About the Festival
Are you looking for the best fairy lights beyond your imagination? Do you want to experience the best holiday season through the Christmas light show? If yes, make the Omaha lights festival part of your Omaha itinerary this year!
The festival of lights in Omaha, Nebraska, lets you witness a beautifully decorated place with stunning fairy lights and blinking Christmas lights. You will also see twinkle light trees. This light exhibition event will bring you to a whole new Omaha adventure. Plus, you and your family will enjoy the entire magical and breathtaking light festival experience.
The Christmas light festival allows you to have a great bonding activity and quality time with your friends and family while falling in love with thousands of twinkle lights.
Festival Dates (2021-2022)
Come with your loved ones and watch the enchanting light festival. The annual event is ideal for visitors of all ages. Whether you are alone or want to bring the entire family, you will enjoy all the activities around the venue.
If you want to brighten up your mood and holiday, do not hesitate to join the Omaha Lights Festival. The lights festival’s official dates are not yet announced. So, do no forget to mark your calendar and experience a fantastic and magical night once they are released.
The Omaha Lights festival has been one of the much-awaited festivals in Nebraska. On the other hand, the ongoing pandemic causes several changes in how the event operates. The festival dates will only last for few days, unlike before joining the festival for months.
The official festival dates for celebrating the annual festival of lights will be from November 20 to January 4. So, you still have a lot of time to prepare for your trip and gather your loved ones.
How to Get There?
Complete your Omaha trip by exploring the best Christmas light show. Don’t worry; accessing Omaha is not tricky. While the official venue of the festival of lights is 10th to 13th Streets, from Harney to Jackson Streets.
You can reach the festival venue through different transportation, including:
By Air. If you are looking for a domestic airport, Eppley Airport is the most convenient option. You can choose from various flights and access the city with ease.
By Taxi. Taxi services near Omaha are available that will take you to the lights festival and other destinations with no hassle. The taxi services are pretty decent, and finding one is effortless.
By Train. If you prefer to travel by train, go to the Amtrak station. The train runs daily between Chicago and Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area)
By Shuttle. You can reach Omaha from York, Lincoln, Hastings, Grand Island, and Kearney via Eppley Express.
By Bus. You can take the Greyhound buses from Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Denver to get around Omaha. Mega buses also have services daily to take in the city. They run from Chicago, Iowa City, Des Moines, and Davenport. Since the city offers an excellent bus system, getting around is hassle-free.
Festival Hours
A festive and mesmerizing lighting display will surely enhance the beauty and joy of the season in Omaha. Festive decor, blinking lights, and colorful Christmas trees will bring life to the entire venue. The display will not just draw a smile on your face but also bring happiness and hope.
Typically, the festival hours start at exactly 6 PM and end at 10 PM. These are the ideal time to ensure that everyone can join the event. Plus, the ongoing pandemic has changed the festival hours, and expect that there are fewer visitors allowed in the venue to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Festival of Lights
The Omaha Lights Festival is a family-oriented event, so you can bring everyone to witness the fantastic and magical display of lights. The festival is a great way to unwind, forget about your worries in life, and enjoy the beautiful moment with your loved ones.
As for the ticket cost, check out the costs below:
Car – $17 (online advance ticket); $20 (Mondays – Thursdays); $25 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Van – $25 (Mondays – Thursdays); $30 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Bus/Limo – $45 (Mondays – Thursdays); $%) (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Weather and What to Wear
If you aim to visit Omaha is joining the festival of lights, expect that the event often falls under wintertime. In Omaha, Nebraska, Winters are fairly cold with the temperature that usually stay below and dip as low as -23˚C (-16˚F) at night.
Ensure to wear winter coats to protect yourself against the cold. When buying outerwear or coats, go for something that suits the Omaha winters. A coat rated for -15 to -20˚F helps keep you warm and comfortable during the coldest days. If you plan to ride a bus or drive on your own, you can try a coat that goes to your knees.
Mittens are also a must-have accessory when attending the lights festival. However, if you want a winter accessory that is easy to operate, you can opt for gloves. Do not forget to wear hats to cover your ears. While a scarf is unnecessary, it can still help you stay toasty warm and get rid of winter winds.
3 Hotel Nearby the Omaha Lights Festival
Omaha is Nebraska’s largest city and offers family-friendly attractions, an impressive culinary scene, and historic districts. However, you can experience the best of Omaha adventures once you experience the festival of lights.
Before you pack your things, ensure to book a hotel. The good news is that you can easily find lots of accommodations in Omaha with excellent facilities at reasonable prices.
Residence Inn Omaha Downtown
This downtown hotel is located within the Old Market district and offers weekly and extended-stay rates. It also offers suites and studios. The penthouse is complete with a grand rooftop terrace. Each room is equipped with lots of natural light, spacious bathrooms, and full kitchens.
Magnolia Omaha
Magnolia Omaha is another top-rated downtown hotel and operates within a famous and historic building. The hotel offers a modern service, and you will love the stunning architecture. Extended-stays are available with pillow-top beds and downtown’s commanding view.
Element Omaha Midtown Crossing
If you are looking for a suite-exclusive hotel, then the Element Omaha Midtown is a great choice. The hotel offers extended-stay rates. You can find lots of space to get some work done or even cook a meal. Each room features a full kitchen equipped with cooking and serving utensils, a full-sized fridge, a microwave, and a stovetop.
3 Recommended Restaurants Nearby the Festival of Lights
Part of exploring Omaha and the light festival is discovering the best-tasting foods. Before you visit different attractions and join the festival, ensure to satisfy your taste buds first.
Block 16
This famous eatery features farm-to-table food options infused with international flavors. The locally-owned restaurant offers tasty and mouthwatering selections, including classic Canadian poutine and burger with truffle mayo and mustard on ciabatta, farm egg, ham, and cheese. Vegan options, wine, and beer are also available.
The Grey Plume
The Grey Plume is another farm-to-table restaurant that offers contemporary American cuisine. This eatery offers a rustic yet modern interior. It creates deliciously new dishes using fresh local products. You can try their Plum Creek Farm’s duck breast with kohlrabi, scape, Brussel sprouts, white crab apple.
Lot 2
Lot 2 opened in 2012 and located in the historic Benson neighborhood. This wine bar and restaurant are complete with a wood bar and exposed-brick wall to offer a friendly and warm ambiance. It offers New American cuisine and a French selection to add some twists. Some of the famous selections include a salmon burger with arugula on brioche, golden-raisin tomato chutney, and raita, and Steak Frites served with rosemary and kale salad.
More Things To Do
Besides enjoying the magnificent lights festival, Omaha has something more to offer. You can try other attractions and activities. Below are some of the many things to do in Omaha:
The Durham Museum
If you love visiting museums, never miss a chance to explore The Durham Museum. This attraction displays the rich history of the local area. Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall is one of the highlights that exhibits Art Deco architecture.
First National’s Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and Pioneer Courage Park
This sculpture park offers beautiful permanent outdoor art installations, and you can witness them for free. The art installations are made of stainless steel and bronze. You can walk around and right up to the sculptures.
Lauritzen Gardens
Located in the city’s riverfront hills area
Thanks for reading
Here is one more festival that you should check the zoo lights denver
