Event times and details may change. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.
Family & More
rFarmer’s MarketsrGardening season is open in Omaha, and those desiring fresh produce will find plenty of options in the area, along with artisan cheeses, farm-raised meats, freshly baked breads, assorted treats, and craft items.rCouncil Bluffs (Bayliss Park) 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays.rOld Market (11th and Jackson streets) 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays.rVillage Pointe (168th and Dodge streets) 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays.rAksarben Village (67th and Center streets) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays.rPapillion (84th and Lincoln streets) 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays starting May 29.rNight Market (Turner Park @ Midtown Crossing) 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Last Friday of the month starting May 31.rFlorence Mill (9102 N. 30th St.) 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays starting June 2.rRockbrook Village (108th and Center streets) 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays starting June 5.rGifford Park (33rd and California streets) 5-8 p.m. Fridays starting June 7.r
Free MoviesrLaugh, cry, and relax with classic and current movies on starry summer nights. Bring a blanket or a chair, and the whole family. All movies begin at dusk.rMonday Night Movies at Midtown Crossing (Turner Park, 3110 Farnam St.): through July 29.rMusic & Movies in the Park (Bayliss Park, 100 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, IA.): Fridays through July 26.rStarlight Movies (SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, NE.): July 5, Aug. 2, andrAug. 16.
Turner Park Night MarketrMay 31-Sept. 27 at Turner Park, 3110 Farnam St. The Omaha Farmer’s Market and Turner Park bring visitors family-friendly activities, vendors, food, entertainment, and more. 6-10 p.m. last Friday of each month. Admission: free.r—midtowncrossing.com/events
Summer Street SeriesrJuly-September in Benson, Military Avenue & Maple Street. Benson First Friday takes to the street for the summer months. This fresh take on the monthly community event will feature interactive and live artists, an artist’s market, performers, food vendors, and activities for all ages. 5 p.m. Admission: free.r—bensonfirstfriday.com
Leashes at LauritzenrJuly 1 and 8, Aug. 5 and 12 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Canines are invited to walk the grounds and enjoy the great outdoors. This is an informal, fun way to enjoy and explore Lauritzen’s 100 acres and miles of trail with the family and four-legged friends. 6 p.m. Tickets: $10 for non-members, $5 for dogs, free for members. 402.346.4002.r—lauritzengardens.org
Ralston’s Annual Independence Day CelebrationrJuly 4 in Downtown Ralston, 7400 Main St. This year’s theme is “Independence Day the Ralston Way,” as this community tradition continues with a fun run, live music, parade, fire department water fight, chicken dinner, beer garden, and a spectacular firework show. Times vary. Admission: free. 402.339.7737.r—ralstonareachamber.org/independence-day
Douglas County FairrJuly 11-14 at Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St. This is a celebration of the county where urban and rural meet, with something for everyone—live music, a parade, and a livestock show at Chance Ridge Event Center. Times vary. Admission: free.r—douglascountyfair.org
RiverJam, “The Woodstock 50th Anniversary Experience”rJuly 12-14 at Riverwest Park, 23301 West Maple Road. RiverJam will pay tribute to the greatest music festival of all time—Woodstock—with more than 40 DJs, bands, and artists performing on three stages; food trucks; a beer garden; vendors; and more. Times vary. Tickets: $15-$325. 402.953.4731.r—omahablues.com
Railroad DaysrJuly 13-14 at various locations. Visitors can explore the exhibits and collections at five of the area’s railroad-themed attractions—Lauritzen Gardens, the Durham Museum, RailsWest Railroad Museum, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and the Historic General Dodge House. One pass includes admission and transportation between all five locations. 9 a.m. Tickets: $15 family pass, $5 single pass. 402.501.3841.r—omaharailroaddays.com
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Brew at the ZoorJuly 13 at Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St. Guests can stroll through the upper part of the zoo, listen to live music, eat, and play games while sampling unique brews from local breweries. 8 p.m. Tickets: $70 for members, $80 for non-members, $120 VIP admission. 402.733.8401.r—omahazoo.com
UNleash Council BluffsrJuly 20 in downtown Council Bluffs. This Missouri River city will host a party for the 20,000-30,000 bicyclists as the starting point for this year’s RAGBRAI. The public is welcome to this event, which includes opening ceremonies, food, and music by Taxi Driver and the Polka Police. Noon. Admission: free. 712.256.2577.r—ragbraicb.com
Benson DaysrJuly 27-28 along 60th and Maple streets. Benson Days is a family-friendly summer festival that celebrates the neighborhood’s creative culture. Saturday’s activities include a pancake breakfast, parade, street festival, and beer garden. The Indie 5K/10K Race will be held Sunday morning. Times vary. Admission: free.r—bensondays.com
