The Durham Museum Celebrates 50th Christmas at Union Station
(Omaha, Neb.) – When The Durham Museum first opened its doors in 1975, organizers had the foresight to revive a beloved 1930s tradition—raising a live Christmas tree in the great hall to celebrate the holiday season. The very first tree was a true community effort, with visitors lending a hand to help bring it inside. Fifty years later, that act of joy has blossomed into one of Omaha’s most cherished holiday traditions.
Today, The Durham is truly Omaha’s home for the holidays, featuring the city’s official Christmas tree, festive concerts, and of course, Santa himself. To celebrate the 50th Christmas at Union Station, we’re unveiling a new experience for visitors to make magical winter memories—a sock skating pond! Slip, slide and laugh your way across our indoor skating pond—no frostbite, just pure holiday fun.
Christmas at Union Station presented by FNBO is sponsored by Conagra Brands Foundation, Union Pacific, OPPD, Mangelsen’s, and Douglas County, Nebraska. Special thanks to DH Pace & Norm’s Door Service, Terry Hughes Tree Service, the Omaha Police Department and Duke Aerial. Media support provided by KETV.
Signature Experiences and Highlights
Omaha’s Official Christmas Tree
November 28-January 11
See the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree! Standing nearly 40-feet-tall, this year’s tree was donated by Stephen & CJ Carr of La Vista.
*Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 29, 4-8PM
(Tree Lighting happens at about 7PM)
Kick off the Christmas season at the Tree Lighting Ceremony! Enjoy loads of entertainment, including live music from Jordi and the Jitterbugs, cookie decorating, a 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!
Advanced registration encouraged, register at DurhamMuseum.org or call 402-444-5071 by Wednesday, November 26.
Santa’s Cabin open daily during Christmas at Union Station
Are your kids ready to share their carefully curated list with Santa? Visit our jolly pal from the North Pole at his cozy cabin retreat! Children can choose to sit with Santa or give him a call on our old-fashioned telephone.
Check DurhamMuseum.org for Santa’s daily schedule.
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. Share your wish list with Santa, 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 an indoor snowfall under the glow of our magnificent tree! Please note, the museum closes at 4PM for general admission and reopens at 5PM for Family Nights.
Sock Skating Pond
November 28-January 11
New for The Durham’s 50th, slide and glide 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 the magic of the season, this charming new experience invites you to relive the wonder of Omaha’s holiday season, without the frostbite, just cherished memories.
*Holiday Cultural Festival
Friday, December 5, 4-9PM
Holiday greetings from around the world! Learn how the world celebrates this joyful time of year during the Holiday Cultural Festival. With over 30 groups participating, local cultural organizations proudly display their crafts and traditional dress, while musicians and dancers perform throughout the evening. Delicious foods and gifts available for purchase.
Holiday Concert Series
November 29 – December 23
Weekends and Tuesday evenings: 5-8PM
Enjoy some of the area’s most delightful holiday music under the glow of The Durham’s Christmas tree. Talented local entertainers perform as part of the concert series. Visit DurhamMuseum.org for performance listings.
*Noon Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 31, 10AM-2PM
Happy “Noon” Year! Get an early start on your New Year’s celebration at this family-friendly event. Children of all ages will enjoy a fun-packed bash with live music from Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the new 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. Tickets go on sale at 9AM Monday, December 1. Register online or call 402-444-5071 by December 30 to save your spot. If space allows, walk-up tickets will be available at the door.
NEW TOUR! Behind-The-Scenes: Christmas at Union Station
Dec 9, 4PM, Dec 14, 17, 21, 22 Noon. Members $20, non-members $25
If you love the holiday season, come discover how the magic is made! Join us to hear holiday stories and see artifacts from Christmas at Union Station going all the way back when the station was alive with travelers and holiday cheer. Along the way, a knowledgeable guide will share rare scenes from our Photo Archive, take you to the museum’s Collections spaces and give you a gift-wrapped behind-the-scenes experience fit for this time of year.
*EVENT PARKING: During select events overflow parking, with shuttle drop-off at the museum, is available at the Conagra Brands parking lot, 7th & Leavenworth Streets.
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!
Log Cabin Christmas
Saturdays, November 29 – Jan 10, 2026, 10AM-Noon
Visit our log cabin 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.
Holiday Cultural Trees Display
November 28 – January 11, 2026
A holiday favorite returns to The Durham’s galleries! The display is one of the enduring fixtures of the season and showcases how cultures from around the world celebrate the 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.
Winter Camp at the Durham
December 22 – January 2, 2026
Beat the boredom of winter break by spending it at The Durham Museum! This year we are offering six individual days of camp, sign up for all six for a discount! Each day will be full of adventure, crafts and creativity. New projects will start and end each day of camp, so campers who only do one day will get a full experience. Select from two themes, MindCraft: a Minecraft Camp and All Aboard for the Polar Durham Express. For additional information and to register visit CampsAtTheDurham.org
Museum Store Sunday
Sunday, November 30, Noon-4PM
Support the museum and save! As a thank you for shopping during Museum Store Sunday, the museum is offering a 25% discount. But wait, there’s more! Take your museum shop receipt to our old-fashioned Soda Fountain and enjoy a “sweet” 25% off your order. Cup of Coa will be on site offering complimentary samples of its Nebraska-made cocoa, and local historian Kristine Gerber will be available to sign her most recent book.
(Museum Store Sunday discount is not valid with any other discounts or promotions.)
Give the Gift of Museum Membership
A Durham Museum membership is the gift that can be enjoyed all year long! Purchase online at DurhamMuseum.org/membership or at the museum when you visit.
Holiday Hours Nov 28-Dec 30
- Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM, and Sunday, 11AM-4PM (Except Nov 30th)
- Special Hours! Open late on Tuesdays, 5-8PM for Family Nights with Santa
- Opening Early Dec 14-28 Monday-Saturday at 9AM
- Closed: Monday, Dec 1 & Dec 8, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
- Check DurhamMuseum.org for daily holiday hours
Museum Admission
Admission is free for museum members and children ages 2 and under. Non-member admission, tax not included, is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and military/veterans and $8 for children ages 3-12. Admission also provides access to the museum’s featured exhibitions, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever, Omaha’s Hat Trick: Knights, Lancers & Mavericks, and Woven with History: Timeless Textiles from the Aksarben Collection
About The Durham Museum
The Durham Museum in Omaha’s beautiful art deco Union Station is home to permanent exhibits that preserve Omaha’s vibrant history, traveling exhibits covering subjects ranging from history and culture to science and industry and many entertaining, educational, family-oriented activities. The Durham Museum was established in 1975. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and has strong ties with national and international museums and lending institutions. For information about The Durham Museum please visit the museum’s website at DurhamMuseum.org.
