The 12th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from noon to 5 pm. Presented by the Empowerment Network and Omaha Economic Development Corporation in partnership with 50+ businesses and organizations. Sponsored by American National Bank, Mutual of Omaha, Douglas County Visitors Fund, North Omaha Turn Back Committee, Nebraska Arts Council, KETV, Revive Omaha and Veridian.
Tis the season to join in the holiday spirit at the 12th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake on Saturday, December 3rd from Noon to 5 pm.
The Empowerment Network and Omaha Economic Development Corporation in partnership with dozens of community partners are inviting residents to attend this one-of-a-kind cultural community celebration and holiday tradition.
Christmas in the Village is the largest holiday event in North Omaha and draws thousands of visitors from the region to the historic 24th and Lake district each year. Attendees have come from as far away as Lincoln, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis and other cities.
The event will kick-off at noon with the Burke High “Marching Bulldogs” Drill Team followed by Santa and Mrs. Claus on a horse-drawn carriage. “We encourage the community to come out early and line 24th Street for a special kick-off with the drill team, Santa and Mrs. Claus and all of our cartoon characters,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Director of Operations for the Empowerment Network and Event Manager for Christmas in the Village.
Come Play, Sing and Enjoy! There will be plenty outdoor activities for children and adults, including: holiday music featuring local recording artists, choirs and dance groups; live nativity scene including a camel; free carriage rides; free toys, gifts and candy while supplies last; face painting; balloon artist; cartoon characters; interactive games and activities, handmade pottery; and, much more.
Come ready to Shop and Eat! The Holiday Boutique will return this year with over 30 different vendors showcasing unique merchandise. Vendors will serve the community under a heated BIG TENT on the corner of 24th and Lake. Plus, businesses in the district will offer special discounts and holiday items for sale. Food trucks and local restaurants will have food for purchase.
“We’re excited to bring back the Holiday Boutique, which has always been one of the most popular attractions,” said Aisha Conner, manager of the Village Empowerment Center and coordinator of the Christmas in the Village Holiday Boutique. “We have some amazing vendors that you will want to check out and support.
Major sponsors for Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake include: American National Bank, Mutual of Omaha, Douglas County Visitors Improvement Fund, Nebraska Arts Council, North Omaha Turnback Tax and Veridian Credit Union. Media sponsors include KETV and Revive! Omaha Magazine.
Get Ready to Shop, Play, Eat, Sing, See and Enjoy! 70+ small businesses, organizations, ministries and artists have teamed to make this the largest and best ever!
The Christmas in the Village partners want to remind the community that street closures will take place at the following major intersections beginning at 10 am:
- 25th to 22nd and Lake Street
- 24th & Maple to 24th & Burdette Street
Streets will reopen @ 5:30 pm.
Christmas in the Village is part of the on-going re-establishment of an arts, culture, business and entertainment district at 24th and Lake envisioned in the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan facilitated by the Empowerment Network, OEDC and community partners over 11 years ago. It has served as one of the major catalysts for the development occurring in the historic 24th and Lake district.
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SCENES from PREVIOUS YEARS:
Christmas in the Village at 24th & Lake is in its 11th year of a holiday tradition and community celebration presented by the Empowerment Network, Omaha Economic Development Corporation in partnership Revive! Omaha, Family Housing Advisory Services and 100+ organizations, businesses, ministries, artists and community groups. The event has grown from 1,000 the first year to over 5,000 coming back to the Historic 24th and Lake District.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 5 – Noon to 5 pm in the “heart” of North Omaha between 24th & Burdette and 24th & Ohio. Christmas in the Village is one of the fastest and growing events in North Omaha and is part of the ongoing North Omaha Village Zone Revitalization Plan and rebirth of the arts, culture, and entertainment district at 24th and Lake. Christmas in the Village started as a vision from Willie Barney and was initially designed in partnership with Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Deborah Bunting, Stacy Henry, Michael Maroney and the OEDC (Omaha Economic Development Corporation) team.
The event, presented by the Empowerment Network in partnership with the Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC), American National Bank, Mutual of Omaha, Turnback Tax Committee, Nebraska Arts Council, and KETV Channel 7 Omaha, takes place at 24th & Lake, between Patrick and Ohio Streets, from noon to 5 p.m.
It’s an opportunity to purchase your gifts while supporting local businesses, featuring the specialty vendors, Styles of Evolution, Fair Deal Village Marketplace, Revive Center Market, Members Market at the Union and other retailers.
Event organizers provide free toys and treats, face painting and balloon artists, interactive arts & crafts, free mitten and gloves giveaway, live nativity animals (including a camel and donkey) and the popular free horse-drawn carriage rides!
Those in attendance also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious food for purchase provided by food vendors, mobile food trucks, Revive Center Champions Cafe, popcorn, hot cocoa and apple cider.
Entertainment includes live outdoor holiday music, gospel & jazz, local artists, church choirs, dance groups, children can visit with Santa and receive a small toy and interact with popular life-sized characters (Olaf, Elsa, Doc McStuffins, and Mickey Mouse). Visitors can register to win a 40” inch flat screen TV at Styles of Evolution, a 50″ inch flat screen television at the Holiday Boutique, and $50 gift certificates at Family Housing. Christmas in the Village is an annual favorite you won’t want to miss!
Special thanks to the following sponsors: Omaha Economic Development Corporation, American National Bank, Nebraska Arts Council, Revive! Omaha, NIFA, Creighton University – Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Family Housing Advisory Services, The Omaha Star, Veridian Credit Union, Urban League of Nebraska, 75 North, The Sherwood Foundation, and the Holiday Lights Festival.
This event is also in collaboration with: North Omaha Arts Alliance, 100 Black Men, Omaha NAACP, CHI Health, Surreal Media, Ital Vital, Divine Nspirations, Rooted Synergy Art Gallery, Haberdash O.N.E., Still Poppin Gourmet Popcorn, Black Police Officers Association, Great Plains Black History Museum, Long School Neighborhood Assoc., Neighborhood Action & Fact, Styles of Evolution, Omaha Police Department, Union for Contemporary Art, North Omaha Neighborhood Alliance, LeFlore’s New Look Fashion, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, The Elks, 4 Urban, The Fabric Lab plus over 80 other local organizations.