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.

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS

THE MAGIC BEGINS WITH The TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Friday, November 29, 4-8PM
(Tree lighting happens at about 7PM)
Christmas at Union Station presented by FNBO festivities kick off with our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony inside the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall! Enjoy loads of entertainment including live music from Camille Metoyer Moten, a performance by Bellevue Little Theater, cookie decorating, scavenger hunt and holiday crafts, plus Santa himself! All the good tidings lead up to the signature tradition of the night — the countdown to lighting the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree!

Due to limited capacity, advanced registration is encouraged. Register online anytime or call 402-444-5071 by November 27. If space allows, walk-up tickets will be available at the door.

ADDITIONAL PARKING: Shuttle drop-off at the museum, is available at the Conagra Brands parking lot, 7th & Leavenworth Streets.

GET YOUR TICKETS »

HOLIDAY CULTURAL FESTIVAL Friday, December 6, 4-9PM Holiday greetings from around the world! Learn how the world celebrates this joyful time of year during the Holiday Cultural Festival. More than 40 local cultural organizations proudly display their crafts and traditional dress, while musicians and dancers perform throughout the evening. Hard-to-find ethnic foods and gifts will be available for purchase. ADDITIONAL PARKING: Shuttle drop-off at the museum, is available at the Conagra Brands parking lot, 7th & Leavenworth Streets. FULL DETAILS » Check back later for a list of participating organizations.

FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS »

Christmas at Union Station is Presented By

Major Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

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
• 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