UNWRAP THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS!
NOVEMBER 29, 2024 – JANUARY 12, 2025
Time to dust off those ornaments, bake some holiday cookies and deck the halls! Christmas at Union Station presented by FNBO is back, and we can’t wait to see you at the museum! From the 40-foot-tall twinkling tree to memorable events and Santa himself, you won’t want to miss all that we have planned.
OMAHA’S OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE!
See the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree, standing at 40 feet tall! This year’s tree is graciously donated by Mark and Joanie Maszk of Omaha.
Watch the lighting of Omaha’s official Christmas tree from our 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony
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FAMILY NIGHTS WITH SANTATuesdays, 5-8PM • December 3, 10 & 17 Please note, Santa’s Cabin closes at 7:30PM. Upon arriving to the museum, families wanting to see Santa are highly encouraged to do so at the beginning of their visit. Jolly Saint Nick is quite a popular fella, so wait times may be longer than usual. |
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HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES
Check concert schedule for exact times, schedule subject to change. VIEW CONCERT SCHEDULE |
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NOON YEAR’S EVETuesday, December 31, 10AM-2PM Due to limited capacity, advanced registration is highly encouraged. Register anytime online beginning December 2 or call 402-444-5071 by December 30. If space allows, walk-up tickets will be available at the door. PURCHASE TICKETSADDITIONAL PARKING: Shuttle drop-off at the museum, is available at the Conagra Brands parking lot, 7th & Leavenworth Streets. |
FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS »
VISIT SANTA’S CABIN
November 29-December 22
Friday & Saturday: 10AM-Noon & 1-3PM
Sunday: Noon-3PM
Bonus weekday dates before Christmas!
10AM-Noon & 1-3PM
Tuesday, December 17
Wednesday, December 18
Thursday, December 19
Monday, December 23
“Dear Santa, I wish you could bring me…”
Are your kids ready to share their carefully curated list with Santa? During Christmas at Union Station presented by FNBO, they’ll be able to have a magical visit with our jolly pal from the North Pole in his cozy cabin retreat. Plan a visit and see the big guy before it’s too late to get on the nice list! Children can choose to sit with Santa or give him a call on our old-fashioned telephone (apt for a history museum, don’t you think?😂). If using the phone, Santa’s elves will be at the switchboard to make sure you get connected to the big guy himself.
Kids can drop off their letters to Santa, too.
WHEN IS SANTA VISITING THE MUSEUM?
give the gift of membership!A Durham Museum membership is the gift that can truly be enjoyed all year long! From unlimited free admission to discounts on purchases in the Soda Fountain and Hitchcock Museum Shop, a membership is the best way to experience all that the museum has to offer. LEARN MORE » |
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Shine the Light on HungerThroughout the holiday season, you can drop off non-perishable food items at The Durham to help support the Food Bank for the Heartland as part of Conagra Brands Foundation’s Shine the Light on Hunger campaign. Please help us fight hunger in our community and assist those in greatest need! LEARN MORE » |
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SEASONAL DISPLAYSHoliday Cultural Tree Display Log Cabin Christmas |
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Christmas at Union Station is Presented By
Major Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
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Media Support Provided By
Special thanks to DH Pace & Norm’s Door Service, Terry Hughes Tree Service, Omaha Police Department and Duke Aerial.
Admission
Adults: $15
Seniors (62+): $12
Children (ages 3 – 12): $8
Children 2 years and under FREE
Members: FREE!
BOOK YOUR TICKET »
Advanced tickets are encouraged but not required. Walk-ins welcome.
CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION FAQS
HOLIDAY HOURS: November 29, 2024 – January 12, 2025
Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM • Sunday, Noon-4PM
Special hours
• Sunday, December 8: 11AM-4PM (Open one hour early for KETV Family Festival)
• Monday, December 23: 10AM-4PM
• Monday, December 30, 10AM-4PM
• Family Nights with Santa: Museum reopens on Tuesdays from 5-8PM (December 3, 10 & 17)
• Christmas Eve: 10AM-2PM
Closed
Mondays (unless noted), Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day
ADDITIONAL EVENT PARKING: The Conagra Brands parking lot at 7th & Leavenworth, with shuttle drop-off at the museum, is available during the following events:
- • Tree Lighting Ceremony, November 29
• Holiday Cultural Festival, December 6
• Noon Year’s Eve, December 31 - GOOGLE MAPS
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Where can I enter the museum?
Entry will be available on both the main and lower levels for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Holiday Cultural Festival and Noon Year’s Eve. Entry for all other events will be available on the main level only.
How can children talk with Santa?
You can visit Santa’s cabin located inside the Truhlsen Lecture Hall. Guests can sit on Santa’s lap or talk with him from a distance on our “old-fashioned” telephone … you choose! If using the phone, Santa’s elves will be at the switchboard to make sure you get connected to the big guy himself. Then children have time to talk to Santa and tell him their wish list.
This activity is included with museum admission. During the popular Christmas season, we encourage guests to reserve or buy a ticket in advance online or over the phone, including museum members. You are welcome to see Santa during his scheduled hours at any time during your visit.
General FAQs may be found on the VISIT page of our website:
GENERAL FAQS
THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION
Back in the 1930s, Union Pacific employees would select and cut a tree from along the railroad right-of-way in the Pacific Northwest, and then transport it to Omaha’s Union Station. In 1971, Union Station closed after Congress established the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, now Amtrak, to handle all railroad passenger travel. The building was donated to the City of Omaha. Union Station reopened as the Western Heritage Museum in 1975, and within the first two weeks the decision was made to re-install a giant tree in the main waiting room of the museum for Christmas. The Christmas at Union Station tradition was alive again!
While Union Pacific employees still harvest today’s tree, they haven’t had to travel nearly as far, as the museum’s tree is donated by a local family. Each summer we send out a call to Omaha area residents for tree nominations. Trees must meet a number of criteria to be considered. Durham staff then scout out each nomination, narrowing it down until the official tree is chosen!
Photo courtesy of Union Pacific Museum
