Papillion Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland is Papillion's holiday kickoff, held downtown on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It began in 2009 and has grown into one of the most charming small-town holiday nights in the metro. In 2026 the city was even put forward in a national Hallmark Christmas town contest on the strength of this event.

The evening includes horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown, hayrack rides, outdoor fire pits, free hot chocolate while it lasts, and live music from local musicians and school groups. Santa visits with kids at the Historic Portal Schoolhouse, and the night peaks with the switch-on of the city Parks Department's holiday light display.

The Papillion Community Foundation coordinates the event. It is a sweet, easygoing outing for families staying in the south metro, and downtown Papillion's shops and restaurants make it easy to stay for dinner.

Highlights

• Holiday light display switched on downtown
• Horse-drawn carriage and hayrack rides
• Santa at the Historic Portal Schoolhouse
• Fire pits and free hot chocolate
• Live local music

Tips for going

• Arrive around 4 p.m. to beat the crowd for carriage rides.
• Dress warmly; much of the evening is outdoors.
• Lines for Santa get long right after the lighting, so visit early or late.
• Combine with Christmas in Olde Towne Bellevue, which lights up the same weekend.