Omaha Guidebook, Omaha, NE (2025)

11/28/2025

GET THE LIST OF 80+ LOCAL DEALS THIS WEEKEND!

• Finders Keepers : 50% off sale
• Found: Vintage Market: 25% off sale
• Lauritzen Gardens: Save $10 on annual membership with code TURKEY25
• Little Mango: 25% off sitewide with code SHOPSMALL2025
• MW Climbing: 10 punch pass for $120
• The Pen & Dagger Bookstore: 30% off sale storewide and 50% off select books
• TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest: Up to 32% off ticket packs and adventure passes
• The Wandering Page: 30% off sale, get a free blind date with a book when you spend $150
• 402threads: 15% off sale

See comments for the full list!

11/26/2025

I'm tracking Small Business Saturday sales, promos, and events so you don't have to!

Find the list of Omaha deals in the caption. How are you supporting local this holiday season? 💚

11/25/2025

Taking a brief intermission from my social media break to say . . .

❄️ THE WINTER GUIDE IS HERE ❄️

Visit the link in the comments to get access to ALLLLLL the local holiday content you could possibly ever want! Including:

• Small Biz Saturday events & deals roundup

• Local gift guide

• Holiday pop-up bars

• Holiday events

• Winter date ideas

PLUS a bonus — a variety of holiday playlists curated by yours truly so you’ve got a festive soundtrack for your dinner parties or drives between Christmas markets or whatever else you have going on this season. (Pssst there’s even a playlist for the scrooges who don’t like Christmas music — see the playlist titled “sounds like Christmas, but it’s not.”)

11/05/2025

END OF YEAR BREAK

I’m starting my usual end of year break for Omaha Guidebook! Once a year, I try to unplug for a while and remind myself there’s life outside of social media 🙃 plus my husband and I are going on a 1 year anniversary trip / belated honeymoon!

Thanks a BUNCH for another amazing year for Omaha Guidebook. It’s always a blast to bring y’all with me as we explore the city together. You know Omaha Guidebook wouldn’t be what it is today without you all! See ya in 2026! 💚

P.S. bonus pic of Ash just cause he’s cute

P.P.S. my weekly email newsletter will resume later this month, so if you don’t wanna wait until 2026 to hear from me, go get yourself subscribed to that list!

11/03/2025

HOLIDAY EVENTS NEAR OMAHA FOR 2025 ❄️

* indicates a ticked event

11/7-8: Merry Vendor Market @ The Back Room

11/8: Holiday Boutique* @ Joslyn Castle

11/14: European Christmas Market @ Marvella Mercantile

11/14: Friday Night Market @ Sheelytown Market

11/15: Wicked Wonderland @ Lakeside Plaza

11/15: Pentatonix — Christmas in the City* @ CHI Health Center

11/15: A Motown Christmas* @ Orpheum Theater

11/16: Holiday Market @ The Fireside Banquet Room

11/20: Benefit Party* @ Mulhalls

11/21: Holiday Modern Market* @ Omaha Palazzo

11/22: Holiday Market @ Makers Street

11/22: Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade @ Shadow Lake Towne Center

11/22-23: The Nutcracker* @ Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center

11/24: Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting @ Downtown Springfield

