Things to Do Over the Winter Break in Omaha

Looking for fun this break? Discover fun things to do to have a fun-filled Winter Break in Omaha!

It is always a good idea to verify before visiting as dates and times may change. 

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! 
• For extra fun, go on an adventure with our Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt!

Thru Dec 30th – Zoolightful – 6:00-9:00/9:30pm – 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

Thru Jan 12th – Christmas at Union Station – Museum Admission.

• This long-standing tradition features Omaha’s official Christmas tree, special events, and Santa himself (Visit Durham Museum for schedule.)
• Holiday Concert Series Schedule
• Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE

Dec 23rd, 26th-30th – Holiday Movie Fest (Teens) at CB Library – All Day – FREE

• Fill up on popcorn and hot cocoa while watching your favorite holiday movies! This event is open to patrons in the 6th-12th grades while supplies last.
• Location: Council Bluffs Public Library – 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Dec 27th,30th, Jan 3rd & More – Elephant and Piggie Escape Room – 1:00-4:00pm – FREE [REGISTER]

• Gerald and Piggie have made an escape room for their friends! Come solve puzzles and clues based on the best-selling Elephant and Piggie picture books by Mo Willems to see if you can win their prize. Try to escape over winter break!
• Location:
  • Dec 27th (1:00-4:00pm | REGISTER) – Saddlebrook Branch
  • Dec 30th (1:00-4:00pm | REGISTER) – W. Clarke Swanson Branch
  • Jan 3rd (1:00-4:00pm | REGISTER) – Millard Branch
  • Jan 11th (1:00-2:15pm | REGISTER) – Willa Cather Branch
  • Jan 25th (2:00-4:00pm | REGISTER) – Milton R. Abrahams Branch

Dec 27th, Feb 14th – Interactive Movie: Wonka (2023) – 1:30-3:45pm – FREE [REGISTER]

• Join OPL for a fun-filled evening watching Wonka (2023)! It will be an interactive experience with activities during the movie. Families may bring blankets, pillows, and food with the expectation that each family will clean up their mess.
• Location:
  • Dec 27th (1:30-3:45 | REGISTER) – Florence Branch
  • Feb 14th (2:00-4:00pm | REGISTER) – Willa Cather Branch

Dec 27-29 – Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience – 7:30pm – Tickets Required

• Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience is a unique concert experience that puts YOU in control. Performed by brothers Billy, Matthew and Ryan McGuigan and their band, the show relies on you to choose the entire setlist. Before the show starts, you are asked to fill out a request card with your name, favorite Beatles song, and the reason why you chose that song. Minutes before the show starts, these cards are collected and a custom setlist is created based on these requests. Throughout the night, the band weaves your personal stories, and the McGuigans’ own heartfelt memories attached to the Beatles’ music, into the performance, creating a one-of-a-kind narrative that makes every show different. Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience is an engaging, interactive celebration where your memories, the McGuigan brothers’ passion, and the timeless songs of the Beatles come together in an unforgettable way.
• Location: The Slowdown – 729 N 14th Street, Omaha, NE

Dec 28th – Winter Wonderland at Gretna Library – 1:00-2:30pm – FREE

Dec 31st – Bubbly New Year’s Eve Party – 9:00am-4:00pm – Museum Admission 

• Don’t let bed times burst your bubble! We are celebrating our New Year’s Eve all day long. Put on some swag as you ring in the New Year with the Amazing Bubble Show, NYE crafts, characters, and bubble drops throughout the day. All activities included with admission, while supplies last.
• Location: Omaha Children’s Museum – 500 South 20th St, Omaha, NE 68102

Dec 31st – Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at The Durham – 10:00am-2:00pm – Included with Admission [REGISTER]

• Tickets go on sale Monday Dec 2nd.  Children of all ages will enjoy this fun-packed bash with live music from Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the noon year in your handmade party hat while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and a spectacular balloon drop at noon in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall.
• Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE

Dec 31st – New Year’s Drop-In Activities at Gretna Library – 10:00am-3:00pm – FREE

Dec 31st – Kid’s NYE Sticker, Stamp and Stencil Party – 10:30am – FREE [REGISTER]

• Help ring in the new year with stickers, stamps and stencils. Complete various activities using these tools. Ink stamp pads will be used during this program, so please dress accordingly. Parental participation appreciated.  All ages are welcome.
• Location: La Vista Public Library

Dec 31st – Noon Year’s Eve – 11:45am-12:15pm – FREE

• Want to celebrate the New Year without staying up too late? Join as they countdown to noon! They’ll have crafts, music and dancing as they celebrate 2025.
• Location: Sump Memorial Library – 222 N Jefferson St, Papillion, NE 68046

Dec 31st – Celebrate NYE at Dave & Busters – 4:00-7:00pm – $42.36/Ticket

• Banquet with: Signature Flatbreads, Mini Pretzel Dogs w/ Ketchup, Boneless Wings w/ Ranch, Garlic Butter Pretzel Sticks w/ Marinara, Bar Burgers, House Salad w/ dressing, French Fries, & Churros
• Unlimited Soft Drinks, $20 Power Card + Unlimited Video Game Play, Access to Exclusive Party Space, Video Ball Drop, Ginger Ale Toast, NYE Hats & Noisemakers 
• Location: Dave & Busters – 2502 S 133rd Plz, Omaha, NE 68144

Dec 31st – New Year’s Eve Sunset Hike – 4:30-5:30pm – $5/pp (3 and under free) – REGISTER

• Join the environmental education team on a wintry guided sunset hike through the Loess Hills and get inspired as you set intentions for the new year.  Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate hiking shoes or boots. For winter hiking dressing in layers is best. Hats and gloves are important as it will feel colder with the wind.
• Location: Hitchcock Nature Center – 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, Iowa 51542

Dec 31st – New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular -7:00pm – FREE

• For the last signature event of the Holiday Lights Festival, enjoy the spectacular firework show in the warmth and safety of your vehicle!

Jan 1st – First Day Hikes 

• Kick-off the New Year in a memorable, fun way. State parks across Nebraska will be holding popular First Day Hikes Jan. 1 to celebrate the new year. The list of participating parks grows every day!
• Daily or Annual State Park permit required.

Jan 2nd & More – Boxcar Children Choose Your Own Adventure – 11:00am-12:00pm – FREE [REGISTER]

• Join OPL and the Boxcar Children to solve a brand new mystery! Follow clues and mysteries through an interactive choose your own adventure story where each choice will lead you to a craft or activity that will change the story and lead you to another clue or decision. You decide where the story goes! Can you solve the mystery and make it to the end?  designed for kids ages 6-12 year
• Location:
  • Jan 2nd (2:00-3:00pm | REGISTER) – Millard Branch
  • Feb 15th (10:00-11:00am | REGISTER) – Florence Branch
  • Feb 28th (10:30-11:30am) – W. Clarke Swanson Branch

Jan 3rd – Interactive Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) – 1:30-3:30pm – FREE [REGISTER]

• Join OPL for a fun-filled afternoon watching the 2005 adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! It will be an interactive experience with activities during the movie. Families may bring blankets, pillows, and food with the expectation that each family will clean up their mess.
• Location: Downtown Branch

Jan 4th – Home Depot Kids Workshop: Piggy Bank – 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find More Helpful Resources

• Kids Eat Free or Cheap in Omaha
• Winter Family Fun Guide

 

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