Family Christmas Getaway to Omaha: Top Holiday Activities
If you are looking for a fantastic Midwest family Christmas destination- Omaha, Nebraska is your place!
We’re luckily enough to live just two hours away, making it an easy weekend getaway!
While we LOVE visiting Omaha year-round, there’s something truly special about it at Christmastime.
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To make the most of your Omaha Christmas experience, I recommend staying at the Embassy Suites in the Old Market area. It is our go-to hotel in Omaha and is so festive at Christmas.
What makes it even more magical is its location- right next to all the holiday lights in the Old Market.
Imagine bundling up the family for a stroll from the Embassy Suites across the cobblestone streets of the Old Market, with festive lights twinkling, holiday music filling the air, and the hustle and bustle of people enjoying the restaurants and shops.
It’s such a magical way to create lasting Christmas memories with your family.
If I haven’t convinced you yet, let me tell you why Omaha should be your holiday destination: the lights, the magic, and all the family-friendly activities. The city offers plenty of kid-friendly restaurants, minimal traffic, and no shortage of things to do.
Every time we visit, I’m always amazed by how many families are out enjoying the downtown area. Omaha is a place where you and your family will feel welcome, and that’s why I love it-and why you will too!
Holiday Lights and Displays
Omaha is home to some truly magical Christmas light displays that your family will love.
From the spectacular Zoolightful at the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Bright Lights at Lauritzen Gardens, to the dazzling Omaha Holiday Lights Festival, there’s no shortage of memorable light experiences waiting for you!
Zoolightful at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Spending an evening at Zoolightful is one of our favorite Christmas traditions in Omaha.
It’s hard to put into words just how impressive this light display is. The zoo is transformed into a stunning winter wonderland with immersive lights throughout.
Themed areas like Holiday Way, Gingerbread Village, and Polar Plaza add to the magic, each with its own unique charm.
Some of our favorite highlights of Zoolightful include:
🌟 Taking a picture with the Grinch
🌟 Snow tubing (yes that is correct-they do have snow tube rides! This is an extra cost.)
🌟 Walking through the larger than life Christmas lights and tunnels
🌟 Watching the Frozen show
🌟 Experiencing the virtual sleigh ride (although I did get a little motion sickness)
Plus, it’s so much fun to visit a few of the animal exhibits during Zoolightful, including the Scott Aquarium, Wildlife Kingdom, and Kingdoms of the Night 🌙, which is the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit. Pretty neat! 😎
➡️ My favorite part of Kingdoms of the Night is indoor swamp–it’s SO cool! It felt kind of creepy walking in the dark on the boardwalk next to the water but also fun and exciting too! 🐊
These indoor exhibits offer the perfect chance to warm up if you start feeling the chill outside.
➡️ Pro trip: Bring a wagon or stroller for younger kids who might get tired of walking. It’s also great for storing extra coats, mittens, hats, hand warmers, blankets, snacks, and water bottles, keeping you prepared for a fun and comfortable evening.
🌟Find out more tips for visiting the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Lauritzen Gardens’ Holiday Poinsettia Show
Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s gorgeous botanical center, transforms into a holiday wonderland during its Holiday Poinsettia Show.
A must-see feature is the towering 20-foot Poinsettia tree surrounded by festive decorations. It is unbelievable!
The kids will LOVE seeing the model trains too! 🚂
I recommend taking your family to Lauritzen Gardens during its Bright Lights event. It is super impressive and a perfect way to embrace the Christmas season.
Our kids LOVED visiting with Santa in a large igloo!(He visits during select evenings.) 🎅🏻
They also enjoyed playing all of the games in the Family Chill Zone including bags, Jenga blocks, and checkers, and more!
For extra treat, we also got to make our own s’mores- always a hit with the kids (and me too)! Each s’more kit sells for $6 and includes all the supplies you need to make two s’mores.
There is also a super cute small house the kids can go in to write and mail a letter to Santa. That was a very special experience for them. ✉️
Plus, all the lights in the lush conservatory are absolutely AMAZING!
