The Christmas Bird Count is a bird count that takes place every year around the holiday season! The Christmas Bird Count has been happening since 1900, and this year you can help! Join on a naturalist-guided bird count on the trails or boardwalk near the Nature Center. They will be hiking snow or shine, so make sure you come dressed for the weather! They’ll start with a brief history of the CBC, then hit the trails with a naturalist! Naturalists will lead hikes out to the Boardwalk or surrounding trails, but you can also opt to count birds inside by the bird feeders. They have binoculars available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, but we encourage you to bring your own!  Event is free with daily admission, but pre-registration is required.

Festival of Trains is dedicated to bringing the joy of model railroading to as many enthusiasts as possible.

During the holiday poinsettia show, local musicians share their talents and perform holiday classics that are sure to delight guests of all ages. 

When it comes to Christmas classics, there is no shortage of fan-favorite films and specials. From family-friendly animated specials like Rudolph: The Red-Nosed Reindeer to deeply loved movies, such as It’s a Wonderful Life, everyone has their favorite on-screen traditions. But The Muppet Christmas Carol has become a quintessential classic and a Film Streams tradition.

Sunday, December 14th, 2025. Waiting Room and Reverb Lounge. Free. 10:00am - 3:00pm. All Ages Welcome

For the first time ever, the Omaha Winter Market is going weekly! Join every Sunday from November through March, 11AM – 3PM at our new permanent location, Fowling Warehouse, for an indoor market experience that’s warm, vibrant, and full of local flavor.

They can’t wait to welcome you (and your pups!) for Photos with Santa this holiday season!  $15 per session – includes at least one edited digital photo with Santa! Photos can include just pups (up to 3) and/or human family!

Feel the festive Holiday magic at NFM with 2 days filled with free holiday fun, and photos with Santa. You’re sure to have a merry time your family won’t forget.

Join for a festive morning of delicious brunch, holiday cheer, and a special visit from Santa Claus at Lied Lodge in Nebraska City!

Save the date for our 4th ever Indoor Market!

Join for The Queer Collective’s 2nd Annual Holi-Gays Market! Support your local queer and trans artists and small biz owners by shopping small this holiday season

'Tis the season to be jolly, Bellevue Berry Farm would love to invite you all to enjoy our Country Christmas event. Let’s celebrate the Season in our cozy country atmosphere with Hot Cocoa, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, write your Christmas list and then take a picture with Santa. Enjoy wonderland Kids Play Areas Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm. Admission Price $12 per person, includes Free Hot chocolate, cookie and Christmas ornament. 2 and under is free.

Discover a handpicked medley of 15 locally owned shops at Omaha’s newest urban holiday destination!  Shop handmade goods, artisan foods, boutique finds, curated gifts and more.

Meet Santa inside our cozy heated tent! Bring your own camera or phone for festive photos, then enjoy hot chocolate and donuts on us—courtesy of Applied Underwriters.

Come join at Loft 22, in the BERTA + LOUISE ROOM (MAIN FLOOR) for a jolly good time with the man in red himself! Bring your best smiles and strike a pose with Santa for a memorable holiday selfie. This in-person event is perfect for kids and adults alike who want to capture the festive spirit. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create lasting memories with Santa at Loft 22! These are for you to take with your camera or your phone. There is a time 2-3 minute time limit per family to be fair to everyone. YOu MUST have a ticket to get into this event <3

Join Mayor Groesser as they get into the holiday spirit! Bring your family out to enjoy a Ralston tradition! Visit Santa and enjoy FREE carriage rides, children's activities, hot chocolate, and cookies.

Celebrate the season with us at our 8th Annual Holiday Art Show! Event Highlights: Local artists showcasing diverse creations, Holiday beer and cocktails, Live Music, Family-friendly event.

Event Dates: November 28-30. December 3-7, 10-23, 26-31, January 2-4. With 31 nights to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 22 visits from Santa, and 5 appearances by a certain mean, green, grouchy holiday character, Bright Nights promises festive fun for everyone!

Santa is on his way to Lauritzen Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in the bright red suit as he stops at the garden this holiday season. Share a wish with the North Pole’s greatest ambassador, and capture this year’s holiday family photo (please bring your own camera to take pictures). Santa will be located in the classroom of Sofia's Play Garden. Included with a ticket to Bright Nights.

The annual celebration returns, bigger and brighter. This year’s special feature will be a full balloon Menorah that will rise as the sun sets. We will have balloon artists twisting creations for the kids, a bubble machine filling the plaza with magic, and our famous latke truck rolling in hot and ready. Music, menorah, community and pure joy. It is the perfect way to launch the Festival of Lights.