11/28: Tree Lighting Ceremony* @ Durham Museum

9/28, 10/5, 10/12: Lights of Aksarben @ Aksarben Village

11/29: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

11/29: Holiday Market @ Oak View Mall

11/29: Holiday Market @ Lucky Bucket Brewing

11/29-30, 12/5-7: Midwest Fest* @ Heartland of America Park

11/29: Winter Wonderland @ Downtown Papillion

11/30: Flea Holiday Market @ Cafe Postale

12/4: Lights on Dundee @ Dundee

12/4: Holiday Stroll @ Little Bohemia

12/4-7: The Nutcracker* @ Orpheum Theater

12/5: Holiday Cultural Festival* @ Durham Museum

12/6: Holiday Cocktail Crawl @ Midtown Crossing

12/6: Holiday in the Woods* @ Wildlife Safari Park

12/6: Cookie Crawl* @ Downtown Papillion

12/6: Hope for the Holidays Concert* @ Holland Center

12/6: Santa Goes to Space* @ SAC Museum

12/6: Holiday Beerfest* @ Crescent Moon Ale House

12/6-7: Holiday Market @ Aksarben Village

12/6-7: Winter Open House @ Hot Shops Art Center

12/6-7: Joyful Noise Concert* @ Steelhouse Omaha

12/7: Family Festival @ Downtown Omaha

12/7-8, 14-15: Christmas at the Farm* @ Bellevue Berry Farm

12/8: Arts & Crafts Fair @ Mahoney State Park

12/13: Jingle Jam @ Olde Towne Elkhorn

12/14: Holi-Gays Market @ Floors Floors Floors

12/14: Holiday Market @ The Waiting Room

12/14-16: Holiday Boutique* @ CHI Health Center

12/16: Chanukah Skate Night @ Heartwood Park

12/17: The 12 Jams of Christmas @ Kros Strain Brewing

12/18: A Magical Cirque Christmas* @ Orpheum Theater

12/20-21: Mannheim Steamroller Concert* @ Orpheum Theater

❄️ ONGOING EVENTS

11/7-23 (select days): Miracle on 34th Street* @ Bellevue Little Theatre

11/19-01/11 (select days): Zoolightful* @ Henry Doorly Zoo

11/20-12/20 (select days): Every Christmas Story Ever Told* @ BLUEBARN Theatre

11/21-12/21 (select days): A Christmas Carol* @ Omaha Community Playhouse

11/22-12/31: Holiday Poinsettia Show* @ Lauritzen Gardens

11/22-12/31: Santa’s Rock N’ Lights* @ Werner Park

11/22-01/01: Frosty Nights* @ Falconwood Park

11/28-01/11: Christmas at Union Station* @ Durham Museum

11/29-01/01: Lighting Displays @ North Omaha, South Omaha, Old Market, The RiverFront

11/29-01/11 (select days) : Farnam Winter Pop-Up @ Midtown Crossing

12/9-01/2: Winter Wonderland* @ Fontenelle Forest

10/30/2025

No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Yesterday the mayor announced a city-led food drive to help as federal food assistance halts. Donations can be given through nonperishable food items dropped off at these locations (swipe left for the list) or through monetary amounts donated directly to the food bank. Every bit helps. 💚

10/16/2025

Here’s your guide to seeing an Opera Omaha performance.

Location: Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha

It’s not too late to grab tickets for the next opera on October 24th and 26th! The Barber of Seville is an all ages show — see more details at on Opera Omaha's website.

Thanks to Opera Omaha for sponsoring this post!

🚙 Parking
You have a few different options for parking, listed below. There is construction going on downtown right now so get there early and allow yourself plenty of time for parking!
• OPPD Energy Plaza garage (reserve ahead of time via ParkMobile app) — use the Skylink in the garage to enter the theater
• Metered street parking
• 15th & Howard parking lot ($10, cash and card accepted)

🚌 Metro Bus
Routes 11, 36: Stop 1780 16th & Howard NW
Routes 15, 18, 30: Stop 2560 17th & Harney SW

👕 Typical Attire
There is no dress code to attend the opera! I saw people wearing a variety of clothes, anywhere from casual to formal: dresses, suits, slacks, button downs, nicer jeans, sweaters, etc. As always though, wear what you like and what you feel comfortable in.

📣 Accessibility
Opera Omaha and the Orpheum have many accommodations to make the opera accessible to all. Some are listed below. Visit operaomaha.org for more details.
• Elevators
• Accessible seating locations
• Accessible parking
• Arrangement for ASL-interpretation
• Hearing devices for checkout

10/07/2025

Shoutout to my fellow anxious pals. This one’s for you.

These are a few of my favorite, less stimulating hangout spots around Omaha. PLUS I’ve made guides to most of them, so if you scroll back on my page (or search my website), you can get a rundown of exactly what to expect when you visit them in person!

What else would you add to this list?

Anna’s Place Omaha
Alice Omaha
Rally Coffee Co.
Omaha Public Library
Joslyn Art Museum

10/01/2025

BUDGET DATE IDEA: 3 for $30 at Smash Park La Vista

Now through the end of October, Smash Park has a 3 for $30 bundle going on! It’s a $75 value(!) and it makes for a fun, budget friendly date night (or friend date, family hangout . . . you get the picture).

