Nebraska 

Annual Polar Bear Tank Race, March 4-5 at Middle Loup River near Mullen. This timed event features teams of four-to-six people who race down the river in metal stock tanks. Prizes are awarded for tank decorations and themes. Teams may also choose to forgo the race and enjoy a relaxing float down the river. 308-546-2206.

—sandhillsjourney.com

Clue, March 5 at the Neville Center in North Platte. Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up 308-532-8559.
—northplattecommunityplayhouse.com

Kearney Symphony Orchestra: American Adventures, March 8 at UNK Fine Arts Recital Hall in Kearney. Celebrate American music with selections from film scores “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Star Wars” (John Williams), Samuel Barber, and an orchestral piece by Florence Price, “Adoration,” celebrating Black History Month. 308-865-8441.
—unk.edu

Riverdance, March 8-10 at Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln. This show is a powerful and stirring reinvention of the beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its GRAMMY award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. 402-472-4700.
—liedcenter.org

Rodeo Grand Island, March 11 & 12 at Heartland Events Center in Fonner Park, Grand Island. This Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association event features team roping, barrel racing, and Xtreme Bulls Tour. 308-382-4515.
—heartlandeventscenter.com

Jersey Boys, March 25-27 at Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln. They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard…and the radio just couldn’t get enough. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in this Tony and GRAMMY Award®-winning true-life musical phenomenon. 402-472-4700.
—liedcenter.org

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, March 16-20 in downtown O’Neill. The home of the “The World's Largest Shamrock” nearly doubles its size to 7,000 people during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Festivities begin Wednesday with the Irish Walk of Fame induction ceremony and the painting of the town's beloved shamrock. The big day is Saturday, when attendees can gather to watch the parade and partake in many other activities. 402-336-2355.
—oneillchamber.com

Shamrock Shuffle 5K Walk/Run/Crawl, March 12 in Fairbury. Runners and walkers are encouraged to dress up in leprechaun gear for this event. The post-race celebration includes unique awards, live music, giveaways, green booze, and food. 402-729-3000.
—fairburychamber.org 

Audubon’s Nebraska Crane Season, March 5-April 10 at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon. Thousands of Sandhill cranes migrate through Nebraska each year, and there are several opportunities to see them. The event includes educational events, guided tours (preregistration required), and other programs. 308-468-5282.
—ne.audubon.org

Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, March 27 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. This concert was rescheduled from June, 2020, so tickets are limited. Sir Elton John is one of the most highly acclaimed and successful solo artists of all time, and fans won’t want to miss this tour. 402-904-4444.
—pinnaclebankarena.com 

Mystery at the Mansion, March 5 at Arbor Lodge Mansion in Nebraska City. Solve clues, look for evidence, and break the old-fashioned whodunnit case while mingling with new friends. 402-873-8717.
—arbordayfarm.org

Joyce Yang, April 19 at Lied Performing Arts Center in Lincoln. This Grammy-nominated pianist captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism, and interpretive sensitivity.  402-472-4700.
—liedcenter.org

Spring Fling, April 16 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Kids of all ages can participate in an egg hunt, make and take a craft, visit with the Easter Bunny, and learn about making kites. 402-944-3100.
—sacmuseum.org

Brownville Concert Series, Todd Murray & Stacy Sullivan: I’m Glad There Is You, April 22-24 at Brownville Concert Hall, Brownville. This performance covers the musical romance of Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee, from the time they first shared the stage in 1941 at the Paramount Theater in Times Square until Frank’s passing in 1998. Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra were the closest of friends and musical peers. 402-825-3331.
—brownvilleconcertseries.com

George Strait: Strait to the Star City, April 23 at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln. The Kind of Country will be joined by guest Asleep At The Wheel for this one-night event.  402-904-4444.
—pinnaclebankarena.com 

Arbor Day Celebration April 29 to May 1 at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. Visitors can celebrate this holiday where it all began—at Arbor Day Farm. All across this 260-acre campus, opportunities abound to play, learn, taste, and shop, all in celebration of trees. Concurrent to this event is the 148th Annual Arbor Day Celebration in Nebraska City, with a parade, kids activities, plant sales, and more. 402- 873-8717.