The Color Run 5KrJuly 27 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. The popular traveling 5K returns to Omaha. Participants run the route while paint powder colors the streets—and the runners. 8 a.m. Tickets: $25-$50 adults, $15 children ages 5 and under.r—thecolorrun.com
Nebraska Asian FestivalrJuly 27 at Lewis and Clark Landing, 515 N. Riverfront Drive. This family-oriented event celebrates, promotes, and educates the public on Asian heritage. Guests can enjoy food, fun activities, and cultural performances throughout the day. 11 a.m. Admission: $5, free for children under 12. 402.216.9081.r—nebraskaasianfestival.com
Fairytale BallrJuly 27 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. This enchanting night at the museum is filled with encounters from princesses and princes, horse-drawn carriage rides, a wishing well, and activities including crafts and archery training. Dinner is included and costumes are encouraged. 6 p.m. Tickets: $20 for members, $35 for non-members. 402.342.6164.r—ocm.org
New American Arts FestivalrAug. 2 in Benson at Military Ave. and Maple St. This festival celebrates the arts, ideas, and cultures of Omaha’s refugee and immigrant communities with workshops, performances, art, food, and music. 4 p.m. Admission: free. 402.342.6164.r—@BensonFirstFriday on Facebook
River’s Edge Taco FestrAug. 3 at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, 4200 Avenue B, Council Bluffs. Fifteen of the area’s best taco-centric restaurants will offer a wide range of mouthwatering taco creations. The day will include national and local musical performances, live Lucha Libre wrestling matches, and the Chihuahua beauty pageant and race. 11 a.m. Tickets: $20 advanced general admission, $30 general admission, $100 VIP pass.r—riversedgetacofest.comrPlease note: This event was cancelled on June 17, 2019 due to flooding.
Nebraska Balloon and Wine FestivalrAug. 9-10 at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, Elkhorn. As the name implies, guests can sip Nebraska wines and view hot air balloon launches. 5 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $19 wine tasting package at the gate, $15 wine tasting package in advance, $14 general admission, $7 children under 12, children 5 and under free. 402.346.8003.r—showofficeonline.com/NebraskaWineBalloon
Maha DiscoveryrAug. 15 at MCC Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology, 5300 N. 30th St. This conference, formerly known as Big Omaha, celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation. Speakers include media theorist and author Douglas Rushkoff, Partpic co-founder Jewel Burks Solomon and Martha Legg Miller, a small business advocate for the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Tickets include entry to Maha Music Festival. 8 a.m. Tickets: $135-$240.r—mahafestival.com
RIVER FEST 2019rAugust 16-17 at American Heroes Park, Bellevue. This festival will include helicopter rides, a pancake breakfast, carnival, car show, beer garden, a fireworks display, and performances by Red Delicious and High Heel. 5 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. Saturday. Admission: $1. 402.898.3000.r—@Bellevuemusicfestival on Facebook
Omaha Fashion WeekrAug. 18-24 at Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. Omaha Fashion Week is the nation’s fifth-largest fashion event, showcasing 65-plus designers each year on the runway and providing mentoring, educational opportunities, and a professional showcasing platform. 6 p.m. Tickets: $40-$80. 402.937.1061.r—omahafashionweek.com
Millard DaysrAug. 20-25 at Andersen Park, 136th and Q Streets. This full week of activities includes a parade, a carnival, a beer garden, horse shows, tractor pulls, and live music. Times vary. Admission: free, $25 for carnival. 402.679.5258.r—millarddays.com
Arts Block PartyrAug. 24 at Cass St. between 72nd and 69th streets. Guests can tour the Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha Conservatory of Music, and Omaha Academy of Ballet, eat, watch live performances, and more. 10 a.m. Admission: free.r—artsblockpartyomaha.com
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Dundee DayrAug. 24 in Dundee, 50th Street and Underwood Avenue This street festival celebrates and highlights the Dundee neighborhood with a parade, 5K run, art and craft vendors, book sale, pancake breakfast, food trucks, live music, and a beer garden. 8:30 a.m. Admission: free.r—dundeeday.org
Loessfest 2019rAug. 30-Sept. 1 at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, 4200 Avenue B, Council Bluffs. LoessFest is a weekend extravaganza featuring musical performances, family attractions, food vendors, and open-air movie screenings.r—loessfest.com
SeptemberfestrAug. 30-Sept. 2 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. This “Salute to Labor” festival offers four days of entertainment, educational and artistic displays, a carnival, parade, beer garden, and food. Times vary. Admission: $7 per person per day, parade is free.r—septemberfestomaha.org
This calendar was printed in the July/August edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
