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Winter Wonderland Opening Weekend
December 9, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Winter Wonderland: Opening Weekend
To kick off our annual Winter Wonderland event, Fontenelle Forest offers visitors two full days of fun, family-friendly activities! The unique setting of Fontenelle Forest provides a truly one-of-a-kind holiday experience! Start a new tradition and make holiday memories your family will remember for years to come.
Step into a Winter Wonderland in our Great Hall, beautifully decorated with holiday trees and wreaths. Then, bundle up and stroll the first loop of our lighted Riverview Boardwalk. Warm up with some complimentary hot cocoa 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 opening weekend activities include:
- Holiday-inspired activities and crafts
- Complimentary hot cocoa
- Meet educational birds of prey up close
- And of course, pictures with Santa Claus!
- Don’t forget to bring your camera for photo ops with the raptors and family photos with Santa in front of the big holiday tree.
Date: December 9 and December 10
LOCATION: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
EVENT FEE: Free for members or with daily admission for non-members. Click HERE to see daily admission prices.
TEMPORARY EXTENDED HOURS: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1
Special Activities (dates & times listed below):
Saturday, December 9 |
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Santa1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bring your kiddos to talk to Santa and enjoy our 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). |
Holiday with the raptors1:00 p.m. to 3:00 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. |
Habitat Building1:00 p.m. to 5:00 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. |
Sunday, December 10 |
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Santa1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bring your kiddos to talk to Santa and enjoy our 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). |
Holiday with the raptors1:00 p.m. to 3:00 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. |
Carol Hiking3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Holiday costumes and/or ugly holiday sweaters are not required but encouraged (there may be prizes involved). All ages are welcome. Please note sunset is at 4:55 p.m., so the trails will be dark. The first loop of the Riverview Boardwalk will be lighted. |
Don’t miss Winter Wonderland at Fontenelle Forest!
Our annual holiday decorations in the Great Hall and lighted Riverview Boardwalk can be viewed from Dec. 9 to Jan. 2.
Click here for details
Did you know? Fontenelle Forest is a 501c3 private, nonprofit that owns Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, and Neale Woods Nature Reserve in Omaha. We work hard to protect and conserve over 2,100 acres and 24 miles of trails for current and future generations to explore and enjoy. Founded in 1913, Fontenelle Forest is one of Nebraska’s oldest conservation organizations and one of the largest private nature centers in the nation.
Daily admission, memberships, program/event registrations and donations directly support Fontenelle Forest’s mission of conservation, education and outdoor recreation. Thank you for your support!
QUESTIONS? CALL 402-731-3140.
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