—arbordayfarm.org

Earth Day, April 23 at Union Plaza in Lincoln. This event includes live music, informational booths, family activities, food trucks, and a farmer’s market.
—lincolnearthday.org

Iowa

Brian Regan March 3 at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country. He co-stars in Peter Farrelly’s TV series Loudermilk, 515-244-0507.
—hoytsherman.org

Little Feat—Waiting for Columbus Tour, March 8 at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. Little Feat is the classic example of a fusion of many styles and musical genres made into something utterly distinctive. Their musicianship transcends boundaries, uniting California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country, rockabilly, and New Orleans swamp boogie into a rich gumbo, that has been leading people in joyful dance ever since. 515-244-0507.
—hoytsherman.org

Jay Leno, March 5 at the Orpheum in Sioux City. Acclaimed late-night TV show host, stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, and so much more, Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.” 855-333-8771.
—orpheumlive.com

Immersive Vivaldi, March 12 at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City. This Sioux City Symphony Orchestra production features Vivaldi’s timeless classic, The Four Seasons. After intermission, guests will be transported into a modern-day nightclub scene. 855-333-8771.
—orpheumlive.com

St. Patrick’s Day Festival, March 17-20 in Emmetsburg. This sister city of Dublin, Ireland, celebrates the “wearing o’ the green” in a grand way. Events include a bean bag tournament, fun run, kids’ zone, free movie, live music, and a parade. Before the parade, eat a cup of Irish stew or a baked potato with toppings, or sample the entries from the chili cook-off. 712-852-4326.
—emmetsburgirishgifts.com

Maple Syrup Festival, March 26-27 at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. The Maple Syrup Festival, held at the end of the syruping season, features syrup-making demonstrations, a look inside the Maple Sugar House, a pancake breakfast with real maple syrup, and live music. 319-362-0664.
—indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Zach Williams, March 25 at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. Join Zach Williams and special guest Anne Wilson for a night of music and ministry. Williams is a Grammy award-winning artist known for his signature blend of southern rock, country and faith-filled songwriting. 515-244-0507.
—hoytsherman.org

Leanne Morgan: The Big Panty Tour, April 2 at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City. Morgan’s style of comedy combines her southern charm and hilarious story telling about her own life into an act that keeps fans coming back for more. 855-333-8771.
—orpheumlive.com

Tenderloins and So Much More Tour, April 6 at Cooking with Alessandra in Des Moines. This tour explores foods that were made famous in Des Moines and restaurants that keep those traditions alive. 515-508-9474.
—cookingwithalessandra.com

Take a Bite, April 12-14 at the Amana Colonies. This three-day food fest includes cooking education, hands-on instruction, samplings, and special menu items and dinners at Amana Colonies food businesses. 319-622-7622.
—amanacolonies.com

Kites Over Hoover Park, April 20 near Hoover Park in West Branch. April is Kite-Flying Month, and thousands of colorful kites will fly during this event, which includes a kite-performance team and family-friendly games, a candy drop, and crafts for kids. 319-643-5301.
—hoover.archives.gov

ABBA, April 23 at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City. This event celebrates the music of ABBA featuring the Finnish pop sensation Rajaton and the, Sioux City Symphony. 855-333-8771.
—orpheumlive.com

Food and Farm Festival, April 27-28 at Living History Farms in Urbandale. Local producers, brewers, makers, and artists will gather together on the front lawn of Living History Farms to celebrate everything that makes Iowa great. VIP events include Festival of Cheese, Beer ’n' Bread, and Cocktails and Comfort Food. 515-278-5286.
—lhf.org

kansas

Holi Festival, March 4 at Roe Park in Overland Park. Visitors to this festival should wear white clothing and expect to get messy as people playfully throw colorful powders at each other. This event is a celebration of the coming spring, the joy of friendship, and equality. 913-230-6189.
—@absarevents on Facebook