➡️ Pro Tip: Bright Lights requires an admission fee and timed tickets. I highly recommend purchasing advance tickets to make sure you can visit during your preferred time and date.
Whether you visit during the day for the Poinsettias or at night for Bright Lights, Christmas at Lauritzen Gardens is an experience you can’t miss!
➡️ Pro Tip: If possible, reserve tickets for an early time slot at Bright Lights. This way, you can enjoy the displays both in daylight and after dark—truly the best of both worlds! The Poinsettia tree is especially stunning, offering a completely different vibe in the light and the dark.
Omaha Holiday Lights Festival
The Omaha Holiday Lights Festival is another holiday must-see.
We like to go on an evening stroll to see the lights in the Old Market area as well as at the Riverfront parks.
The Old Market lights go from 10th to 13th Streets, and from Farnam to Jackson Streets.
To see lights on the Riverfront, your family will want to walk through the Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park.
➡️ From the Embassy Suites Old Market, you can easily walk to all of these areas!
You could drive through these areas as well and park to enjoy the lights up close although during the weekend evenings parking can be challenging at times!
Personally, I enjoy bundling up with a hot cup of hot chocolate or coffee and taking the family on an evening walk to see the lights! ☕️ 🎄
➡️ Pro Tip: Make sure to make your way down to Heartland of America Park to see the large Christmas, tree, Skate Ribbon, and Farnum Pier. It is such a stunning spot!
If you are looking for even more lights, check out- the North Omaha lighting displays located in a six block radius around 24th and Lake Streets and the South Omaha display is on 24th Street between L and Q Streets.
Omaha Family-Friendly Christmas Attractions
Omaha offers plenty of festive, family-friendly attractions to enjoy during the holiday season!
Durham Museum Christmas at Union Station
Christmas at Union Station is a must-see in Omaha during the holidays.
From the nearly 40-foot Christmas tree to the beautiful wreaths and lighting throughout the Great Hall at Union Station, your family will love spending an afternoon here!
We certainly did!
During our visit, we took some pictures in front of the massive tree, enjoyed sitting on the benches inside of the Great Hall, and the kids had a blast doing the Elf scavenger hunt.
➡️ They had to look for large cardboard cut-outs of elves all throughout the Durham Museum.
The kids were obsessed with finding them all!
It was a perfect way to explore the entire Durham Museum, which pleasantly surprised me with how kid-friendly it is!
🌟 As an added bonus- the kids will receive candy when they turn in their completed scavenger hunt! 🌟
Santa also makes an appearance at the Durham Museum during select hours, adding even more to the holiday excitement! 🎅🏻
While you’re soaking in all the festive decorations and activities, be sure to take some time to explore museum’s exhibits.
If you’re participating in the scavenger hunt, it conveniently leads you around to these exhibits, making it a fun way for the whole family to explore!
The kids will especially enjoy going inside the different train cars and checking out the model trains.
There is so much to see inside the museum at Christmastime, so be sure to give yourself a few hours to explore it all!
Omaha Children’s Museum
If you have younger kids, a visit to the Omaha Children’s Museum during the Christmas season should be added to your list.
The museum offers special holiday programming throughout the year and Christmas is no exception.
With festive activities and exhibits, it’s the perfect place to add a little extra holiday cheer to your family’s Omaha visit.
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Outdoor Winter Fun
Omaha has endless outdoor winter fun for families, even when the temperatures drop.
We love spending time at Omaha’s downtown and riverfront parks, despite the cold weather.
Bundle up and enjoy some fresh air at spots like Gene Leahy Mall, Lewis and Clark Landing, and Heartland of America Park.
We were lucky enough to visit on a day when the temperatures reached above freezing, but it was an extra adventure playing with slushy snow on the ground.
The kids enjoyed playing at Arches Playground at Gene Leahy Mall and the playground at Lewis and Clark Landing. They had a blast!! ❄️
Ice Skating at the Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park
A quintessential winter activity, especially during the holidays, is ice skating with your family.
The Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park offers free ice skating, though you’ll need to fill out a waiver and make a reservation ahead of time to ensure a skating time.
