The two-night event at Gene Leahy Mall runs Sept. 18–19, with a free Omaha Symphony concert Friday and cultural performances, vendors and a kids market Saturday.
By Hola Nebraska
OMAHA, Nebraska — The One Community Cultural Festival returns to downtown Omaha this weekend for two nights of free music, cultural performances and community activities at Gene Leahy Mall.
The sixth annual festival runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront, 1001 Douglas St.
Friday’s program will feature Omaha Symphony’s free Sounds of the City concert, while Saturday will expand the event with cultural performances, vendors and a market featuring young entrepreneurs.
Omaha Symphony opens the festival Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Sounds of the City begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Gene Leahy Mall Performance Pavilion.
The free outdoor concert pairs Omaha Symphony musicians with local cultural and performing arts groups. Ernest Richardson, the orchestra’s resident conductor and principal pops conductor, will lead the performance.
The 2026 community partners scheduled to participate are:
- Nebraska Chinese Association
- Heartland Youth Ballet
- Pear Tree Performing Arts
- Scandinavian Folk Dancers of Omaha
- Hui ‘O Hawai’I
- Tylynn
- Salem Baptist Choir
The concert will also recognize first responders and medical professionals as part of the evening program.
Saturday festival runs four hours at Gene Leahy Mall
The One Community Cultural Festival returns Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. for its second night at Gene Leahy Mall.
The festival is organized with the Nebraska Chinese Association and brings together cultural groups, performers, community organizations and vendors in the downtown park.
A complete 2026 Saturday performance schedule has not yet been posted, but the festival is expected to use the Gene Leahy Mall Performance Pavilion and surrounding event space.
Kids Market gives young entrepreneurs space to sell Saturday
A Kids Market will operate during the Saturday festival from 6 to 9 p.m..
The market gives children and teenagers ages 5 to 17 an opportunity to operate small businesses, sell handmade products or services and interact directly with customers.
Visitors do not need to have a child participating in the market to attend or shop.
One Community Cultural Festival at a glance
- Event: One Community Cultural Festival
- Dates: Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
- Friday hours: 7–9 p.m. CT
- Sounds of the City: 7:30 p.m. Friday
- Saturday hours: 6–10 p.m. CT
- Kids Market: 6–9 p.m. Saturday
- Location: Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront
- Address: 1001 Douglas St., Omaha, NE 68102
- Admission: Free
Gene Leahy Mall has nearby garages, meters and transit access
Gene Leahy Mall stretches through downtown Omaha between Douglas and Farnam streets from approximately Eighth to 13th streets.
Metered parking and several Park Omaha garages are located within walking distance. The RiverFront is also served by Omaha Metro and ORBT routes, and rideshare drop-off areas are available nearby.
Blankets and portable lawn chairs are allowed at The RiverFront, although stakes and plastic tarps are prohibited.
The latest festival times and event updates are available through the official One Community Cultural Festival website.
The festival adds another cultural weekend to downtown Omaha
The event comes one week after Gene Leahy Mall hosted Omaha’s Mexican Independence Day celebration and during the opening week of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Readers looking for additional cultural programming around Nebraska can also use Hola Nebraska’s guide to Hispanic Heritage Month events and dates.
The One Community Cultural Festival begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, and returns from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha.
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