October is one of Omaha’s busiest months. Check out these fun activities, from fall hiking to trying seasonal treats, to enjoy the spooky season fully.
Like many places, Omaha comes alive in the fall. Summer’s temperatures have faded, the beating sun isn’t out as long as it used to be, and everyone’s in a slightly happier mood while out and about. Mix in the holidays, too, and you’ve got a surefire recipe for success. That’s why we’re gathering some of the best things to do this month—you don’t want to let October slip away without reaping all of its benefits.
So, if you’re looking for fall fun in Omaha, you’re in the right place. Pumpkin spice season has brought endless fun across Nebraska so far this fall, but in October specifically, we’re seeing unique plant exhibits, stunning light displays, Halloween-themed concerts, and more taking center stage throughout the River City. Intrigued? Check out these 10 fun options to fill your calendar this October.
1. Indulge in seasonal treats at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard
Address: 12102 S 180th St, Gretna, NE 68028
Dates: Daily through Nov. 1
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard opened for the fall season in late August and will remain open until Nov. 1, and you won’t want to miss out on its homemade, seasonally perfect dishes. Yes, you can also pick your own pumpkins, go trick-or-treating on the last two days of the month, and find many lovely photo opportunities. However, the treats alone are worth heading just outside the city for.
At Vala’s, the scrumptious bites span categories, from freshly glazed pumpkin donuts to orange popcorn balls and cranberry orange bread. The pumpkin treats are especially plentiful: Vala’s makes incredible pumpkin chocolate chip bread, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, and pumpkin pecan pie, among other yummy dishes. Meanwhile, non-pumpkin treats include ube pie, s’mores pie, and s’mores funnel cakes. We’re drooling just writing this! When planning your schedule for the next few weeks, don’t forget that October is the last month to try these treats in 2026.
2. Observe a whole new side of plants at Lauritzen Gardens
Address: 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108
Dates: Oct. 3-31
Lauritzen Gardens has captivated locals and tourists alike for years, partly thanks to its themed, limited-time exhibits. For example, Lauritzen Gardens arranged a beautifully eerie exhibit called Wicked Plants just in time for spooky season. Running from early October through Halloween, the exhibit highlights plants that might seem scary to humans, from highly poisonous ones to those that consume flesh. Think Venus flytraps and the like.
Ready to see these precarious plants in action? Lauritzen Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $11 for children, and they can be purchased ahead of time here.
3. Celebrate fall without leaving the concrete jungle
Address: S 145th St, Omaha, NE 68145
Dates: Oct. 10-11
Heading out to a farm is fun, but if you’re strapped for time, why not celebrate fall right in downtown Omaha? You can do just that at the Heartwood Preserve’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11. The preserve will be overrun with pumpkins in the most seasonally delightful way, and folks will have the pleasure of decorating them there after selecting them. The event’s website also notes that they can take them home to decorate them if they so please. Additionally, food trucks will be on-site, and special games, like bingo, will be available to play by all.
4. Visit the Omaha Farmers Market’s closing weekend
Dates: Oct. 10-11
The Omaha Farmers Market is a slice of heaven. For half of the year, it unites local farmers, makers, and crafters and introduces them to community members who want to support their efforts, skills, and passions. This coming weekend is the closing of the market’s 2026 season, with Saturday, Oct. 10 being the final day at the Old Market (located at 11th and Jackson from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 11 being the final day at the Aksarben Village location (situated at 67th and Mercy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
Supporting small businesses is lovely throughout the year, but one of the best things you can do is help the market’s vendors go out with a bang. Then, you can look forward to the holiday market, which is slated to pop up from Dec. 5 to Dec. 6 at the Aksarben Village location.
5. Hit the rails for Halloween lights galore
Address: 1716 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68102
Dates: Oct. 10, 17, & 24
We’d be surprised if you hadn’t heard of Ollie the Trolley, but for those who haven’t, it’s a local train company that hosts a variety of themed rides, including a historical tour, one for lounging with bloody marys, and one that comes with tacos and tequila for everyone’s favorite weekly holiday: Taco Tuesday.
