2020-12-31 06:44:33
HOT TICKETS These events are a sampling of some of Nebraska’s quirkiest and most beloved annual traditions. Sometimes a global pandemic happens and messes with our best-laid plans, though. Always check with event sponsors before finalizing your travel plans as dates and event details can change. JANUARY First Day Hikes Statewide Begin 2021, Nebraska State Parks’ 100th anniversary, at one of the park areas throughout the state that offers guided hikes to visitors on New Year’s Day. Quack Off Duck Races Avoca Thousands of people gather for the one-of-a-kind experience of racing a live duck. Groundhog Day Celebration Unadilla This small village celebrates Groundhog Day unlike anywhere else with a parade, crafts fair, food and keynote speakers. FEBRUARY Bull Bash Valentine For one day, bull, heifer and commercial exhibitors cover Main Street. Additional activities include the Running with the Bulls 5K, wine tasting, vendor show and quilt show. MARCH Sandhill Crane Migration Central Platte River Valley More than 600,000 sandhill cranes land on a stretch of the Platte River as they rest and feed before completing their migration. St. Patrick’s Day O’Neill Four days of Irish heritage celebration, from green beer to Irish dancers, in the town of O’Neill, “Nebraska’s Irish Capital.” Polar Bear Tank Races Mullen Those willing to brave the cold race down the Middle Loup River in horse tanks for out-of-the-ordinary winter fun. APRIL NE SciFest Statewide Hands-on science activities, engaging speakers and more take place in communities across Nebraska during this statewide science festival. Arbor Day Celebration Nebraska City This year, enjoy Nebraska City’s 150th Arbor Day Celebration with plantings, tours and activities where the tree planter’s holiday all began. MAY International Omaha Omaha Shop, dine and watch some of the best horses and riders in the Midwest throughout four days of competition. Toast Nebraska Wine Festival Gretna A two-day celebration of Nebraska wines! Tastings of 100+ delicious wines plus live music, educational sessions, shopping, food, firepits and yard games. Renaissance Festival Papillion Full-contact jousting, dozens of costumed characters and many more one-of-a-kind artisans await at Nebraska’s largest renaissance fair. Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival Beatrice At Homestead National Monument of America, compete in the fiddling and acoustic band competition or sit back and enjoy music, food and history. JUNE Heartland Pride Parade & Festival Omaha Celebrate Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community during this event that includes live entertainment, guest speakers, vendors, Pride Parade and more. Great American Comedy Festival Norfolk Some of the nation’s greatest comedic talents gather for three days to pay tribute to the legacy of the Norfolk native Johnny Carson. Sidney Gold Rush Days Sidney Wagon rides, quick draw competitions, craftsmen demonstrations and more display the history of the Sidney to Deadwood Gold Rush Trail. NEBRASKAland Days North Platte Cowboy culture and top country music stars await you at this North Platte festival, one of the biggest parties in the state. Testicle Festival Ashland On Father’s Day weekend, thousands gather for Rocky Mountain oysters, live music and a Ball-Eating contest. College World Series Omaha Fans flood Omaha for 12 days of America’s greatest pastime, with music and beer gardens surrounding the stadium. Buffalo Commons Storytelling & Music Festival McCook A whole lot o’ stories, music and fun with festivities including local stories and songs, children’s story theatre, dinner cabaret and more. 2021 Olympic Swimming Trials Omaha The greatest swimmers across the country compete to become a member of the 2021 U.S. Olympic team. JULY Maha Festival Omaha Music from national and local acts, talks and panels covering a wide variety of topics, and a brand-new regional craft beer experience can be found at this five-day festival. Fourth of July Celebration Seward For more than 150 years, Seward, “Nebraska’s Official 4th of July City,” has put on one of the top small-town celebrations in the nation. Fur Trade Days Chadron A historic celebration of buck-skinners, traders and Native Americans. Five