20+ 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!

Looking for more Holiday Fun? Find 50+ Holiday Events here!

It is always a good idea to verify the information with the business before visiting.

 

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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.  Run in a 5K Turkey Trot – Nov 23rd

• 7th Annual Omaha Turkey Trot 5K Run & Walk – 8:45am Kids Dash, 9:00am 5K Start –  Register

• YMCA of Lincoln Turkey Trot – 8:00am – Register

 

4. Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s and Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops – Thru Dec 24th – 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
  • Bass Pro Shops – 2901 Bass Pro Dr, Council Bluffs, IA

 

5. Tangier Shrine Feztival of Trees – Nov 18-22th, 24-25th – $2/person ages 13 and up (free for kids 12 & under)

• 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 (each tree valued at a minimum of $500!). 
• Location: Tangier Shrine Center – 2823 S. 84 St, Omaha, NE

 

6. Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing – FREE

• 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

 

7. Merry & Bright: Holiday Poinsettia Show – Nov 18th-Dec 30th – 9:00am-4:00pm daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day) – Included with regular admission

• 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.
• Holiday Harmony – During the holiday poinsettia show, local musicians share their talents and perform holiday classics that are sure to delight guests of all ages.
• Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft St., Omaha, NE

 

8. Holiday Lights Festival – Lighting Ceremony – Nov 25th – 6:00pm  – FREE

• Come celebrate the beginning of the holidays with us and kick-off the 2023 Holiday Lights Festival season with the annual Lighting Ceremony!

 

9. Zoolightful – Nov 17-22nd, 24-Dec 6th,8-13th,15-23rd,26-30th – 6:00-10:00pm – Tickets Required

• Something magical is coming soon! Be on the lookout for more details about Zoolightful: Omaha’s Wildly Bright Holiday Tradition!
• Location: Omaha Zoo & Aquarium – 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107

 

10. Meet Santa’s Reindeer at Mulhalls – Nov 21st – Dec 17th – FREE

• Dasher and Dancer will arrive on Tuesday, November 21st and are available to visit anytime during store hours until they leave again on Sunday, December 17th. We hope you’ll come say hello before they head back to the North Pole to get ready for their big flight on Christmas Eve.
• Santa will be there as well for an extra cost Fridays 4-6pm, Sat & Sun 12-3pm
• Location: Mulhalls – 3615 N. 120th St., Omaha, NE

11. Take & Make: Magnet Globe – Thru Nov 22nd – 9:00am-5:00pm – FREE

• Come in to DoSpace and pick up our November Take & Make to learn all about magnetic fields!  You’ve heard of a snow globe, now get ready for a Magnet Globe! With included materials you will assemble and discover how a magnet affects iron fillings in an enclosed case.  Take and Makes are first come, first serve!
• Location: Do Space – 5111 N 90th St, Omaha, NE 68134

 

• Check out how to color and craft your own Light-Up Turkey! Customize the light and attach a magnet to put it on a fridge, wall, or wherever else you decide!
• Location: Do Space – 5111 N 90th St, Omaha, NE 68134

 

13. Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting Event – Nov 22nd – 6:00pm – FREE

• Join Shadow Lake Towne Center for our annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade on November 22nd at 6 p.m. in the center of the mall. Santa and his friends will be here along with horses and Cinderella in her carriage.
• Location: Shadow Lake Towne Center – 7775 Olson Dr, Papillion, NE 68046

14. Village Pointe Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration Presented by Woodhouse – Nov 24th – 6:00pm – FREE

• Join Village Pointe for the annual tree lighting to kick off the holiday season!  Free carriage rides will be offered immediately following the lighting ceremony until 9 PM.  Holiday characters will be available for pictures after the tree lighting.  Santa will be inside Marcus Village Pointe Cinema lobby after the event. 
• Peppermint Elves Performance – 6:00 PM
• Santa Parade – 7:00 PM | Davenport Street – Santa will arrive by carriage led by the Arlington High School marching band along with favorite storybook and holiday characters.
• Location: Village Pointe – 17305 Davenport St, Omaha, NE 68118

 

15. Christmas at Union Station: Tree Lighting Ceremony – Nov 24th – 4:00-8:00pm – Museum Admission

• Join in-person for the official kickoff to Christmas at Union Station, presented by FNBO. That’s right, this year the ceremony is back to an in-person event after going virtual for the past three years! Mark your calendars now. More details to come.
• Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE.

 

16. Lights of Aksarben Tree Lighting Ceremony – Nov 24th – 5:00-8:00pm – FREE 

• Excited about the holidays and there are lots of things planned at the Lights of Aksarben!  Come see the annual Tree Lighting in Stinson Park at Aksarben Village…where there is always something fun going on.
• Location: Stinson Park – 2232 S. 64th St., Omaha, NE

 

17. Home Depot Kids Workshop: Penguin Ornament – Nov 25th – 9:00am-12:00pm – FREE

• First Saturday of each month between 9 am – 12 pm for free in-person Kids Workshops.
• Location: Home Depot Stores

 

18. Visit Santa at Rockbrook Village – Nov 25th – 12:00-3:00pm – FREE 

• Celebrate Small Business Saturday Nov. 25th by shopping local and enjoying some holiday fun! Bring the whole family and visit Santa in the plaza and take a complimentary horse and carriage ride around the village. Don’t forget to stop into Mary’s Mountain Cookies and Great Harvest Bread Co. where kiddos will receive a free cookie and free hot cocoa. This event is from 12pm-3pm and is FREE to the public.
• Location: Rockbrook Village – 2800 S. 110th Ct., Omaha, NE.

 

19. Winter Wonderland 2023: Downtown Papillion – Nov 25th – 4:00-8:00pm – FREE

 

20. ‘Twas the Lights Before Christmas in LaVista – Nov 26th – Dec 31st – FREE

• Santa’s Sleigh Ride & Tree Lighting – Nov 26th – 3:00-7:30pm – FREE
• Letters to Santa– Nov 26th – Dec 14th – FREE
• Walkin’ in a La Vista Wonderland – Nov 26th – Dec 31st

 

21. Ralston’s Holiday Magic – Nov 26th – 1:00-7:00pm – FREE

• Join Mayor Groesser as we light up downtown and 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.
• Location: Independence Square – 77th St. & Main St., Ralston, NE

 

 

>> See many MORE Holiday Events here! <<

 

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