Events in Grand Island, NE

The Overland Trails 4-Man Scramble is a team-based golf event for four players per team, organized to support area scouting. It brings golfers together in a scramble format that highlights teamwork and community while contributing to scouting in the area.

Experience close RC oval competition at Grand Island HobbyTown Raceway with the 1/18 scale 1RC Oval Racing season. Expect quick, wheel-to-wheel heats that emphasize precision and speed, welcoming first-time racers as well as seasoned drivers. Bring a 1/18 1RC oval car, plan for a $5 entry fee per car, and rent a transponder for $10 if needed. Racing is organized by experience level, with beginner featuring EDM and Dirt Modified, intermediate offering EDM, Dirt Modified, Asphalt, and Dirt Late Model, and an open class for experienced competitors. Recommended for ages seven and up, with opportunities for participants of every skill level.

Whiskey River returns to Grand Island for a two-night run, bringing the party back with back-to-back shows.

Tree Jamboree brings science to life at Hastings Museum with an interactive field trip focused on the wonders of trees. Tailored for grades 2 through 4, this educational festival offers hands-on stations featuring activities from Project Learning Tree presented by a variety of partner organizations. Participants explore how trees support people, ecosystems, and conservation. Students may model a tree’s life cycle, explore a fallen log, collaborate as the parts of a tree to understand how it functions, examine trees as habitats, investigate owl pellets, and more. All stations align with Nebraska State Standards in Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math, as well as the Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers and students can also visit the museum galleries and a nearby arboretum during the day. Space is limited. Pricing is $3 per student for schools in Hastings and Adams Central, $6 per student for all other schools, and free for school staff and adult chaperones. Registration is available by phone at (402) 461-2399.

On the first Friday of each month, Ken’s becomes a lively community hub where the latest store finds share the spotlight with rotating food trucks and a changing mix of local happenings. Look for hands-on classes, seasonal activities, giveaways, and occasional vendor pop-ups featuring makers, bakers, artists, and boutiques. Each month brings its own twist, while the purpose remains steady... supporting local talent, bringing people together, and creating a welcoming space at Ken’s. Guests can drop in for lunch, take part in an activity, browse the shop, or simply see what is unfolding around the store.

Grudge Drags #10 presented by Quality 1st Hail & Dent features side by side, traffic light style grudge racing where friends face off and fans watch the matchups. The atmosphere is relaxed and family friendly, with action that appeals to both spectators and drivers. Spectator admission is $5, children 12 and under are free, and the racing fee is $25. Food and beverages are available at The Well at MPH inside the clubhouse. Outside food or alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the pits or spectator area.

An easygoing open horse show with a focus on fun. Expect lighthearted classes, a non-pointed format, and a relaxed atmosphere where casual attire is welcome. Everyone is invited.

Hosted at Lynn Farrell Arena on the Hastings College campus, this annual remembrance run and walk offers both a 5K and a 1 mile option for participants of all ages. The course includes memorial signs, and refreshments are available. Proceeds help support families affected by miscarriage or infant loss.

Race nine in the Ignite Karting Nebraska Championship Series features kart racing on a 1 mile, seven turn layout. Designed for racers, their crews, and spectators, the day follows a clear sequence that includes gate and registration opening, transponder pickup at the east end of the Timing and Scoring building, a rookie and novice meeting at the Winner's Circle, a mandatory all drivers meeting, the first group taking to the track, and racing wrapping up later in the day. Online registration is available.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

Take the Lake returns for its 22nd year with a two round B-Tier event at Lake Hastings Park. For more information, see the event page.

A community model contest at HobbyTown invites builders to showcase finished kits across aircraft, ships, military vehicles, automotive, Bandai, dioramas, and miscellaneous categories. To participate, bring your completed model for check-in. Entry fees are $2 for the first model and $1 for each additional, and junior entries are free for ages 12 and under. The event is recommended for ages 6 and up and welcomes every level of experience. Entries are collected first, judging follows, then results and awards are announced. Recognition includes Best Paint, Best Junior, Best of Class, and Best of Show. Remember to bring your entry fee and your build.

At Boulder Flatts, the 9th Annual GRACE Gala, presented by Mary Lanning Healthcare – Morrison Cancer Center, offers an evening of delicious food, cocktails, and spirited auctions in support of local cancer patients and their families. The night also showcases GRACE’s signature dance competition, adding high-energy entertainment to a meaningful cause.