There’s no place like the #1 Zoo in the Nation for the holidays. Zoolightful is an holiday experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium filled with larger-than-life lanterns, dazzling lights, and festive fun for everyone. Make it your new holiday tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Decorate your own sugar cookie.

Event Dates: November 28-30. December 3-7, 10-23, 26-31, January 2-4. With 31 nights to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 22 visits from Santa, and 5 appearances by a certain mean, green, grouchy holiday character, Bright Nights promises festive fun for everyone!

Kids will have fun making some fun holiday snacks with their friends. Sorry they are unable to accommodate for allergies.  Registration begins: November 17th at 9:00am

Santa is on his way to Lauritzen Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in the bright red suit as he stops at the garden this holiday season. Share a wish with the North Pole’s greatest ambassador, and capture this year’s holiday family photo (please bring your own camera to take pictures). Santa will be located in the classroom of Sofia's Play Garden. Included with a ticket to Bright Nights.

Santa Claus is coming to town he’s making a special stop at @ollie_hobbes - Papillion! 🎅🏼 Capture magical moments with Santa and enjoy a night out with the family. Mark your calendars with the dates: December 1st, 5:30-7:30pm & December 15th, 5:30-7:30pm

Enjoy decorating your own gingerbread cookies alongside Santa and Mrs. Claus! This event is free to attend, but we kindly ask each guest to bring one non-perishable food item per person participating in cookie decorating. All donations will go to support local families in need. Bring the whole family for sweet treats, warm smiles, and unforgettable holiday memories!

Event Dates: November 28-30. December 3-7, 10-23, 26-31, January 2-4. With 31 nights to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 22 visits from Santa, and 5 appearances by a certain mean, green, grouchy holiday character, Bright Nights promises festive fun for everyone!

Celebrate the Festival of Lights on ice! Enjoy free skating, Kosher treats, arts & crafts in our heated tent, and the lighting of the Ice Menorah, sculpted live during the event. Presented in partnership with Chabad of Nebraska.

Welcome to what will quickly become another Omaha tradition. We are taking over the Heartwood pop up winter rink for a full four hour Chanukah party. To reserve your skating time just email the rink at the posted address. You do not need to be an ice skater to have a great time. There will be Israeli donuts, the latke truck, hot cocoa stations, crafts for all ages and the debut of our ice sculptured Menorah. When the sculptor finishes, we will light it together. Watching a Menorah emerge from a block of ice is a sight you will not forget.

Santa is on his way to Lauritzen Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in the bright red suit as he stops at the garden this holiday season. Share a wish with the North Pole’s greatest ambassador, and capture this year’s holiday family photo (please bring your own camera to take pictures). Santa will be located in the classroom of Sofia's Play Garden. Included with a ticket to Bright Nights.

Ho Ho Ho! During the busy holiday season, The Durham Museum makes it easy for families to create special memories with Santa. Tuesday Nights with Santa are filled with family-fun activities, and of course, an appearance from Jolly Saint Nick himself! Santa's Cabin closes at 7:30PM.

Event Dates: November 28-30. December 3-7, 10-23, 26-31, January 2-4. With 31 nights to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 22 visits from Santa, and 5 appearances by a certain mean, green, grouchy holiday character, Bright Nights promises festive fun for everyone!

Santa is on his way to Lauritzen Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in the bright red suit as he stops at the garden this holiday season. Share a wish with the North Pole’s greatest ambassador, and capture this year’s holiday family photo (please bring your own camera to take pictures). Santa will be located in the classroom of Sofia's Play Garden. Included with a ticket to Bright Nights.

Participate in holiday crafting, activities, and story time.  Enjoy cookies and cocoa while waiting for Santa to visit his workshop.  Santa will be available for selfies with you and your family. Parents are asked to stay with their children at the event.  All participants must register.

There’s no place like the #1 Zoo in the Nation for the holidays. Zoolightful is an holiday experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium filled with larger-than-life lanterns, dazzling lights, and festive fun for everyone. Make it your new holiday tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared towards homeschool families. Each month, families can join a naturalist for a guided hike on the Schramm Park State Recreation Area hiking trails. During the program, participants will ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature.

Join Washington Branch every Thursday as local community members share their story. Enjoy snacks, engage in discussion with the storyteller, and explore new professions, storytelling mediums, and activities. This program is for teens 11–18 years old.

