10+ Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Weekend in Omaha

Enjoy many FUN things to do over Thanksgiving Weekend in Omaha including Tree Lightings, Santa Events, Festivals, and more! Have a fun-filled Thanksgiving Break with these ideas!

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Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Weekend in Omaha

1. See Amazing Christmas Lights & Decorated Houses + Map in the Omaha Area! 

• Find the best Christmas Lights in Omaha full of beautifully decorated houses with bright lights, inflatables, decorations, and some with thousands of lights choreographed to music!

2. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm

• Most open Thanksgiving Weekend. 
• Choose from a variety of Christmas Tree Farms near Omaha that offer Choose and Cut your own Christmas Tree.

3. Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s and Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops – TBA for 2022 [Free Advanced Registration Required]

• Santa’s Wonderland offers Contactless Claus visits, free Photo with Santa, and free take-home holiday craft activity kits.
• Advance reservations are required in all locations for Free Santa photo and can go quickly. Reserving is easy and free.
• Location: Cabela’s, 12703 Westport Pkwy., La Vista, NE and Bass Pro Shops, 2901 Bass Pro Dr., Council Bluffs, IA.

4. Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing – Nov 13- Feb 14, Daily at Dusk

• Stroll through tens of thousands of white LED lights strung throughout Turner Park and along Farnam Street. Plus, visit the beautifully decorated tree in Farnam Court.
• Location: Turner Park (31st Ave. and Farnam St.), Omaha, NE.

5. Tangier Shrine Feztival of Trees – Nov. 19 – 26 (closed on Thanksgiving), $2/person ages 13 and up (kids 12 & under are free)

• See the trees — and win the trees! Buy raffle tickets for $1 each and deposit your raffle ticket in the bucket for the tree — or trees — you want to win! One winner will be drawn for each tree, so there will be 60 winners! You win the tree, the decorations, and all the prizes that go along with it. 
• Location: Tangier Shrine Center, 2823 S. 84 St., Omaha, NE.

6. Holiday Poinsettia Show at Lauritzen Gardens – Last entry will be at 3:45 p.m. on November 19-20, 23, 25-27 and December 2-4, 9-23, 26-30

• Thousands of poinsettias bursting with rich, vibrant color fill the floral display hall in a glowing tribute to the holidays during the spectacular holiday poinsettia show, Merry & Bright. In the center of it all, a magnificent and majestic 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree stands tall. Surrounded by festive foliage, glittering ornaments and the whir and whistle of model garden trains, this show evokes the warmest greetings of goodwill and cheer.
• Experience a multitude of festive delights during Bright Nights, as flowers and foliage combine with light to make the season Merry & Bright!
• Location: Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha, NE. 

7. Holiday Lights Festival – Nov. 24 – Jan 2

• Old Market and North and South Omaha Lighting Displays, plus many events throughout the season.

8. Holiday Skate at Motto McLean Ice Arena – TBA for 2022

• $4 per person and skate rental is included. 
• Location: 5015 S. 45th St., Omaha, NE.

9. Meet Santa’s Reindeer at Mulhalls – November 23rd – December 18th
Monday – Saturday: 8am to 8pm
Sunday: 9am to 6pm
Thanksgiving Day: closed

• Dasher and Dancer will arrive on November 23rd and are available to visit anytime during store hours until they leave again on Sunday, December 18th.
• Location: Mulhalls, 3615 N. 120th St., Omaha, NE.

10. Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade at Shadow Lake Towne Center – Nov. 23 (6 – 7 p.m.), FREE

• Kick off the holiday season with a spectacular holiday parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree in the center of Main Street with Santa, along with all of his friends.
• Location: Shadow Lake Towne Center, 7775 Olson Dr., Papillion, NE.

11. Santa’s Magic at Omaha Children’s Museum – Nov. 25, Included with regular admission.

• Santa is returning to OCM, bringing a little holiday magic with him.
• Location: 500 S. 20th St., Omaha, NE.

12. Christmas at Union Station – Nov. 24 – Jan. 8, Included with regular admission.

• This long-standing tradition features Omaha’s official Christmas tree, special events, and Santa himself (with visits 6 days a week. Visit Durham Museum for schedule.)
• Tree Lighting Ceremony – TBA for 2022

13. Lights of Aksarben Tree Lighting Ceremony – Every Friday starting from Nov 25th from 6-8pm 

• Enjoy a horse and carriage ride and more. 
• Location: Stinson Park, 2232 S. 64th St., Omaha, NE.

14. Visit Santa at Rockbrook Village – Saturday Nov 26th 11 am-3pm 

• Visit Santa, take a horse and carriage ride, enjoy a holiday hunt around the village, write a letter to Santa, and more.
• Location: 2800 S. 110th Ct., Omaha, NE.

15. Downtown Papillion’s Winter Wonderland – Nov 26th

16. ‘Twas the Lights Before Christmas in LaVista – November 27th – December 30th

• Santa’s Sleigh Ride Nov 27th 3-7pm
• Letters to Santa Nov 28th – Dec 13 

  • Santa’s Workshop outdoor mailbox (8305 Park View Blvd.) and La Vista Public Library (9110 Giles Rd.)

• Walkin’ in a La Vista Wonderland– Nov 28th – Dec 31 
• Tree Lighting Celebration & Soup Supper Nov 28th  (5:45- 7:30) 
• Visit Santa & His Reindeer – Nov 28th – Dec 17th
  • Nov 28th 6-7:30,  Dec 2nd 4:30-6:30, Dec 9th  4:30-6:30,
  • Dec 13th  4:30-6:30, Dec 17th 9-11 am (no reindeer)
• Ginger Who – Dec 1-31
• Countdown to Christmas Craft – Dec 1 9:30 am – 7:30 pm
• Santa Paws – Dec 3rd 10 am- 12:30 pm

• Storytime, Music and Craft with Santa Claus – Dec 7th 10-11 am 

• Gift Wrapping Station – Dec 8th- Dec 23rd
• Teen Winter Ball – Dec 9th 5:30-8:30 pm
  • RSVP by Dec 5, 7th-12th Graders only

• Pajama Storytime and Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus – Dec 15th 6 pm 

• Holiday Card Making – Dec 17th 10 am – 12 pm 
• Winter Movie (Frozen) – Dec 19th 2pm
• Holiday Bingo – Dec 20th 6:30-7:30 pm 
• New Years Crafts – Dec 30th 9:30- 4 pm

17. Ralston’s Holiday Magic – TBA for 2022

• Enjoy holiday activities including a Tree Lighting Ceremony at this fun, family outdoor event.
• Location: Independence Square, 77th St. & Main St., Ralston, NE.

>> See many MORE Holiday Events here! <<