Native Omaha Days

Native Omaha Days is a homecoming celebration for North Omaha, founded in 1977 by Vera Johnson and Bettie McDonald. Every two years, people who grew up in the neighborhood return from all over the country to reconnect with family, classmates and old friends, and the whole community turns out to welcome them.

The week is packed: a Gospel Fest, theater performances, concerts in Dreamland Park, trolley tours of neighborhood history, a family fun day, a homecoming dance and food trucks and vendors on North 24th Street. The highlight is the Saturday morning homecoming parade along North 30th Street from Lake Street to Sprague Street.

Organizers said nearly 20,000 people came home for the 2025 edition, which was the 25th biennial celebration. If you have roots in North Omaha, or just want to see the neighborhood at its proudest, this is the week to be there.

Highlights

• Homecoming parade on North 30th Street
• Gospel Fest and Dreamland Park concerts
• History trolley tours and museum events
• Family fun day and homecoming dance
• Held every two years since 1977

Tips for going

• It runs in odd-numbered years; the next is expected in 2027 but dates were not announced at the time of writing.
• Book lodging early; out-of-town families fill local hotels and rentals.
• Get to North 30th Street early on parade morning for curbside space.
• Some events, like theater performances, are ticketed; check the schedule.
• Stop at the North Omaha Visitors Center on North 24th for maps and history.