HELLO EVERYONE!
Hey there, Omaha!👋
The holidays are in full swing across Omaha, and this week’s lineup is packed with festive lights, big local news, and plenty of ways to get out of the house. From community support to new eats and events, there’s a little something for everyone.
🤝 How Omahans are stepping up to support Lexington and why it matters for communities across Nebraska.
🚗 What’s changing at ChristmasLand in Valley so you can enjoy the lights without the traffic nightmare.
🏘️ The latest City Council decisions shaping housing, grocery options, and growth in neighborhoods like Benson, Field Club, and North Omaha.
🍽️ A big batch of restaurant openings, closings, and new concepts, from neighborhood favorites to fresh spots around the metro.
Let’s dive into what’s happening around Omaha this week and help you plan the days leading up to December 25.
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NEWS
🤝 Omahans are rallying to support a neighboring community in need.
🤝 Omahans are rallying to support a neighboring community in need. Organizers are calling for urgent support for the city of Lexington. Local leaders and volunteers are coordinating efforts to ensure resources reach those who need them most. If you're looking for a way to give back this season, keep an ear out for how you can contribute.
🚗 The holiday lights are dazzling, but the traffic has been a real headache. The popularity of the "Christmasland" display in Valley has led to gridlock, but organizers are finally taking action with a new plan to manage vehicle flow. This means you can hopefully enjoy the 70-acre light show without spending your evening stuck in traffic.
🎰 Hitting the jackpot doesn't mean you keep it all if you have unpaid bills. A new state law has collected more than $500,000 in three months by garnishing gambling winnings. Casinos now check winners against a database of people who owe debts like back taxes or child support. If you're hoping to win big, make sure your financial house is in order first!
☀️ If you've been thinking about solar panels, the clock is ticking. Homeowners are rushing to schedule installations because a federal tax credit is ending early at year's end. This 30% incentive has driven the switch to renewable energy, and losing it means prices will jump significantly. Get your system approved soon or miss out on thousands in savings.
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CITY COUNCIL - WHAT THEY DECIDED LAST WEEK
🛒 New Benson Grocery Store Wins Liquor Fight
5420 NW Radial Highway (Benson Grocery Site)
🛒 New Benson Grocery Store Wins Liquor Fight
A new shop called Benson Grocery will open on NW Radial Highway with a license to sell beer and liquor. Two neighbors who live across the street tried to block it, but the City Council still voted 6–0 to approve the license. It’s another sign that Benson is growing as a business district, even as some residents worry about alcohol sales so close to their homes.
🏘️ Rowhomes OK’d in Field Club After Neighbor Pushback
The city approved 31 new rental rowhomes in the Field Club neighborhood, even though two nearby residents spoke against the project. The homes will be built on Marcy and Mason Streets and are getting about $1.66 million in TIF support. This means taller, denser housing is coming to an area that’s mostly single-family homes, and it hints at more infill projects like this in older neighborhoods.
🏡 Huge Affordable Housing Plan Set for North Omaha
North Omaha is getting a major housing boost: 205 new affordable and mixed-income homes spread across eight sites between 16th and 18th Streets. The project uses nearly $4.8 million in TIF and also restores a historic commercial building. This multi-block effort will bring new residents, new energy, and major visual changes to several streets in the neighborhood.
RESTAURANT NEWS
What’s Cooking In Omaha’s Restaurant Scene 🍽️
J. Gorat's Deli & Market has opened at 1220 South 203rd Street in the former Burger Detour building southeast of 204th & Pacific Street. This locally owned spot focuses on scratch-made food using both local and imported ingredients. You'll also find products from Wahoo Locker, Fariner Bakery, Betty Rae's Ice Cream, plus wine, beer and spirits.
Clio, the popular Mediterranean restaurant in the Old Market, will open a second location in west Omaha. Clio will replace Blatt Beer and Table at 2835 South 170th Plaza in the Shops of Legacy. Both brands are owned by Flagship Restaurant Group. Blatt will close December 31st, and Clio is expected to open in its place late spring of 2026.
TakeRoot Farm Stop opened this past weekend at 5018 Underwood Avenue next to Jaipur Indian Restaurant in Dundee. This year-round, indoor farmers market is a community food market selling 100% local products on a consignment model that ensures farmers, producers, and makers keep 70% of every sale. The farm stop is open seven days a week and stocks products from 34 local producers.
Laos Thai Restaurant at 4520 South 24th Street will close on December 31. In a Facebook post, the locally owned restaurant cited family commitments, financial challenges and time limitations as its reasoning. The business has been serving Asian cuisine for more than two decades.
Bella Vita Ristorante, which closed in 2023 at 2620 Main Street in downtown Elkhorn, will soon be transformed by the owners of Main Street Cellar. The main floor will become La Vida Nova, expected to open in May 2026, while an unnamed fine dining concept will open upstairs a few months later.
Alibi Room plans to open in the former VIP Lounge building at 9001 Arbor Street northwest of 90th & West Center Road. The future cocktail lounge is under consideration for a liquor license. No opening date has been announced. The VIP Lounge moved to 8585 Frederick Street back in August.
Benson Grocery plans to open soon in a retail strip at 5420 Northwest Radial Highway in the Benson neighborhood. The business is currently working on its liquor license and getting the interior ready. No opening date has been announced. The space was previously occupied by Hosiery Plus.
