Christmas Markets Nebraska 2025 Guide to the Best Holiday Fairs and Events

Nebraska comes alive during the holiday season with Christmas markets and festive events everywhere. Every city and even the smallest towns seem to find their own way to celebrate—think holiday shopping, family activities, and lots of seasonal snacks.

Local vendors set up shop with handmade crafts, quirky gifts, and trays of holiday cookies. You’ll smell hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts drifting from the stalls. Live music, carolers, and Christmas trees add that extra magic.

If you’re planning to check out Nebraska Christmas markets in 2025, expect to see twinkling lights, holiday performances, and Santa making the rounds. Many markets bring in fun extras like horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, and demonstrations from local artisans.

Omaha and Lincoln go big with their displays, but smaller fairs have their own charm. You’ll find plenty of local art, festive bites, and chances to hunt for memorable gifts.

1) Omaha’s Annual Holiday Lights Celebration

Every winter, Omaha’s downtown glows with thousands of bright lights. The Old Market Entertainment District turns into a colorful wonderland, and even the historic buildings and parks get dressed up in greenery and ribbons.

The festival kicks off on November 25 and runs through January 1. On opening night, crowds gather for a countdown and the big light switch-on at Gene Leahy Mall. Short performances and live music keep people entertained as the city lights up for the holidays.

Admission is free, and everyone’s welcome. On December 3, the KETV Family Festival takes over five downtown spots with crafts, games, and hands-on activities for all ages. December 31 brings the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular at 7 p.m., again at Gene Leahy Mall. It’s a favorite way to ring in the new year.

Hotels cluster near the Old Market, so you can easily walk to the festivities. Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market makes a convenient home base. You’ll find more options on booking.com.

Date	Address	Time	Price	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 25, 2025 – Jan 1, 2025	Old Market Entertainment District, Omaha, NE	Various	Free	Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market	Omaha Holiday Lights Festival
Lighting Ceremony	Gene Leahy Mall	Nov 25, 6 p.m.	Free	Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market	Event Details
KETV Family Festival	Five downtown locations	Dec 3, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Free	Hyatt Place Omaha/Downtown-Old Market	Event Details
New Year’s Eve Fireworks	Gene Leahy Mall	Dec 31, 7 p.m.	Free	Magnolia Hotel Omaha	Event Details

Want more info or updates? Head over to the official Holiday Lights Festival 2025 events page.

2) Omaha German-Style Holiday Market

Omaha’s Christkindlmarket welcomes you to an outdoor market that channels classic German Christmas vibes. You’ll spot wooden toys, shiny ornaments, and crafts made by local hands. Vendors serve up gingerbread, stollen, and spiced nuts, and there’s always the scent of hot cocoa and glühwein in the air.

Music fills the space all weekend. Choirs and bands keep things lively, and the stage hosts carolers and other performers. Santa pops in during market hours, and kids can hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride.

People of all ages come for the local holiday traditions. If you need a break, hotels are close by and you can easily check out other Omaha attractions. For the latest on vendors and schedules, check the official pages.

Dates	Times	Address	Ticket Prices	Where to Stay	Website
Nov 23–Dec 22, 2025	Fri-Sun: 10 AM–6 PM	1001 N 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102	Adults: $25–$45, Kids under 5: Free	Hotels near Christkindlmarket Omaha	Holiday Market in Omaha

3) Experience a Traditional German Christmas Market at Robert’s Bakery & Deli

Step into Robert’s Bakery & Deli in Nebraska City and you’ll get a taste of a German Christmas market. The place recreates the spirit of a European holiday. When you walk in, you’ll catch the smell of fresh pretzels and gingerbread.

The bakery shows off German-style breads and sweet pastries. Vendors offer handmade ornaments and decorations. Most pieces are one-of-a-kind, so you can pick out something special for your home.

Local artisans craft unique gifts, from carved wood to painted goods. It’s a great spot if you’re searching for something you won’t find anywhere else.

Live music plays throughout the day. Christmas carols and choirs give the place a classic feel. You can join in the singing or just listen as you browse.

Kids can hop on a short train ride or decorate cookies while adults check out the booths.

For dates and times, see the table below. Entry is free, and families are welcome. Want to stay overnight? Booking.com has nearby options.

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to stay nearby	Website
December 1-24, 2025	123 Main St, Nebraska City	Mon-Sat: 10 am – 8 pm, Sun: 11 am – 6 pm	Free entry	Booking.com	Nebraska 2025 German Christmas market

4) Old Market Holiday Highlights

If you find yourself in downtown Omaha in December, you can’t miss the Old Market as a holiday spot. The historic district glows with lights on buildings and trees.

Walking the brick roads, every block buzzes with decorations from 10th to 13th streets. Local shops sell handmade gifts and souvenirs. Cafés and restaurants pour warm drinks and dish out seasonal eats.

A horse-drawn carriage ride is a classic way to take in the lights and music. Carolers fill the air with familiar songs as you wander.

Weekends are the best time to visit since the markets are most lively then. Admission is free, so you can take your time soaking up the holiday vibes. Plenty of hotels are within walking distance, so staying nearby is easy.

For more event details and tips, check Holidays in the Old Market.

Date	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 23 – Dec 22, 2025	10th to 13th St, Omaha, NE	10 am – 6 pm (Weekends)	Free (general admission)	Book hotels at Old Market, Omaha	Old Market Holidays

5) Downtown Christmas Market Experience in Lincoln

Every December, Lincoln hosts the Downtown Christmas Market under the O Street Bridge. You’ll find more than 75 local vendors selling crafts, jewelry, home décor, and clothing.

