The Durham Museum Celebrates Christmas at Union Station
Time to trim the tree, bake some cookies, wrap those presents and, of course, visit The Durham Museum! Christmas at Union Station, presented by First National Bank, is back for another year of festive fun! This long-standing tradition has become one of the top holiday destinations in the region. From the forty-foot-tall twinkling tree to holiday concerts to Santa himself, you won’t want to miss all that we have planned.
Christmas at Union Station presented by First National Bank is sponsored by Conagra Brands Foundation, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Memorial Foundation, Union Pacific, Mangelsen’s and OPPD. Special thanks to Norm’s Door Service, Terry Hughes Tree Service, Omaha Police Department and Duke Aerial. Media support provided by KETV.
*Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 29, 4-8PM (Tree Lighting happens at about 7PM)
The Christmas at Union Station festivities begin with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy loads of entertainment including live music from Camille Metoyer Moten, cookie decorating, scavenger hunt and holiday crafts, plus Santa himself! All the good tidings and cheer lead up to the signature tradition of the night: the community countdown to lighting the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree!
Holiday Cultural Trees Display
November 29, 2019 – January 5, 2020
A holiday favorite returns to The Durham’s galleries during Christmas at Union Station. The display 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.
Holiday Concert Series
November 30 – December 22: Saturdays 10:30AM-3PM, Sundays 1:30-4PM and Tuesdays 5-8PM
Enjoy some of the area’s most beautiful holiday music under the glow of The Durham’s Christmas tree. Talented local entertainers, school musicians and choirs perform as part of The Durham Museum’s Holiday Concert Series. Visit DurhamMuseum.org for performance listings.
Family Nights with Santa
Tuesdays, December 3, 10 & 17, 5-8PM
During the busy holiday season, The Durham Museum makes it easy for families to create special memories. Santa and his reindeer visit the museum the first three Tuesday nights in December. Plus, climb into our antique sled for a memorable photo op! Families can also take part in creating holiday crafts and enjoy live performances by local choirs and ensembles.
*Holiday Cultural Festival
Friday, December 6, 4-9PM
Learn how the world celebrates this joyful time of year during the Holiday Cultural Festival! More than 30 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.
Scouts-Only Family Night
Monday, December 9, 4-7PM • $5 per person (scout or adult)
Scout families, enjoy the best of Christmas at Union Station complete with cookie decorating and a scavenger hunt. Family-friendly, holiday-themed activities will make this a night to remember. Call 402-444-5027 or email education@DurhamMuseum.org to register. Payment is required upon registration.
*Noon Year’s Eve
Tuesday, December 31, 10AM-2PM
It’s the biggest party of the year! 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.
Santa Visits throughout the Holiday Season!
Make sure you plan a visit and see the big guy before it’s too late to get on the nice list! In addition to the following times, Santa will be visiting during the Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Holiday Cultural Festival, too:
• Saturdays, 10:30AM-3PM, November 30 -December 21
• Sundays, 1-4PM, December 1-December 22
• Tuesdays, 5-8PM, December 3, 10 & 17
A Log Cabin Christmas
Saturdays and Sundays, November 30 – December 29
Saturdays, 10AM-2PM and Sundays, 1PM-3PM
We are decorating our historic log cabin for Christmas, and we invite you and your family to enjoy it! A docent will be present to show guests the cabin and share pioneer holiday traditions.
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! You can also donate to the Food Bank’s student backpack program online at DurhamMuseum.org/Christmas. Please consider donating this holiday season!
A Sweet Deal for You…or a Friend!
Purchase a museum membership, in person, at The Durham Museum from during Christmas at Union Station to receive a FREE box of Nebraska-made Baker’s Chocolate Meltaways! Offer valid on the following memberships. Whiles supplies last.
• A New Membership
• A Membership Renewal
• A Gift Membership
Give a membership to The Durham Museum to a special someone on your list! Gift memberships to The Durham provide exclusive benefits including free admission for 12 full months, plus great discounts on tours, programs and more. Whether for family, friends, clients, employees, teachers or coaches, the museum offers something for everyone!
Holiday Hours Begin December 2nd:
Monday, 10AM-5PM
Tuesday, 10AM-8PM
Wednesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM
Sunday, 1-5PM
Christmas Eve, 10AM-2PM
Closed November 22, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
*ADDITIONAL PARKING: During select events overflow parking, with shuttle drop-off at the museum, is available at the Conagra Brands parking lot, 7th & Leavenworth Streets.
