Family events in Council Bluffs, IA

Country stars Scotty McCreery with special guest Lauren Alaina kick off Barnato Live at the PBC 2026 at the Club at Indian Creek. This outdoor concert will take place rain or shine, with food and beverages available for purchase. It is an all-ages event, and outside food or drinks are not permitted.

Kids light up the park with glow-in-the-dark jumping at The Hub Trampoline Park while adults settle in on The Hub Patio for bingo, drinks, and appetizers. The trampoline session offers lively, neon-lit play with drop-off admission at $25 and a $20 rate for chaperoned jumpers. Parents and other non-jumping adults attend at no charge. On the patio, bingo cards are $1 each, and if you buy five cards your first drink is free. All appetizers are 25 percent off. Enjoy two experiences in one visit, with energetic fun for the kids and a relaxed game night for the adults.

This family photography project makes professional portraits accessible to local households regardless of budget, creating a welcoming experience where families can enjoy a relaxed session and leave with meaningful images. The photographer is award winning, has been featured in social media events, published in multiple magazines, and highlighted in two WOWT6 news stories for similar work. Sample galleries are available on Facebook at @throughanothereyephotography. Each session lasts 30 minutes and costs $50, which includes editing typically priced between $150 and $200. You may reserve up to two back to back slots if coordinated with the photographer in advance. Payment in full is required to secure a time. Please arrive 10 minutes early to get settled. Late arrivals will be moved to the next family’s slot, and no shows are not eligible to reschedule without approval. All payments are nonrefundable. If bad weather is expected, new dates will be offered. Payments can be made via Venmo at @Holly-Kempkes or by major credit card with a 3 percent processing fee. Credit card payments are completed by phone after sending your number by direct message to Through Another Eye Photography. Edited photos are delivered by email within 30 days. Each family receives at least five finished images, with the possibility of more at the photographer’s discretion up to a maximum of ten. Print options and pricing are available on request. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome, and the photographer is not responsible for pet behavior. The photographer retains copyright and may use images for advertising unless you opt out ahead of time. Edits follow the photographer’s artistic style, and extensive changes such as body reshaping or face swaps are not included. Participants are responsible for personal safety and belongings, and children must be accompanied by a legal guardian. A waiver acknowledging the session guidelines will be provided upon arrival.

Set in Washington Park, this family-friendly farmers market brings together vendors and small home businesses. Food trucks are available, and there are activities for kids.

Set in Washington Park in Olde Towne Bellevue, the Bellevue Farmers Market offers seasonal produce, sourdough loaves, local honey, fresh flowers, baked goods, jams and jellies, beef, pork, farm eggs, handmade items, specialty foods, and treats for pets. Family activities, appearances from community partners, and rotating special features keep the experience fresh from week to week. Every purchase supports area farmers, bakers, makers, and small businesses, strengthening the local community. It goes on in any weather, with coffee, park strolls, and neighborly hellos shaping a favorite local tradition.

Comic Con Nebraska brings a new, comic book focused convention experience to Omaha. It is the first show from the newly formed Octopus Events Group, a team created by founders of Emerald City Comic Con, Rose City Comic Con, and Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, together with the founders of Epic Photo Ops. The event is designed for attendees of all ages and aims to offer a fun, welcoming atmosphere centered on comics and fandom. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

A summer series of Saturday tours marks the nation’s 250th year with deeper looks at American history and the railroad’s influence. This session spotlights the lesser known story of a Carnegie library and connects it to the era shaped by rail. Throughout the season, new themes keep the exploration fresh, from charting the point known as Mile Zero to investigations of fraud, scandal, and crime connected to the rails, as well as sobering stories of death and medical care along the railroad. Tickets are 15 dollars per person.

The 5th Annual NOT FADE AWAY Concert returns to Bellevue Berry Farm with a packed lineup and a welcoming festival vibe. Enjoy sets from Spidercat, Dr. Webb, Little Rooms, Magū, Velvet Velvet performing music by the Allman Brothers, Unbroken Chain with two sets of Grateful Dead music, and Doom Lagoon. Admission is $20 when purchased in advance and $25 at the gate, and kids 12 and under are free. To pre-order, send a $20 payment via Venmo to @notfadeawayshow and include your first and last name in the note, then provide your name at entry to receive a wristband. Weather permitting, performances will be held on the outdoor stage next to the big pirate ship, with a move to the Big Barn in case of inclement weather or a heat advisory.

This longstanding Omaha summer tradition at Stinson Park is free and open to all ages.