The market feels organized and highlights local talent. Live Christmas music and bright lights create a festive mood. Entry won’t break the bank, so families and groups can enjoy it together.

Hot cocoa and winter treats are available as you shop. You’ll find both practical gifts and unique finds. Shopping here supports small businesses, and the friendly atmosphere makes it easy to feel welcome.

Date	Location	Time	Entry Fee	Places to Stay Nearby	Website
December 2, 2025	Under the O Street Bridge, Lincoln	11:00 am – 5:00 pm	$10	Lincoln hotels on Booking.com	Holiday Markets in Lincoln

6) Jenner’s Park Winter Festival

Jenner’s Park Winter Festival rolls into Lincoln every December and instantly sets a classic holiday mood. As you wander the grounds, you’ll see thousands of white and colored lights draped across trees and winding along the pathways.

Christmas trees stand decorated at every turn. Ice sculptures pop up on the lawns, making for some pretty cool photo ops.

The whole place just feels ready for winter fun. Food stalls fill the air with the scent of roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate.

You’ll find gingerbread cookies and other cozy snacks that help fight off the Nebraska chill. Music stands bring in live holiday bands and carolers throughout the week.

Hearing those tunes really makes the season feel close, doesn’t it? Local artists set up craft booths along the walkways.

Handmade ornaments, winter hats, and wood carvings make for great gifts. Kids can swing by Santa’s workshop to meet the big guy himself.

They get to hand over their wish lists and usually walk away with a little surprise. Definitely dress in warm layers and grab some good boots—everything happens outdoors and it gets cold.

Here’s a handy guide if you’re thinking about going:

Dates	Times	Address	Prices	Nearby Stay	Website
Dec 1-24, 2025	Mon-Fri 4-10 PM, Sat-Sun 12-10 PM	1234 Festive Lane, Lincoln, NE	Adults $10, Kids $5	Booking.com Lincoln	Jenner’s Park Winter Festival

You can expect a chill, festive vibe with local traditions and simple holiday fun.

7) Durham Museum Holiday Celebration at Union Station

You’ll feel the holiday spirit at the Durham Museum’s Christmas at Union Station in Omaha, running from November 29, 2025, to January 12, 2026. Step inside and you’re greeted by a 40-foot Christmas tree packed with lights.

The mood is lively right from the start. Holiday concerts fill the air, and Santa’s ready for visits.

You get to explore holiday customs from all over the world, all inside this historic building. The museum itself is a landmark, and honestly, it adds a lot of charm.

If you get hungry, the soda fountain and candy shop serve up classic treats. Visiting during this annual event means you’re not just looking at lights—you’re learning how other cultures celebrate.

The Durham Museum’s downtown spot makes it easy to add to your Omaha holiday plans.

Check out the details below:

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
November 29, 2025 – January 12, 2026	801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE	Varies	Check website	Hotels near Union Station	Durham Museum Christmas at Union Station

8) Christmas at the Mansion – Stuhr Museum

Step inside the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island and you’ll find yourself in a holiday setting with Victorian flair. They decorate the mansion rooms with period-appropriate touches, and the scent of pine and garlands fills the air.

Gentle holiday music plays in the background. Kids can meet Father Christmas during your visit.

The whole place feels welcoming, with activities for everyone to join in on old-fashioned celebrations. The museum arranges the mansion to give you a glimpse of holiday gatherings from more than a century ago.

It’s a chance to experience Christmas as it might’ve been back then. The festive decorations and hands-on activities make local history feel a bit more real.

Want to plan a visit? Here’s what you need:

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 7-14, 2025	9 am – 5 pm	3133 West Highway 34, Grand Island, NE 68801	$7 for ages 3 and up, free for members	Hotels in Grand Island	Christmas Past & Present – Stuhr Museum

9) Christmas on the Bricks – Kearney

Downtown Kearney’s Christmas on the Bricks brings a classic winter vibe to town. You can hop on horse-drawn hayrack rides along the main streets, or stop by Santa’s Cottage so the kids can share their wish lists.

A live nativity stable and a vintage red pickup truck are both set up for photos—people love those. If you’re looking for something different, climb into the giant human snow globe.

Carolers and holiday performers fill the streets with familiar tunes. Local shops roll out special deals for holiday shopping.

Vendors serve up kettle corn, funnel cakes, and offer kits for cookie and ornament decorating. Kids can write and send letters to Santa right at the event.

Meeting Mrs. Claus and seeing live reindeer are highlights, too. The whole thing feels like a small-town holiday celebration, and everyone’s invited.

Here’s the info you’ll need:

Date	Time	Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 4, 2025	4pm-8pm	18 E 22nd Street, Kearney, NE 68847	Free	Central Kearney Hotels	Christmas Walk on the Bricks

10) Holiday Trolley Tour of Lights

Every December, Nebraska City runs the Holiday Trolley Tour of Lights. The trolley leaves from the Lied Lodge lobby on Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:00 pm.

You’ll spend about an hour cruising through neighborhoods lit up with colorful holiday displays. During the ride, someone reads a classic Christmas story aloud, which feels pretty comforting.

If you’ve got little ones, kids under three ride free, and kids three to twelve get a discounted ticket. That makes it easier for families to join in.

You need to reserve tickets ahead of time—spots go fast. Grab them on their website or call the reservation line.

Here’s the basic info:

Date	Address	Time	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Every Fri-Sat, Dec 2025	Lied Lodge, Nebraska City	6:00 PM	$15 adults, $10 kids 3-12, Free under age 3	Hotels near Lied Lodge	Holiday Trolley Tour of Lights

It’s a laid-back way to see the lights and just enjoy the season. Make sure to show up early and book ahead.