Family events in Lincoln, NE

Experience an evening of art, creativity, and connection at the Create 48 First Friday Art Walk. Wander on your own, come with a friend, or share it with family while taking in murals, sculpture, and paintings, plus the occasional mannequin. Featured artists include Kinzee Hillis and Dan Terpstra, each showcasing original work. Kinzee will be in the front gallery space of kate 48, and Dan will be a few buildings away. Explore local artwork at your own pace in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Big Gumdrop Outdoors brings back its fourth Community Lake Day to close out the summer at Holmes Lake Park. This all-ages gathering features fishing, kayaking, games, s’mores, and a wide array of booths hosted by dozens of community partners. Dinner is included, and all necessary equipment will be provided. Attendees can also pick up free T-shirts featuring this year’s winning design. Activities will be offered by partners such as Linked2Literacy, the Lincoln City Libraries Bookmobile, Spring Creek Prairie, and more. Support for the event comes from sponsors including SCHEELS, Lincoln Parks Foundation, Freddy's, Lincoln West Optimist Club, Raising Canes, Ink Alley, Duteau Chevrolet, and John Henry’s.

Enjoy a no cost, family friendly screening in the park at the Air Park Community Center. The feature is Wicked for Good, the second installment in a two part adaptation of the Broadway musical that follows Elphaba, future Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. It runs 138 minutes, is rated PG, and stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Kristin Chenoweth. Seating is picnic style, so attendees can bring blankets or lawn chairs. No registration or tickets are needed. If weather becomes an issue, the movie will be shown inside the gym instead. Films generally begin around sunset. Presented by Lincoln Parks and Recreation and the Lincoln Parks Foundation.

Discover how math shows up in everyday life with Math Happens at the Lincoln Children’s Museum. Tinker Theater Powered by Molex becomes a hands-on hub for puzzles, patterns, and problem-solving activities that spark creativity while building confidence and curiosity. This temporary experience takes place on weekends. Museum members attend at no cost, and it is included with admission for the general public.

An annual campus tradition returns with a blend of discovery and a farmers market, hosted by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Area residents and visitors can explore science-focused learning opportunities, shop for locally produced fresh food, connect with artisans offering value-added goods, and take part in family-friendly activities around campus. The event happens rain or shine. Complimentary on-campus parking is available and no permit is required.

BetterLife Insurance and the Lincoln Knights of Columbus present a festive wrap-up walk and celebration recognizing the year-long parish food drives for the CSS Food Market. Each lap completed will earn donations from individual and corporate sponsors to support the CSS Food Market in Lincoln. The aim is a combined 150,000 in pounds of food and dollars, so participants are encouraged to keep walking to help reach the goal. The celebration will include food, games, and more. Additional details will be shared.

Share useful items and connect with others at a community market where everything is free. Similar to a yard sale without price tags, participants can bring clean, working items to give away and also look for things they can use. There is no requirement to contribute in order to take something, and everyone is encouraged to take what they need. Please plan to take home anything you brought that remains unclaimed when you leave. Bringing a folding table or a blanket can help display items. On-site voter registration will be available, and masks are welcome. Local volunteers host this gathering in partnership with The Lincoln Tree of Hope and Lincoln’s Little Free Libraries, and community or nonprofit partners are welcome to participate in future outdoor editions. This ongoing effort celebrates 14 years of a free-exchange culture, and help with setup and cleanup is appreciated.

Marking six years of ECHO, this community-centered celebration at Turbine Flats features free games, food, and activities. The event takes place indoors in the front gallery, and overflow parking is available on the street. Support comes from premier sponsors Copple Insurance and OMT! Divine Women's Resale, supporting sponsors Eagle Printing & Sign, Southeast Community College, and West Gate Bank, and community sponsor Rosa Martinez with Wood Bros Realty.

Returning for its fourth year, the Fallbrook Festival brings an evening of live music by AMFM, a curated market of local vendors, a variety of food trucks, and an expanded kids zone with a bounce house, face painting, and balloon twisting. Presented with support from AKRS, Nebraska Nursery, and Cattle Bank, this edition adds a new wine tasting option, the Vinyls & Vines VIP Experience, which requires a separate ticket. Participating producers include Junto Wine, James Arthur, Glacial Till, and Capitol View, along with Zipline Brewery. General admission is $5 cash, with free entry for children 12 and under. The VIP wine tasting ticket costs $25 and includes festival admission with a VIP entrance, 10 tasting samples, a souvenir tasting glass, and a reusable wine bottle bag.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes face the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park for an independent baseball matchup with a friendly, close-to-the-action feel. Two American Association teams square off in a setting where you can follow every toss, catch the sounds from the benches, and watch the game play out with the Lincoln skyline in view. If being in your seat for the opening pitch matters to you, consider securing tickets ahead of time.

Life in Bloom Sonography Studio and Good Friends Sleep Services present a small-group experience that pairs a brief ultrasound preview with practical guidance for the early weeks after birth. Expectant parents can see their baby on screen, learn about newborn sleep from a qualified coach, and pick up workable strategies to build healthy routines from the start. There is time for questions and connection with other parents-to-be, plus light refreshments along with giveaways and prizes. The cost is $199 per couple. Attendance is limited to keep the setting calm and personal, helping participants head home feeling prepared, connected, and excited for the journey into parenthood.

Celebrate the upcoming school year with a community bowling fundraiser at Hollywood Bowl that benefits the Fredstrom PTO. Ten percent of sales from bowling, food, and beverages will be donated to support classrooms, extra field trips, teacher grants, and additional community-building activities throughout the year. Families are responsible for their own bowling, shoe rentals, and any food or drinks. Lanes can be reserved in advance to secure a time slot, with regular open play available for 1, 1.5, or 2 hours, and an All You Can Bowl option priced at $40 per lane that includes 2 hours of bowling and shoes for up to 6 guests. When booking, be sure to select the correct date for this event.

The Lincoln Municipal Band presents the fifth concert in its summer series at the John Shildneck Memorial Bandshell in Antelope Park. Conducted by Tony Falcone, the program features French horn soloist Justin Mohling. Admission is free and open to all. Pack a picnic and settle in for an evening of music with family and friends.

Hosted by Nebraska Game and Parks, this Community Fishing Night at Holmes Lake in Lincoln is designed for all ages, from first-timers to those returning to the sport. The Family Fishing Trailer will be on site with complimentary loaner rods and reels, bait, and basic instruction, and instructors will be available to share tips and answer questions. Participants 16 and older must have a fishing license. If the event takes place within a state park area, a state park entry permit is also required.

Open to all ages, this bingo event at the Lincoln City Libraries - Charles H Gere Branch features the classic game with chances to win prizes. It offers a friendly setting for participants of any age.

Pokémon League Night at Millennial Toybox offers a casual space for trading, battling, and sharing all things Pokémon. Bring a binder or a deck to show favorite pulls, or simply chat with other collectors, with no pressure to trade, buy, or be an expert. A Pokémon League Tournament is part of the evening, with a $5 entry fee and an age requirement of 6 and up for tournament participants. Expect open tables for trading before the tournament, a relaxed atmosphere for kids and adults, and snacks and drinks available for purchase. Sealed Pokémon products and single cards are available while supplies last. This community first gathering is designed to be fun, low key, and accessible, whether someone is new to the game, learning to play, or has been collecting for years.