Qlathe BBQ Championship, March 18-19 at Lone Elm Park in Olathe. Kansas City is known for its barbecue, and in this annual KCBS Sanctioned Event, more than 70 competition teams will fill the park with award-winning barbecue. 913-971-8600.
—olatheks.org

Sky Lantern Festival, March 19, in Lawrence. Thousands of paper sky lanterns will light the night at this magical event, which includes music, an activity area, photo opportunities, a fire pit, s’mores, and more. The exact location is revealed one week before the event.
—lightsoveramerica.events 

Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience, April 10 at C.L Hoover Opera House in Junction City. This cast of performers and dogs will delight audiences of all ages, with high energy excitement from beginning to end. This performance troupe has been seen on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, David Letterman, and more. 785-238-3906.
—jcoperahouse.org

Kegs ’N’ Eggs, April 17 at Kansas City Renaissance Festival grounds in Bonner Springs. While sipping on craft beers and listening to live music at this adult-only event, guests can hunt for golden eggs and win prizes. 913-721-2110.
—@kegsneggskc on Facebook

Kansas Storytelling Festival, April 22-23 in downtown Downs. Tall tales, anecdotes, and historical re-enactments can all be found at this festival, which offers two evening concerts and many separate sessions of stories, workshops, and music. 785-454-6648.
—kansasstorytelling.com

MISSOURI

Eric Church, March 1 and 2 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. The country star will be performing songs from his new album “Desperate Man” as well as other popular past hits. 816-949-7100.
—ticketmaster.com

Korn, March 5 at T Mobile Center in Kansas City. This metal band is known for their Grammy-nominated songs “Shoots and Ladders” and “Freak on a Leash.” They will be accompanied by special guests Chevelle and Code Orange. 816-949-7100.
—t-mobilecenter.com

Snake, Saturday, March 12 in North Kanas City. This popular St. Patrick’s Day event in Kansas City includes a parade followed by a charity cook-off, lad and lassie contest for youngsters, and more. 816-548-3113.
—snakesaturday.com

Tool, March 15 at T Mobile Center in Kansas City. This band is known for their Grammy-Award song “7empest." They are joined by special guests The Acid Helps. 816-949-7100.
—t-mobilecenter.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17 along Broadway in Kansas City. Now that the snakes have been driven away, visitors can spend the next day reveling with fellow St. Patrick’s Day fans with one of the country’s largest St. Patrick Day parades.
—kcirishparade.com

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 in the Power & Light District, Kansas City. Once the parade is done, it’s time for beer and shenanigans. One of Kansas City’s most popular areas will provide a free concert and DJ set along with green beer and food specials for sale at participating restaurants. 816-842-1045.

—powerandlightdistrict.com

NCAA Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship, March 9-12 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Kansas City is on the tour for March Madness. Basketball fans will enjoy seeing the best hoops the Big 12 has to offer. 816-949-7100.
—t-mobilecenter.com

NCAA Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, March 10-13 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. Kansas City is on the tour for March Madness in the women’s division, also. 816-949-7100.
—kcconvention.com

Kansas City FilmFest, April 6-10 at B&B Mainstreet Theaters Kansas City. More than 120 films will be shown over five days at this annual event, which celebrates the power of storytelling as a shared cultural experience through the cinematic arts. 816-756-5877.
—kcfilmfest.org

Blessing of the Bikes, April 28 on the historic downtown square in Neosho. The annual event brings together more than 300 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts to initiate the onset of the riding season. Food, vendors, drift trike racing, and live music carry the day that is concluded with a bike blessing. 417-389-3301.
—@blessingofthebikescovenant0702
on Facebook 

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.