Grow Omaha
Arts & Culture

Omaha Community Playhouse will hold auditions for Disaster! The Musical on December 13th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and December 14th from 1 p.m. To 5 p.m. Disaster! is a fun, jukebox musical that spoofs the over-the-top disaster movies of the 1970s, singing iconic hits such as “I Will Survive” and “Hot Stuff”. Callbacks start December 20th.

The Omaha Symphony Orchestra will present Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen in Concert with composer Christope Beck’s GRAMMY-nominated score performed live alongside the film. The concerts will be led by conductor Ernest Richardson on December 20 at the Holland Center at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The film’s platinum soundtrack is well-known among families for the last decade, so now’s a great chance to experience the film and its songs live. Tickets are on sale now.

The Holland Center will celebrate Omaha’s favorite end-of-the-year tradition with six performances of The Physicians Mutual Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration December 11 through 14. This year’s performances will feature a mix of modern hit songs, classic holiday favorites and fun arrangements. Audiences are invited to participate in a variety of pre-concert activities such as a hot chocolate bar, craft station and festive photo opportunities inside the lobby of the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Cali Commons is excited to announce their next Art Show: PRESENT, located at 518 North 40th Street. “Step into a space where time softens and awareness deepens. PRESENT invites you to pause, breathe and simply be.” This show celebrates the quiet power of presence—the gentle art of showing up fully, calmly and without rush. Opening reception is December 12th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., then additional showings are on December 13th and 14th from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, with parking available east of 40th & California Street. Further details can be found at www.calicommons.com.

The Orpheum Theater will present RAIN – A Beatles Christmas Tribute on December 15th at 7:30 p.m. Bringing holiday favorites alongside memorable Beatles’ hits, RAIN – A Beatles Christmas Tribute promises a nostalgic evening of love, joy and timeless music. If you love the Beatles, or even just enjoy the holiday season, you will surely enjoy the blend of unforgettable songs this December. Performing since 1975, RAIN has mastered the Beatles’ songs with note for note precision.

Omaha Performing Arts has announced the opening date for the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement. It will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 19th, as well as a free open house March 22nd from noon to 4 p.m. The center is the final part to be added to the Dick and Mary Holland Campus bounded by 11th, 12th, Douglas and Dodge streets. The project has been in development since 2023, as more space was needed to serve the community. The Tenaska Center will host arts classes, workshops and camps for all ages and experience levels.

UNOTheater will present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR once more at the Weber Fine Arts Building, Black Box Theater December 4th through the 7th with times of 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday. UNO students get in free with their MAVcards. General admission is $20 – there is additionally a $10 price for the preview performance on the first Thursday only.

The Rose Theater will feature The Pigeon Gets a Big-Time Holiday Extravaganza! from December 5th through the 21st. Based on the books and characters by Mo Willems, this show full of catchy tunes, silly stories and audience antics. Tickets are $30 for the main floor and $25 for the balcony. There will also be a special hot chocolate voucher handed out to the first 50 kids at every performance, redeemable for after the show, served by Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck.

Steelhouse Omaha will present Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas performed by the Grammy Award-nominated Salem Church Choir, local favorites and other guest artists on December 6th at 7:30 p.m., and December 7th at 4 p.m. Guests may arrive an hour before the show for preshow family fun activities, such as cookie decorating and making letters for the North Pole. Santa will also be there Saturday, December 6th.

Omaha Performing Arts will present The Notebook at the Orpheum Theater December 9th through the 14th, daily at 7:30 p.m. Based on the best-selling novel that inspired an iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. The show is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, and features music by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by TV’s Bekah Brunstetter.

To celebrate the holiday season approaching, there will be several holiday light events happening across the Omaha metro area after Thanksgiving:

• Holiday Lights Lighting Ceremony at the Gene Leahy Mall at the RiverFront, on November 28th.
• Winter Wonderland in downtown Papillion on November 29th.
• Holiday Lights Festival: Old Market on November 29th through January 1st, 2026.
• Lights of Aksarben on November 28th in Aksarben Village.
• Holiday Lights Festival: South Omaha Lighting Display at Plaza de la Raza (24th & N Street) on November 29th.

Omaha Community Playhouse will celebrate its 50th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol on the Hawks Mainstage starting November 21st through December 21st. Performances are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. In addition, there will be a special event on Hawks Mainstage on December 2nd, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. for a deep-dive experience into the creative and production process of A Christmas Carol called “Spirit of Carol”.

Farnam Winter Pop-Up Opening Weekend begins November 29th and 30th on the corner of 33rd & Farnham Street, presented by Midtown Crossing. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Discover 15 locally owned shops with various handmade goods, artisan foods, boutique finds, curated gifts and more. Visit their website for more information.

The Omaha Symphony performs the final installment of the official Harry Potter film concert series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 on November 29th and 30th. Maestro Ernest Richardson will conduct the Omaha Symphony in performing Alexdere Desplat’s Grammy-nominated score live while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. Tickets are on sale now at omahasymphony.com for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in Concert.

The Orpheum Theatre will feature Jim Brickman performing his show, “The Gift of Christmas” on November 30th, starting 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jim Brickman is a Grammy-nominated pianist, songwriter and radio host known for his emotional performances and signature piano style. He is currently touring the country and will be performing in Omaha Sunday night. His heartwarming holiday concert will bring piano ballads and festive classics to the Orpheum state for a night of joy, nostalgia and cheer. Tickets are selling fast. Visit their website to learn more.

The Omaha Performing Arts will feature Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza on Dec 5th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. With a bold performance blending holiday classics with rock anthems and cinematic flair, Blue Violin’s Candlelight Christmas will be lighting up the stage. Expect fiery strings, glowing candlelight and surprise guests.

Durham Museum will be hosting the Holiday Cultural Festival on December 5th, from 4pm to 9pm. It will showcase 30 local cultural organizations and how they celebrate the joyful time of the year. These organizations will have crafts and traditional dress, while musicians and dancers perform throughout the evening. Santa himself will also be there, so bring your Christmas wishlists. Free admission for members, and varying pricing for non-members.