Part 6: Holiday Happenings in the Omaha Area!
Everybody loves doing something fun and unique for the holidays! I have decided to create a running event list of select Omaha-area holiday events that I’ve either been to in the past or look like fun. I will add one more post to this series next week. So check back next Wednesday evening, December 18!
New Venues for This Week!
There are two holiday venues I’d like to add for this week! Both are holiday light displays. When the weather turns colder, sometimes it’s nice just to stay in your warm toasty car but still do something fun as a family. 😊
Please note: Some of my photos below are from previous years. These venues may not look anything like the photos in this blog. The photos from Lauritzen Gardens and the Luminarium are recent.
Santa’s Rockin’ Lights
Our family has toured Santa’s Rockin’ Lights several times over the years. It’s one of those events where you can bring a thermos of cocoa, a box of holiday cookies or candy, load up the whole family (including your well-behaved pups) and do a fun family event.
Santa’s Rockin’ Lights is located at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska (just west of Omaha) and runs until December 31, 2024. Admission is by vehicle for up to six people per vehicle. Rates range from roughly $30 to $40 per vehicle, plus tax. You must reserve a date and time online to go through the lights. The link to purchase tickets is below. ⬇️
Visitors to Santa’s Rockin’ Lights will travel through one mile of lights dancing in time to music. It’s a fun display the whole family will love! We have two dogs and our oldest dog loves to go to this event every year. She watches all the lights intently and seems to enjoy the music and hanging out with us in the car. Our younger dog slept through most of it last year. 😏 Here are some photos from last year.
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Magical Lights at Lake Cunningham
Another large light show near Omaha is at Lake Cunningham until December 31, 2024. Admission is also per vehicle and it takes about 30 minutes to drive through the lights show. There are one million plus lights. Tickets must be repurchased online. This show began as a family light show that has outgrown several locations. If the weather allows, I hope to go to this display with my family this year. Find more information at the link below. ⬇️
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Ditmar’s Orchard and Vineyard
Note: While the event below is over, Ditmar’s always has special events. This weekend’s events feature the Grinch so check out this and future events at the following link!
Ditmar’s is located near Council Bluffs and hosts special events almost every weekend. This weekend they are celebrating “A Country Christmas.” According to the Ditmar’s Facebook page, the festival will include one or more lighted trees, a Christmas market with local vendors, holiday photo opportunities, a special Saturday-morning breakfast, prize giveaways, scenic hayrides, visits from Santa, and more. Tickets may be purchased online or at the event. Additional information plus ticket info is available at the following link:
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The Historic General Dodge House
Note: While the events below are over, the Dodge House remains open many days in December and is still decorated for the holidays! There is even a Christmas by Candlelight event Saturday evening, December 14. Check out the hours and events at the following link!
The Dodge House is a beautiful attraction in Council Bluffs any time of year, but it is especially beautiful during the holidays. Special events have been planned during the month of December. Here are two:
A Day with the Dodges - Sunday, December 8 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Ever wished you could meet a famous person from history in person? You can! On Sunday afternoon, December 8 you can meet both General Dodge and his wife! The historic house has been decorated to the hilt by volunteers and you can see that too. In addition, music performed by Cantare Omaha! (an Early music acapella group) will be featured. It certainly sounds like a festive event!
Family Night at the Dodge House will take place on the evening of December 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. For $15 per family, you can tour the decorated house, make a special holiday craft, and enjoy cookies and cocoa in the large ballroom. See the Historic General Dodge Facebook page link below for additional details!
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Luminarium “Glow” Event!
For the second year in a row, the Luminarium is hosting its annual “Glow” event. The glow event focuses on the concept of light. It is described by the museum as a combination of light + art + science. I was able to go to the Luminarium a week ago to briefly browse the exhibits. As always, I had “fun“ playing, and learning at the same time. The glow exhibit is featured from now until January 26, 2025 and is included in the regular museum admission cost. The front desk has a hand out that describes where the special “Glow” exhibits are in the museum. Special light-related interactive projects have also been scheduled as part of this event. Below is the Luminarium website for additional information, plus a few photos I took last week when I was there.
Not one of my better silhouettes, but oh, well! 😉
And while you’re there, stop at the inviting cafe and the fun gift shop! 😉
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Omaha 25th Anniversary Holiday Lights Festival
The Old Market and the Riverfront area in downtown Omaha is sure to delight everyone in the family with their holiday decorations. A visit to this area during December is an almost magical experience.
The Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park displays will include hundreds of lighted trees, a short multimedia show projected in three locations every hour on Fridays and Saturdays until the new year, and a 70-foot-tall decorated tree in Heartland of America Park. Festive decorations and family events will be featured through the month of December. For more information and some photos, check out the links below.
The Old Market will be decked out again this year in white lights, snowflakes, and garland, which gives the area such a festive aire. The Old Market will host special events in December as well. For more information, check out the Old Market’s Facebook page.
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Zoolightful - the winter celebration at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. Last year I attended this event several times and found it fabulous! My family reserved an individually decorated igloo one night for a little celebration. It was a blast and I loved the special decorations around the entrance and in the children’s area of the zoo. It was certainly “Zoolightful” for the whole family! If you wish to reserve an igloo for the evening, book it NOW, as availability is very limited. The festivities take place from November 22 to December 30.
More information below. ⬇️
Lauritzen Gardens Merry and Bright - the annual holiday celebration at Lauritzen Gardens. The garden conservatory and Great Hall are decorated in beautiful lights and there is a giant poinsettia display. It is a gorgeous place to take family photos. Special events are held many nights (called Bright Nights) between November 22 and December 31. Prior online reservations are required for the evening events and there are discounts for garden members. It is a lovely holiday celebration sure to make your heart both merry and bright! Plus, the gift shop is stocked with many beautiful and unique gifts for all ages.
More information below. ⬇️
Pictures below are from THIS year’s event and my recent blog post about Bright Nights is also below!
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Omaha Durham Museum - The Durham Museum really decorates their main hall each holiday season. Each year a GIANT forty-foot Christmas tree adorns the main hall. It is a beautiful backdrop for family photos. Last year my family went here and we got some great photos compliments of a kind person we traded photo duties with. (Hint. Hint. People are usually happy to do this.) The Durham’s old fashioned soda fountain and candy shop is a wonderful place for a quick meal or a special treat. There are usually holiday-themed exhibits and activities for kids and families including a cultural festival, visits with Santa, and a concert series. The gift shop is well-stocked with unique items during the holidays too. This year the Durham has a special exhibit called “The Lost World of Dragons” until December 31. Other exhibits are available, both temporary and ongoing. The festivities take place from November 29 to January 12. More information below. ⬇️
