I love spending Thanksgiving in Omaha. And what I look forward to the most? The Christmas tree lighting ceremonies!
Christmas Tree Lighting Traditions
When I moved to Omaha, I found Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in and around town on Thanksgiving weekend. We have since made it a tradition every year to attend. The memories that I formed my sister along with the small-town feel of Christmas tree lighting ceremonies just give me all the holiday feels!
Here are a few tree lighting ceremonies around the Omaha metro that you should mark your calendar for if you are home for the holiday!
Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Omaha, Nebraska
Shadow Lake Town Square Christmas Tree Lighting
7775 Olson Drive, Ste. 205 Papillion, NE 68046
Wednesday, November 23rd
6-7pm
Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade will be held in the center of the mall. We will kick off the holiday season with the lighting of our NEW 35 foot LED lit tree with over 30,000 lights – the biggest and best tree in all of Nebraska! Santa and his friends will be here.
Annual Village Pointe Christmas Tree Lighting
17305 Davenport St. Omaha, NE 68118
Friday, November 25th
6-8 pm
Peppermint Elves – 6:00 PM | Children’s Hospital Medical Center Ampitheatre
Following their performance, Santa will arrive by horse carriage led by the Arlington High School marching band along with favorite storybook and holiday characters. The parade will start at 7 PM.
Enjoy the official tree lighting to kick off the Holiday season!
Free carriage rides will be offered immediately following the lighting ceremony until 8 PM in front of the theatre. Holiday characters will be available for pictures after the tree lighting.
Santa will be inside Marcus Village Pointe Cinema lobby after the event. Santa Visits are free and photos will need to be taken with your own camera.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Durham Museum
801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE 68108
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 24th
7 pm
On Thanksgiving night, gather the family on the couch and kick off the holiday season with us! Christmas at Union Station starts November 24 with our Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7PM. (Please note that the museum is closed on Thanksgiving.)
Winter Wonderland in Downtown Papillion
107 E. 2nd Street Papillion, NE 68046
Saturday, November 26th
4-8pm
Bring the whole family to enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, popcorn, pancakes, entertainment and FREE carriage rides! Visit with Santa and his reindeer friends at the Historic Portal School House. Downtown businesses will have extended hours and there will also be a Christkindl Market featuring local artisans. This is the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit!
If you have an event you would like to add to this resource, please email [email protected]!
And if you are looking for more holiday happenings in and around Omaha, follow along here.