July 4th traditions span far and wide. Whether your family enjoys cooking burgers and hot dogs at the house or you enjoy participating in the community parade — these are some of the best Omaha area festivities to check out this Independence Day.
Omaha Area Fourth of July Events
Looking for fun ways to ring in the 4th of July around Omaha? These area events, festivals, firework shows, and parades are a great way to spend time with the family and celebrate the nation’s independence!
Omaha Storm Chasers Independence Day Fireworks
Where? 12356 Ballpark Way
Cheer on the Omaha Storm Chasers as they take on the Iowa Clubs on July 3rd at 7:05 PM at Werner Park. Stick around after the game to watch the special fireworks spectacular in celebration of Independence Day. General admission tickets begin at $16 each. Whether you’re a baseball fanatic or you simply want to enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark, catching a minor league game in Papillion is fun for the whole family.
Ralston’s 64th Annual Independence Day Celebration
Where? 77th & Main
On July 3rd, the independence celebration kicks off in Ralston. From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, watch the amateur pie baking contest before checking out the archives open house on 5515 Woodlawn Avenue. There will be a picnic on the green, along with music and a pie and ice cream social at Granary Green. Downtown Ralston will be hosting a family street dance, as well as fire dancers and DJ Shawn Farrell. On the 4th, Ralston will have a fun run/walk before the Children’s Parade. The Independence Day Parade will be followed by the volunteer fire department water fight, as well as music and food trucks back at Granary Green. Fireworks will be set off around 9:30 PM at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena.
Omaha Symphony’s Fourth of July Celebration
Where? 1001 Douglas Street
What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with the Omaha Symphony? The performance will culminate in a spectacular fireworks extravaganza, set to live music. The event is free and open to the public, so invite your friends and family out to Gene Leahy Mall. The celebration is set for 8:30 PM! The symphony has been bringing beautiful music to Omaha for over a century. In addition to their MainStage performances, the orchestra performs across an array of nationally recognized programs that reach thousands of people across the region.
Summer Concert Series: “Celebrate America”
Where? 800 Douglas Street
Don’t miss out on this summer concert series performance at the Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront. The concert is scheduled for 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Playing a range of genres, from rock classics, country standards, and patriotic favorites — the band will showcase excellence, precision, and innovation. Younger members of the crowd will enjoy the chart-topping hits of today that they can jam out to. Celebrate Independence Day with music by your favorite artists, including Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, and Queen.
Uncle Sam Jam
Where? Oak Lake Park
Celebrate Independence Day with the City of Lincoln on July 3. The annual Uncle Sam Jam is scheduled from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Oak Lake Park, First and Charleston streets. Area residents will enjoy live music, a flag-lowering ceremony, and a fireworks display at 10 p.m. The free event includes shuttle services and free parking in the unpaved lot south of the park. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic delays.
Zoo Fest 2024
Where? 136 North 14th Street
If you don’t care to check out parades and park gatherings, the Zoo Fest is a great way to spend Independence Day. The festival kicks off on July 4th and runs through the 6th in Lincoln. Celebrating 51 years of soul, love, and music at The Zoo Bar, this event takes place mainly outside on 14th Street in front of the establishment. Day-only passes run from $30 to $50 and three-day passes are priced at $110. You won’t want to miss performances by Blues Project, the Jimmy Carpenter Band, A Ferocious Jungle Cat, The Soul Rebels, and The Midland Band’s Steely Dan Tribute.
Red, White, & Blue Golf Tournament
Where? 12301 South 25th Street
Let freedom swing this 4th of July at the Willow Lakes Golf Course. The Red, White, and Blue Golf Tournament begins at 8:30 AM with a shotgun start and runs until 5:00 PM. Players will select six each of the red, white, and blue tees and registration costs $45. The fee includes a green fee, cart fees, lunch, and prizes. Active duty military and annual green fee golfers receive a discounted price of $35. Willow Lakes is a championship 18-hole layout, with two practice putting greens, an outdoor driving range, and club rentals.
4th of July Water Fights
Where? 7629 Park Drive
The Ralston Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is excited to announce the 2024 Water Fight. Teams are made up of three firefighters and there is a thirty team max. The “fight” starts after the Ralston parade and there’s a $50 entrance fee per team. Each bout is timed to a three-minute interval and winners move on after securing 2 of 3 bouts. Each fight requires the rotation of the nozzle person. This water fight is fun for the whole community and this tradition has spanned six decades, so be sure to cheer on the teams!
