What's Happening in Omaha This Week: Pre-Thanksgiving Events & News

We're just one week away from Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27th), and the holiday season is officially here! Between the casinos breaking records, a fifth grader becoming Nebraska's first kid governor, and Omaha's massive new library getting ready to open, there's a lot happening in our community right now. Plus, the holiday lights are starting to glow all over town—from Zoolightful at the zoo to Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens—so there's plenty of festive fun to soak up this week.​

Here's what's inside:

🎰 Nebraska Casinos Break Records – Omaha and Lincoln hit all-time highs in October
🏛️ Nebraska's First Kid Governor – Fifth grader Charlie Couch wins statewide election
📚 Omaha's New $158 Million Library – Three-story "book robot" and April 2026 opening date revealed
🍽️ Restaurant Roundup – Africa on a Plate opens, Clase Código debuts, and Copal closes
🎄 Holiday Events This Week – Zoolightful, ChristmasLand, and Falconwood Frosty Nights
🎁 Gift Guide – Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your list

Let's dive in!

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NEWS
📰 Omaha Headlines

🎰 Nebraska casinos are breaking records. WarHorse Casinos in Omaha and Lincoln had their best month ever in October. Omaha's casino sent $1.9 million in taxes to the state, and Lincoln's sent $1.5 million. The CEO says they're winning against Iowa's casinos, pulling more customers to Nebraska. Sports betting made over $1 million for the first time this year. If mobile sports betting gets approved next November, it could bring in $30 million more each year in taxes. The company plans to keep growing and will build a sixth casino in South Sioux City soon.

🏛️ Fifth grader elected as Nebraska's first kid governor. Charlie Couch from Ralston's Meadow Elementary won a statewide vote to become Nebraska's first-ever kid governor. She ran her campaign to help people with cancer. Charlie will work for a year with a group called Civic Nebraska to make her ideas happen. Six other students will help her as her cabinet. They'll all get sworn in at the State Capitol on January 13, 2026. The program teaches kids about government, voting, and how to be leaders. Nebraska joins four other states that already have kid governor programs.

📚 Omaha's huge new library opens next spring. The city's new central library will open on April 19, 2026. It cost $158 million to build and is one of the biggest library projects in the country. The coolest part? A three-story "book robot" that can hold over 600,000 books and other stuff. The 96,000-square-foot building also has a 3D printing lab, family history research area, and lots of community spaces. Mayor John Ewing says the library is a game-changer for learning and bringing people together. Do Space, the tech library that's been around for 10 years, will move into the second floor when the new building opens.

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

Omaha’s food scene is staying busy, with new openings, expansions, and ownership changes from Aksarben Village to North Downtown. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and what’s next.

FUN
♦️ Nebraska Trivia

Q: Which former world #1 tennis player was born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 30, 1982?

(Answer below.)

HOLIDAYS
🎁 Gift Inspiration

Need some gift inspiration? Here are a few awesome ideas if you're stuck finding the perfect something for a friend, coworker, significant other, or secret santa!

For the Home Chef
🧊 Large Ice Cube Molds – These oversized ice cubes are a game-changer for cocktails and drinks. They melt way slower than regular ice, so your old fashioned or whiskey stays strong and flavorful instead of getting watered down. Check it out here.

For Dog Lovers
🐶 Wobble Wag Giggle Ball – This magical ball makes weird squeaking and giggling sounds as it rolls around, and dogs absolutely lose their minds over it. It'll keep your pup entertained for hours and wear them out way faster than a regular ball. See it in action.

For Secret Santa
⌨️ Keyboard Cleaning Kit – Nobody gets excited about a dirty keyboard, but everyone needs one of these. It's the perfect practical gift that actually gets used every single day at their desk. Grab one here.

For Wellness Lovers
😴 Weighted Sleep Mask – This cozy mask blocks out light and gently hugs your face to help you fall asleep faster. It's an amazing gift that doesn't break the bank but feels super luxurious. Check it out.

For Anyone
🕯️ Amazon's Most Raved-About Candle – This candle has thousands of five-star reviews, and people say it instantly puts them in a better mood. The "santal" and "white jasmine/green tea" scents are the fan favorites that'll make any room smell incredible. Get yours here.

CONCERTS
🎵 Upcoming musical performances in OMA/LNK

• 11/20, Riley Green, with Drake White and Hannah McFarland, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln

• 11/22, Spiritbox: Tsunami Sea North American Tour Part II, Steelhouse Omaha

• 11/25, Machine Gun Kelly, CHI Health Center

• 12/1, A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase, Holland Performing Arts Center

• 12/2, Heart, Baxter Arena

• 12/4, Dustin Lynch and Scotty McCreery, Liberty First Credit Union Arena

• 12/5, Blue Violin, Scott Hall at the Holland Center for Performing Arts

• 12/12, Bert Kreischer: Permission To Party, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln

• 12/13, Steve-O: "The Crash and Burn Tour", The Astro Theater

• 12/20-21, Mannheim Steamroller, Orpheum Theater

• 12/28, The Princess Bride, The Holland Center

EVENTS
🎭 Upcoming non-musical events in Omaha

• 11/20, Style Thief Fashion Show, An interactive fashion show with live styling sessions and style discussions., Slowdown

• 11/20, Dripping Earth: Cannupa Hanska Luger, Immersive exhibition featuring ceramics, video projections, and prints inspired by Northern Plains., Joslyn Art Museum

