Nebraska
The Handmade’ns Craft Fair Nov. 7-8 at Merryman Performing Arts Center, Kearney. This holiday market features handmade decor and gifts from local artists in a gorgeous boutique shopping atmosphere. 308.698.8297
—merrymancenter.org
Veterans Day Nov. 11 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Ashland. The museum honors America’s military veterans with a special program on Veteran’s Day. This year, the program coincides with the opening of HIGH PRESSURE: The Korean War & Aviation exhibit. It will also include a posting of the colors and a keynote speaker. Veterans are encouraged to attend this event in uniform. 402.944.3100.
—SACMuseum.org
Christmas at the Mansion TBA at Lied Lodge and Conference Center, Nebraska City. The historic 52-room mansion features vintage-inspired decorations and holiday-themed displays. 402.873.7222.
—liedlodge.org
Gateway Farm Expo Nov. 18-19 at Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney. Guests will see the latest agriculture technology and services at this 51st annual expo, which will feature hundreds of exhibits, free barbecue, live entertainment, and several talks, including “International Trade: A Walk Through the Current Landscape.” 308.234.2717.
—gatewayfarmexpo.org
Christmas Traditions Festival Nov. 29-Dec. 8 throughout Minden. The annual Light of the World Christmas Pageant will take place on the weekends, and a full week of activities, from a carnival for children to a scavenger hunt, escape room, concerts, free movies, and more. 308.832.1811.
—mindenne.org
Holiday Trolley Tour of Lights Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 29-Dec. 27 at Lied Lodge, Nebraska City. The Arbor Day Farm trolley will take visitors on a tour of historic Nebraska City to view the best Christmas lights. A classic Christmas book is read during the ride. 402.873.8733. —liedlodge.org
Christmas at the Codys Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 19-23 North Platte. Buffalo Bill’s magnificent Victorian mansion is decorated for the holidays and open to the public during the Christmas season each year, as is the barn. Evening events include outdoor caroling and hayrack rides. Complimentary hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts are provided. 308.535.8035. —visitnorthplatte.com
Victorian Christmas on Main Street Dec. 5 in downtown Plattsmouth. Guests can listen to seasonal music, tour the Cass County Museum, take hayrack rides, meet Father Christmas, and more. The official Tree Lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Cass County Museum. 402.296.5544.
—visitcasscounty.com
High Plains Christmas Dec. 5, at Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering. This holiday tradition features hayrack rides, marshmallow roasting, and cowboy coffee around a bonfire. Kids can write letters to Santa and send them via Pony Express to Santa’s Village in downtown Gering. Hot meals are served while supplies last. 308.436.1989.
—legacyoftheplains.org
Christmas Past and Present Dec. 4-6, 11-12 at Stuhr Museum, Grand Island. This event features lamp-lit walks in Railroad Town, cooking, crafts, decorations, the Fantasy of Trees exhibit, and much more. 308.385.5316
—stuhrmuseum.org
Christmas Cabaret Dec. 11-13 at James Arthur Vineyards. The vineyards is offering two evening performances and one afternoon matinee of Christmas songs and holiday hits to spread the Christmas spirit. Judy Anderson and friends will be the entertainers. Admission price includes one glass of wine. 402.783.5255.
—jamesarthurvineyards.com
Iowa
Girls GetAway Weekend Nov. 6-8 at Amana Colonies. This special trip is dedicated to women, for women. There are many special events planned, such as special menu selections at restaurants, shopping specials, wine sampling, and live theater productions. 319.622.7622. —amanacolonies.com
28th Annual Christmas Parade Nov. 27 in downtown Clarinda.
This annual celebration is a community tradition started in 1993 to honor the area firefighters who helped battle the Page County Courthouse fire in 1991. Fire trucks are given a place of honor following the color guard unit. After the parade, children are able to visit Santa Claus at the Santa House located on the lawn of Page County Courthouse. 712.542.2166.
—clarinda.org
Julefest Nov. 27-28 in Elk Horn and Kimballton. This celebration of the arrival of the Christmas season is celebrating its 41st anniversary. Events include a “Naughty or Nisse” 5K Polar Run, craft fairs at multiple locations, and more. The Museum of Danish America and Danish Windmill will be open throughout the weekend. 712.764.7472.
—danishvillages.com
Villages of Amana Christmas Haus Tour Dec. 5-8 at the Amana Colonies. Amana Arts Guild will host the annual Villages of Amana Christmas Haus Tour, an event filled with lovely traditions and whimsical surprises. Visit with homeowners and get to know the colonies in a whole new way. 319.622.7622.
—amanacolonies.com
Norwegian Christmas Celebration Dec. 5 at The Vesterheim National Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center, Decorah. This lively day of events includes Scandinavian holiday traditions, crafts, music, a movie, and other treats. 563.382.9681.
