✨ Omaha Metro Holiday Kickoff Guide 2025

Presented by Linda Moy, Imagine Home Group | Nebraska Realty

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with these magical tree lightings and community events across the Omaha metro and surrounding towns. Gather your friends and family, sip some cocoa, and make memories under the twinkling lights.

• Tree of Lights Family Festival – 90th & Dodge (Omaha)
  Thursday, November 13 • 5:00 PM
  Cost: Free
  One of Omaha’s earliest celebrations featuring live music, Santa, and the official Salvation Army Tree of Lights.
• Tannenbaum Festival – Blair, NE
  Thursday, November 20 • 5–7 PM
  Cost: Free
  A small-town favorite with hayrides, reindeer, soup supper, and a cozy community tree lighting.
• Winterfest – Bayliss Park (Council Bluffs, IA)
  Friday, November 21 • 6–8 PM
  Cost: Free
  Enjoy ice-sculpting, carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and free hot cocoa beneath glowing park lights.
• Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade – Shadow Lake Towne Center (Papillion)
  Saturday, November 22 • 6–7:30 PM
  Cost: Free
  A holiday parade and tree lighting with Santa’s grand arrival — family fun in the heart of Papillion.
• Village Pointe Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration – Omaha
  Friday, November 28 • 6–8 PM
  Cost: Free
  A cheerful night of music, carriage rides, Santa, and holiday performers in Village Pointe’s festive streets.
• Christmas at Union Station – The Durham Museum (Downtown Omaha)
  Friday, November 28 • 4–8 PM
  Cost: Free for lighting (museum admission separate)
  Experience Omaha’s official Christmas tree lighting, live performances, and crafts in this historic landmark.
• Lights of Aksarben – “Making Spirits Bright” (Stinson Park, Omaha)
  Fridays, November 28, December 5 & December 12 • 6–8 PM
  Cost: Free
  Whoville-themed fun with live music, Santa visits, and lights in the heart of Aksarben Village.
• Holiday Lights Festival Lighting Ceremony – Gene Leahy Mall / The RiverFront (Downtown Omaha)
  Saturday, November 29 • 6:00 PM
  Cost: Free
  A breathtaking downtown spectacle as hundreds of trees light up Omaha’s RiverFront and Old Market areas.
• Santa’s Sleigh Ride & Tree Lighting – Central Park (La Vista)
  Sunday, November 30 • Sleigh ride 1–5 PM, lighting at 6 PM
  Cost: Free
  Santa travels through town before lighting La Vista’s tree, with cookies, cocoa, and community carols.
• Lights on Dundee – 50th & Underwood (Omaha)
  Friday, December 5 • 5–9 PM
  Cost: Free
  A cozy neighborhood celebration with carolers, cocoa, and photos with Santa in Dundee.
• Winter Wonderland – Downtown Papillion
  Saturday, December 6 • 4–8 PM (Lighting around 6 PM)
  Cost: Free
  Enjoy carriage rides, live music, and the lighting of Papillion’s community tree.
• Bellevue’s Christmas in Olde Towne – Washington Park (Bellevue)
  Saturday, December 6 • 5–8 PM
  Cost: Free
  A festive parade, tree lighting, and Santa visits bring the charm of Bellevue’s Olde Towne to life.
• Gretna Christmas Tree Lighting – Downtown Gretna
  Sunday, December 7 • 5–7 PM
  Cost: Free
  A warm community gathering with Santa, carolers, and Gretna’s tree lighting on Main Street.
• Elkhorn Christmas Tree Lighting – Downtown Elkhorn
  Friday, December 12 • 5–8 PM
  Cost: Free
  Hot cocoa, carolers, and Santa’s visit make this Elkhorn favorite a must-see holiday tradition.
• Holiday in Ralston – Downtown Ralston Square
  Saturday, December 13 • 4–7 PM
  Cost: Free
  Celebrate the holidays with crafts, treats, and the lighting of the Ralston community Christmas tree.

Wrap-Up
There’s no shortage of sparkle this season! Choose a few events to make part of your family’s holiday traditions, and soak up the warmth and wonder of our Omaha metro communities. Wishing you a magical start to the holidays!