Muggles and magic users of all kinds are invited to OPL for a celebration of the characters, creatures, and world from the "Harry Potter" book series! Come discuss the books, get sorted into your House, and do crafts and activities based on this popular fandom. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. This program is for teens ages 13-18. Registration is required

Calling all witches and wizards! Think you have what it takes to participate in this Wizarding Adventure? Come solve puzzles and clues to unlock a prize box before time runs out in this escape room based on the best-selling "Harry Potter" book series. There will be three escape rooms, at 2 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. for participants ages 8-12. Try to escape over summer break! Registration is required

All ages and ability levels are welcome at OPL’s Tabletop Time At the Library where we’ll be playing popular, modern board games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor, King of Tokyo and more! Come hang out with friends or family, learn a new game, or enjoy a group favorite at the library. This is a free event for all ages. Registration is required 

Join for Community Fishing Night at Fontenelle Park Pond! Look for the Family Fishing Trailer, where loaner rods and reels, bait and fishing instruction are available free to participants. Fishing Instructors are also available to provide helpful tips and answer questions. This is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished for years to learn.

Join OPL as we engage in digital storytelling through exciting STEM and coding activities with our new community partner Snapology! While children are exploring robotics, coding, and design challenges using LEGO® bricks and technology, they are learning new skills and having fun! This is a free event for kids 6-12.

Kick off your summer with Kids FunFare — a lively, family-friendly event happening every Thursday morning in June at Regency Shopping Center!