2018-12-18 23:31:56
These events are a sampling of some of Nebraska’s quirkiest and most beloved annual traditions. Dates and locations may vary; always confirm with event sponsors before making travel plans. Find a complete list of events in the state at VisitNebraska.com.
JANUARY
Quack Off Duck Races
Avoca
Thousands of people gather for the wacky, one-of-a-kind experience of racing a live duck.
FEBRUARY
Groundhog Day Celebration
Unadilla
This small village celebrates Groundhog Day unlike anywhere else with a twoblock- long parade, crafts fair, food and keynote speakers.
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
Husker Football Spring Game
Lincoln
Thousands of dedicated Husker fans pack Memorial Stadium for the highly anticipated showing of the beloved football team.
Prairie Chicken Festival
Burwell
From viewing blinds, visitors watch as prairie chickens strut in a spectacular show for the right to mate with the hens.
Arbor Day Celebration
Nebraska City
Celebrate at events statewide or mark the tree planter’s holiday with plantings, tours, shopping and activities where it all began in Nebraska City.
Junkstock
Waterloo
The countryside of an old farm transforms into a charming outdoor boutique with vintage finds, tasty treats and groovy tunes.
Great American Comedy Festival
Norfolk
Some of the nation’s greatest comedic talent gathers for three days to pay tribute to the legacy of Norfolk native Johnny Carson.
MAY
Lincoln Marathon
Lincoln
Marathoners run a city-wide race course through Lincoln that ends on the 50-yard line of the Huskers’ Memorial Stadium.
Toast Nebraska Wine Festival
Gretna
A two-day celebration of Nebraska wines! Tastings of 150 wines plus live music, educational sessions, shopping, food, fire pits and yard games.
JUNE
Cattleman’s Ball
Wauneta
The Cattlemen’s Ball has become one of the Midwest’s premier events, raising millions of dollars for cancer research.
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
Hundreds of thousands flood Omaha for 12 days of America’s greatest pastime, plus music and beer gardens surrounding the stadium.
JULY
Cruise Night
Kearney
The Central Nebraska Auto Club encourages anyone who loves classic cars and wants to relive memories of the “Good Ole Days” to come enjoy the fun.
Kites and Castles
Lake McConaughy
Enjoy kite-flying and sandcastle-building at Lake McConaughy’s PREMIER “fun in the sun” event.
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’s Big Rodeo
Burwell
Experience classic rodeo events such as Saddle Broncs and the wild and woolly action of the Wild Horse Race and Canadian Chuck Wagon Races.
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.
GermanFest
Syracuse
“Viener Dog” races, dancers, a two-block beer garden and traditional eats provide a taste of the town’s German heritage.
Oregon Trail Days
Gering
Oregon Trail Days is the oldest celebration in Nebraska. OTD 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.
Fourth of July Celebration
Seward
For 140 years, Seward, “Nebraska’s Official 4th of July City,” has put on one of the top small-town celebrations in the nation.
Maha Music Festival
Omaha
Local artists, national acts and poetry performances showcase the heart and soul of the Midwest at the Maha Music Festival. Held in Stinson Park.
Chicken Show
Wayne
An odd bird of a festival, but even more fun than the chicken dance. Previous years’ events included egg toss, rubber chicken chuck and all things chicken!
AUGUST
Kool-Aid Days
Hastings
Kool-Aid was invented here over 90 years ago. Celebrate with three days of live music, fireworks, Kardboard Boat Races and a Kool-Aid drinking contest.
Nebraska State Fair
Grand Island
For 150 years, Nebraska has celebrated its culture, traditions, talent, products and people at the state fair.
Old West Balloon Fest
Gering-Scottsbluff-Mitchell Nebraska’s premier hot air balloon festival. Experience glow balloons, amazing hot air experiences and much, much more!
Prairie Sludge Trudge
Grand Island
The Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer’s muddy, exhausting adventure pits runners against unrelenting obstacles and the fierce Nebraska prairie.
Czech Days
Wilber
Celebrate Czech culture in the Czech Capital of the USA. Enjoy music, food, dancing, costumes, pageants and more.
SEPTEMBER
AppleJack Festival
Nebraska City
One of USA Today’s Top 10 Fall Harvest Festivals with over six craft fairs, a parade, classic car show, live music and three-day carnival.
Husker Harvest Days
Grand Island
The world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show features the latest equipment, supplies and technologies available to today’s producers.
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.
Rail Days
North Platte
Experience incredible railroad heritage at the home of the world’s largest rail classification yard with activities, tours and exhibits.
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.
Lincoln Calling
Lincoln
More than 100 emerging bands and solo artists perform at venues around downtown Lincoln for an artistic weekend of music.
OCTOBER
Boo at the Zoo
Lincoln
Lincoln’s largest trick-or-treat event. The entire family will love stopping at nearly 40 trick-or-treat booths to get candy, coupons and more!
Market to Market Relay
Omaha
The largest day-long relay in the nation, the Market to Market® Relay Nebraska takes teams from Omaha to Lincoln.
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.
Christmas at Union Station
Omaha
The tradition begins with the lighting of the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and continues into January with festive, family-friendly events.
DECEMBER
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.
Christmas at the Mansion
Nebraska City
See Arbor Day Mansion decked out in vintage decor and holiday-themed collections for an unforgettable Christmas experience.
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