—vesterheim.org
Christmas in Kalona Dec. 5 in downtown Kalona. Children can fill their “walking stockings” with gifts from local merchants, have their picture taken with Santa, decorate cookies and ornaments, take a cookie walk, tour churches, and ride in a carriage. 319.656.2660. —kalonachamber.com
Old World Christmas Market Dec. 5-6 and 12-13 Cedar Rapids. The traditional event will now take place over two weekends to encourage social distancing. On the first weekend, shop the vendor marketplace for specialty imports and handmade gifts by select artisans, and meet Svatý Mikuláš čert a anděl. The second weekend, get your holiday sweets at the annual Museum Guild Cookie Walk and Kolache Sale and support the Czech Heritage Foundation with their annual Wreath Raffle. Both weekends, attendees can see the museum’s newest exhibitions and shop in the museum store. 319.362.8500.
—ncsml.org
DM Symphony—NYE Pops: The Music of Elton John Dec. 31 at Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines. Grammy and Tony-nominated Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh was called “the new voice of the American Rock and Roll songbook” by Billboard. From classic Elton John hits “Tiny Dancer,” “Bennie and the Jets” and “Rocket Man” to rock favorites such as “Live and Let Die” and “Pinball Wizard,” Cavanaugh and his band will ring in the New Year with the Des Moines Symphony and the greatest hits of Elton John. 515.246.2300.
—desmoinesperformingarts.org
Kansas
Find the Wine Nov. 7 and 14 at Walter’s Pumpkin Patch, Burns. Snacks and samples of wine will be available at this fourth annual event, but the guests must try to locate samples located within a KC Chiefs-themed corn maze. 21+ only. 316.320.4150.
—thewaltersfarm.com
The Hip-Hop Nutcracker Lied Center Nov. 29 at 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence. Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, this is a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. It’s an evening-length production is performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set. 785.864.2787.
—lied.ku.edu
Historic Ranch Candlelight Tour Nov. 7 at Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve. Step back in time to learn about actual events that took place on the property over 100 years ago. Living history reenactors tell the stories of the ranch and American Indian culture on the prairie with first-person vignettes of real life on a typical winter night in the prairie. Kerosene lanterns light the path. 620.273.8494.
—nps.gov/tapr
Veterans Day Weekend Nov. 11 in Fort Scott, Kansas. Fort Scott has been honoring veterans since 1842. This signature event traditionally includes a parade through the downtown and a grand ball. This year’s event will be different. More information online. 620.223.3566. —fortscott.com
21st Annual Holiday Luminary Walk. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, and 13-14 at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Overland Park. Guests can stroll down candlelit paths through the gardens while viewing holiday lights and listening to live music. There’s a Children’s Garden and horse-drawn wagon rides as well. 913.895.6270.
—opkansas.org
Hyde Park Luminaries TBD in Hutchinson. Stroll, drive, or ride through this beautiful neighborhood for the 35th annual Christmas Luminaria. Meet Santa at the corner of 20th and Washington streets, listen to musical entertainment, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, drink cider, and eat cookies at Hyde Park. 620.694.9310.
—hutchgov.com
Missouri
Great Pumpkin Smash Nov. 1 at Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City. Visitors can come and watch animals stomp, crash, and roll around with huge pumpkins after Halloween. This is a great post Halloween enrichment for children of all ages. 816.595.1234.
—kansascityzoo.org
Brewery Lights TBD at Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery. This annual event is family-friendly, with ice skating, a kids zone, walking tours of the area, a train, and photo opportunities with the famous Clydesdales. Those who want to tour the brewery can do so. 314.577.2626. —budweisertours.com
St. Charles Christmas Traditions Nov. 27-Dec. 23. Locations vary, St. Charles. In addition to the 80-plus characters who are always “making seasons bright,” there are a host of other activities in St. Charles at Christmastime. 800.366.2427.
—discoverstcharles.com
90th Annual Plaza Lights Nov. 26 in Kansas City. Each Thanksgiving evening, one of Kansas City’s most grand annual traditions happens on the Country Club Plaza. Those missing Omaha’s post-turkey dinner lights show can see a dazzling display in Kansas CIty that includes giveaways, performances, fireworks, and a post-ceremony concert. The lights display runs through mid-January. 816.753.0100.
—countryclubplaza.com
Annual Christmas Candlelight Tours at the Historic Daniel Boone House Dec. 6-7, 13-14 at historic Daniel Boone Home, Defiance. Frontiersman Daniel Boone’s home will be open and lit for the holidays. The village will have historic scenarios and information about this time period, and campfires will be lit. People can drink hot cider and eat snacks. while roaming through more than 1000 luminaries. 636.798.2005.
—sccmo.org
Event times and details may change, especially during this pandemic. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.
This calendar was printed in the November/December 2020 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
