I bet you’re just as excited for the holidays as me.
Get a jump on celebrating Christmas this weekend by visiting a few of these locations.
Take the kids on a gingerbread parade. Take a holiday lights tour or see Christmas at Union Station.
We’ve compiled a really big list of family-friendly things to do in Omaha.
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Through Dec. 30 – Christmas at the Dodge House, 605 Third St. See the Victorian mansion decked out for the holidays, with more than 20 Christmas trees decorated with unique ornaments by local organizations. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission on Family Nights $10 per family (limit two adults and dependent children or grandchildren). Closed Christmas days and throughout the month of January. For more information, see dodgehouse.org or call (712) 322-2406.
Through Dec. 31 – Gingerbread on Parade, daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Historical Kanesville Tabernacle, 222 E. Broadway. More than 100 gingerbread creations on display from area families. Live music Dec. 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Through Jan. 6 – Holiday Lights in the Gene Leahy Mall at 14th and Farnam Streets are on display; Christmas at Union Station, 4-7 p.m., The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha. Ethnic holiday trees, through Jan. 6. Pacific Life Sounds of the Season will run Saturdays, through Dec. 29, 7-8 p.m., featuring live musical performances in the Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market. Wells Fargo Family Festival is Dec. 2, noon-5 p.m. Downtown arts and cultural institutions will provide free admission and hands-on activities for the entire family. Free trolley service to all participating locations. ConAgra Foods Ice Rink is open Dec. 14 – Jan. 6 at 10th and Harney streets from 1 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 1 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The rink will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. $5 admission includes skate rental, though patrons may bring their own skates. New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular is Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Official viewing site is the Gene Leahy Mall; tune radio to Star 104.5 to enjoy the musical accompaniment.
Through Jan. 6 – Christmas at Union Station, 4-7 p.m., The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha. Lighting of the tree, Santa, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, jazz singer Michael Walker. Concert series Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16. Ethnic holiday trees, Nov. 23 – Jan. 6.
Through Jan. 6 – Holiday Poinsettia Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lauritzen Gardens, First and Bancroft, Omaha. Thousands of poinsettias bursting with rich, vibrant color fill the floral display hall in a glowing tribute to the holidays. Admission is included with paid garden admission of $6 for adults and $3 for children age 6 to 12. Garden members and children under the age of 6 are admitted free of charge. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Through Dec. 31 – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium will have Penguins and Pancakes from Dec. 27-29 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., with pancakes from The Pancake Man, crafts and animal visits from the African penguins. Cost is $12 for members, $15 for non-members, children 2 and younger are free. Price includes a pancake breakfast, plush penguin toy and admission to the zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. Event is rain or shine. All children must be accompanied by a paid adult. Pre-registration is required and will be available December 2012. Noon Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with activities, entertainment and an early countdown to 2013 complete with a beach ball drop at noon. Free to members or with paid admission.
Through Dec. 27 – The 2012 Forever Young Family & Children’s Series at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” screenings daily. Tickets for all show times are $5 general and only $2.50 for Film Streams members and Lincoln Financial employees. For show times and to purchase tickets online, go to filmstreams.org. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 1340 Mike Fahey St., Omaha.
Dec. 26-30 – “Ticket to Toyland” will be presented at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St., Omaha. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 2 and 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2, 4:30 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 or free with Rose Theater membership. The show will be interpreted for the hearing impaired at the 2 p.m. performance on Saturday. Discount vouchers are available at area Hy-Vee Food Stores. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (402) 345-4849 or online at rosetheater.org.
Dec. 31 – First Night 2013 will be celebrate at various venues around downtown Council Bluffs. Participating venues are First Congregational Church, First Baptist Church, Masonic Temple, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Refuge Bible Church, Bloomer Elementary School, Public Library, City Hall, Pottawattamie County Courthouse, Community Hall, YMCA, Bayliss Park, Union Pacific Railroad Museum and the Squirrel Cage Jail. Festivities start at 4:30 p.m.; event ends with fireworks at 10 p.m. at Bayliss Park. Cost is $10 and those 12 and younger are admitted free. The buttons needed to enter venues where the acts will be perform can be purchased at any Hy-Vee Food Store, No-Frills Food Store, the treasurer’s office in City Hall or on the First Night website.
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