Events

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.

Get ready to dig in and have some fun! We're making our own dirt and worms ice cream!🍦🐛 Bring your little chefs👨‍🍳👩‍🍳 for this fun and delicious science experiment!👨‍🔬👩‍🔬 This is a FREE all ages event!! (First come, first serve while supplies last.) We recommend coming at 10 am to reserve your spot as spaces fill very quickly!!

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.

How much do you know about the animal kingdom? Can you tell the difference between a monkey and an ape? What farm animal is more dangerous than sharks? Join OPL and educators from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for this gameshow-style program.

Come one, come all, to the best puppet show in town! Brian Henning will make you laugh, cry, learn, and most of all - have FUN - all with the help of a few plushy puppet pals. And at the end, kids will get to make their own puppet to take home! (No strings attached!)

Join for Community Fishing Night at Halleck Lake! All participants ages 16 and older need a fishing license. A valid state park entry permit is also required for events at state park areas.

Join on a multimedia adventure. Enjoy live music, interactive drawing, comedy, juggling, and a riding unicycle for fun.  In the event of inclement weather this program will be moved to the CB Library

Celebrate the end of summer with a fun magic show by Jeff Quinn.

Bennington Library Community Partners

Level up at the library! Dive into VR, battle it out on Nintendo Switch, or explore our full lineup of consoles and games for a day of digital fun. Registration is required for this event.

Oh no! We're stuck in the past! Or is this the future? Work together to find hidden relics from each era and fix the T.I.M.E machine before that hungry dinosaur eats you for dinner. Do you have what it takes? 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.

Join OPL for a musical storytime with guests from the Omaha Conservatory of Music. This storytime will include a special musical story, songs with movement, and an instrument petting zoo, where participants can try out a violin, cello, glockenspiel, stirring xylophone, lollipop drum, and a shaker instrument.

Come join us for one last summer reading event! We'll be doing a coke and mentos explosion. We will also have guests return from the Omaha Children's Museum!

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.

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

Come cool off at our Watermelon Festival, held right here on one of the largest watermelon farms in the Midwest! We grow over 6 varieties of watermelon (plus cantaloupe!)—and during this special event, you can eat as much as you want. 

Join for the grand finale of our 2025 Summer Passport Program! Celebrate a summer filled with creativity, learning, and exploration at the Do Space Summer Passport Wrap-Up Party. This event is open to all participants and their families.

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 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for participants ages 8-12. Try to escape over summer break! Registration is required

Every First Friday of the month in the Benson Creative District for a night filled with art, live music, food, and community! From 5 PM to 2 AM, experience a variety of gallery openings, art exhibitions, local vendors, and live performances at venues across Maple Street and beyond!

This is the inaugural year of what’s set to become Nebraska’s biggest celebration of comics, cosplay, pop culture, and fandom. Meet comic guests, shop exclusive merch, explore artist alley, compete in gaming tournaments, and connect with fellow fans from all over the region.

On August, the topic will be owls! Celebrate Owl Awareness Day as you learn about these mysterious nocturnal hunters, dissect an owl pellet and more. The event will be held at the pavilion east of the Caboose Park.

Join children’s book illustrator, Chloe Burgett, as she shares what it's like drawing pictures for children's books. Chloe will present about her job, read her book, answer questions, and lead a draw-along activity. This is a free event event for all ages. Registration is required

Crossroads joins forces with the The Joslyn for a day of creativity and connection for the whole family. Enjoy a fun-filled children’s concert, two performances by the enchanting Nordic-folk duo ííS, live poetry with Nebraska State Poets, current and former, Jewel Rodgers and Matt Mason, and an interactive storytelling-through-poetry workshop with Matt Mason. It’s a perfect way to experience music, stories, and art–together.

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.

This one-mile walk designed to get humans moving and tails wagging! Along the route you’ll encounter energy breaks and playful social stops for your four-legged companion. Whether you’re looking to break a sweat, wag a tail or do both, Bark & Burn is your perfect mix of movement and dog-friendly fun.

In August, they will learn about aquatic animals.

Roll on into OPL and roll up some candy sushi! We’ll explore the different types of sushi, make our own out of candy and rice krispie treats, and practice our chopstick skills in this free, interactive program for children ages 8-12. Registration is required

Bring your favorite stuffed animal friend to a pajama storytime! After storytime, your stuffie friend will stay at the library for a sleepover with the librarians, where we’ll take pictures of them doing all sorts of fun activities. This program is for kids ages 0-7, but older siblings are welcome too.

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!

Are you in your beaded bracelet era? Join OPL to make these widely popular statement pieces! Use polymer clay beads, letter beads and more to bedazzle your own bracelet or make one for a friend. This is a free event and is suggested for kids aged 9-12. Registration is required

Ribbon Cutting at 3:00. Free custard samples, raffles, live music, face painting, a selfie booth, community vendors, and fun activities for all ages.

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. Rain Date Saturday, August 9

On August 9, the topic will be aquatic ecology! Collect, observe, and learn about the fascinating creatures that call our lakes home and indicate the health of our environment. Meet in the Lake #4 parking lot at 8 a.m.

Rotating schedule of free instructor-lead wellness classes sure to get you moving. This Week’s Activity: Yoga with Jess Jaksha

Learn to fold and make a classic mini zine from a single sheet of paper. Then use it as your canvas to find new ways to engage with your community, history, and surroundings! Registration Required

Fueled by action, nostalgia, and a few surprises, this final doubleheader will celebrate the league’s 20th Anniversary! As part of the celebration, this event will feature a commemorative 20th Anniversary history display, limited edition merchandise, and a VIP section for past No Coast skaters and officials.

Join OPL for a musical storytime with guests from the Omaha Conservatory of Music. This storytime will include a special musical story, songs with movement, and an instrument petting zoo, where participants can try out a violin, cello, glockenspiel, stirring xylophone, lollipop drum, and a shaker instrument.

Come celebrate HUMP DAY and take a selfie with a camel from our program partners at Scatter Joy Acres! Grab a bite to eat from the 13th Street Food Truck Lane!

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.

Kids and teens who made their Summer Reading Program goals can redeem their Storm Chaser voucher for a free berm seat at an Omaha Storm Chasers game!

Join OPL at the Gene Leahy Mall for storytime! Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome to join in the fun. Rain or shine, we'll be there! They will be under the big white pavilion.

Join OPL for a musical storytime with guests from the Omaha Conservatory of Music. This storytime will include a special musical story, songs with movement, and an instrument petting zoo, where participants can try out a violin, cello, glockenspiel, stirring xylophone, lollipop drum, and a shaker instrument.

Join for a s'more-tastic time! We'll be toasting up some sweet creativity with our decorate-your-own campfire cookies. It's gonna be a 'flamazing' event that'll have your taste buds roaring with delight! Don't miss out on this 'cookie-licious' adventure! 🔥🍪✨ This is a FREE all ages event!! First come, first serve, while supplies last!

Come and bug out over bugs with the Bug Guy! Spiders, scorpions, giant hissing cockroaches, butterflies, and more... kids will get to learn about them all, and maybe even hold a few (if you dare). It's sure to be an exciting event!