Posted in Nebraska Small Towns, Winter October 14, 2022 by

Here Are The Top 12 Christmas Towns In Nebraska. They’re Magical.

Christmas in Nebraska is an enchanting experience. Almost every town and city has an annual event or two for residents and visitors to celebrate the colorful joy of the season. While this list is far from exhaustive, these are some of the most-loved Christmas celebrations in the state – in no particular order. Here are our picks for some of the best Christmas towns in Nebraska:

1. Minden
Ammodramus/Wikimedia
Minden is well-known as Nebraska's "Christmas City." The annual Christmas Pageant will typically takes place in the downtown square on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, and the first two Sundays in December.
Minden, NE, USA
2. Nebraska City
Nebraska City
Nebraska City goes all-out with its Christmas decorations and celebrations. The Arbor Lodge Mansion and Arbor Day Farm get in on the action with events of their own, for example, the Christmas At The Mansion event. Other Nebraska City holiday events include the Reindeer Chase at Tree Adventure, a winter farmers market, and more!
Nebraska City, NE 68410, USA
3. Ponca
Ponca Area Community Club/Facebook
Ponca State Park offers a wide variety of winter and holiday activities that go on for the entire holiday season, from November through December. With tons of educational activities, cookie decorating, a snowman contest, and lighted hayrack rides, Ponca's Christmas in the Woods pack a big punch.
Ponca, NE 68770, USA
4. Omaha
Holiday Lights Festival/Facebook
Omaha is full of far too many Christmas activities to list here, but one of the highlights is the downtown Holiday Lights Festival. The festival includes a food drive, ice skating, outdoor concerts, and more than 40 blocks of spectacular Christmas lights.
Omaha, NE, USA
5. Geneva
drpavloff/Flickr
Each year during the holidays, something magical happens: the entire city of Geneva is lit up in a spectacular style! Residents celebrate the season with church programs, free movies, visits from Santa, a band concert, and local business giveaways. It's a holiday paradise!
Geneva, NE 68361, USA
6. Gering/Scottsbluff
Legacy of the Plains/Facebook
At the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, the Christmas season comes alive in true western Nebraska fashion. On Saturday, December 3, enjoy activities like hay rack rides, marshmallow roasting, and cowboy coffee over a bonfire. Kids can look forward to making Christmas crafts as well as writing letters to Santa that will be delivered via Pony Express.
2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341, USA
Gering, NE 69341, USA
7. Crawford - Ft. Robinson State Park
Nebraska Panhandle Parks/Facebook
Visit the historic Fort Robinson State park to see it as you've never seen it before! Each year, the buildings and structures are all decked out in beautiful Christmas decorations and lit up into the night. Love it!
Fort Robinson State Park, Soldier Creek Rd & US Hwy 20, Crawford, NE 69339, USA
8. Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska Visitor's Bureau/Facebook
There is a variety of events and activities over the holiday season in Kearney. Starting December 1, head downtown for the Downtown Christmas Walk. Highlights include a live nativity, sleigh and hayrack rides, caroling, Santa visits, live reindeer, and Christmas-y refreshments.
Kearney, NE, USA
9. Lincoln - Historic Haymarket District
Lincoln's Historic Haymarket District/Facebook
Lincoln's Haymarket lights up for the season with lovely light displays, holiday specials in the stores, and Santa roaming the streets. You'll find some awesome, family-friendly events for the entire family throughout the entire holiday season. For example, this year at the Haymarket, you can find an awesome Christmas lights show in Nebraska!
335 N 8th St, Lincoln, NE 68508, USA
10. Norfolk
Downtown Norfolk on the Riverpoint/Facebook
Year after year, you can catch holiday events like a great light display, outdoor ice skating, Christmas music, and delicious refreshments at the annual Christmas on Main celebration. Located on Main Street, there are all sorts of fun in store for adults and kids alike! Get a full holiday calendar of events on the Visit Nebraska website. This is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas in Nebraska with family and friends.
Norfolk, NE 68701, USA
11. Seward
The Magical Lights of Seward/Facebook
Seward's Christmas events typically kick off in November, and it's worth visiting local businesses, Concordia University, the Winter Wonderland, and the Santa house downtown on the Square. Seward was named by Governor Pete Ricketts as Nebraska’s Hometown Christmas City some years back.
Seward, NE 68434, USA

12. North Platte

North Platte celebrates Christmas at Buffalo Bill Cody’s mansion. Every room is dressed up in sparkling lights and beautiful decorations; as you walk through the home you’ll encounter Santa, Buffalo Bill, live entertainment, and some delicious Christmas treats. Outside, carolers and horse-drawn rides round out the experience. Get more details here!

We know that there are a ton more Christmas celebrations and beautifully-decorated Christmas towns in Nebraska. If you know of any great ones that you’d like to share, please post the details in the comments or on our Facebook page so other readers can attend as well! What are your plans for this holiday season? Will you be visiting one of these NE Christmas towns?

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Christmas Towns in Nebraska

November 24, 2021
Tori Jane

What are the best places to spend Christmas in Nebraska?  

Nebraska is one of those states that really, really loves its holiday season, and it takes it all very seriously! As a result, there are so many options for fun and magical things to do and see and experience, and some towns even transform themselves into entire Christmas villages! In fact, we once put together an epic holiday road trip filled with some of our state’s most amazing Christmas towns.

Among our picks for the best places to spend Christmas in Nebraska are places like North Platte, a town that loves going all-out for the holiday festivities year after year, and Minden – which is literally known as Nebraska’s “Christmas City”! Seward and Nebraska City are also amazing during the holiday season; somewhere between the amazing lights, the smell of fireplaces burning, and the friendly folks who live in these places, one can find the ultimate Christmas town in Nebraska.  

What is Nebraska at Christmas like?  

Nebraska may not be one of those places folks think of when they try to imagine Christmastime magic, but perhaps they should. The entire state becomes a beacon of goodwill and full hearts; folks in Nebraska are already a little nicer than in most places, but during Christmas, they take on a kind softness that’s even more wonderful. You’ll find all kinds of family-friendly things to do, like checking out the amazing lights displays in towns like Minden, North Platte, Omaha, Grand Island, and Lincoln.

Of course, that short list is nowhere near complete; it seems like anywhere you turn, you’re sure to find holiday cheer in the beautiful state of Nebraska. Plus, your chances of experiencing a white Christmas are pretty decent; Nebraska sees, on average, about 28.3 inches of snow per year; if you’re a fan of the cold, you’ll love it, too! Temperatures during winter average between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit during the chilliest times.