Cinco de Mayo Omaha returns this weekend May 15 through May 17 on historic South 24th Street between L to O streets. Presented by Casa de la Cultura, in partnership with Supermercado Nuestra Familia, this festival is recognized as Nebraska’s No. 1 cultural attraction and recipient of the prestigious Henry Fonda Tourism Award.
Celebrating 106 years of Mexican festivals, Cinco de Mayo Omaha brings together more than 100,000 attendees from across six states for an unforgettable weekend of culture, community and entertainment. Highlights include the Sweet 98.5 and Woodmen parade on Saturday, CHI Health fair, grand marshalls, a mariachi mass, live concerts and several authentic food vendors and exhibitors.
The Durham Museum is opening its summer exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume on May 23. Kick off the Memorial Day weekend with a grand look at nearly 70 costumes worn on film from decades of Disney movies, from iconic characters such as Maleficent, Captain Jack Sparrow, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Cinderella and more. Additional programs include Disney Trivia on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., special tours, lectures and movie screenings on select Sundays to enhance the Disney Magic experience.
KVNO Classical Radio and The Omaha Symphony will present Symphonic Connections Live: An Evening with Ernest Richardson on Thursday, May 21, at the Strauss Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. The event will feature a live taping of KVNO’s Symphonic Connections program, blending classical performance with audience discussion and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Conductor Ernest Richardson will lead the symphony through selections inspired by listener questions, including works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonio Vivaldi, Maurice Ravel and more. Designed for seasoned listeners and newcomers alike, the evening blends performance and storytelling in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Guests are encouraged to arrive when doors open at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy conversation, coffee and the company of fellow classical music enthusiasts. Following the program, attendees are invited to stay for a reception, offering the opportunity to meet Ernest Richardson, Omaha Symphony musicians and KVNO on-air hosts. Purchase tickets here.
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts will open two summer exhibitions on June 5, exploring themes of memory, care and personal connection to landscape:
Miatta Kawinzi: An Alphabet of Unfolding highlights the Kenyan-Liberian-American artist’s multidisciplinary work spanning sculpture, installation, sound, video and text. Kawinzi’s exhibition marks a return to Omaha, having been a Bemis Center artist-in-residence in 2016 and later the first recipient of the organization’s Ree Kaneko Award in 2019. The exhibition draws from themes of migration, labor, language and ecological connection through a site-responsive installation across two galleries.
MOTHER TIME: Measuring ourselves within the landscape features photography and image-based works by Rachel Cox and Rose Marie Cromwell. It is centered on motherhood, intimacy and the emotional relationship between people and place. Cox turns her lens toward the tenderness and vulnerability found within familial and personal relationships, while Cromwell weaves together personal and political narratives. Together, they create a layered meditation on intimacy and perception.
Both exhibitions will run through September 13. Admission to all programs and tours is free; ticket reservations are encouraged.
The Old Market Association [OMA] will host COLLECTIVE ’26: The Arts at KANEKO at 1111 Jones Street Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m.. The reimagined annual fundraiser will celebrate the artists, creatives and community leaders who helped shape the Old Market into one of Omaha’s cultural centers. This year’s event honors the legacy of artists Ree and Jun Kaneko, whose influence helped define the district’s collaborative and artistic spirit.
Guests can expect an evening inside KANEKO’s galleries featuring dinner from FIG chef Tyler Johnson, desserts by CENTI owner Erik Landa, live music from BROADWAY BAR led by Curtis Reynolds and a curated auction highlighting local and Old Market experiences. Proceeds from the event will support the Old Market Association’s ongoing efforts to connect and promote the district. The event’s attire theme is “Summer Creative,” encouraging colorful and expressive styles. Visit here for information.
