Christmas Events for Kids in Nebraska (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

7 min read

Nebraska has 6 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Zoo Lights Powered by LES in Lincoln on November 20 to Noon Year's Eve in Omaha, on December 31. Every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.

The short version

  • 6 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Nebraska for 2026, in Omaha and Lincoln
  • First: Zoo Lights Powered by LES, Lincoln, November 20. Runs latest: Noon Year's Eve, Omaha, through December 31
  • Every event here charges admission or a ticket; check each host
  • Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Watercolor illustration: Rally the corgi stands on a red train seat looking out at falling snow, a lit Christmas tree and a white dove. Text: Choo choo! The train starting could be heard. Hello cute white bird!
Rally watching the snow and a lit Christmas tree, from the pages of Rally Takes the Train.

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Nebraska Christmas train rides page.

Nebraska Christmas events for kids at a glance

Kids’ Christmas events
6 confirmed for 2026
Cities
Omaha and Lincoln
Season
November 20 to December 31, 2026
Free events
0
Kinds of events
holiday story time, holiday lights, tree lighting and Santa visit
Last checked

Plan your December

When each Nebraska Christmas event for kids happens

The first is Zoo Lights Powered by LES in Lincoln on November 20; the last runs to December 31. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.

Look inside the book

Story time with Santa in Nebraska? Bring Rally home.

Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Christmas events for kids in Omaha

5 confirmed events for kids in Omaha, soonest first.

Omaha: Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tree lightingThe Durham Museum · Omaha

Host
The Durham Museum (opens in a new tab)
Where
The Durham Museum (historic Union Station), 801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68108
When
Friday, November 27, 2026, 4 to 8 pm
Cost
Price not listed; register on the museum site
Ages
All ages
Sign-up
Required ahead of time
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked

Christmas at Union Station is one of Omaha's favorite holiday traditions, held inside the Durham Museum, the city's restored art deco train station. The 2026 season runs from November 27 through January 10 and kicks off with the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 27 from 4 to 8 pm.

The museum's page asks families to register through its REGISTER link. The same page lists other family events for the season, including Family Nights with Santa on Tuesdays in December, a Holiday Cultural Festival on December 4, a holiday concert series, the return of the sock skating pond, and Noon Year's Eve on December 31. The museum is at 801 S 10th Street, and its phone number is 402-444-5071 for questions about tickets.

Parent tip: Register ahead on the museum's Christmas at Union Station page. Call 402-444-5071 with questions about pricing.

See dates and details from The Durham Museum (opens in a new tab)

Omaha: Family Nights with Santa (Christmas at Union Station)

Santa visitThe Durham Museum · Omaha

Host
The Durham Museum (opens in a new tab)
Where
The Durham Museum (historic Union Station), 801 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68108
When
Tue December 1, Tue December 8, Tue December 15 and Tue December 22, 2026
Cost
Check the host's page
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked

Christmas at Union Station returns to the Durham Museum in Omaha on November 27, 2026, with a 40-foot tree in the station hall, holiday displays from around the world and Santa in his cabin. On Family Nights with Santa, held Tuesdays December 1, 8, 15 and 22, families can visit Santa's Cabin and share wish lists.

The season also includes a tree lighting on Friday, November 27, from 4 to 8 pm, a holiday cultural festival on December 4, a holiday concert series, a sock skating pond and a Noon Year's Eve on December 31. Check the museum's page for Family Night hours and pricing before you go.

Parent tip: Hours and pricing for Family Nights are posted on the museum's site; the sock skating pond opens November 27.

See dates and details from The Durham Museum (opens in a new tab)

Omaha: Storytime with The Rose Theater

Holiday story timeOmaha Public Library · Omaha

Host
Omaha Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Where
W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68114
When
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10:30 to 11:30 am
Cost
No fee listed (library program); no registration
Ages
All are welcome; caregivers must stay with children
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked

Lil Rosies teaching artist Chloe Hug from The Rose Theater visits the W. Clarke Swanson Branch of Omaha Public Library to lead an interactive reading of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Children and families enjoy the story, join in theater activities, and get excited for The Rose Theater's stage production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The program runs from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Saturday, December 5, with singing, dancing and storytelling inspired by live theater. All are welcome and no registration is required. Parents and caregivers must stay with their children for the whole program and are encouraged to help younger children with the activities. The branch is wheelchair accessible, and accommodations can be requested five business days ahead. The branch phone number is 402-444-4852.

Parent tip: No registration needed, but caregivers must stay for the full hour and help little ones join in.

See dates and details from Omaha Public Library (opens in a new tab)

Omaha: KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights

Holiday story timeOmaha Public Library · Omaha

Host
Omaha Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Where
Omaha Public Library Downtown Branch, 1401 Jones St, Omaha, NE 68102
When
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 11 am to 4 pm
Cost
No fee listed (library program); free book for each child under 10 while supplies last
Ages
Children and families, all ages
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked

Omaha Public Library's Downtown Branch turns into a winter wonderland for the KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights. Children and families are invited to celebrate the snowy season with winter-themed books, frosty crafts, games and sparkling fun for all ages during a drop-in afternoon at the library.

The festival runs from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday, December 6, which gives families plenty of time to stop by around naps and lunch. Every child under the age of 10 receives their choice of a free book while supplies last. All Omaha Public Library locations are wheelchair accessible, and sign language interpretation or other accommodations can be requested at least five business days in advance. Questions can go to the Downtown Branch at 402-444-4828.

Parent tip: Come earlier in the day for the best choice of free books, since they are given while supplies last.

