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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. THE BEST FESTS JANUARY First Day Hikes Statewide Get outside and enjoy nature at any of the park areas throughout Nebraska that offer guided hikes to visitors on New Year’s Day. 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 parade, crafts fair, food and keynote speakers. Omaha Fashion Week Omaha The Midwest’s premier fashion event is a glamorous red-carpet occasion that showcases the work of 65-plus designers each year. 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. International Omaha Omaha Shop, dine and watch some of the best horses and riders in the Midwest over four days of competition. MAY Toast Nebraska Wine Festival Gretna A two-day celebration of Nebraska wines! Tastings of 150 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 one-of-a-kind artisans await at Nebraska’s largest renaissance faire. Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival Beatrice At this Homestead National Monument of America event, compete in the fiddling and acoustic band competition or sit back and enjoy music, food and history. JUNE Great American Comedy Festival Norfolk Some of the nation’s greatest comedic talents gather for three days to pay tribute to the legacy of Norfolk native Johnny Carson. 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, 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 tales and songs, children’s story theatre, dinner cabaret and more. 2020 Olympic Swimming Trials Omaha The greatest swimmers across the country compete in this eight-day event to become a member of the 2020 U.S. Olympic team. 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 sandcastlebuilding 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 buckskinners, 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. 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. 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 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 & 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, barbecue, a parade, various races and more await you at the largest block party in Nebraska. 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. 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. Lincoln Calling Lincoln More than 100 emerging bands and solo artists perform at venues around downtown Lincoln for one music-filled weekend. 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. HallowFest Ponca Haunted hayrack rides, campsiteand cabin-decorating contests, a pumpkin roll and pumpkin carving all turn Ponca State Park into a Halloween extravaganza. Junkstock: Harvest Edition Waterloo The countryside of an old farm transforms into a charming outdoor boutique with vintage finds, food trucks and, for the harvest edition, giant pumpkins, hayrack rides and bonfires. NOVEMBER Good Life Halfsy Lincoln Run 13.1 miles through Lincoln’s most notable landmarks in a scenic point-to-point, net-downhill course with an epic downtown finish. 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 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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