If you don’t have plans for August, we’ve got you covered! Check out these exciting area events, such as music festivals and downtown art walks. Whether you enjoy watching a round of golf or you want to enjoy the botanical gardens with the pup — August is brimming with summer events and activities.
First Thursday Downtown Omaha Art Walk
Where? Downtown Omaha
When? August 1st
Join fellow art enthusiasts for Omaha’s monthly art walk. The event takes place between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month in The Old Market area. The art walk has been organized since 2000 and provides residents and visitors alike with the opportunity to celebrate the vibrant art scene while supporting local galleries, such as KANEKO, Passageway Gallery, Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Attendees can explore a curated selection of artwork, from contemporary pieces to avant-garde installations.
Nelson Produce Watermelon Festival
Where? 10505 North 234th Street
When? August 3rd, 4th, 10th, & 11th
Nelson Produce is proud to be the largest watermelon producer in the Midwest! The 6th annual Watermelon Festival celebrates over one million melons produced each year and includes a free watermelon buffet, bus rides, seed spitting contests, and the famous watermelon slushies! Kiddos will love the face painting booth and the hayrack rides, as well as the exploding watermelon demonstration! The event will also include live music. Across two weekends in August, come on out and enjoy all things watermelon from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Don’t forget to also mark your calendar for the Sunflower Festival at Nelson Produce and Farm from August 19th to September 4th!
Union Omaha Home Games
Where? 12356 Ballpark Way
When? August 3rd, 21st, & 24th
On August 3rd, enjoy Union Omaha’s 7:00 PM matchup against Forward Madison FC at Werner Park. There will be a car show onsite, as well as a youth soccer night event. The game is followed by the Special Olympics Unified Series Match. On August 21st, the team takes on Bellevue University Men’s Soccer in a friendly match at 6:30 PM. The final game in August on the 24th is against the Richmond Kickers at 7:00 PM and is ticketed as a Wild Kingdom Night.
Pinnacle Bank Golf Championship
Where? 3825 North 202nd Street
When? August 5th-11th
The Pinnacle Bank Championship has hosted some of the best up-and-coming golfers since 2017, some of which have gone on to make waves on the PGA Tour. Even if you’re not a big golf fan, there’s still plenty to see and do! Enjoy concessions, volunteer opportunities, and even a Youth Day on August 10th. Free admission is available to active duty, military reserve, national guard, military retirees, military spouses, military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs. Children under 15 years old who are accompanied by a ticketed adult also receive free admission. Show a valid ID at the main entrance gate and enjoy!
Leashes at Lauritzen
Where? 100 Bancroft Street
When? August 5th & 12th
Lauritzen Gardens invites guests to bring their canine friends for a stroll in the gardens this month. The family will love having Fido along while they enjoy the 100 acres of property, with several miles of trails that are ready to be explored. Water and treats will be available at stations throughout the gardens, so make sure to keep your pup hydrated. There are a few rules and regulations to ensure that these events run smoothly, such as two dogs admitted per adult, up-to-date vaccination records, and all pups must be leashed while at the gardens. Handlers are responsible for picking up after their canines.
Omaha Storm Chasers Home Games
Where? 12356 Ballpark Way
When? August 6th-11th, 13th-18th, & 27th-31st
The Omaha Storm Chasers have three home game series this August, with matchups against the Iowa Cubs, the Louisville Bats, and the St. Paul Saints. Check the schedule for fun family activities such as Cornival Wednesdays, Bark in the Park, Fireworks Fridays, and even Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond Night with an Iron Man character appearance! You don’t have to be a huge baseball fan to enjoy a summer night out at the ballpark.
Outlandia Music Festival
Where? 905 Allied Road
When? August 9th & 10th
Grab your tickets for Outlandia now, with headlining acts such as The Flaming Lips, The Head and the Heart, and the Revivalists set to take the stage at this year’s festival. General admission begins at $99 for a single-day pass and $179 for a weekend pass. Camping passes are priced at $100 and allow you to bring your own tent or join your friends. If you want to relax in style, there are car camping and RV camping passes available as well. There will be an array of food and beverage options, including vegan and vegetarian selections to ensure inclusivity for all. Children 5 and younger get in free with a ticketed adult — however, keep in mind that no one under 21 is allowed in the campground.
Tempo of Twilight Outdoor Concert Series
Where? 100 Bancroft Street
When? August 13th & 27th
Tempo of Twilight is an outdoor concert series at Lauritzen Gardens that features talented local bands. Spend an August evening in the gardens from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, while you enjoy performances by Xperience and R-Style. Concerts also feature a rotating dinner special, such as BBQ beef sandwiches and potato salad or fried chicken with macaroni and cheese. Arrive early to set up chairs and blankets as seating can be limited. The cafe also offers desserts, beverages, and assorted concessions along with dinner service. Guests are permitted to bring their own food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) if they desire. Concerts are included with garden admission.
Omaha’s Original Greek Festival
Where? 602 Park Avenue
When? August 15th-17th
Greece is making its way to Omaha this August, with delicious and authentic Greek food pastries and imported drinks. There will be live Greek entertainment, including dance performances and musicians, as well as historic church tours and kid-friendly activities. Love to shop? Swing by the boutique! The festival is cashless this year to make things easier for vendors, so pay for your goodies with a card, tap to pay, or Apple Pay. Make sure to arrive hungry because you won’t be able to resist the sliced roast lamb gyros or an order of seasoned Greek fries. The pastry offering includes all of the classics, such as baklava, thiples, melomakaronas, and loukoumades, which are an iconic Greek honey doughnut.
Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival
Where? Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Elkhorn
When? August 16th & 17th
The 18th annual Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival will be hosted at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Elkhorn, just North of 204th & Dodge Street with Free Park ‘N Ride from Elkhorn High School. General admission tickets are priced at just $17 per person ($21 at the gate) and include 5 tastes of wine with a souvenir glass or your choice of beers. Children ages 5 to 12 get in for $8 and younger kiddos receive free admission. The food and wine experience pairs delicious bites with different wines, allowing you to sample an array of handmade dishes. Enjoy the view of colorful hot air balloons drifting across the sky at 7:00 PM each evening.
Petfest 2024
Where? 2729 North 62nd Street
When? August 17th
Petfest is an annual music and arts festival that you won’t want to miss. On the third Saturday in August, get ready to jam out from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM at Omaha’s Petshop Gallery. The festival will feature over 20 musicians, bands, and performers across two outdoor stages. Tickets are priced at $30 for presale and they’ll increase to $40 on the day of the event. A few artists in this year’s lineup include Ebba Rose, Western Haikus, McCarthy Trenching, and Saving Fiona. There is a free public parking lot one block east of the venue, as well as paid options in the area. Petfest is open to all ages, with kids 10 and under requiring no admission.
Dundee Day
Where? Underwood Avenue
When? August 24th
Dundee Day dates back to the 1950s when it began as a sidewalk sale and eventually became an official event day in 1992. Today, Dundee Day is a family-friendly street festival that celebrates the Dundee neighborhood with events like a parade, a 5K run, and an array of arts and crafts vendors. There will be food trucks onsite, as well as live music, art drawing demonstrations, a pancake breakfast, and a beer garden — truly something for everyone! Kids will even have a village area where they can enjoy age-appropriate activities and games. Admission is free and registration for the 5K dash is $40. Come on out and see why Dundee is one of the coolest neighborhoods in the area!
Nebraska Renaissance Faire
Where? 233rd and West Maple Road
When? August 24th & 25th
2024 marks the 21st annual Nebraska Renaissance Faire & Medieval Pageant, as well as the 16th annual Midlands Pirate Festival. This two festival in one event is one you won’t want to miss. Bring the family out to celebrate 16th-century Europe and the 18th-century Caribbean buccaneers. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults (ages 14 and up), $8 for kids ages 6 to 13, and free for children 5 and under. Family packs include two adult tickets, two children’s tickets, as well as collector mugs, and a $20 food coupon for just $80! The event includes free parking at Elkhorn Shores. Don your best themed costume and bring Fido along on a leash!
Vala’s Cider & Sunflower Festival
Where? 12102 South 180th Street
When? August 31st-September 2nd
Celebrate the apple harvest at the end of August with the Vala’s Cider and Sunflower Festival. Attendees can sip on freshly pressed apple cider, which comes in a family-friendly sweet cider and a hard cider variation for those 21 and up. The festival will also feature entertainment, acres of sunflowers, and limited-time food specials. Snag a guided tour of the hard ciders in the orchard at sunset for a remarkable view and experience. General admission tickets are priced at $19.79 and there are season passes available as well. Children 2 and under get in free. The apple orchard is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Tours Coming to Omaha This August
If you love live music, there are a handful of tours making their way to Omaha this August. Grab your tickets now and sing along with your favorite artists or discover a new band!
Orville Peck’s Stampede Tour
Where? 2234 South 13th Street
When? August 3rd
Orville Peck is coming to The Admiral this August, with special guests Jaime Wyatt and Gold Star. Tickets range from $35 to $55, so grab yours now to listen to iconic melodies from this South African country musician on his upcoming North American tour.
Lee Brice: Live in Concert
Where? 1100 Dodge Street
When? August 9th
Country music singer Lee Brice is coming to Steelhouse Omaha! Kick off the night early with a free pre-show party at the venue, featuring games and happy hour pricing on food and drink. The CMA award-winning singer and songwriter is known for hits like “I Don’t Dance” and “Love Like Crazy.”
Dierks Bentley: Gravel and Gold Tour
Where? 455 North 10th Street
When? August 24th
Dierks Bentley is going on tour this summer, with openers Chase Rice and Tanner Usrey. See him at the CHI Health Center in Omaha this August. Dierks Bentley is known for blending country, rock, and bluegrass in his music with hits like “Somewhere on a Beach” and “Drunk on a Plane.”
Lindsey Stirling
Where? 8302 City Centre Drive
When? August 26th
Grab your tickets to see violinist, Lindsey Stirling, with Nya and Saint Motel this August at The Astro in nearby La Vista. This is an all-ages concert, with doors opening at 5:30 PM and the show kicking off at 6:30 PM.
The Doobie Brothers: The 2024 Tour
Where? 455 North 10th Street
When? August 27th
The Doobie Brothers are taking the stage at the CHI Health Center in Omaha for their 2024 Tour. These four-time GRAMMY award winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are ready to put on a show you won’t want to miss. The band will be joined by Steve Windwood.
Enjoy Your August in Omaha!
There’s plenty to do around Omaha next month, so make sure you circle some dates on your calendar. From music festivals, watermelon festivals, and cider festivals — there’s something for everyone! You won’t want to miss some of the acts touring through town in August, either, such as country music stars and an iconic violinist.