days packed with events pay tribute to the town’s key role in the fur trade. Oregon Trail Days Gering Oregon Trail Days is the oldest celebration in Nebraska. The event boasts everything from parades to concerts to an international food fair. John C. Fremont Days Fremont A living-history encampment at Clemmons Park explores life from the Renaissance to World War II. The Wayne Chicken Show Wayne An odd bird of a festival, but even more fun than the chicken dance. Previous years have featured egg tosses, rubber-chicken chucks and more. National High School Rodeo Finals Lincoln Watch as 1,700 high school rodeo athletes compete in 13 rodeo specialties and two shooting competitions. AUGUST Nebraska Star Party Valentine Nebraska Star Party is one of the nation’s premier stargazing events, held under the dark skies of Nebraska’s beautiful Sandhills. Nebraska State Fair Grand Island Nebraska celebrates its culture, traditions, talent, products and people at the state fair. Old West Balloon Fest & National Hot Air Balloon Competition Gering-Scottsbluff-Mitchell Nebraska’s premier hot air balloon festival. Experience glow balloons, amazing hot air experiences and more. Czech Days Wilber Celebrate Czech culture in the Czech Capital of the USA. Enjoy music, food, dancing, costumes, pageants and more. Columbus Days Columbus Live music, cornhole tournament, BBQ, a parade, various races and more await you at the largest block party in Nebraska. Popcorn Days North Loup All-you-can-eat free popcorn is paired with a weekend full of games, carnivals, a parade and the crowning of the Popcorn Queen. SEPTEMBER AppleJack Festival Nebraska City Apple pie, apple cider, apple donuts, caramel apples and all things apple are found here, as well as craft fairs, a parade, classic car show and three-day carnival. Junk Jaunt Central Nebraska The annual Junk Jaunt – like a large garage sale – spans nearly 500 miles of garage sales, collectibles, antiques, vintage items and quirky finds. Summer Indian Rendezvous Ogallala Ogallala citizens come together in tradition to celebrate their colorful past with bands, live entertainment, dancing and a diverse array of local talents. Monument Marathon Gering - Scottsbluff Natural landmarks and pine-covered hills provide the perfect backdrop for this course that runs along part of the Oregon Trail. Lincoln Calling Lincoln More than 100 emerging bands and solo artists perform at venues around downtown Lincoln for one music-filled weekend. OCTOBER Crete’s Great Pumpkin Festival Crete Previous years have featured scarecrow and pumpkin competitions, pumpkin-carving demos, carnival games, live entertainment and the Great Pumpkin Giveaway. Oktoberfest Sidney The ceremonial Tapping of the Keg starts off this three-day festival that includes live entertainment, a parade, brats, kraut and cold beer. HallowFest Ponca Haunted hayrack rides, campsite and cabin-decorating contests, pumpkin roll and pumpkin carving all turn Ponca State Park into a Halloween extravaganza. NOVEMBER Light of the World Pageant Minden Residents perform the Christmas story under the illumination of over 12,000 bulbs adorning the courthouse and the square. Omaha Holiday Lights Festival Omaha Starting with a Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony and ending with New Year’s Eve fireworks, downtown Omaha captures the holiday spirit with a full season of festive, family-friendly activities. DECEMBER SantaLand Creighton View this small town decked out in lights and holiday decorations. Visitors can stop into Santa’s Workshop and see Mrs. Claus’ Gingerbread House. Zoo Lights Lincoln The Lincoln Children’s Zoo transforms into a holiday display with lit animal silhouettes, holiday train rides, a tree canopy light walk and more. Christmas at the Cody’s North Platte Enjoy caroling, horse-drawn rides, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts on the grounds of Buffalo Bill’s decorated Victorian mansion. Christmas Past & Present Grand Island Among the historic buildings of the Stuhr Museum’s 1890s railroad town, view the Fantasy of Trees exhibit and enjoy cookies, DIY craft stations, holiday shopping and visits with Santa. Find out more at VisitNebraska.com/events/calendar
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