Shiki Sushi has signage in place at 4900 Dodge Street in the former Varsity Sports Café space near 50th & Dodge in Dundee. Additional details about the new concept have yet to be announced.
Kawaii Tea Time signage is up at 8900 West Center Road in the Loveland Shopping Center inside the former Coolgreens space. The New York City–based Asian fusion concept also operates a location at 14505 West Maple Road and specializes in boba tea, sushi tacos, and poke bento bowls.
Base Kamp Coffee & Wine Shop will open soon in Regency Shopping Center at 120 Regency Parkway. Located in the mall's center court, Base Kamp will be a kiosk-style bar serving craft beverages including coffee and wine. It will be located between Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, J.Crew and Borsheim's. Construction is expected to begin after Santa Claus vacates following the holiday shopping season.
Hyper Energy Bar opened its first Omaha location this past Thursday, on December 12, southwest of 180th & West Maple Road. Hyper Energy is a drive-thru beverage chain from Des Moines, Iowa. Other locations are planned at 180th & Burke Street and 204th & Harrison Street.
Flagship Restaurant Group will close Plank Provisions in the Old Market and reopen it as Anthem, a "Tex-Asian" pub. Plank Provisions is a seafood restaurant and oyster bar at 1205 Howard Street. Its last day will be December 31st. Renovations will take several months, and Anthem is expected to open in June. Anthem has one existing location in Austin, Tex., and is described as a "design-savvy eatery for Latin & Asian pub fare, plus tiki drinks & sake bombs."
FUN
Nebraska Trivia
Q: What U.S. national monument in Nebraska was the site of major fossil finds, such as extinct beardogs and ancient beavers?
(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
- 12/20–12/21, Mannheim Steamroller, Orpheum Theater
- 12/28, "The Princess Bride", The Holland Center
- 1/24/26, Rascal Flatts , CHI Health Center Omaha
EVENTS
Upcoming non-musical events in Omaha
- 12/18, A Magical Cirque Christmas, Acrobats, illusions, and carols create a breathtaking holiday cirque spectacle., Orpheum Theater.
- 12/18, Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans, Discover giant wooden trolls sharing playful messages about conservation., Lauritzen Gardens.
- 12/18, Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens, Stroll glowing indoor gardens and festive lighted installations., Lauritzen Gardens.
- 12/18, ChristmasLand, Drive through 70 acres of dazzling holiday lights from your vehicle., 4979 N. 252nd St., Valley, NE.
- 12/18, A Christmas Carol: 50th Anniversary Year, Stage adaptation of Dickens' classic holiday tale at Omaha Community Playhouse., Omaha Community Playhouse.
- 12/19, Mike Zito, Blues-rock concert featuring award-winning guitarist and songwriter Mike Zito., Bushwacker's Saloon.
- 12/19, The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza, Family-friendly holiday play starring Mo Willems' beloved characters., The Rose Theater.
- 12/19, A Holly Jolly Backline, One-night improv comedy show blending holiday music and laughs., Backline Comedy Theater.
- 12/19, Big Canvas Family Friendly Comedy Improv, Interactive improv comedy show suitable for all ages., Blackstone Theater 3624 Farnam.
- 12/19, Jitterbugs' Night Out, Friday swing dance lesson followed by social dancing., Omaha Jitterbugs.
- 12/20, Disney's Frozen Live in Concert, Watch Frozen with the Omaha Symphony performing the score live., Holland Performing Arts Center.
- 12/20, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Screening of the beloved Muppet adaptation of Dickens' Christmas classic., Film Streams at the Dundee Theater.
- 12/20, Holiday Harmony, Enjoy live holiday music while exploring the poinsettia show., Lauritzen Gardens.
- 12/20, Cat Yoga, Gentle yoga class practiced among adoptable cats., Felius Cat Cafe.
- 12/20, Candy Cane Course - Omaha, Holiday-themed 5k/12k with festive swag and sweet treats., Inner Rail Food Hall.
- 12/20, The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Interactive murder mystery dinner where guests help solve the case., DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest.
- 12/20, Brickway Brewery and Distillery Tour, Tour Brickway's brewery and distillery with tastings and take-home spirit., Brickway Brewery and Distillery.
- 12/21, Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings, String quartet performs classic carols in an intimate candlelit setting., Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater.
- 12/21, Behind-the-Scenes: Christmas at Union Station, Guided tour exploring the history of Christmas at Union Station., Durham Museum.
- 12/21, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever Exhibition, Exhibit on hockey's evolution, technology, and physics., The Durham Museum.
- 12/22, Queer Climbers Club, Inclusive meet-up welcoming climbers of all identities and experience levels., MW Climbing.
- 12/23, Family Nights with Santa, Evening museum hours with Santa visits and festive family activities., Durham Museum.
- 12/23, Tarot Tuesdays, Weekly tarot readings paired with craft cocktails in a speakeasy setting., Anna's Place Speakeasy.
- 12/24, Wine Wednesday, Half-priced select bottles of wine every Wednesday night., Gather in Omaha.
- 12/24, Zoolightful Holiday Event, Walk through glowing animal lanterns and colorful light displays at the zoo., Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
TRIVIA ANSWER
A: Agate Fossil Beds