Nebraska has no shortage of fun fall activities, and that’s especially true if you live in or near Omaha. Check out our bucket list for easy autumn inspiration.
Fall in Nebraska is a special time. Summer’s heat breaks, the leaves turn every shade of the sunset, and everyone’s moods seem to lift as if a switch has been flipped. Folks come out in droves to embrace the new chill in the air, no sweat in sight (thank goodness), and indulge in seasonal snacks, drinks, and activities. We’ll take a pumpkin spice latte with an apple cider donut on the side, please and thank you.
This autumnal energy is contagious, though you probably don’t need us to tell you that, and that’s particularly true in our larger cities, where there’s ample opportunity for fall fun. In the past, we’ve gone over the best off-the-beaten-path things to do in Omaha, but now we’re honing in on autumn specifically for a roundup of fall favorites that every local needs to indulge in this year. From festivals to pumpkin-picking and beyond, here’s your complete fall bucket list. How many events can you tick off before winter?
1. Attend a fall festival to get in the autumn spirit
Omaha is blessed with many fall festivals, and that number climbs even higher if you’re willing to travel a little bit outside of the city. Here, we’re highlighting three festivals that have the highest potential for unadulterated fun.
Sunflower Festival
Where: Nelson Produce + Farm (10505 N 234 St., Valley, NE 68064)
When: Aug. 21-Sep. 7
Cost: $15-$20
Everyone thinks of pumpkins and apples when they envision fall, but late summer and early fall are also primo sunflower-harvesting times. They’re tall, golden, and ready to be picked, and you can do just that when you visit Nelson Produce + Farm’s Sunflower Festival before Sep. 7. From Tuesday to Thursday, the farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets cost $15. On Fridays and Saturdays, tickets cost $20, and the operating hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Finally, on Sundays, tickets are $20, and the farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets to the Sunflower Festival come with one sunflower, but you can pay for extra stems to build a stunning bouquet to take home. Moreover, you can meander through many acres of sunflower fields for fresh air, stunning pictures to spice up your Instagram grid, and lifelong memories with friends and family. You can also check out the farm’s animals, catch a hay ride, and more. Tickets can be purchased online or in person upon arrival.
Oktoberfest
Where: German American Society (3717 S 120th St, Omaha, NE 68144)
When: Sep. 18 from 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sep. 19 from 12 p.m.-11:50 p.m.
Cost: TBA
Oktoberfest celebrations come from Germany but are celebrated across the world every fall, including here in Omaha. In fact, the 2026 Oktoberfest will be the 142nd held by Omaha’s German American Society, meaning this organization dates back to the mid-1800s.
Ticket prices have yet to be announced, and tickets can only be purchased at the door when you arrive, not in advance online. As with most Oktoberfest events, attendees can expect authentic German beer to be flowing, fresh pretzels and other German bites to be plentiful, and live German music to be keeping everyone’s energy up. Ultimately, this is a two-day-long party wrapped in a beer-stained bow, and you don’t want to miss it.
Pumpkin Spice Fest
Where: Pearson’s Pumpkin Place (1357 N 6th Rd, Eagle, NE 68347)
When: Oct. 24 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $14.95-$21.95
Some people are incredibly serious about gourds. Such is the truth for the lovely folks at Pearson’s Pumpkin Place, who are holding the Pumpkin Spice Fest for the fifth year in a row in late October. This festival proves that it’s fun to be #basic with its pumpkin pie-eating contest, pumpkin-holding contest, live music, seasonal cocktails, a large vendor market, and so much more.
Tickets for the Pumpkin Spice Fest can be purchased upon arrival, but your ticket price will be slightly higher than if you’d bought it online. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, ticket prices are $14.95 online or $18.95 in person; from Friday to Sunday, they are $17.95 online or $21.95 in person.
2. Pick out a gorgeous gourd at a pumpkin patch
You could dig around those giant cardboard boxes full of pumpkins at the grocery store, or you could hit up your local pumpkin farm and make a whole adventure out of selecting your perfect gourd. Picking your own pumpkin from the farm creates a stronger bond between you and the gourd, and it can make the carving process feel extra special, too. The final product is yours and custom through and through.
