Junkstock, Nebraska vs. Maryland, Porchfest OMA and several free events fill the Friday-through-Sunday schedule in Omaha, Lincoln and the surrounding area.
By Hola Nebraska
Updated Oct. 1, 2026.
NEBRASKA — The first weekend of October brings fall festivals, free live music, Huskers football, family activities and cultural events from Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4.
Junkstock opens its first fall weekend at Sycamore Farms, Nebraska hosts Maryland for Homecoming in Lincoln and Porchfest OMA will bring more than 90 performances to Omaha’s Gifford Park neighborhood Sunday.
After several days of heavy rain, the National Weather Service is forecasting a dry and sunny weekend in both Omaha and Lincoln.
Nebraska weekend events at a glance
| Day | Event | Location | Cost |
| Friday | Junkstock | Sycamore Farms, Waterloo | From $18 online |
| Friday | RiverFront First Friday | Gene Leahy Mall, Omaha | Free |
| Friday | Handmade Parade | Benson, Omaha | Free |
| Saturday | Nebraska vs. Maryland | Memorial Stadium, Lincoln | Paid tickets; prices vary by availability |
| Saturday | Midwest Lit Fest | Omaha Public Library | Free |
| Saturday and Sunday | Japanese Ambience Festival | Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha | Included with garden admission |
| Sunday | Porchfest OMA | Gifford Park, Omaha | Free |
What to do Friday, Oct. 2
Junkstock opens its first fall weekend at Sycamore Farms
Junkstock Fall 2026 begins Friday at Sycamore Farms, 1150 River Road Drive, Waterloo, NE 68069.
Early Bird admission runs from 9 to 11 a.m. and requires a separate ticket. General admission is available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A one-day ticket costs $18 online or $20 at the gate. A three-day weekend pass costs $25 online or $30 at the gate, while an Early Bird Pass costs $35 and includes admission for the rest of the weekend. Children 12 and younger enter free.
Parking at Sycamore Farms is also free.
Related: Junkstock 2026: dates, tickets and free parking near Omaha.
Current hours and tickets are also available through the official Junkstock website.
RiverFront First Friday brings free music to Gene Leahy Mall
RiverFront First Friday closes its season Friday with a Battle of the Bands at Gene Leahy Mall, 1001 Douglas St., Omaha.
The main program runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and features The Jones Band, Happy Endings Band and Los Estereotipos Band, along with dance performances, vendors and food trucks.
Admission is free.
Handmade Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in Benson
BFF Omaha’s second Handmade Parade begins lining up at 6 p.m. outside Rose Hill Elementary, 5605 Corby St., before the parade starts at 6:30 p.m.
The route ends near Petshop Gallery at 2725 N. 62nd St., followed by additional First Friday activities.
Watching or participating in the parade is free.
What to do Saturday, Oct. 3
Nebraska hosts Maryland at 3 p.m. at Memorial Stadium
The Huskers return to Lincoln Saturday to host Maryland in Nebraska’s 2026 Homecoming game.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium. The game will air nationally on FS1 and on the Huskers Radio Network.
Remaining ticket prices vary by seat location and availability through Nebraska Athletics.
Related: Nebraska vs. Maryland: kickoff time, TV, parking and stadium rules.
The official schedule and remaining tickets are available through Nebraska Athletics.
Junkstock stays open until 7 p.m. Saturday
Saturday is the longest day of Junkstock’s first fall weekend, with general admission running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sycamore Farms.
One-day admission costs $18 online or $20 at the gate, while children 12 and younger enter free.
Midwest Lit Fest brings authors and illustrators to Omaha libraries
Omaha Public Library continues Midwest Lit Fest Saturday with programming primarily for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Sessions begin at 10 a.m. at several branches. Jerry Craft will appear at Central Library, Vashti Harrison at Charles B. Washington Branch and Raúl The Third will lead a drawing workshop at South Omaha Library.
Programs are free. The Midwest Lit Fest schedule lists individual times and locations.
Japanese Ambience Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lauritzen Gardens hosts the Japanese Ambience Festival Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 Bancroft St., Omaha.
The weekend includes Japanese music and dance, Kyoko Taiko drummers, martial arts, bonsai, ikebana, calligraphy, origami, traditional games and children’s activities.
The festival is included with regular garden admission. Admission costs $18 plus tax for ages 13–64, $15 for visitors 65 and older and $11 for children ages 3–12. Children 2 and younger and Lauritzen members enter free.
What to do Sunday, Oct. 4
Porchfest OMA brings more than 90 free performances to Gifford Park
Porchfest OMA celebrates its 10th anniversary Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. around 33rd and California streets in Omaha’s Gifford Park neighborhood.
More than 90 music, poetry, comedy, art and dance performances will be spread across 13 stages and porches.
Admission is free, with free parking also available near 36th and California streets.
Related: Porchfest OMA 2026: hours, map and free parking in Omaha.
Junkstock closes its first weekend at 5 p.m.
Junkstock will be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sycamore Farms.
Sunday closes the first fall weekend, but Junkstock returns to the same Waterloo farm from Oct. 9–11.
Japanese Ambience Festival returns Sunday at Lauritzen Gardens
The Japanese Ambience Festival continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with cultural programming included with regular garden admission.
Omaha and Lincoln turn sunny after a week of heavy rain
The National Weather Service forecasts dry and sunny conditions throughout the weekend in Omaha and Lincoln.
Omaha is expected to reach about 63°F Friday and 68°F Saturday and Sunday. Lincoln is forecast to reach about 64°F Friday and 70°F Saturday and Sunday.
The dry stretch follows several days of heavy rain across eastern Nebraska. Some roads and low-lying areas may still have lingering impacts from flooding as the weekend begins.
Updated forecasts and alerts are available through the National Weather Service Omaha/Valley office.
On Sunday, Junkstock closes its first weekend at 5 p.m., while Porchfest OMA wraps up at 6 p.m. in Gifford Park.
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