Ice skates are available to rent at $4 for youth and $5 for adults.
I recommend ice skating with your family at the Skate Ribbon and enjoying all of the gorgeous lights and sights surrounding you!
It is truly a magical experience!!
Winter Wonderland at Fontenelle Forest
Just 15 minutes from the Old Market, Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, Nebraska, is another fantastic spot to embrace the holiday spirit with your family.
Every December, Fontenelle Forest hosts its Winter Wonderland event, featuring the beautifully decorated Great Hall filled with festive trees, wreaths, and holiday decor.
After enjoying the indoor displays, take a walk along the lighted Riverview Boardwalk.
➡️ Fontenelle Forest Nature Center is open from 8am-5pm, and admission fees apply to experience this Winter Wonderland.
Christmas Dining and Treats
The restaurants in the Old Market area get into the holiday spirit with festive decorations, making it a fun place to dine with the family during Christmastime.
Our family’s go-to restaurant is Spaghetti Works.
It is so kid-friendly, and the kids love the food! 🍝
Beware that it often has long wait, so plan ahead. Put your name in early, then explore the Old Market area to enjoy the lights and pop into some interesting shops while you wait.
We have also eaten at the Twisted Fork Grill and Saloon. They have a kids menu which is a plus!
For some fun desserts I recommend- Dolci on Howard Street (right across from the Embassy Suites), Ted and Wally’s homemade ice cream, and Hollywood Candy Shop for a unique candy experience plus some other surprises too! 😉
Where to Stay in Omaha for a Christmas Getaway
To make the most of your family Christmas getaway, I recommend staying in the downtown area.
You’ll be close to all of the top attractions and festive sights.
Whether you plan to walk or drive, you’ll be so close from the beautiful lights, parks, and holiday fun!
If possible, stay near the Old Market– it’s my favorite area to truly embrace the Christmas season.
We’ve stayed at the Embassy Suites Omaha Downtown Old Market numerous times and love it!
The hotel is always festively decorated during the holidays, and its location puts you right in the heart of the Christmas magic! 🌟 🎄
Omaha Christmas Getaway Tips
Here are my top tips for making the most of your Omaha Christmas getaway with your family:
🎄Make a bucket list ahead of time. Research activities and attractions in advance, and for those that require a timed entry, like Zoolightful or Bright Lights at Lauritzen Gardens, be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time.
🎄Dress warmly. You’ll likely spend some time outside, so bring plenty of cold weather gear.
🎄Plan ahead for dining. Make reservations or put your name on the waitlist early, especially on weekends when restaurants are extra busy.
🎄Bring a wagon or stroller to Zoolightful. With all of the walking involved, having a wagon or stroller will be a lifesaver for tired littles ones.
🎄Don’t overdo it! With so many Christmas events and attractions to choose from, it’s best to pick one or two per day. This allows your family to fully enjoy the experience without feeling rushed or overtired.
🎄Get there early. As the saying goes-the early bird gets the worm. Aim to arrive early to beat the crowds. For dining out, consider having an early dinner to avoid the crowds and then enjoy an evening activity.
🎄Stay on budget. If you are looking to save some money, choose one ticketed event and spend the rest of your time enjoying the beautiful lights, parks, and ice skating which is very affordable!
🎄Take an evening walk to enjoy all the lights. Seeing Omaha’s lights in Old Market, Gene Leahy Mall, and Heartland of America Park is so magical and an experience you do not want to miss.
Plan Your Omaha Christmas Getaway Today
Omaha is the perfect destination for a magical family Christmas getaway!
With family-friendly hotels, an array of attractions, festive sights, and kid-friendly restaurants, Omaha stands out as a top pick spending a holiday weekend in December with your family.
Whether you’re ice skating at the Skate Ribbon, enjoying the zoo’s winter wonderland, or visiting the historic Durham Museum, Omaha’s holiday spirit will create unforgettable memories for your entire family.
So bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and enjoy your holiday adventure in Omaha!
May you love your adventure! KW