Christmas at Union Station 2025 - The Durham Museum : The Durham Museum

OMAHA’S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

NOVEMBER 28, 2025 – JANUARY 11, 2026

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 twinkling tree to memorable events and visits from Santa, you don’t want to miss all that we have planned.

Tree lighting

OMAHA’S OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE!

See the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree, standing at nearly 40 feet tall!

EVENTS SANTA VISITS GIFTS FAQS

SANTA’S CABIN EXPERIENCE

December 14-23
Monday-Saturday • 9AM-3PM
Sunday • 11AM-3PM

Family Nights with Santa
Tuesday evenings (Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23) • 5-8PM
* Please note, Santa’s Cabin experience closes at 7:30PM *

***

“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?

Santa Cabin schedule

NEW! THE SOCK SKATING POND!

Kick up your socks for a new experience gliding its way to The Durham Museum during Christmas at Union Station presented by FNBO. Slide into the magic of winter on our new indoor Sock Skating Pond — surrounded by nostalgic images of winters past in Omaha, curated from the museum’s Photo Archive. Whether you’re waiting to see Santa, snapping a family photo or just soaking in some festive fun, this charming experience invites you to relive the wonder of Omaha’s holiday season. No frostbite, just indoor fun!

Please note, the Sock Skating Pond closes 1 hour before museum closing time.

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS!

Santa with a child

FAMILY NIGHTS WITH SANTA

Tuesdays (December 2, 9, 16 & 23), 5-8PM
During the busy holiday season, The Durham Museum makes it easy for families to create special memories. Santa visits the museum on Tuesday evenings between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Share your wish list with the big guy, listen to live performances by local musicians, create crafts and take part in the FNBO Elfie Scavenger Hunt. We’ll close out the night with indoor snowfall under the glow of our magnificent tree!

Performers in front of tree

HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES

November 29 – December 23: Saturdays (10AM-3PM) & Tuesdays (5-8PM)
Plus, some bonus performances/dates
Enjoy some of the area’s most beautiful holiday music under the glow of The Durham’s Christmas tree. Talented local entertainers perform as part of museum’s holiday concert series. Special support for the concert series provided by Star 104.5 the Christmas Station.

CONCERT SCHEDULE

Noon Year's Eve

NOON YEAR’S EVE

Wednesday, December 31, 10AM-2PM
** Advance registration is encouraged **
Children of all ages will enjoy this fun-packed bash with live music from Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the noon year in your handmade party hat while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and a spectacular balloon drop at noon in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall.

Due to limited capacity, advanced registration is highly encouraged. Register anytime online beginning December 1 or call 402-444-5071 by December 30. If space allows, walk-up tickets will be available at the door.

RESERVE TICKETS

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

A man decorates a Christmas tree in Union Station,

BEHIND-THE-SCENE TOURS: CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION

ALL DATES SOLD OUT!
Christmas at Union Station is one of Omaha’s treasured traditions, going all the way back to the earliest days of Union Station nearly 100 years ago. With so much history to explore, we hope you’ll join us to hear holiday stories and see museum artifacts. Along the way, a knowledgeable guide will share photos from our archive, take you to the museum’s Collection spaces and give you a gift-wrapped behind-the-scenes experience fit for this time of year. ** Cost: Museum members $20, non-members $25 **

MORE MUSEUM ACTIVITIES »

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.

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View Membership Options »

Shine the Light on Hunger

Throughout 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 »

SEASONAL DISPLAYS

Holiday Cultural Tree Display
This holiday favorite is one of the enduring fixtures of the season and showcases how cultures from around the world celebrate the holiday season. Each tree is decorated by a local Omaha cultural group and is accompanied by interpretative text explaining the meaning behind the various decorations and unique traditions of each culture.

Log Cabin Christmas
Saturdays, November 29-January 10, 10AM-Noon
Visit our historic log cabin replica for a special look at how pioneers on the Great Plains celebrated the holidays. A docent will be present to show guests how the pioneers decorated, celebrated and gave gifts during their difficult winters on the prairie.

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 28, 2025 – January 11, 2026

Sunday
11AM – 4PM

Except
November 30 (Noon – 4PM)
January 4 & 11 (Noon – 4PM)

Monday
CLOSED

Except select days
Open Dec. 15 & 22 (9AM – 4PM)
Open Dec. 29 (10AM – 4PM)

Tuesday
10AM – 4PM

EXTENDED HOURS!
December 2 & 9
Open 10AM – 4PM & 5 – 8PM*
December 16 & 23
Open 9AM – 4PM & 5 – 8PM*
*For Family Nights with Santa

Wednesday – Saturday
10AM – 4PM

EXTENDED HOURS!
December 17-24 & 26-27
Open 9AM – 4PM
(9AM-2PM on Christmas Eve)

Special Events & Times of Note
• November 28: 10AM-8PM (Tree Lighting Ceremony, 4-7PM)
• December 5: 10AM-9PM (Holiday Cultural Festival, 4-9PM)
• Family Nights with Santa: Museum closes at 4PM and re-opens from 5-8PM on Tuesdays (December 2, 9, 16 & 23)
• Christmas Eve: 9AM-2PM

Closed
Mondays (unless noted), Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day

Conagra Parking Map 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 28
• Holiday Cultural Festival, December 5
• Noon Year’s Eve, December 31
GOOGLE MAPS

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.

Is there an ATM located at the museum?
No. Please note, during the Holiday Cultural Festival on December 5, some organizations accept cash only.

What’s your photo policy during Christmas at Union Station?
Visitors are encouraged to take as many photos as they wish in front of our 40-foot tree, and with Santa. No professional photography allowed without the purchase of a photo session. For more information, including professional photo policies, visit our Photo Sessions page.

General FAQs may be found on the VISIT page of our website:

GENERAL FAQS

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION

Tree 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

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