HELLO EVERYONE!
Hey there, Omaha!👋

Happy New Year's Eve! As we say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026, there's plenty happening around town to keep you entertained and informed. Whether you're watching fireworks at The RiverFront tonight or planning your week ahead, we've got you covered.

Here's what's inside:

🎆 Ring in the new year with fireworks, celebrate responsibly with what's legal (and where to buy it)
🏥 Big federal dollars are heading to Nebraska's rural hospitals to improve care across the state
🍽️ Twin Peaks is making a comeback, plus traffic signal upgrades and new bar openings around town

Let's dive into what's happening in your city this week!

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NEWS
🎄Christmas Tree Recycling Sites Open Across Metro

🎄Christmas Tree Recycling Sites Open Across Metro Omaha-area residents can drop off their Christmas trees through January 9 at 14 locations. Last year, volunteers collected 71 tons of trees that were upcycled into mulch for parks and gardens, providing a sustainable way to dispose of holiday decorations.

🏥 Nebraska Receives $218.5M to Strengthen Rural Hospitals The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded Nebraska significant funding to address critical gaps in rural healthcare infrastructure. The five-year investment will support workforce development, technology upgrades, and emergency services across more than 90 rural hospitals, though the state must prove results within two years or risk losing remaining funds.

🎆 Omahans Cross River for New Year's Fireworks With no December firework sales in Omaha, residents are heading to Wild Willy's in Council Bluffs to stock up for their celebrations. The store reports strong traffic from Omaha customers preparing shows between December 28 and January 1, when city ordinance permits fireworks.

CITY COUNCIL - WHAT THEY DECIDED LAST WEEK
🍻 Twin Peaks Sports Bar Returns to West Omaha

fsrmagazine.com

🍻 Twin Peaks Sports Bar Returns to West Omaha
Twin Peaks is coming back to Omaha with a new lodge-style sports bar at 313 N 179th Street, opening February 2. It will have wall-to-wall TVs, 64 beer taps, and a made-from-scratch menu. The chain is known for its “breastaurant” vibe, so expect some mixed opinions, but also plenty of game-day traffic in growing west Omaha.​

🍸 Alibi Room Wins License Despite Aksarben Pushback
A new Alibi Room bar at 9001 Arbor Street got its liquor license, even after a nearby neighbor spoke against it and others filed written objections. The City Council still approved it 5-0. The big question for Aksarben: can the area stay family-friendly while adding more nightlife spots like this one?​

🚦 $3.1M Traffic Signal Upgrade Coming Citywide
Omaha approved a $3.1 million contract to modernize traffic signals across the city. This big upgrade should mean smoother drives, safer crosswalks, and smarter lights that adjust better to real traffic patterns. Drivers may see some short-term work zones in 2026, but the goal is quicker, safer commutes at busy intersections.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

RESTAURANT NEWS
🍽️ What’s Cooking In Omaha’s Restaurant Scene

Omaha’s restaurant and bar scene is staying busy with new openings, big remodels, and a few bittersweet goodbyes. Here’s what’s been happening around town.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opened last weekend at 3430 North 167th Street southeast of 168th & West Maple Road. The project had been delayed due to revisions requested by Popeyes' corporate office, but it's now serving up their signature Louisiana-style chicken. Omaha-based Eat Out Now is the owner.

Zaytuna, a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant that opened in 2020, permanently closed its Inner Rail Food Hall location in Aksarben Village at 1911 South 67th Street on December 21. The restaurant's food truck at 423 South 13th Street downtown remains open for regular hours.

Mi So La Do is soft-opening at 7425 Dodge Street in the former Sakura Bana space near 74th & Dodge Street. The Japanese ramen concept is currently serving up tonkotsu ramen, handmade pork gyoza, and takoyaki while they continue hiring. They haven't announced an official grand opening date yet.

Smoothie King has opened its fifth Omaha-area location at 17813 Mandersen Street in a retail center still under construction northeast of 180th & West Maple Road. Other tenants planning to open in the same shopping center include L'Vinci Nails and a Kros Strain Brewing tap room.

FUN
Nebraska Trivia

Q: An animal science professor at the University of Nebraska is credited with developing the process behind restructured meats after he was approached by the National Pork Producers Council to create a new product. Examples of restructured meats include Dino Nuggets and what fast food sandwich that has attracted a cult following since its introduction in 1981?

(Answer below.)

Play Word Search! New Nebraska themed game every day.

Play Wordie (Nebraska themed Wordle)! New word each day.