Music at Miller Park continues its free outdoor summer series with a live performance by the Chad Stoner Band, offering an easygoing setting for families and neighbors to enjoy live music together. Admission is free for all and no tickets are required. Guests may bring blankets or chairs for lawn seating, along with sunscreen and bug spray. Outside food and drinks are welcome, including beer and wine, and leashed pets may attend. Please refrain from smoking and do not bring hard liquor. The concert takes place rain or shine. This series is presented in partnership with Nelson Mandela Elementary School, the Minne Lusa and Miller Park Neighborhood Associations, and other community partners.

Back by popular demand, Shadow Lake brings its 2nd annual back to school foam celebration to the center of the mall. The festivities begin with classic foam fun and energetic dancing, then shift to a blacklight glow experience where the foam lights up and the music turns up for a neon soaked dance floor. Expect plenty of splashing and lively vibes. Wear old sneakers and bring a towel. Admission is free.

Midlands Humane Society presents the 9th Annual Wags & Wheels Fundraiser at Iowa Western Community College, bringing car enthusiasts, animal lovers, families, and community supporters together for an afternoon of chrome, horsepower, and compassion. New this year, motorcycles join the lineup, and participants compete for trophies while spectators enjoy raffles, food trucks, music, and family friendly activities. Spectator admission is free. Proceeds benefit Midlands Humane Society, helping provide shelter, medical care, enrichment, adoption services, and resources for thousands of animals.

Leashes at Lauritzen offers a relaxed garden walk for visitors and their canine companions. Dogs can explore the trails, meet other dogs and fellow dog lovers, and snap photos among colorful blooms and lush greenery. Water stations are available throughout the garden to keep pets hydrated. Participation is included with paid garden admission, and there is no charge for dogs or for garden members. For rules that help keep guests, pets, and the plant collection safe, please refer to the garden’s website.

This dine and donate event at the La Vista Culver’s benefits LWDR. During the event, 20% of sales are donated to the organization. Enjoy favorites like ButterBurgers and frozen custard while helping support rescue dogs.

A weekly Pokémon League at The Game Shoppe in Bellevue brings together fans of the Trading Card Game, video games, and Pokémon GO. Bring your own decks and devices for casual matches or focused practice, and get guidance from Pokémon Professors who can teach newcomers the basics of the TCG. Test strategies, fine tune decks, and prepare for tournaments or regional events. Trading is encouraged so collectors can grow their binders. Regular participation can include chances to receive Series Prize Packs. The league also hosts monthly League Challenges and quarterly League Cups, offering opportunities to earn Championship Points. Please have a Pokémon Play! Access account ready to scan on Android or iOS. It is a welcoming space to meet other Trainers and enjoy battling, collecting, and the shared fun of catching them all.

Nebraska Humane Society offers flexible, drop-in dog training for busy pet owners who want guidance without committing to a long series. Trainers support your success and welcome any questions. Sessions often address name recognition and recall, sit, down, stay, house training, living with kids and other pets, polite greetings for visitors, preventing jumping, crate training, and walking nicely on leash. You may register ahead of time or pay upon arrival.

A celebration of recent renovations at Kountze Park showcases the refreshed sprayground and a new playground. Kona Ice will be on site.

Omaha Parks and Recreation and Nebraska Game and Parks are hosting a no-cost fishing outing for families. All gear will be supplied, and volunteers will be on hand to provide help as needed.

Set in Bayliss Park, Farmers Market Council Bluffs highlights a rotating mix of seasonal vendors and familiar sellers who return each week. Brought to the community by CHI Health Mercy in Council Bluffs, the market also offers wellness activities supported by All Care Health Center. Families will find weekly activities for children, made possible with support from First Interstate Bank.

A nighttime happy hour at the zoo blends social time with animal experiences. Attendees can browse Zoo-tique, a marketplace highlighting local creators, play music bingo, and catch special appearances from Ambassador Animals. Each night includes a species spotlight that puts conservation in focus and offers a closer look at the animals. New this year, select evenings add Kids Night Out as an optional add-on so families can enjoy the event while children have their own adventure.

Across three performances with no repeated songs, Billy McGuigan & The Family Band leads a high-energy ride through well-known tunes and overlooked treasures from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, pairing British Invasion favorites with enduring American rock. The setlist changes completely each night. Alongside these classics, the group adds selections from Billy’s own album for a personal touch. Storytelling woven between numbers and a lively, full-throttle delivery create a concert that blends nostalgia with something fresh.