| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting Ceremony (in partnership with The RiverFront) | Saturday, November 30th, 6pm | Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront |
| KETV Family Festival | Sunday, December 8th, 11am to 4pm | Multiple downtown locations |
| New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular | Tuesday, December 31st, 7 p.m. | Charles Schwab Field Omaha, CHI Health Center |
Lighting Ceremony
With Lighting Displays Produced by The RiverFront
Saturday, November 30th | 6pm | Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront
Come celebrate the beginning of the holidays with us and kick-off the 2023 Holiday Lights Festival season with the annual Lighting Ceremony on Small Business Saturday!
The lighting ceremony serves as the official “kick-off” for the Festival. A short performance precede the program, where Mayor Jean Stothert and emcee Terri McCormick from STAR 104.5 The Christmas Station will lead the entire Omaha community in a countdown to the start of the holiday season!
Gene Leahy Mall’s holiday production, which is produced by The RiverFront, will incorporate color-changing up lights, video projections onto the Gene Leahy Mall Performance Pavilion and Burlington Building, thematic video on the 10th Street Bridge LED wall and holiday music sounding throughout the park. The multimedia show, which is about seven minutes long, can be seen every Friday and Saturday throughout the holiday season, running every hour. For more information on decorations and displays at The RiverFront, visit their website here.
2022 Lighting Ceremony photos
KETV Family Festival
Sunday, December 8th | 11am to 4pm
Enjoy a festive day full of family-friendly activities at your favorite Downtown Omaha attractions! See below for information about which Downtown venues are participating and what activities they’re offering!
PLUS! Ollie the Trolley will be providing FREE transportation between all the venues!
Check back later for the Ollie the Trolley map!
Family Festival Venues
2022 Family Festival photos
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular
Tuesday, December 31st | 7 p.m.
Launch and viewing location — 10th & Cass Street (near CHI Health Center & Charles Schwab Field Omaha)
For the last signature event of the Holiday Lights Festival, enjoy the spectacular firework show in the warmth of your vehicle!
The fireworks will be launched from Parking Lot D (no public parking) of the CHI Health Event Center. Arrive early and park for FREE to view the up-close show in the recommended viewing areas listed below. In addition, all Downtown Omaha parking meters will be free after 5 p.m. on December 31, courtesy of Park Omaha.
Produced by J&M Displays, each shell is choreographed to open on cue to a musical score developed specifically for this event. Spectators are encouraged to tune in to STAR 104.5 in the warmth and safety of their vehicle to listen to a special soundtrack of music chosen to accompany the bursts of color. Join us as we ring in the new year safely with this dazzling display!
Arrive early for FREE parking to view the show in the recommended viewing areas (lots open at 6 p.m.)
- CHI Health Event Center Lot A – lower lot only
- CHI Health Event Center Lot B
- CHI Health Event Center Lot C
- Gallup Parking Lots – (1001 Gallup Drive, Omaha, NE)
