Friday, October 2
RiverFront First Friday: Battle of the Bands
Family-Friendly
4:00-9:00 PM
Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront
1001 Douglas St
Omaha, NE 68102
Free
The Jones Band, Happy Endings Band and Los Estereotipos Band, plus AP Legacy Dancers, Hindu Temple / IAN Dance Program, vendors and family activities.
https://theriverfrontomaha.com/event/riverfront-first-friday/
2nd Annual Handmade Parade
Family-Friendly / Parade / Community
Lineup 6:00 PM; parade 6:30 PM
Starts at Rose Hill Elementary
5605 Corby St
Omaha, NE 68104
Ends at Petshop Gallery
2725 N 62nd St
Omaha, NE 68104
Free
Giant puppets, handmade costumes, banners, mobile sculptures and performers. Everyone is invited to participate or watch.
https://www.bffomaha.org/parade
Midwest Lit Fest Meet & Greet
Family-Friendly
6:00-8:00 PM
Omaha Public Library Central Library
Omaha, NE
Free
Part of Omaha Public Library’s October 2-3 festival for young readers and creators, featuring authors and illustrators including Jerry Craft, Vashti Harrison, Claribel Ortega and Raúl The Third.
https://omahalibrary.org/midwest-lit-fest/
Saturday, October 3
Omaha Farmers Market: Old Market
Family-Friendly
8:00 AM-12:30 PM
11th & Jackson Streets
Omaha, NE 68102
Free admission
https://omahafarmersmarket.com/
Midwest Lit Fest
Family-Friendly / Cultural & Community
Programs begin 10:00 AM
Multiple Omaha Public Library branches
Omaha, NE
Free
Saturday sessions include Jerry Craft, Vashti Harrison, Claribel Ortega, Raúl The Third, Danielle Herzog and other authors and illustrators at library branches throughout Omaha.
https://omahalibrary.org/midwest-lit-fest/
Japanese Ambience Festival
Family-Friendly / Japanese Cultural
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Lauritzen Gardens
100 Bancroft St
Omaha, NE 68108
Included with garden admission; members free
Japanese music and dance, Kyoko Taiko drummers, martial arts, bonsai, ikebana, calligraphy, origami, children’s crafts and traditional games. The festival celebrates Omaha’s sister-city relationship with Shizuoka, Japan.
https://www.lauritzengardens.org/japanese-ambience-festival/
Art-tastic Saturdays: Celebrating Café Culture
Family-Friendly
11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Joslyn Art Museum
2200 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68102
Free
Drop-in gallery activities, art making, Omaha Public Library storytime and a can-can performance by American Midwest Ballet.
https://joslyn.org/events/art-tastic-saturdays-12/
CathedralFest
Family-Friendly / Church & Community
Saturday activities throughout the day
Saint Cecilia Cathedral campus
701 N 40th St
Omaha, NE 68131
Cost not stated
Saturday activities include a fun run and pancakes, spaghetti dinner and street dance.
https://archomaha.org/event/cathedralfest-4/
Sunday, October 4
Omaha Farmers Market: Aksarben Village
Family-Friendly
9:00 AM-1:00 PM
67th Street & Mercy Road
Omaha, NE 68106
Free admission
https://omahafarmersmarket.com/
Japanese Ambience Festival
Family-Friendly / Japanese Cultural
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Lauritzen Gardens
100 Bancroft St
Omaha, NE 68108
Included with garden admission; members free
Japanese music and dance, Kyoko Taiko drummers, martial arts, bonsai, ikebana, calligraphy, origami, children’s crafts and traditional games.
https://www.lauritzengardens.org/japanese-ambience-festival/
CathedralFest
Family-Friendly / Church & Community
Sunday activities; festival ends 6:00 PM
Saint Cecilia Cathedral campus
701 N 40th St
Omaha, NE 68131
Cost not stated
Sunday includes food, booths and games, a white elephant sale and music.
https://archomaha.org/event/cathedralfest-5/
Concertina Jam
Polish Cultural / Community
12:00-4:00 PM
Polish Home Omaha
Omaha, NE
Freewill donations benefit local charities
Musicians from across Nebraska gather for an informal afternoon concertina jam.
https://www.polishhomeomaha.org/events
