The weekend is almost here, and there are many free (or almost free) fun family activities both locally and nationally to enjoy! Be sure to visit the Event Calendar (or the calendar list view on the right of this page) for more information on ALL of the free activities coming up! It is always a good idea to verify with the business before visiting.
Don’t miss:
- Free Summer Activities in Omaha
- Free Family Activities in Omaha
- More Free Upcoming Events in Omaha and Nationwide
Highlights of Upcoming Local Events
The Rainbow at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
- The rainbow will be displayed twice daily this summer, depending on weather conditions (Please be advised that events may be cancelled due to unforeseen cloud coverage.) Check here for daily schedule.
- July 12th – August 16th. Thursdays, Venue opens at 5 PM, Concert starts at 7 pm.
- The Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association (DID) will offer FREE activities and mini events all summer at the Gene Leahy Mall! Activities will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays during the months of May, June, August and September at 14th & Farnam Streets.
- Mondays – Family Fun
- Tuesdays & Thursdays – Boot Camp Exercise Classes
- Wednesdays – Arts & Culture
- Out and About Storytime: Go for the Gold at Motto McLean Ice Arena! Become an Olympic athlete for a day! Dress for two seasons — summer and winter! Everyone gets to skate for free after storytime with Miss Nancy from Saddlebrook Branch! Address: Ice rink is located in Hitchcock Park, 5051 S. 45th Street.
LaVista Summer Concerts and Movies – 7/20
- All concerts and movies this summer will begin at 7 pm, and take place outdoors at the La Vista Public Library, 9110 Giles Road.
- July 20th – eNVy / Dolphin Tale
- Enjoy live music from some of the area’s hottest bands followed by a classic movie, all in the Holland Center Courtyard. Venue opens at 7:30pm, music starts at 7:45pm, and movies begin at dusk. This will be held on the Holland Center East Lawn, at 12th & Douglas Streets. FREE and OPEN to the public! A menu of à la carte items will be available the day of the show. Blankets and chairs welcome. No pets or outside food permitted. PLEASE NOTE: This is a rain or shine event. Event will move to the covered arrival plaza (directly next to the courtyard) in the case of rain.
- July 20 – The Muppets
Gretna Days – 7/20-7/22
- An annual town celebration to thank the citizens of Gretna for supporting the local business. Includes fireworks, parade, community picnic, and more!
- Bellevue’s annual festival that draws more than 41,500 people to Bellevue will be held this year at Kramer Park Site (north of Haworth Park and Highway 370). If you love good food (especially BBQ), good times, great music, and a great setting then RiverFest is the place for you. Includes Balloon Glow, KidZone, Fireworks Extravaganza, and more. Admission for the event $1/person/per night.
Grand Opening Orange Leaf in Village Pointe – 7/21
- We are celebrating the Grand Opening of our new store in Village Pointe South Saturday. Stop in for $.98 Yogurt from 12-2, a magician from 1-2, free prizes for facebook fans and drawings for 4 Fun Plex Passes, $100 and $50 Froyo Gift cards.
Free Family Fishing – 7/21, 7/28
- GO FISHING OMAHA provides free family fishing and fun! Be sure to pack plenty of water, sun screen, and lunch. Poles, worms, and other equipment provided!
- July 21 – Towl Park 9-12pm
- July 28 – Walnut Grove 9-12pm
- Weekly inspirational sports-themed movies will be shown in Turner Park. The movies are free and open to the public and sponsored by Marcus Midtown Cinema. Grab your blanket, enjoy some popcorn, sit back and relax as we laugh, cry and become inspired all summer long! Movie starts at dark.
- July 23, 2012 – Mighty Ducks (Disney)
- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sponsors Family Fishing Events across the state where people of all ages can learn to fish! Look for the Family Fishing Trailer where loaner rods and reels, bait, and fishing instruction are available free to participants.
- Benson – 6:00-8:00pm
- Member Appreciation Days are fun-filled ways for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo to say thank you for the support throughout the year. Events include Feeding and Enrichment, Discounts on Food and Gift Shops, Entertainment and Events, and Behind the Scenes! Event activities are free to Omaha’s Zoo members or with regular paid Zoo admission.
- FREE, Fun Events All Summer Long! Bring your family and enjoy Summer Nights on Wednesday evenings at the Kroc Center, 6:30-8pm. Meet new people and have fun with your children while enjoying a new free activity each week. Kroc Center members and non-members are all invited to join the fun!
- 7/25 Outdoor Water Carnival (Bring your swimsuit & a towel!)
- Enjoy a free movie under the stars at the beautiful Sumtur Amphitheater. Starlight Movie Series features entertainment for the whole family. Gates open at 7:30 with cartoons starting as soon as the sun sets. The feature movie starts at twilight.
- FREE event – Friday, July 27th, 7:00-9:00 pm. Come join the Library and the Community Center with this fun event of live music and making s’mores!
- Celebrating 125th anniversary with concert, fireworks, pancake breakfast, parade, and street festival.
- Celebrate the Omaha Public Library’s Summer Reading Program with a Finale Parties.
- loom’s annual multicultural festival is free fun for all ages. The spontaneous multicultural festival atmosphere features music and dance, body painting, live art, yoga, dance performances and a variety of other artful expressions. Food may be purchased outside at Joslyn’s grill until 8 pm; CASH bar available ’til 10:30 p.m.. Bringing food is allowed, but please, no outside alcohol. Rain Date: Sunday, July 29th.
Highlights of Upcoming National Events
- Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from now through July 28th. Each day, they will be focusing on a different country and doing a special craft. Most of the projects are free, except for a few that require a purchase. Each program is from 1-4pm, or while supplies last, and is geared for ages 3 and up. It is always a good idea to verify with your favorite location before visiting.
- Lowe’s offers free Build and Grow clinics every other Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 2pm. Bring the kids to any Lowe’s store to build fun projects. This is recommended for children in grades 1st-5th. Registration opens a few weeks before each clinic’s date.
- Kung Fu Panda Stacking Friends – 7/28, 10:00am
- Kung Fu Panda Stacking Friends – 7/29, 2:00pm