The Home & Garden Event of the Season for over 30 Years!
1001 Ideas for your Home Inside & Out!
Exhibits Open:
Saturday, October 24, 2026 – 11 am to 6 pm
& Sunday, October 25, 2026 – 12 Noon to 4 pm
FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING
Your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha.
Join us for a night full of tricks and treats including lawn games, photo ops, trick-or-treating through Gene Leahy Mall until 7pm, and a spooky garden! Dress up in your Halloween best and stay for Scooby-Doo beginning at dusk!
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market is excited to join the Riverfront’s It’s Fall Y’all event with trick-or-treat stations, activities, and a movie! Join us at this fun event for the whole family!
Since 1988, visitors have traveled the Lincoln Highway National Byway (IA Hwy 30) and the Loess Hills Scenic Byway to Woodbine the Last Saturday in September for the Woodbine Applefest!
Woodbine Applefest is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of community spirit and small-town charm. With as many as 18,000 visitors coming from near and far, Applefest brings people together to enjoy classic cars, handmade crafts, antiques, delicious food, and fun activities for all ages. Whether you’re here for the car show, the kids’ activities, or just to take in the vibrant atmosphere, you’ll find something to love at Applefest. Come experience the tradition that’s been going strong for over 35 years!
All Day
Pancake Feed begins at 7 am (School commons area)
Most vendors and activities open at 8 am
Big Tent Lunch and Beer Garden from 11 am to 11 pm
Music under the Big Tent from 4 to 11 pm
Join for an extraordinary experience at the largest and longest-running German Fest that Nebraska has ever seen! We are proud to celebrate the 141st German Day in Omaha, a tradition that has stood the test of time. In addition to this historic milestone, we are also thrilled to host our annual Oktoberfest, continuing the tradition that was first founded in 1810 in Munich. For you, your family, and your friends, this is an opportunity to partake in the authenticity of German culture, offering a rich tapestry of delights, including delectable German cuisine, finely crafted beers, and a dazzling array of entertainment that will immerse you in the heart of Germany’s vibrant traditions.
This event carries the weight of history, having celebrated 140 years of German Day in Omaha, a testament to our commitment to preserving and sharing the traditions that have united people for over a century. Savor the flavors of Germany with a mouthwatering selection of authentic German dishes, from savory sausages to delectable pretzels. Raise your stein and enjoy a variety of finely crafted German beers, paying homage to the renowned Oktoberfest tradition. Lively music, traditional dancing, and an array of entertainment options will have you tapping your feet and joining in the fun.
Nebraska City’s AppleJack Festival is ripening into two full weekends of crisp fall fun — and you’re invited to take a big juicy bite out of the celebration! Named one of America’s Best Fall Harvest Festivals by USA Today and a Top Fall Destination by HGTV, this iconic event draws up to 80,000 apple-lovers to our historic town — and for good reason.
This year, we’re stretching the festivities across two themed weekends starting Friday, September 19, and going until the last apple is crunched.
🍏 Weekend One: Traditional AppleJack: Get your classic fix of parades, apple pies, carnival rides, adrenaline-pumping bull riding, and all the nostalgic vibes.
🍎 Weekend Two: All About Apples: It’s apple-palooza! Cider slushies, sip-and-stroll hard cider experience, caramel-covered everything, orchard tours, and more apple-y goodness than you thought possible. And why not throw in a little professional wrestling to spice things up?!
Need more reasons to make a weekend of it? Our charming museums, boutique shopping, cozy lodging, and delicious eats will keep you entertained from morning cider to evening bonfire.
Mark your calendars, grab your flannel, and let the apple adventures begin!
Join for this Amazing Sight as Hot Air Balloons take to the sky at the scenic Apple Orchard in Council Bluffs- Will have Live Bands!
🎈 Fields of Flight – Hot Air Balloon Night at the Orchard 🎈
✨ Friday, September 5 – Council Bluffs’ scenic Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard
Get ready for a truly unforgettable evening as colorful hot air balloons rise over the apple orchard and light up the night sky! 🌅
🍎 With live music, delicious food, and breathtaking views, this is one night you won’t want to miss.
🎶 Event Highlights:
6:00 PM – Balloon Flight (weather permitting)
5:30–9:30 PM – Live Music by VERTIGO
~7:40 PM – Balloon Glow at Dusk (weather permitting)
🚗 Parking & Tickets:
$40 per car – Admission included (only ONE ticket needed per vehicle!)
Prepaid parking tickets available online only – limited quantity!
No walk-ins – carpooling encouraged.
Free shuttle/tram service from parking areas.
Non-refundable – this is a benefit for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
💳 Payments:
Orchard accepts Visa/MasterCard for purchases over $5.
No ATM on site – cash is fastest! (Some vendors may only take cash.)
🎈 Balloon Rides:
Spectator event only – no private or tethered rides.
🌤 Weather:
Balloon flights are weather dependent – pilots decide about 1 hour before launch.
✨ What’s a Balloon Glow?
At dusk, pilots fire up their propane burners to light the balloons while they remain on the ground – it’s magical and camera-worthy! 📸
🍔 Food & Drinks:
No outside food, drinks, or coolers.
Orchard Café favorites + food vendors (yes, apple cider doughnuts!)
Beer, wine, hard cider, pop, water, and apple cider available.
🐾 Pets:
As much as we love them, pets must stay home.
🚻 Restrooms:
Porta potties available (indoor restrooms closed).
🪑 What to Bring:
Chairs, blankets, bug spray – be comfy and prepared!
🍎 Orchard Activities:
U-Pick closes at 3:00 PM to allow tractors for shuttle service.
Apples available for purchase in the store.
Playground open for kids during the event.
Mark your calendars, grab your friends, and come enjoy an evening of music, food, and hot air balloon magic – all for a great cause! 🎈❤️
Family Fun in Omaha is your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha and beyond! We are a local family of 5 that loves finding new adventures and wants to help you enjoy all that Omaha and the surrounding area has to offer. We recommend starting here. Thank you for visiting!