See dates and details from Omaha Public Library (opens in a new tab)

Omaha: Noon Year's Eve

Holiday showThe Durham Museum · Omaha

Host
The Durham Museum (opens in a new tab)
Where
The Durham Museum (historic Union Station), 801 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68108
When
Thursday, December 31, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm
Cost
Price not listed; register on the museum site
Ages
All ages
Sign-up
Required ahead of time
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked

The Durham Museum wraps up its Christmas at Union Station season with Noon Year's Eve on Thursday, December 31 from 10 am to 2 pm. Families can enjoy live music, fun activities and crafts, all leading up to the big balloon drop at noon, so young children get a countdown without staying up late.

The museum's page asks families to register through the REGISTER link. Christmas at Union Station decorations remain up through January 10, so this is also a chance to see the museum's giant holiday tree and decorations during the school break. The museum is in Omaha's restored Union Station at 801 S 10th Street. Questions can go to the museum at 402-444-5071. The REGISTER link for this event is on the Christmas at Union Station page.

Parent tip: Register ahead on the museum's page, and arrive well before noon so the kids are settled for the balloon drop.

See dates and details from The Durham Museum (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Lincoln

1 confirmed event for kids in Lincoln, soonest first.

Lincoln: Zoo Lights Powered by LES

Holiday lightsLincoln Children's Zoo · Lincoln

Host
Lincoln Children's Zoo (opens in a new tab)
Where
Lincoln Children's Zoo, 1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
When
Friday, November 20, 2026 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 (evenings; check zoo for nightly hours and closed dates)
Cost
Check the host's page
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked

Zoo Lights Powered by LES turns the Lincoln Children's Zoo into a holiday light display for its seventh year. Highlights include a 40-foot Christmas tree, a 140-foot cathedral light tunnel, more than 30 lit animal silhouettes and a vine show with 190 hanging lights. Holiday train rides are part of the experience.

Every Tuesday during the run is an LES Energy Night, with an interactive light peg display, a kid-sized LES truck cutout for photos, transmission lines made of orange lights, free light-up snap bracelets and LES volunteers on hand to answer energy questions. Tickets are sold through the zoo's Zoo Lights page, which is the place to check nightly hours and prices before you go. The event runs for about six weeks, from Nov 20 through Dec 30, so there are many evenings to choose from.

Parent tip: Buy tickets through the zoo's Zoo Lights page and check nightly hours there. Go on a Tuesday for the LES Energy Night extras.

See dates and details from Lincoln Children's Zoo (opens in a new tab)

Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in Kansas, Christmas events for kids in South Dakota and Christmas events for kids in Iowa list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Nebraska Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What Christmas events for kids are in Nebraska in 2026?

We confirmed 6 Christmas events for kids in Nebraska for 2026 on each host’s own page: Zoo Lights Powered by LES in Lincoln (November 20), Tree Lighting Ceremony in Omaha (November 27), Family Nights with Santa (Christmas at Union Station) in Omaha (December 1), Storytime with The Rose Theater in Omaha (December 5), KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights in Omaha (December 6) and Noon Year's Eve in Omaha (December 31). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.

What Christmas events for kids are in Omaha, Nebraska?

For families in and around Omaha, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Tree Lighting Ceremony (Fri, Nov 27, 4 to 8 pm, price not listed; register on the museum site); Family Nights with Santa (Christmas at Union Station) (Tuesdays, Dec 1, 8, 15 and 22, see the host for cost); Storytime with The Rose Theater (Sat, Dec 5, 10:30 to 11:30 am, no fee listed (library program); no registration); KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights (Sun, Dec 6, 11 am to 4 pm, no fee listed (library program); free book for each child under 10 while supplies last); Noon Year's Eve (Thu, Dec 31, 10 am to 2 pm, price not listed; register on the museum site). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Omaha section of this page.

What Christmas events for kids are in Lincoln, Nebraska?

For families in and around Lincoln, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Zoo Lights Powered by LES (Nov 20 to Dec 30, 2026, see the host for cost). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Lincoln section of this page.

Where can kids see Santa in Nebraska this December?

Santa appears at Family Nights with Santa (Christmas at Union Station) in Omaha (December 1). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Nebraska?

Holiday story times on this page: Storytime with The Rose Theater in Omaha and KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights in Omaha. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.

Are there kids' Christmas events in Nebraska on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?

Yes: Zoo Lights Powered by LES in Lincoln (through December 30) and Noon Year's Eve in Omaha (through December 31).

When is Zoo Lights Powered by LES in Lincoln in 2026?

Friday, November 20, 2026 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 (evenings; check zoo for nightly hours and closed dates), at Lincoln Children's Zoo. The host has not posted a price on its page, so check there before you go.

How much is Tree Lighting Ceremony in Omaha?

Price not listed; register on the museum site. Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Friday, November 27, 2026, 4 to 8 pm at The Durham Museum (historic Union Station). Confirm on the host’s page before you go.

When is Family Nights with Santa (Christmas at Union Station) in Omaha in 2026?

Tue December 1, Tue December 8, Tue December 15 and Tue December 22, 2026, at The Durham Museum (historic Union Station). The host has not posted a price on its page, so check there before you go.

How much is Storytime with The Rose Theater in Omaha?

No fee listed (library program); no registration. Storytime with The Rose Theater is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10:30 to 11:30 am at W. Clarke Swanson Branch. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.

How much is KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights in Omaha?

No fee listed (library program); free book for each child under 10 while supplies last. KETV Family Festival: Holiday Lights is on Sunday, December 6, 2026, 11 am to 4 pm at Omaha Public Library Downtown Branch. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.

How much is Noon Year's Eve in Omaha?

Price not listed; register on the museum site. Noon Year's Eve is on Thursday, December 31, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm at The Durham Museum (historic Union Station). Confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Nebraska?

Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Nebraska Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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