But that’s not why we’re there. For three consecutive Saturdays this month, Ollie the Trolley is running its Halloween Lights Tour, a colorful two-hour ride that will get you in the spooky-season spirit in no time. Tickets cost $27 for adults and $7 for children. Once purchased, you simply meet at Report In Pub (12100 West Center Rd, Suite 204) and get whisked away on a joyful journey.
6. Watch kites take over the city (and learn how to fly one yourself)
Address: S 145th St, Omaha, NE 68145
Dates: Oct. 17-18
Another event held at the Heartwood Preserve, the 2nd Annual Kite Festival will see Omaha’s sky dotted with brilliant colors from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18. As with its other events, the Kite Festival is free for everyone, and it will be a true spectacle thanks to ginormous show kites from American Kites & Events being on full display. Additionally, the professionals on-site will be helping folks learn how to fly kites, and food will be available for purchase. Altogether, this should be an excellent, family-friendly time.
7. Ring in the ‘Ber months with the Omaha Symphony
Address: Holland Center (1200 Douglas St, Omaha, NE 68102)
Dates: Oct. 24-25
From classic music to renditions of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits, the Omaha Symphony has a lot to offer in its 2026-2027 lineup. But what we’re most excited for is the symphony’s magical recreation of 1993’s “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which is set to come to life at the Holland Center on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.
Attendees will see Disney’s classic 76-minute film in full while the symphony performs the movie’s score, originally from the iconic composer Danny Elfman, live. The ‘Ber months are all about the holidays, and this film hits two in one, so it’s a perfect opportunity to celebrate with your loved ones. Tickets range from $35 to $110 and can be purchased here.
8. Have a gay ol’ time at this Halloween party
Address: Slowdown (729 N 14th St, Omaha, NE 68102)
Date: Oct. 30
The evening before All Hallows’ Eve, the local club Slowdown is slated to host the Big Gay Halloween Party, where LGBTQ+ locals can let loose and have a night they’ll never forget. The party is being held by two local organizations—The Queer Collective and Omaha Sapphic Society—and will feature tarot readings, face painting, live DJing, and more. Doors for the party will open at 7 p.m., and it will officially kick off at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $22.30 per person and can be found here.
9. Revel in a spooky take on show tunes
Address: 1030 Capitol Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Dates: Oct. 30-31
Delicious themed drinks and delightful live entertainment come together frequently at Jewell on Capitol, and that’s especially true for Halloween 2026. This year’s holiday will be the backdrop for Jewell-O-Ween: A Spellbinding Musical Night with Omaha Broadway Bar, which is set to take over the venue for two nights to round out spooky season. The show lasts from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Dressing up in your favorite costume or spookiest look is encouraged but not required.
At this Jewell-O-Ween event, attendees can expect an interactive experience that lets them in on the action through an evening of Halloween-themed performances. You may just see the Sanderson Sisters from “Hocus Pocus” on the premises. There will also be themed cocktails and foods available to order, of course. Tickets cost $30.
10. Stroll through fall foliage at Fontenelle Forest
Address: 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005
Located just outside of downtown Omaha in Bellevue, Fontenelle Forest covers 1,500 acres, and with 17 miles of trails to its name, you can easily spend a full day wandering around and getting some crisp, fresh fall air. And that’s exactly when this forest is at its best: It blazes to life with sunny reds, oranges, and yellows each autumn, essentially becoming a portal to a more colorful world. This is also the perfect time to visit because summer’s heat has fizzled out, but it’s not cold yet, either.
Plus, locals love it because it’s not packed like some other prime hiking spots. “Fontenelle Forest is ten minutes from downtown with nice trails and usually is not too busy,” one Redditor responded in a thread about the best places to see fall leaves around Omaha. So, if you head here, just don’t forget your water, sunscreen (yes, even in the fall!), or phone—you’re going to want lots of pictures.
