Summer brings about a myriad of wonderful activities and annual traditions — like food trucks, farmers’ markets, family barbeques in the backyard, and festivals. Festivals are a particularly extravagant way to maximize summer, support local businesses and frankly — have an absolute blast!
Find out what festivals and events are taking place this summer so you can enjoy Omaha and its surrounding communities to the fullest!
JUNE
Taste of Omaha | June 3 – 5, 2016
Photos Courtesy of Taste of Omaha
Kick off summer at the Taste of Omaha, a three-day festival along Omaha’s scene riverfront at Heartland of America Park and Lewis and Clark Landing. For nearly two decades, this festival has been a unique community celebration of Omaha’s great food and live entertainment.
Omaha Beer Fest | June 10 – 11, 2016
Head to Stinson Park at Aksarben Village for the 6th Annual Omaha Beer Fest, a celebration of all things craft beer and the creative culture that surrounds it. Choose from hundreds of American craft beers to sample, mingle with over 60 brewers and cider makers, attend hourly Beer Academy sessions, enjoy live music, and more!
Omaha Summer Arts Festival | June 10 – 12, 2016
Photo Courtesy of the Omaha Summer Arts Festival
The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is an annual Omaha tradition, dating back to 1975. This festival is Omaha’s premier destination for arts and entertainment, featuring 135 of the nation’s finest visual artists, a lineup of talented musical performers, and an interactive Children’s Fair. And like any good festival, visitors can enjoy delectable food at TasteFest, a collection of booths offering all of your favorite festival foods!
River City Music Festival (Bellevue) | June 18, 2016
Head to Sokol Park in Bellevue for River City Music Festival on Saturday, June 18 for a fun night celebrating music. Hear from several talented artists ranging from old-school funk to cutting-edge indie, including Filibusta, Satchel Grande, After Funk, Keller Williams, Matisyahu, and, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic.
Omaha Magazine Fried Food Festival | June
The only thing arguably better than summer is fried food. The two come together at Omaha Magazine Fried Food Festival, a one-day festival featuring street-style fair vendors, food trucks, and local restaurants. Each vendor will place an emphasis on fried food and admission is free to the public! In other words, this sounds like a no-brainer for your summer calendar.
JULY
Bank of the West Celebrates America | July 1, 2016
Photo Courtesy of Bank of the West Celebrates America
Celebrate Fourth of July a few days early at the Bank of the West Celebrates America celebration at Memorial Park. Admire the spectacular fireworks show following a free concert from singer and songwriter Kenny Loggins. This community tradition celebrates Independence Day each year in a fun and memorable way!
Ralston Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration (Ralston) | July 4, 2016
The Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the largest parade in the state of Nebraska each year at their Ralston Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration on July 4th. This family-friendly event also features a picnic, a pie-baking contest, a street dance, a fun run, and an extravagant fireworks show to top off the night!
Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing | Every Thursday, July 14 – August 11, 2016
Photos Courtesy of Omaha Performing Arts
Enjoy live musical performances for six consecutive Thursdays this summer at Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing. Hear from the talented lineup of musicians, take dance lessons on site, and mingle with fellow music lovers — all for free!
Omaha Railroad Days | July 16 – 17, 2016
Bring the kids to Omaha Railroad Days, a two-day extravaganza celebrating all things train and track! For just $15 per family, you can visit several venues around town featuring special train exhibits, including Lauritzen Gardens, The Durham Museum, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and more.
AUGUST
Foam Glow 5K (Papillion) | August 6, 2016
Photos Courtesy of Foam Glow
The Foam Glow runs sweeping the nation have made exercise extremely fun again. Foam Glow 5K is coming to Omaha on August 6 for a night run unlike any other! Participants show up at the start line with white t-shirts that act as a blank canvas, as they are blasted with colored foam (that glows under black lights) along the route.
Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival (Elkhorn) | August 12 – 13, 2016
Make the short trip to Elkhorn to witness the exciting launch of hot air balloons, sample exceptional wines, enjoy delicious food, and hear music from some of the best area bands. The Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival will meet for two days of unique summer fun at the ACI Worldwide Coventry Campus to celebrate the festival’s 10-year anniversary!
Omaha Sweet Corn Festival | August 13 – 14, 2016
It wouldn’t be summer without at least one instance of sinking your teeth into some corn-on-the-cob smothered in butter. The Omaha Sweet Corn Festival ensures that you and your family capitalize on Nebraska’s exceptional corn, offering samples of homegrown sweet corn, live musical performances, antique farming exhibitions, hay rides, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, and more! This wonderful family event takes place at Lauritzen Gardens for free with regular garden admission.
Omaha Beer and Bacon Festival | August 13, 2016
Photo Courtesy of the Omaha Beer and Bacon Festival
The Omaha Beer and Bacon Festival brings together two elements that work together extremely well — beer and bacon. Mingle with dozens of microbreweries serving up over 60 craft beer samples, and nibble on bacon-centric dishes from local chefs — all while enjoying live musical performances! And the best part? This festival raises money for their charity partner, Wounded Warriors Family Support and the Omaha Jaycees.
Happy Summer, Omaha!
Take advantage of the jampacked lineup of summer festivals and events on the horizon!