Designed for kart racers, crews, and spectators, this event is the 10th and final round of the Ignite Karting Nebraska Championship Series on a 1 mile, 7 turn configuration. The day moves from gates and registration opening to transponder pickup at the east end of the Timing & Scoring building. Rookie and novice drivers meet in the winner’s circle, then all drivers attend a mandatory meeting. The first group heads onto the track and racing concludes later in the day. Online registration is available.

Enjoy a free, relaxed build session at HobbyTown that welcomes modelers ages 7 and up and every level of experience. Bring your own model kit and the tools you prefer, whether you are working on aircraft, armor, cars, Gunpla, or any other project. The focus is simple, sit together, share techniques, trade tips, and make steady progress without pressure or judging. Plan to have your kit, your build tools, and yourself ready to go. It is a friendly space to build side by side, learn from others, and celebrate the hobby together.

Step back into the past at the Plainsman Museum with A More Perfect Union, a timeline exhibition marking America’s 250th anniversary. Discover pivotal moments in United States history presented alongside stories from Hamilton County, Nebraska, through banners located throughout the museum. Meet pioneers, veterans, inventors, sports writers, and other local figures, and use interactive QR codes that provide read aloud features, family trees, and additional context. The exhibition is available during regular museum hours and is included with standard admission, so there is no extra fee. A special patriotic edition of the History Detectives scavenger hunt is offered for children and anyone young at heart during part of the exhibition run. A new video timeline is also planned for the museum’s theater, pairing national milestones with county history to highlight how local experiences connect to the broader American story.

YWCA Grand Island will honor community members who exemplify its mission. Three individuals will be recognized for work that fosters welcoming and belonging, advances the economic empowerment of women, and promotes the health and safety of women and girls. Nominations will open.

This playful mashup brings trunk-or-treating together with a convention for a full day of candy and fun.

An all-day celebration of fantasy features vendors throughout and concludes with a large ball.

Enter an enchanting setting where beloved fantasy realms come alive. Venues on South Locust transforms into the Gilded Grove, a realm inspired by enchanted forests, dark cottagecore, fae courts, dragon riders, and the stories that spark the imagination. Guests can meander through a fantasy marketplace, browse handcrafted treasures, discover interactive moments tucked around the space, and capture memories in themed photo scenes. A grand ballroom feel sets the tone for live music and dancing, with artisan and fantasy vendors adding to the experience and unexpected delights tucked throughout the grove. Fantasy attire is encouraged, whether that means a fae noble, a dragon rider, a woodland witch, dark court royalty, or a character all your own. Created with both book lovers and cosplay enthusiasts in mind, this welcoming night of magic, music, and adventure offers a celebration for fans of imaginative worlds in Grand Island.

Grand Island Young Professionals Group marks two decades at Grand Island Saddle Club with an evening focused on connection, growth, and community. The festivities begin with time to socialize, then move into a program featuring guest speaker Courtney Glock, opportunities for networking, and moments of recognition. Food, drinks, and awards are planned, with honors for members who regularly go above and beyond. Members may bring one guest, and they should RSVP that guest during registration so organizers can plan appropriately for food and beverages. This celebration also takes the place of the group’s Annual Member BBQ.

The first annual Ink The Island Tattoo Convention debuts in Grand Island, Nebraska, created by a local team to spotlight tattoo artistry, talent, and culture. Built with community input and guided by years of experience, the event puts artists first while welcoming people of all backgrounds. Its mission is to advance tattoo culture in Grand Island and beyond by celebrating creativity, fostering connection, and leaving a positive mark on the community. Designed to become a yearly tradition, it brings the heart of Nebraska’s tattoo scene together under one roof.

Returning for a third year, the Hall County Fall Open presents two rounds in a C-Tier format at Hall County Park.

OperaBend brings standout vocalists from across Central Oregon to Wille Hall at Central Oregon Community College for a concert that bridges musical theater and opera. The program ranges from Broadway hits to celebrated operatic pieces, highlighting the range, skill, and passion of local performers. It is designed for devoted opera followers, musical theater fans, and anyone who appreciates exceptional live singing. Admission is donation based, and reservations are available.

The Lincoln Southeast Knights freshman basketball team is scheduled to play Grand Island on January 12. Check back for updates.