Wednesday, March 27: There will be limited access to the Riverview Boardwalk.

Wednesday, March 27: There will be limited access to the Riverview Boardwalk.

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Event Series Event Series: Holiday Festival at the Forest

Holiday Festival at the Forest

December 14, 2021 @ 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

An image of children running on the Fontenelle Forest boardwalk with the Best of Omaha emblem.

Bring the whole family for a week-long holiday celebration at Fontenelle Forest!

Extended hours Saturday, Dec. 11 to Friday, Dec. 17: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

All activities are free for members or with daily admission for non-members. No registration is needed unless otherwise noted.* All other activities are drop-in events.

daily activities (All, Day, Every Day): 

Step into a Winter Wonderland in our Great Hall, beautifully decorated with holiday trees and wreaths. Then, bundle up and enjoy our Holiday Trail of Lights, as you stroll the first loop of our lighted Riverview Boardwalk. Warm up with some complimentary hot cocoa or tea, as you enjoy the day’s festive activities. There will be an ornament decorating self-serve station for all the kids (and those who are kids at heart).

Special Activities (dates & times listed below):

Saturday, December 11th

Habitat Building (SOLD OUT)

Session1: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Session 2: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Instead of gingerbread houses made of cookies and candy, we’re making habitats out of materials found in the Forest.

Learn about and build one of the three habitat types found at Fontenelle Forest; oak savanna, prairie and wetlands. Find out what makes each of these ecosystems unique and use your creativity to make one on a small scale.

Attendance is free with admission, but registration is required.

Session 1 (SOLD OUT)
Session 2 (SOLD OUT)

 

Holiday with the raptors

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Get the chance to meet some of our educational raptors up close! Our raptor team will be teaching and answering questions about our feathery ambassadors.

Attendance is free with admission.

Santa

2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Bring your kiddos to talk to Santa and enjoy our festive Winter Wonderland holiday decorations while waiting for your turn to talk to the big guy! Don’t forget your wish list (and your patience – so you can be sure to stay on the “nice” list).

Feel free to take your own photos. Forest staff will also be taking photos and uploading an album to Facebook. We encourage you to tag yourself and/or use the images as your own!

Attendance is free with admission.

 

Sunday, December 12th

Goldenrod Duo

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Golden Rod duo will be performing a holiday concert for your listening enjoyment as you take in the holiday decorations in the Great Hall. The duo includes local pianist, Janka Krajciova, and violinist, Lisa Nielsen, both instructors at the Omaha Conservatory of Music.

Attendance is free with admission.

Boardwalk Carol Hiking

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Meet in the Nature Center Atrium. Hikes will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. This hike is for those who prefer to take an easy stroll on the Riverview Boardwalk.

Bring your holiday spirit and join us for caroling at the Forest! Led by our best (non-professional) Forest singing staff, we plan to spread some holiday cheer and have a lot of fun! Holiday costumes and/or ugly holiday sweaters are not required, but encouraged (there may be prizes involved).

Attendance is free with admission.

Trail Carol Hiking

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Meet in the Nature Center Atrium. Hikes will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. This hike is for those who prefer to venture off the beaten path.

Bring your holiday spirit and join us for caroling at the Forest! Led by our best (non-professional) Forest singing staff, we plan to spread some holiday cheer and have a lot of fun! Holiday costumes and/or ugly holiday sweaters are not required, but encouraged (there may be prizes involved).

Attendance is free with admission.

Thursday, December 16th

Musical Kids

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Musical Kids, a group of 13 kids from the Omaha area, will be playing family-friendly and festive holiday music.

Attendance is free with admission.

Friday, December 17th

Fairview chime choir

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The sixth graders from Fairview Elementary are stopping by the Nature Center on their community tour to ring in the holiday season.

Attendance is free with admission.

Please note: Fontenelle Forest is closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1.

Our annual holiday decorations in the Great Hall and lighted Riverview Boardwalk can be viewed from Dec. 11 to Jan. 3. Get the details here: https://rb.gy/3w4l0f

Details

Date:
December 14, 2021
Time:
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Series:

Venue

Fontenelle Forest
1111 Bellevue Blvd North
Bellevue, NE 68005 United States
+ Google Map
Phone
4027313140

Fontenelle Forest is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit.

Make a tax deductible donation NOW

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