Event Dates: November 28-30. December 3-7, 10-23, 26-31, January 2-4. With 31 nights to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 22 visits from Santa, and 5 appearances by a certain mean, green, grouchy holiday character, Bright Nights promises festive fun for everyone!

Test your sleuthing skills at the library! 🕵️ Follow the clues to find hidden objects and earn stamps. Turn in a full stamp card and receive a prize! Don't worry, the fun doesn't stop there... 🔍 You can grab a new card and keep playing! This activity is aimed at children ages 6-11, but younger siblings and parents can play along too. See you there, super sleuths!

Santa is on his way to Lauritzen Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in the bright red suit as he stops at the garden this holiday season. Share a wish with the North Pole’s greatest ambassador, and capture this year’s holiday family photo (please bring your own camera to take pictures). Santa will be located in the classroom of Sofia's Play Garden. Included with a ticket to Bright Nights.

Join as they listen to some of our favorite holiday songs and chat about their meanings. Bring your favorite to discuss. Holiday songs from all traditions are welcome! Please e-mail Cedate at [email protected] no later than Friday, December 12, with your song titles. Families welcome. FREE

There’s no place like the #1 Zoo in the Nation for the holidays. Zoolightful is an holiday experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium filled with larger-than-life lanterns, dazzling lights, and festive fun for everyone. Make it your new holiday tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Join for a free, year-round program where families can explore, play, and connect through bilingual yoga, mindfulness and wellness practices. Designed for children ages 5–12, younger siblings welcome with their caregivers, this class supports social engagement, emotional regulation, and open-ended play.

Discover a handpicked medley of 15 locally owned shops at Omaha’s newest urban holiday destination!  Shop handmade goods, artisan foods, boutique finds, curated gifts and more.

Event Dates: November 28-30. December 3-7, 10-23, 26-31, January 2-4. With 31 nights to see the garden glow, 10 family fun nights, 22 visits from Santa, and 5 appearances by a certain mean, green, grouchy holiday character, Bright Nights promises festive fun for everyone!

Santa is on his way to Lauritzen Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in the bright red suit as he stops at the garden this holiday season. Share a wish with the North Pole’s greatest ambassador, and capture this year’s holiday family photo (please bring your own camera to take pictures). Santa will be located in the classroom of Sofia's Play Garden. Included with a ticket to Bright Nights.

Join for a fun-filled Family Gingerbread House Making Competition! You’ll have one hour to build, decorate, and design your ultimate gingerbread creation. Work together as a family to craft your sweetest masterpiece and see how your creation stacks up against others. All supplies are provided! Just bring your creativity and holiday spirit for a cheerful, hands-on hour of family fun.

There’s no place like the #1 Zoo in the Nation for the holidays. Zoolightful is an holiday experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium filled with larger-than-life lanterns, dazzling lights, and festive fun for everyone. Make it your new holiday tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Bundle up and join us for Snow Much Fun Bingo! This winter-themed celebration is packed with holiday spirit, frosty fun, and merry moments for the whole family. Play to win cheerful prizes, sip on cocoa, and enjoy a magical night of games under twinkling lights. It’s the most wonderful time… for bingo! Age: All Ages

Bring the kids to visit with the jolly old man in his bright red suit as he stops by the garden to spread cheer (and maybe a little butter) this holiday season. Stack up pancakes, pour on the syrup, and make magical memories surrounded by the sights and sounds of the season. November 29 or December 20. Santa Claus will be available for guests to share their wishes and take photos from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (please bring your own camera).

Join for the annual Candy Cane Course 5k/12k!  A fun, Christmas-themed event that is perfect for the whole family. Events: Kids Dash 1 Mile 5k 12k Virtual Race Volunteer then Run

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Zoo for Cookies with the Clauses, a fun-filled holiday experience! Enjoy cookie decorating, crafts, pictures with Santa and more. Children 1 and under are free but must be included in your group count. Event attendees should meet at the Robert B. Daugherty Education Center. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.

Join at The Platform, the museum’s interactive play space, and celebrate the holidays with us! Each date will have a special craft or activity and feature related photos from our Photo Archive for a bit of a history lesson while you celebrate. On Saturday, December 20, we explore the history and traditions behind Las Posadas! These drop-in programs do not require registration and are included with regular museum admission.

They have quite they day in store for you and your family on Saturday, December 20th. Enjoy some delicious pancakes with the pancake man and get your photo and meet Santa at the Fremont Family YMCA! Bounce House, Holiday Crafts, Games, Pancakes, Photos with Santa. Pancakes are free for members and $5 for nonmembers (per person).