The Holiday season marks “the most wonderful time of the year.” From looking at Christmas lights, visiting Santa Claus, going ice skating and shopping for gifts for friends and family, to finding ways to help others, it all makes this time of year so magical. This season is the perfect time to create memories with family and friends, and the Omaha area has a variety of activities for everyone to do just that.
Here are some festive, local activities to consider this holiday season:
Light shows:
Santa’s Rock n’ Lights – A drive-through light show experience, with over a mile of lights, including lights that sync with music. It is located in Warner Park, Papillion, and prices range from $25-$35.
Henry Doorly Zoo’s Zoolightful – A walking show, full of lights, large lit-up ornaments, Santa’s North Pole, and Reindeer Game Zone. General Admission for zoo members costs $19.50 for adults (12 years and older) and $12 for children aged 3-11. For non-members, adult tickets cost $26, and children’s tickets are $16.
Holiday Lights Festival – Four different parts of Omaha participate in the festival, including the Old Market, North Omaha, South Omaha and the Riverfront. The lights are free to the public, being able to be enjoyed either by walking or driving through the participating streets.
No Holiday season is complete without a picture with the big red man himself.
Santa Experiences:
Westroads Mall – Walk-ins are available, but reservations are as well. Pets are also welcome on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
Cabela’s Bass Pro Shop – Available at the 12703 Westport Parkway, LaVista, location. A free 4×6 photo is offered with Santa, but packages are available for purchase. During the weekdays, a free kids’ craft is available while supplies last. Santa is there on Christmas Eve as well, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lauritzen Gardens – Pancakes with Santa Claus on Dec. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Pancake Man will be there serving pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee. General Admission is $25 for ages 13 and up, $15 for ages 12-3 and free for children 2 and under. Members will receive a 30% discount on tickets. Photos must be taken on a personal device.
Ok, this one isn’t really a Santa experience, but it may be even better. Mulhall’s – Meet Santa’s reindeer at Mulhall’s, 3615 N 120th Street, Omaha, location. The live reindeer will be there until Dec. 18, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Nothing captures the winter magic like skating across a rink with a cold nose but warm with laughs. Here’s a look at some great locations for this Holiday season.
Ice Skating:
Moylan Iceplex – Indoor ice skating rink, with a heated indoor viewing area to watch children or friends skate. It costs $11.95 for adults, anyone 13 years and older, and $9.95 for kids, anyone 12 years and younger. Price includes skate rentals. Friday and Saturday evenings feature a twilight skating, where the rink turns down the house lights to be replaced with party lights from 6:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Twilight skating costs $13.95 for all ages, and there is a no bag policy during that time.
Heartland of America Park – An outdoor skate ribbon for ice and roller skating, is free to everyone if they bring their own skates. Skate rentals are available for adults and children, costing $5 for adults, anyone 13 years old and above; and $4 for children, including anyone 12 years old and younger. All skaters must fill out this waiver prior to arrival.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park – Outdoor ice skating rink found at the back of the activity center. A daily $7 or $35 annual permit is required. It is $3 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 3-12, and free for ages 2 and under. Skate rentals are $5.
The Holiday season is always a great time to give back to the community and help those who may be less fortunate this season.
Ways to give back:
Angel Tree – A foundation through the Salvation Army found at any Walmart, that allows for children whose families may be less fortunate than others, this year, to have a great holiday. Simply choose a tag from the tree that will have the age range, gender and wishes. Shop around until most of the items on the list have been bought. Put the gifts into the designated bin next to the tree.
Donating to Food Bank for the Heartland – Donations can be made from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Donations can be dropped off at their office or warehouse at 10525 J Street. Their most needed donations are: boxed meals, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned tuna, as well as chicken, cereal, pancake mix, canned fruits and vegetables, pork and beans, pasta and sauce, as well as rice.
Volunteering – There are countless opportunities to volunteer and give up your own time to help others. To make this process easier, the Nebraska government has put together a resource to help discover different volunteering opportunities and find local organizations to get involved in.
The Holidays are about so much more than presents; it is about the time that is spent with family and friends, and the memories that are made together. So go make memories at light shows, meeting Santa Claus, ice skating and giving back to the community.
