Omaha Holiday Bucket List

See Zoolightful, Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s holiday event with brilliant lights, fun games and tasty treats. 

Snap a family photo in front of the 40-foot-tall tree at The Durham Museum during Christmas at Union Station. Visit Santa in his cabin.

Roast a marshmallow for s’mores at Bright Nights, when holiday lights and special libations lend a new glow to Lauritzen Gardens.  

Explore GLOW at Kiewit Luminarium to learn about light’s influence on culture and science. The seasonal exhibit brightens winter days. 

Catch a Christmas movie party at Alamo Drafthouse with a screening of “Elf” or “Christmas Vacation.” Special games and activities make for an interactive cinematic experience. Order food and drink from thematic menus. 

Count the birds at Fontenelle Forest during the annual Christmas Bird Count. After a naturalist-guided hike, sip hot cocoa and tally your results. 

Blast off at SAC Museum’s Santa Goes to Space. Check out the Cold War-era aircrafts and watch a planetarium show after visiting with Santa. 

Cozy up in your car and drive through Santa’s Rock N Lights to witness a mile of dazzling light displays. 

Take the littles for a playdate at Omaha Children’s Museum. See a special performance of “Santa’s Magic” complete with falling snow and a visit from the big guy in red. Shows happen several times daily.  

Soak in the ambiance of holiday decorations at Von Maur at Westroads. Enjoy live piano performances as you shop for gifts. Bonus: the store offers free gift wrapping and shipping year-round. 

Stroll Turner Park at dusk in the glow of tens of thousands of LED lights. Don’t miss the photo opportunity at Santa’s sleigh before tucking into dinner at a Midtown Crossing restaurant. 

Rent some skates and take a spin around the Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront.

Head to Hot Shops Winter Open House to learn about artists’ tools and processes and see demonstrations. Purchase an original work for that special holiday gift. 

Lace up your sneakers and join a Santa Run in the Blackstone District. The first 200 adults will receive a Santa suit. Children will receive a festive holiday headband. 

Bask in the light of New Year’s Eve Fireworks at CHI Health Center from the comfort of your vehicle.  

Discover tasty treats, from chocolate covered cherries to Christmas cookies, at Omaha’s bakeries and sweet shops. 

Sip a seasonal coffee or hot cocoa flight at Zen Coffee Company. 

Treat yourself to a cozy night out at one of Omaha’s James Beard Award-nominated restaurants. 

Warm up with a hot bowl of ramen, a melty Reuben sandwich, or a plate of zesty tacos. Find more specialty Omaha foods here. 

Arrange a party room for the entire family and let someone else do the cooking and clean up the mess this holiday season. 

Enjoy a performance of A Christmas Carol, a beloved Omaha tradition, at Omaha Community Playhouse. 

Travel to the Land of Sweets with Clara at American Midwest Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” performed at Orpheum Theater. 

Attend a Madrigal Feaste replete with rousing toasts, enchanting choral performances and decadent bread pudding. 

Rock your holidays with an Omaha original. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis presents its signature sounds with a stunning light show. 

Delight in Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration, featuring Broadway singers and dancers and the Omaha Symphony. 

Laugh out loud at a twisted comedic take on two classic tales at BLUEBARN Theatre; “Silent Night of the Lambs” is a mash-up of “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Cheer on 9-year-old Ralphie as he navigates the perils and triumphs of childhood during the holiday season in “A Christmas Story: The Musical” at The Rose Theater. 

Shake off the chill with the Grammy Award-nominated Salem Church Choir, performing “Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas” at Steelhouse Omaha. 

Follow Rudolph, the lovable misfit reindeer with a glowing nose, to the Orpheum Theater for a musical adaptation of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” 

Drink in John Williams’ charming “Home Alone” score played live by the Omaha Symphony at Holland Performing Arts Center as the film plays. 

Browse unique vendors at Midwest Fest Holiday Market at Heartland of America Park at the RiverFront and find holiday gifts for everyone on your nice list. 

Shop unique Omaha gifts at the Omaha Visitors Center, including adorable OMAI and OMAR plush dolls. While you’re there, drop your wishlist in the magic mailbox and include your home address. Santa answers every letter he receives here. 

Hop on the bus for the Omaha Thrift Tour Holiday Edition, where you’ll stop and shop the city’s best vintage and secondhand stores. 

Step into a horse-drawn carriage for a free clip-clop around Village Pointe. 

Grab photos with Santa in center court outside of Borsheims at Regency. Next, visit the shops to find the perfect gift. 

Sip one of 12 holiday-themed cocktails at Mercury, a mid-century cocktail lounge that is decorated from floor-to-ceiling in vintage decor. 

Book a table with friends at Jewell on Capitol and relax to jazzy Christmas music as you enjoy special cocktails and shareable plates.

Make merry at Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel’s Holiday Hut, where you can sip specialty cocktails in front of a roaring fire. 

Have yourself a sparkly little cocktail at Barnato, which transforms its lounge into a Christmas pop-up bar. 

Watch the ball drop at The Granary’s annual New Year’s Eve Bash. Enjoy live music, food and fireworks.