Enjoy many FUN things to do over Thanksgiving Break in Omaha including Tree Lightings, Santa Events, Festivals, and more! Have a fun-filled Thanksgiving Break with these ideas!
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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
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Annual Omaha Turkey Trot 5K Run & Walk – 8:45am Kids Dash, 9:00am 5K Start – Register
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YMCA of Lincoln Turkey Trot – 7:45 kids tot trot, 8:00am 1 mile, 8:30am 5K – Register
4. Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s and Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops – Nov 3rd – 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
- More Santa Visit Opportunities
5. Tangier Shrine Feztival of Trees – Nov 22nd-29th – $2/pp
- Step into a winter wonderland at the annual Feztival of Trees, where the spirit of the season comes alive in dazzling displays of creativity, community, and holiday cheer. Each year, local businesses, organizations, and individuals transform beautifully decorated trees into breathtaking works of art—each one unique and brimming with festive magic. Guests can purchase raffle tickets and enter for a chance to win their favorite tree—decorations, gifts, and all! Every sparkling tree tells a story of generosity, kindness, and the joy of giving back.
- Location: Tangier Shrine Center – 2823 S. 84 St, Omaha, NE 68124
6. Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing – Nov 17th – Feb 14th – 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 28th-Jan 4th – 9:00am-3:00pm 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.
- Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft St., Omaha, NE
8. Zoolightful – Nov 19th – Jan 11th – Wednesday-Sunday 6:00-9:30pm – Tickets Required
- Enjoy an unforgettable night at Zoolightful your way. Choose general admission tickets to stroll through glowing lanterns, sparkling lights, and festive holiday scenes, or make it an unforgettable evening with a private Igloo experience that includes six tickets and your own cozy retreat beneath the glow.
- Closed November 27 (Thanksgiving), December 24-25 (Christmas Eve & Day), and December 31 (New Year’s Eve). Special Monday/Tuesday openings: December 22, 23, 29, and 30.
- Location: Omaha Zoo & Aquarium – 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107
9. Meet Santa’s Reindeer at Mulhalls – Nov 18th – Dec 19th – FREE
- Welcome Dasher and Dancer for another visit with their Omaha friends. You’ll find these antlered guests snugly nestled in the warm straw among the trees in our fresh-cut forest at the north end of the greenhouse. And be sure to bring your camera – each year, we love seeing all of you who’ve made it a yearly holiday tradition to capture a family photo by the reindeer.
- Santa will be there as well for an extra cost ($10/Members, $20/Non-Members) Nov 29th-Dec 21st Fridays 4-6pm, Sat & Sun 12-3pm.
- Location: Mulhalls – 3615 N. 120th St., Omaha, NE
10. Celebrate at The Platform: Thanksgiving – Nov 22nd – 10:00am-Noon – FREE
- 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.
- Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE
11. Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade Event – Nov 22nd – 6:00pm – FREE
- 18th Annual Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade! Parade starts at 6pm with fireworks immediately following provided by Bellino Fireworks. Santa and all of his friends will be here, as well as surprise parade guests! New date this year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving on November 22nd at 6PM!
- Location: Shadow Lake Towne Center – 7775 Olson Dr, Papillion, NE 68046
12. Ice Skating at Winterland Heartwood Preserve Ice Rink – Dates & Times Vary – FREE
- Back for its second year, Winterland transforms Heartwood Preserve into the ultimate FREE community skating experience, courtesy of Applied Underwriters. Enjoy free skating, skate rentals, and skate aids, plus festive surprise events all season long.
- Location: The Ice Rink at Heartwood Park – 301 N. 145th St.
13. Snowflake Scratch Art Craft – 11:00am – FREE
- Fall Fun Awaits! Snowflake Scratch Art Craft
- Location: The Learning Express Omaha – 120 Regency Pkwy, Omaha, NE
14. Village Pointe Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration Presented by Woodhouse – Nov 28th – 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 | Amphitheater Stage
- Santa Parade & Tree Lighting – 7:00 PM | Davenport Street – Watch as Santa arrives by carriage to help light the tree, joined by favorite storybook and holiday characters!
- Location: Village Pointe – 17305 Davenport St, Omaha, NE 68118
15. Christmas at Union Station: Tree Lighting Ceremony – Nov 28th – 4:00-8:00pm- Museum Admission [Register in Advance]
- Get ready for the biggest and brightest event of the holiday season! Another magical season of Christmas at Union Station presented by FNBO begins with our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Join us for an evening filled with family activities, Santa, cookies, music, holiday cheer, and of course, the lighting of Omaha’s official Christmas tree.
- Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE.
16. Lights of Aksarben Tree Lighting Ceremony – Nov 28th – 6:00-8:00pm – FREE
17. Home Depot Kids Workshop: Teddy Bear Ornament – Nov 29th – 9:00am-12:00pm – FREE
- A Special Holiday Edition of the Home Depot Kids Workshop
- Location: Home Depot Stores
18. Omaha Winter Markets: Small Business Saturday Holiday Market – Nov 29th – 12:00-8:00pm – FREE
- The Omaha Winter Market is back in Papillion-La Vista for one night only! Join for our Small Business Saturday Holiday Market on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 12–8 PM at Lucky Bucket Brewing Co.
- They’re taking over the entire brewery and taproom to host 30+ amazing local small businesses — perfect for finding unique holiday gifts while supporting the makers, artists, and entrepreneurs who make our community special.
- Location: Lucky Bucket Brewing Company – 11941 Centennial Rd, La Vista, NE 68128
19. Midwest Fest Holiday Market – Nov 29th & 30th – 11:00am-6:00pm – FREE
- Discover 40 exceptional artisans and makers from across the Midwest, each with unique handcrafted goods that tell a story. Chill in cozy igloos, enjoy live ice sculpting, and marvel at the giant holiday tree’s glowing lights.
- Location: Heartland of America – 800 Douglas St, Omaha, NE 68102
20. Santa in the Village – Carriage Rides & More – Nov 29th – 12:00-3:00pm – FREE
- Celebrate a family tradition Saturday, Nov. 29th from 12-3pm. Bring the little ones to visit Santa and share their holiday wishes, then the whole family can enjoy a complimentary horse and carriage ride around the village. Kids – stop by Doodle Art Studio for a free cookie and Great Harvest Bread Co. for free hot cocoa. Don’t miss out on the amazing Christmas lights around the village come dusk. It is our way of saying thank you for supporting local on Small Business Saturday! Come join the fun!
- Location: Rockbrook Village – 2800 S. 110th Ct., Omaha, NE.
21. Winter Wonderland 2025: Downtown Papillion – Nov 29th – 4:00-8:00pm – FREE
- Experience all the holiday cheer you can handle! A variety of fun activities throughout the event.
- Location: Downtown Papillion, NE
22. Santa’s Sleigh Ride & Tree Lighting – Nov 30th – 1:00pm-6:15pm – FREE
- Santa Claus is coming to town! Santa and his holiday crew will arrive in La Vista and travel through the City before stopping in Central Park to light the tree, lead a joyful sing-along and snap a big community selfie.
- Location: Neighborhoods Across La Vista ending at Santa’s Workshop
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