For $30, you get:

🎳 1 hour of any activity (choose from axe throwing, indoor/outdoor pickleball, duckpin bowling, darts, outdoor shuffleboard, or private karaoke)

🍹 $20 food/beverage voucher

🕹️ $15 arcade card

Book your 3 for $30 bundle through the Smash Park app! This deal only lasts till the end of October.

Want to learn more about Smash Park before you visit? Hop over to stories to see my full guide.

Thanks a bunch to Smash Park for hosting our visit!

09/26/2025

Here’s your guide to Standing Bear Lake.

Location: northwest O

It’s about time I posted about this one! Standing Bear has been requested for a while and I totally get why. The view is nice, it’s a well maintained area, and the shade coverage is great for a walk. My dog Ash loves coming here. The loop around the lake is about 3 miles long.

✅ Hiking
✅ Biking
✅ Fishing
✅ Boating (no wake)
❌ Swimming
❌ Camping
✅ Picnic area(s)
✅ Public restroom(s)
✅ Leashed pets
✅ Paved trail

🚙 Parking
There are multiple parking areas around the lake where you can park for free. Most of them are paved.

🚌 Metro Bus
The bus doesn’t currently travel to this area.

📣 Accessibility
Standing Bear Lake is accessibility friendly! The trails are paved, and the floating trail across the lake is accessible. Along that floating trail is an accessible canoe and kayak launch. As for parking, there are 2 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Park Road (southwest end of the trail). Most of the trail is fairly flat, though AllTrails says the steepest sections are near 0.8, 1.5, and 2.6 miles when going clockwise.

09/16/2025

Here’s your guide to Big Grove Brewery.

Location: 4601 Catalyst Ct, Omaha, NE 68106

This taproom, restaurant, and patio is now open as of TODAY. Big Grove is originally out of Iowa. But no fear — they’re brewing beer onsite, so you’re still drinking local!

Also, right next door to Big Grove Brewery in the Catalyst Building is Big Grove Coffee Co. So there is truly something for everyone here.

FOR MY GLUTEN FREE FRIENDS: Big Grove Brewery’s menu is marked with GF options. However I was informed there is no dedicated GF fryer, so any fried items would not be celiac safe.

Thanks a bunch to Big Grove for having us at your soft opening!

🚙 Parking There is metered street parking directly in front and behind the building. Or park along S 48th behind the building for slightly cheaper meter rates.

A parking garage is currently under construction next door to the Catalyst building, so more parking options should be available in the future.

There’s also a small parking lot right off of Saddlecreek Road in front of the building. It looked to be unmarked, so that might be free parking (for now).

🚌 Metro Bus Route 11: 48th & Leavenworth (7 min walk)
Routes 3, 15: 42nd & Leavenworth (17 min walk)
Route 120: 44th & Dodge (12 min walk)

👕 Typical Attire I saw people wearing casual clothes — jeans, dresses, tshirts, blouses, etc. As always though, wear what you like and what you feel comfortable in!

📣 Accessibility
There are no steps to get in or around Big Grove Brewery. If using a wheelchair, you’ll want to request a low table with chairs — as opposed to a high-top table or booth.

09/12/2025

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch is open again for the fall season!

This pumpkin patch is just north of town and is the perfect autumn stop for families and people of all ages. A general admission ticket gives you access to over 35 attractions, including the daisy train, hayrack ride, pig racers, corn mazes, peddle karts, slides, tornado alley, petting zoo, jump pillows, and more.

🌼 WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL

The flower fields at Skinny Bones are open every day, but on select days during the month of September, there are even more festival activities to enjoy! Festival entry is included with general admission tickets (wildflower picking available for an extra cost).

Festival activities on September 13, 20, 27, 28:

• Live music
• Face painting
• Hair tinsel station
• New photo ops
• Princess meet & greets
• Limited-time food & drink

For more on Skinny Bones, see our stories today for our full guide to the pumpkin patch.

Thanks a bunch to Skinny Bones for sponsoring this post!

Omaha Guidebook

11/28/2025

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