Some folks visit the same farm every year out of tradition, but we’ve got a couple of special options if you’re looking for the first time or simply looking for something new. First, Nelson Produce + Farm, which hosts the annual Sunflower Festival, will be open for pumpkin-picking from Sep. 11 to Nov. 1 in 2026. While you’re there, you can explore a corn maze, sip on apple cider, and nibble on homemade pies. Tickets for pumpkin season don’t appear to be on sale yet, but given past years, they should be soon.
Another excellent option for pumpkin-picking is Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard (located just outside of Omaha at 12102 S. 180th St, Gretna, NE 68028), which begins its fall harvest season on Sep 4. Vala’s opens at 9 a.m every day and closes as late as 10 p.m., so getting there is easy. In addition to picking the perfect pumpkin, you need to check out Vala’s pumpkin donuts, pumpkin fudge, and mini s’mores funnel cakes, among other treats. Tickets range from $13.50 to $23 for opening weekend and can be purchased online now.
3. Have a beary good time at the annual Zootacular
Every year, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium holds a special Halloween-themed event called the Zootacular, and if you’ve never experienced it, it needs to get bumped up your fall bucket list stat. This year, the Zootacular will be held on Oct. 14, 16 to 18, 23 to 25, and 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event’s website promises fun views of the zoo’s animals at night, live entertainment, trick-or-treating, and more. Zootacular tickets don’t seem to be on sale yet, but you’ll want to keep checking back—seeing the animals at night is worth it all on its own.
4. Get some fresh air on a fall stroll
Going for a nice walk in the fall is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Now, you might be thinking, “I could do this anywhere!” And that’s true, but we’d like to counter that by specifically honing in on The RiverFront in downtown Omaha. This amalgamation of three different parks into one large communal space is beautiful, and the views are unparalleled.
One of our favorite things about fall walks is that the time of day can completely change the vibe. A morning walk can be extra chilly but somehow extra comforting—bonus points if you have a pumpkin spice latte on your stroll—while an evening walk with friends or family as you all take in the autumnal sunset and kick around fallen leaves feels purely magical. Spring, summer, and winter have nothing on fall walks, in our opinion.
5. Hit up a haunted attraction
No fall season is complete without feeling your skin crawl a little bit. Luckily, Omaha has some stellar haunted attractions that will get your adrenaline pumping in no time. First, there’s Dungeon of the Damned, a haunted house that opens for the 2026 season on Sep. 25 and will be open through Halloween. Tickets are already on sale and range from $18 to $25 depending on the day you visit.
Then, there’s Scary Acres. This haunted house has been rated Omaha’s best by Omaha Magazine several times, making it a perfect bucket list item if you haven’t visited it before. Scary Acres opens on Sep. 12 and features three different attractions: Masters Castle for $15, House on the Hill for $15, and Haunted Woods for $12. Hungry for all the thrills possible? Purchase a combo ticket that grants access to all three for $35, a discount of $7 if purchased separately.
6. Attend a fall baking class
Baking fall treats at home is a lovely tradition, but getting out and doing it as part of a class brings extra camaraderie that just can’t be recreated otherwise. One perfect example of this is the Family Fun: Apple Orchard Baking in Omaha offering on Sur La Table.
Over the course of two hours, participants learn how to make buttery, crisp, and delicious pie crust, fluffy apple cider cake donuts, flaky caramel apple hand pies, and cinnamon scones topped with a sultry apple cider glaze. This entire menu encapsulates fall, and it makes a perfect date, family outing, or friend gathering. Plus, you get to eat everything you make!
Tickets cost $69 per person and include your ingredients, time with the chef instructor, and more.
7. Go ghost hunting
Omaha may not seem like the most haunted city at first blush, but you may be surprised at what’s lurking in the shadows. You may just find yourself in an eerie situation if you purchase tickets for the Omaha Ghost Tour: The Last Call of the Dead. This walking tour has a perfect 5-star rating on ScavengerHunt.com, with previous participants loving how fun and flexible it is.
Unlike guided ghost tours, this one is self-guided. You simply download the Let’s Roam app after you’ve purchased tickets and then let the magic happen. Tickets are valid for two full years after you purchase them, so you can gather your friends and family for this walk anytime. The walk itself lasts for one-and-a-half to two hours and covers nearly 1.5 miles of downtown Omaha, providing you all the spooky history you need to know along the way. Boo!