• 11/20, Talavera Ceramics, Exhibition of traditional hand-painted majolica pottery from Puebla, Mexico., El Museo Latino

• 11/20, Omaha Ghosts Walking Tour, Immersive walking tour exploring Omaha's haunted history and ghostly encounters., The Arch at Gene Leahy Mall

• 11/20, Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe, Discover breathtaking space images and hands-on stations exploring the universe., Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum

• 11/20, Night Light, Adults-only evening exploring 125+ exhibits with science, scent, and history conversations., Kiewit Luminarium

• 11/20, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever Exhibition, Exhibition showcasing the evolution of ice hockey through technology and science., The Durham Museum

• 11/20, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Three actors race through every holiday classic in one hilarious mashup., BLUEBARN Theatre

• 11/20, Animals In Art, Exhibition exploring how wild, domesticated, and mythical animals inspire human creativity., Joslyn Art Museum

• 11/20, Woven with History: Timeless Textiles, Stunning gowns from Ak-Sar-Ben coronation ball spanning 1910s to 2010s., The Durham Museum

• 11/20, Paul Pfeiffer: Red Green Blue, Immersive video installation reproducing the experience of a college football game., Joslyn Art Museum

• 11/20, Lucas Samaras: Polaroids, Lush, idiosyncratic Polaroid images celebrating innovations in personal photography., Joslyn Art Museum

• 11/20, Lisa Alvarado: Meeting of winds, Ethereal soundscape and abstract paintings creating an immersive contemplative environment., Joslyn Art Museum

• 11/20, High Tea, Elegant afternoon tea with handcrafted sweets, savory bites, and Artemis Tea., Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel

• 11/20, Zoolightful Holiday Event, Glowing wonderland of handcrafted lanterns and dazzling color displays at the Zoo., Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

• 11/20, ChristmasLand, Experience 70 acres of amazing lights from the comfort of your vehicle., Valley, NE

• 11/21, Big Canvas Family Friendly Comedy Improv, Audience-inspired improv games in the style of Whose Line is it Anyway., Blackstone Theater

• 11/21, Winterland at Heartwood Preserve Free Public Ice Skating, Free public ice skating in the heart of West Omaha., Heartwood Park

• 11/21, The Weisenheimers, Omaha's improv pioneers deliver lightning-fast, unpredictable comedy for 30 years strong., Omaha Community Playhouse

• 11/21, Jun Kaneko: Paintings & Prints, Rare paintings and prints echoing the balance of Kaneko's sculptural work., KANEKO

• 11/21, Family Skating, Open skate hours with party lights on Saturday nights., Moylan Tranquility Ice Plex

• 11/21, A Christmas Carol: 50th Anniversary Year, Beloved holiday tradition with Victorian costumes, festive music, and magical scenery., Omaha Community Playhouse

• 11/21, Under the Skin Exhibition, Provocative contemporary art exploring beauty, vulnerability, and the human form., KANEKO

• 11/21, Greg Warren, Smart, self-deprecating humor from former NCAA wrestler turned Comedy Central comic., Omaha Funny Bone

• 11/22, Falconwood Frosty Nights, Winter wonderland with 20 festive market cabins, Santa's Village, and reindeer., Falconwood Park

• 11/22, The Dinner Detective, Interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show with suspects hiding in audience., DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest

• 11/22, ARTitudes Art & Fine Craft Show, Regional artists showcase paintings, pottery, glass, fiber, jewelry, and mixed media., Westside Community Conference Center

• 11/22, A Drunken Night Out, Comics discuss worst drunken nights, do standup, then perform not-so-sober sets., The Backline Comedy Theatre

• 11/22, Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade, Santa and friends join a festive parade with surprise guests., Shadow Lake Towne Center

• 11/22, Turkey Trails, Thanksgiving 5k/10k with festive swag, chip timing, and treats at finish., Seymour Skate Park

• 11/22, Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. Tour, Guided tour with tastings, a pint, and 20% off merchandise., Lucky Bucket Brewery

• 11/22, Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens, Illuminated indoor gardens with 20-foot poinsettia tree and tropical paradise installations., Lauritzen Gardens

• 11/22, GO BIG RED Tailgate, Watch party with 27-foot LED screen, stadium sound, and pregame fun., The Granary Green

• 11/22, Brickway Brewery and Distillery Tour, Guided tour with complimentary pint, tastings, and whisky to take home., Brickway Brewery

• 11/22, Merry & Bright: Holiday Poinsettia Show, Hundreds of poinsettias with magnificent 20-foot tree and model garden trains., Lauritzen Gardens

• 11/23, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever Exhibition, Exhibition showcasing the evolution of ice hockey through technology and science., The Durham Museum

• 11/23, Zoltan Kaszas, Sharp observational humor from viral comedian known for cats vs dogs bit., Omaha Funny Bone

• 11/24, Queer Climbers Club, Inclusive climbing group celebrating all ages, abilities, and identities., MW Climbing

• 11/25, Tarot Tuesdays, Tarot readings with craft cocktails in a refined speakeasy atmosphere., Anna's Place Speakeasy

• 11/26, Wine Wednesday, Half-priced select bottles of wine all night long every Wednesday., Gather in Omaha

• 11/26, Minis at the Museum: Holidays Around the World, Ages 2-6 explore global holiday traditions with hands-on activities and crafts., The Durham Museum

A: Andy Roddick