Ralston Independence Day Fun Run
Where? 5500 South 77th Street
This one-mile walk/run and three-mile race is a great way to get outside with the family this Independence Day and do something active. The route takes participants through the beautiful tree-lined streets of Ralston and 2024 marks the 46th year of this community event. The same route has been used since the inception of this race, so it’s a great way to nod towards tradition each year. Register by July 1st to receive a t-shirt with a unique design! The event kicks off at 7:50 AM and wraps up around 9:30 AM.
Arbor Bank Independence Day Car Show
Where? 309 South Chautauqua Avenue
The Arbor Bank car show is open to the public from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Oakland. If you love all things cars, then you’ll be thrilled to peruse what’s on display at the show and there will be live music, plenty of food, and of course, an Independence Day staple — fireworks! Head to Town Hall bright and early for the Fireman’s Pancake Feed between 7:00 AM and 10:30 AM so you can stay fueled for a day of fun and activities for the whole family.
Other Ways to Ring in Independence Day this July!
If you want to skip the crowds and not fight parking at any of the community events this year, here are a few additional ways to celebrate July 4th with your family and friends!
Fire Up the Grill
July 4th is America’s most popular barbecuing holiday. This is a great day to invite friends, family, and neighbors over and fire up the grill before you get ready for the evening’s fireworks show. Burgers, hotdogs, wings, and corn on the cob make for the ultimate Independence Day food. Dig up grandma’s potato salad recipe and whip up a batch of iced tea in preparation for spending the afternoon in the backyard. If you don’t have a grill at home — no problem! Benson Park in Omaha features picnic tables and grills, as well as an 8,500-square-foot playground for the kiddos!
Go for a Family Hike
Pack the family up and head out for a hike this July 4th. Omaha is in close proximity to several nature reserves, recreation areas, and lakes — so take your pick! Chalco Hills Recreation Area provides recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, biking, and nature studying. Neale Woods Nature Reserve features a whopping 600 acres of forest and hilltop prairie landscape, as well as 7 miles of trails. Standing Bear Lake is a day-use facility that offers a playground, fishing, boating, and over 3 miles of hiking and biking trails. Visitors can also take advantage of the picnic area or fly radio-controlled model airplanes in the field.
Enjoy a Picnic in the Park
If you want to enjoy the beauty of nature while you set up your Independence Day picnic spread, head over to Fontenelle Forest, Neale Woods, or Halleck Park in Papillion. Need some picnic inspo? Get creative with a sandwich recipe or DIY a charcuterie board to snack on. Nobody will judge you if you swing by your favorite restaurant and get carryout for your picnic, either! Don’t forget plenty of water and some bug spray in case the mosquitos get curious.
Take the Family Camping
Want to skip town altogether and enjoy some peace and solitude this holiday weekend at the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park or the Platte River State Park. Not only will you be able to grill up some 4th of July grub at your campsite, but you’re also sure to avoid the majority of the loud noises that come with the territory of July 4th. For some individuals, fireworks can cause distress and sensitivity, so planning a weekend away is a great way to stay relaxed. Bring your pup along too and they’re sure to appreciate it!
Pick Up Fireworks for the Family
While the safest method for using fireworks is to leave it to the professionals — fireworks are sold in Omaha from June 28th through July 4th each year. Residents are legally allowed to shoot off fireworks from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM from July 2nd through July 4th. Consumer fireworks may only be possessed, used, and discharged by individuals 16 years of age and older. If you plan on using fireworks at home this year, make sure to read up on city ordinances and follow the proper safety precautions to ensure everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July experience. If you don’t want to commit to fireworks, little ones are often just as entertained with a pack of sparklers!
Sip Drinks on the Patio
If you want to leave the cooking to someone else this Fourth of July, check out one of the many bars and restaurants in Omaha’s outdoor dining scene. There’s nothing quite like sipping on a margarita while you enjoy the fresh air on the patio. Swing by Beacon Hills in Aksarben Village for weekday happy hour deals or enjoy a delicious Mexican feast at Hook and Lime. Legends Patio Grill & Bar is a great hangout spot, so invite your friends and order a few appetizers to share.
Happy Fourth of July!
However you decide to celebrate Independence Day — we hope it’s a good one! Enjoy the multitude of area parades, festivals, and fireworks shows this 4th of July. What is your favorite area event to hang out at on July 4th?