Feel The Magic: Water Lantern Festival Returns to Omaha
When was the last time you experienced something truly magical with your family? Join us for the magic on Saturday, June 28, 2025, as something extraordinary arrives in Omaha, promising to create memories you'll treasure forever. The Water Lantern Festival is returning to the beautiful Gene Leahy Mall at The Riverfront, promising a spectacular event.
Picture this: thousands of glowing lanterns drifting peacefully across the water. In contrast, you and your loved ones share hopes, dreams, and heartfelt messages under the evening sky. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM CDT, Gene Leahy Mall transforms into something that feels almost otherworldly. The Water Lantern Festival brings our community together as Omaha residents from all walks of life come together. People of all ages and backgrounds come together for one emotional, memorable night, creating a transformative experience.
We find the evening both meaningful and emotional. Whether you're writing down your hopes and dreams, sharing a message with a loved one, or simply soaking in the beauty of the moment. There's something profoundly moving about watching your lantern join hundreds of others, each carrying its own story, floating serenely across the water as the sun sets over downtown Omaha.
The festival takes place at the perfect time and in the ideal location. We can't think of a more stunning backdrop than Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront. This iconic downtown park spans from 13th to 8th streets, between Douglas and Farnam Streets. Following its incredible 2022 renovation, it has become one of Omaha's crown jewels.
The park features a performance pavilion, a state-of-the-art playground, interactive water features, a sculpture garden, and a sizeable dog park, making it an ideal gathering space for this community celebration.
What makes this venue even more special is its location in the heart of downtown, where towering buildings on either side create an urban amphitheater effect. As daylight fades and the lanterns begin to glow, the city lights reflecting off the water alongside your floating wishes create a breathtaking panorama that's uniquely Omaha. Riverside Park renovation. https://jfwmagazine.com/HmX/riverside-park-renovation
We know the lantern launch is the highlight of the evening. However, this Festival offers so much more for family fun. You'll also find food trucks, live music, and engaging activities that keep everyone entertained throughout the evening.
Each General Admission ticket includes an entry wristband, a complete lantern kit with a lantern, tealight, and marker, playing cards and conversation cards, a drawstring bag, and entry into a scavenger hunt giveaway.
Festival organizers thoughtfully created a family-friendly event that's fun, inclusive, and meaningful for all ages. Kids love decorating their lanterns with colorful drawings. In contrast, adults often choose to write letters to loved ones or pen their aspirations for the year ahead. The lantern launch kicks off at sunset and continues for a couple of hours so that all participants can launch their lantern into the water, and there's no rush to enjoy this magical moment.
When we think about the reasons families should experience the Water Lantern Festival together, we can't help but think about everything Omaha has to offer families. Living in Omaha means incredible family attractions surround you, and the Water Lantern Festival adds something truly unique to our city's already impressive roster of experiences.
We're home to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, frequently named the nation's best zoo, featuring the world's largest indoor desert, a largest indoor rainforest in North America, and the world's largest nocturnal exhibit. We have the Lauritzen Gardens, the Durham Museum, the Joslyn Art Museum, and the Omaha Children's Museum that provide year-round educational and cultural opportunities for families.
However, the Water Lantern Festival offers something different—a chance to slow down, connect, and participate in a shared community experience that transcends typical entertainment options. More than one client has shared that the experience was a turning point in their lives. Truly, love, emotions, and spirituality fill the air and can become overwhelming. The Water Lantern Festival is an uplifting activity that is sure to fill your soul and leave you filled with joy and love.
The Heim-Berg Team's insider tips for making the most of your festival weekend. Since you'll already be downtown for the festival, consider making a weekend of it. The Gene Leahy Mall is perfectly positioned near some of Omaha's most beloved destinations. You're just a short walk from the historic Old Market and north downtown Omaha, where you can grab dinner before the festival or explore the shopping and entertainment options.
The Riverfront combines three parks—Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis & Clark Landing—creating 72 acres of connected green space downtown. These parks feature amenities such as skating, amphitheaters, bocce courts, a picturesque pier extending into the Missouri River, an urban beach, a prairie garden, and destination playgrounds. The nearby Kiewit Luminarium offers a hands-on, family-friendly museum of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
As a community, we care deeply about our beautiful Missouri River and the surrounding environment. The festival organizers share this commitment to an environmentally conscious approach that you can feel good about.
All lanterns are cleaned up after the event by their staff, and they collect any trash that may have been left around the river. All lanterns are made from environmentally friendly materials, including rice paper and wood, making them as eco-friendly as possible. Additionally, they reuse and recycle the LED candles. This means you can enjoy this magical experience knowing it's designed to respect and protect our local waterways.
As long-time Omaha residents and local professionals, the Heim-Berg Team understands what makes our city special. We've watched Omaha grow and evolve, from the transformation of the Old Market to the incredible renovation of the Riverfront parks. We've seen families put down roots here due to attractions like the Henry Doorly Zoo, the vibrant arts scene, excellent schools, and community events like the Water Lantern Festival, which bring neighbors together.
Whether you're new to Omaha or have called this city home for years, we know that experiences like these are what make a house truly feel like home. We understand the neighborhoods, the best family activities, and what makes each area of our city unique because we live here, too. We've walked these same paths with our own families, attended these same festivals, and watched our community grow stronger together.
When you're looking for more than just a real estate transaction, when you want advisors who truly understand Omaha and can help you find not just a house but a home in a community you'll love, we're here to help. Our expertise extends beyond square footage and market trends; we understand the soul of this city and the experiences that make living here truly extraordinary.
Don't Miss This Magical Evening. This isn't just another night out. The Water Lantern Festival has been voted the #1 Festival by USA Today, and tickets for the Omaha event are already on sale. Come out to create lasting memories with your family, to connect with your community, and to experience something extraordinary right here in our fantastic city.
The Water Lantern Festival happens just once in Omaha this year, and it's rated as the best event of the year. Don't let this magical opportunity float away. Gather your family, prepare your hearts for an evening of wonder, and join your fellow Omaha-ians for a night that will illuminate far more than just the water.
If you're ready to discover more about what makes Omaha an incredible place to call home, the Heim-Berg Team is here to guide you. Whether you're looking to buy your first home, upgrade to accommodate a growing family, or find the perfect neighborhood for your next chapter, we're not just your real estate experts—we're your Omaha neighbors, your advisors, and your advocates.
How to Get in Touch with the Heim-Berg Team:
Website: [ https://www.omahaarealiving.com/ ]
Phone: [(402)677-9024]
Let us help you find your place in this wonderful community we're all proud to call home.
