Omaha Things to Do February 2026: Little Italy History, Wine Walks & Live Music

Spring feels closer every day, and this week brings fresh ways to connect with our city's past and future. From a nearly century-old gathering spot in Little Italy to brand-new plans for greening up our neighborhoods, there's plenty happening around town that reminds us why we love calling this place home.

Here's what's inside:

Plus, get the scoop on City Council's recent decisions, restaurant openings and closings, and all the concerts and events happening this week. Let's dive in!

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🤝 Little Italy Store Continues Bringing Community Together Nearly 100 Years Later Caniglia's Dry Goods Store, opened in 1929, now serves as a recreation space where 92-year-old Josephine Lohmeier and her family gather weekly to play cards and reminisce. Born next door to her parents' former storefront, Josephine recalls a tight-knit neighborhood where nobody locked their doors and everyone knew each other from the store to 10th Street.

🌳 Curbside Composting Initiative to Launch This Spring Hillside Fund announces a new curbside composting program starting in Omaha's City Council District 3, aiming for 1,500 household sign-ups by year's end. The $35 monthly service will offer sponsorships to ensure affordability, focusing on regenerating soil and improving water quality as part of Omaha's Climate Action Plan to reduce nitrates and fertilizer use.

🎨 Snow Sculptors Compete for Nationals Despite Warm Weather Six teams gathered at Heartwood Park to transform massive snow blocks into art, creating sculptures ranging from Valentine's Day rocket ships to gnomes. Organizer Matt Seeley, an international award-winning sculptor, hopes to grow Nebraska's representation in the ice and snow sculpting community and send a local team to nationals.

💅 West Omaha Nail Salon Now Serving Wine With Your Mani-Pedi Getting pampered just got fancier. The City Council approved a liquor license for Glamour Nail Omaha at 2720 South 123rd Court, meaning you can now sip beer or wine while getting your nails done. It's part of a growing trend where salons add drinks to compete and keep customers relaxed. Expect mimosa manicures to become Omaha's newest self-care combo.

🚊 Another $70M for Streetcar Despite Pushback Omaha's streetcar project keeps rolling—literally. The Council is moving forward with up to $70 million in bonds to pay for streetcars, tracks, and a maintenance building downtown. Not everyone's on board, though. Opposition letters were submitted, but the project continues. Love it or hate it, the streetcar is reshaping how people move around downtown.

🚰 $500M Wastewater Plant Upgrade You Didn't Know About Your water bills are funding something huge: a nearly half-billion-dollar expansion of the Papillion Creek treatment plant. The Council approved $411 million for construction and $88.5 million for equipment. It's one of Omaha's biggest infrastructure projects ever, upgrading the city's wastewater system for decades. It affects everyone, but most people won't notice—until it prevents future problems.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

The Gilded Feather has launched as a full-service dining spot inside The Peregrine Omaha Hotel downtown. The hotel is also gearing up to debut The Perch, its rooftop bar, with a ribbon-cutting event set for March 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. Located at 18th & Douglas Street.

Chick-fil-A is preparing to build its ninth location in the Omaha area at the northwest corner of 204th & Q Street. The new restaurant will occupy 5121 South 205th Street, sharing the development with a Baker's supermarket that's also under construction.

Jerico's Restaurant is closing its doors for good after nearly five decades of serving the Omaha community. The beloved spot, known for prime rib, steaks, and its vintage atmosphere, will serve its final meals this past Saturday, February 14. Located at 11732 West Dodge Road.

Omaha Steaks is shutting down its restaurant supply division to concentrate on retail shops and direct-to-consumer business. The company plans to open over a dozen new retail locations this year while consolidating production at its Omaha facility near 90th & F Streets.

The Academy Bar is coming to Millwork Commons as one of the first tenants in the Nova, a new mixed-use building. The bar-and-restaurant will take up 4,000 square feet of ground-floor space in the development, which includes 74 apartments. Located at the southeast corner of 12th & Nicholas Street.

Stella's Bar & Grill experienced fire damage yesterday morning and will remain closed for an indefinite period while repairs are underway. The 90-year-old Bellevue institution is beloved for its burgers served on paper napkins and the notorious "Stellanator" eating challenge. Located at 106 Galvin Road South in Bellevue.

Q: Nebraska’s state fish is the Channel species of what seemingly whiskered fish?

(Answer below.)

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A: Catfish