ChristmasLand opens November 7 in Valley with $40 admission per vehicle. Other light attractions in the Omaha area and Lincoln begin later in November, including walk-through displays and free downtown holiday lights.
By Hola Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. — The 2026 holiday lights season begins Saturday, November 7, with a drive-through attraction in Valley, west of Omaha. Other displays will open throughout November in Bellevue, Papillion, Omaha and Lincoln.
Admission varies by location. Some attractions charge per vehicle, others require individual tickets, and several outdoor tree-lighting celebrations are scheduled at shopping centers and public spaces.
ChristmasLand opens November 7 in Valley at $40 per vehicle
ChristmasLand Drive-Thru operates nightly from November 7, 2026, through January 3, 2027, from 5 to 10 p.m.
The attraction covers more than two miles of paved roads across 70 acres, with illuminated tunnels, themed holiday scenes and Christmas decorations. Visitors experience the displays from inside their vehicles.
Admission costs $40 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers. The drive generally takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Tickets are available online and at the entrance when capacity permits. Advance purchases are recommended, particularly for weekends and holidays.
Standard passenger vehicles, SUVs and minivans are permitted. Buses, limousines, recreational vehicles and oversized vehicles are not allowed.
Location: 4979 N. 252nd St., Valley, NE 68064.
Visitors can select a date and arrival window through the official ChristmasLand ticketing website.
Falconwood Frosty Nights begins November 13 in Bellevue
Falconwood Frosty Nights opens Friday, November 13, at Falconwood Park in Bellevue. The walk-through Christmas village operates on selected evenings through December 27.
In November, the attraction opens Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 p.m., with an additional opening Wednesday, November 25.
December hours vary. The park generally opens Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 p.m. Additional dates are scheduled December 20–23. The attraction is closed December 24 and 25.
Activities include a 150-foot light tunnel, an iceless skating rink, carnival attractions, a Christmas maze, rides and opportunities to meet Santa. Some activities and character appearances are offered only on selected dates.
2026 admission prices:
- Early-bird admission, while available: $10 for ages 13 and older; $5 for children ages 3–12.
- Regular online admission: $20 for ages 13 and older; $10 for children ages 3–12.
- Children younger than 3: Free.
Online processing fees are additional. Food, beverages and merchandise are sold separately. Parking is free.
Location: Falconwood Park, 905 Allied Road, Bellevue, NE 68123.
The official Frosty Nights ticket page lists current admission prices. Visitors can also check the 2026 operating calendar before choosing a date.
Zoolightful opens November 18 at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
Zoolightful returns to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium from November 18, 2026, through January 10, 2027.
The attraction operates Wednesday through Sunday from 6 to 9:30 p.m., with additional Monday and Tuesday openings on selected dates in December.
Visitors can walk through illuminated lantern displays, seasonal installations and themed holiday areas.
General admission for nonmembers costs $27 for visitors ages 12 and older and $17 for children ages 3–11.
Zoo members receive discounted admission: $21.50 for adults and $13 for children ages 3–11.
Additional experiences, including family VIP packages and private igloo reservations, are available at higher prices.
Location: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE 68107.
Admission options and operating dates are available through the official Zoolightful website.
Nebraska Christmas Lights Show moves to a walk-through venue in Lincoln
The Nebraska Christmas Lights Show is scheduled to run November 19 through December 27 at a new location in Lincoln.
For 2026, the attraction is moving to Sandhills Global Event Center and changing from a drive-through show to a walk-through experience.
Visitors will be able to explore illuminated displays and a Christmas village with themed rooms. The former drive-through format will not be offered this season.
Admission is advertised at $15 per person, with free admission for children ages 2 and younger, according to event information reported by KOLN.
Location: Sandhills Global Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St., Lincoln, NE 68507.
Visitors should confirm operating hours with the organizer before making the trip. The official Nebraska Christmas Lights Show website provides ticket and contact information.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo Lights begins November 20
Zoo Lights Powered by LES returns to Lincoln Children’s Zoo from November 20 through December 30.
The attraction features light shows synchronized to holiday music, illuminated animal figures, light tunnels and seasonal activities.
General admission requires a timed entry reservation. Available arrival windows begin every 15 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m.
General admission costs $16.95 for nonmembers and $13.95 for zoo members. Everyone ages 2 and older needs a ticket.
A holiday train ride costs an additional $3 with general admission. VIP admission includes the train and costs $25.95 for nonmembers or $22.95 for zoo members.
The event will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets are nonrefundable, and availability may be limited on popular evenings.
Location: Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S. 27th St., Lincoln, NE 68502.
The official Zoo Lights website provides admission prices, available dates and reservation instructions.
Bright Nights begins November 27 at Lauritzen Gardens
Bright Nights returns to Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha on selected evenings beginning November 27. The final scheduled dates are January 2 and 3, 2027.
The event operates from 5 to 9 p.m. and includes illuminated gardens, seasonal displays, model trains and a 20-foot poinsettia tree.
Admission prices depend on the date:
- November 27–December 13: $18 for ages 13 and older; $9 for children ages 3–12.
- December 16–January 3: $22 for ages 13 and older; $11 for children ages 3–12.
- Children ages 2 and younger: Free, but a ticket reservation is required.
Discounted admission is available for Lauritzen Gardens members. Tickets purchased at the entrance cost $4 more per person when same-day admission is available.
Parking is free.
Location: Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha, NE 68108.
The official Bright Nights calendar lists the available evenings, admission rates and ticketing instructions.
Omaha-area tree-lighting celebrations begin November 20
Three shopping and entertainment districts have announced outdoor tree-lighting events. Their published schedules provide the following dates and locations:
- Village Pointe, Omaha — Friday, November 20, 6–7:30 p.m. The shopping center will hold its annual tree-lighting celebration at 17305 Davenport St. Details are available on the Village Pointe events calendar.
- Shadow Lake Towne Center, Papillion — Saturday, November 21, 6–8 p.m. The annual holiday parade begins at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks. The event takes place in the center of the shopping district. See the official Shadow Lake event listing.
- Lights of Aksarben, Omaha — Friday, November 27, 6–8 p.m. The tree-lighting event takes place at Aksarben Village. Additional celebrations are scheduled December 4 and 11, also from 6 to 8 p.m. Dates appear on the Aksarben Village calendar.
Visitors should check the individual event listings for updates and any charges associated with optional activities or purchases.
Free Omaha Holiday Lights Festival displays begin November 28
The Omaha Holiday Lights Festival begins Saturday, November 28, with a public lighting ceremony at Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront.
Music begins at 5 p.m., followed by the lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Free outdoor lighting displays will continue through January 1, 2027, in several areas of Omaha, including the Old Market, The RiverFront, North Omaha and South Omaha.
The RiverFront’s seasonal program also includes a multimedia light show on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The official Holiday Lights Festival website provides the event schedule and display locations.
Because some attractions operate only on selected dates or limit ticket sales, visitors should confirm availability through the organizers’ websites before making travel plans.
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