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CONCERTS
Upcoming musical performances in OMA/LNK

EVENTS
Upcoming non-musical events in Omaha

Recurring Events

  • Recurring, 12th Night at the Castle - A Madrigal Dinner, - Step into a magical holiday evening at Joslyn Castle with festive decor, a..., Joslyn Castle

  • Recurring, Animals In Art, - Featuring art spanning centuries and continents, this exhibition explores some of the ways..., Joslyn Art Museum

  • Recurring, Brickway Brewery and Distillery Tour, Recurring weekly on Saturday - Experience a Brickway Brewery & Distillery tour and delve..., Brickway Brewery and Distillery

  • Recurring, Christmas at Union Station, Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - It’s the most wonderful..., The Durham Museum

  • Recurring, ChristmasLand, - Experience 70 acres of amazing lights from the comfort of your vehicle. ChristmasLand..., Location TBA

  • Recurring, Dripping Earth: Cannupa Hanska Luger, - With this ambitious and immersive exhibition, Cannupa Hanska Luger draws inspiration from his..., Joslyn Art Museum

  • Recurring, Falconwood Frosty Nights, - Step into a winter wonderland at Falconwood Frosty Nights – Christmas Village & Lights!..., Falconwood Park

  • Recurring, Family Skating, Recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday - Bring your family or friends to Moylan Tranquility..., Moylan Tranquility Ice Plex

  • Recurring, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever Exhibition, Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever takes..., The Durham Museum

  • Recurring, High Tea, - Savor an elegant afternoon tea in The Fontenelle Room, now offered daily. Enjoy..., Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

  • Recurring, Holiday Lights Festival: North Omaha Lighting Display, - View a dazzling stretch of lights along a six-block area around 24th and..., Location TBA

  • Recurring, Holiday Lights Festival: Old Market, - Stroll the brick streets of the Old Market as they sparkle with white..., Old Market

  • Recurring, Holiday Lights Festival: South Omaha Lighting Display, - View a dazzling stretch of lights along South 24th Street between L and..., Plaza de la Raza (24th & N Streets)

  • Recurring, Holiday Lights Festival: The RiverFront, - Holiday lights at The RiverFront span the entirety of the park’s 72 acres..., Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront

  • Recurring, Jitterbugs' Night Out, Recurring weekly on Friday - Jitterbugs’ Night Out (or JNO) has been home to..., Omaha Jitterbugs

  • Recurring, Jun Kaneko: Paintings & Prints, Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Step into a vivid world of..., KANEKO

  • Recurring, Lisa Alvarado: Meeting of winds, - Transformations both large and small have long inspired Lisa Alvarado. For this exhibition..., Joslyn Art Museum

  • Recurring, Lucas Samaras: Polaroids, - Samaras used a Polaroid camera to create lush, idiosyncratic and personal images. Featuring..., Joslyn Art Museum

  • Recurring, Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. Tour and Tasting, Recurring weekly on Saturday - Discover the art of crafting exceptional beer and spirits..., Lucky Bucket Brewery

  • Recurring, Merry & Bright: Holiday Poinsettia Show, - During this spectacular annual show, hundreds of poinsettias bursting with rich, vibrant colors..., Lauritzen Gardens

  • Recurring, Midtown Crossing Season of Lights, - Settle into the peace and tranquility of a winter’s night. Stroll in the..., Midtown Crossing

  • Recurring, Riverfront Supper Club, Recurring monthly on the 1st - Come celebrate the great thaw this week with..., Fig.

  • Recurring, Talavera Ceramics, - Talavera pottery, a type of majolica or tin-enameled earthenware, is renowned for its..., El Museo Latino

  • Recurring, Tarot Tuesdays, Recurring weekly on Tuesday - Join us every Tuesday evening at Anna's Place Speakeasy..., Anna's Place Speakeasy

  • Recurring, Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans, - Step into a realm of imagination and come meet the colossal creations of..., Lauritzen Gardens

  • Recurring, Tringo! Free Game Night, Recurring monthly on the 2nd Thursday - Test your brain and your luck at..., Sozo Coffeehouse

  • Recurring, Under the Skin, Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - Explore provocative works that dive beneath..., KANEKO

  • Recurring, Wine Wednesday, Recurring weekly on Wednesday - Head to Gather in Omaha every Wednesday for half-priced..., Gather in Omaha

  • Recurring, Winter Wonderland, - See the Great Hall at Fontenelle Forest transformed with festive décor, then bundle..., Fontenelle Forest

  • Recurring, Woven with History: Timeless Textiles from the Ak-Sar-Ben Collection, Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - In this exhibit, museum..., The Durham Museum

Upcoming Events

TRIVIA ANSWER

A: McRib

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