Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association

06/12/2026

Downtown is open—so don’t count the Old Market Omaha out when making plans during baseball season.

While many people assume Downtown is too crowded to visit this week, many Old Market businesses actually experience slower traffic during tournament time.

The energy near the stadium is electric, but there’s still plenty of room to shop, dine, explore, and enjoy everything Downtown has to offer. The Old Market is open. The RiverFront is right there. And your favorite local spots would love to see you.

Come see for yourself—and help us spread the word. 👇

06/11/2026

Best seat in the house starts with a free ride. 🚌

Metro's Free Ballpark Bus runs every 10 minutes near Charles Schwab Field — no parking, no circling, no stress.

Coming from West Omaha? Park free at Westroads and hop on ORBT for $1.25 straight Downtown.

Weekdays from 5:45 a.m., weekends from noon — runs 45 minutes past the last out.

Plan your trip:
ometro.com/metro-news/bus-to-the-ballpark-2/
omahadowntown.org/downtown-omaha-baseball-guide/

06/06/2026

Saturday Mornings in the Old Market ❤️
The Omaha Farmers Market is set up at 11th & Jackson every Saturday through October — 90+ local vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, meats, handmade goods, and more. Open 8am to 12:30pm, rain or shine. Parking is free the first hour.
Come early. The good stuff goes fast.
📍 11th & Jackson | Downtown Omaha

06/05/2026

First Friday is THIS Friday, June 5 from 5–9 PM — and this week Downtown Omaha is giving you more reasons than ever to get outside and explore.

Here's what's opening this Friday:
✨ Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts | 724 S. 12th St
Two major new exhibitions open tonight. Join the public reception from 7–9 PM — complimentary drinks, light bites, live music by Kobrakyle, and exhibiting artists in attendance. Free admission.
→ MOTHER TIME: Measuring Ourselves Within the Landscape + Miatta Kawinzi: An Alphabet of Unfolding
🌿 The Passageway Gallery | 417 S. 11th St
All artists on display celebrating the Beauty of Nebraska. Come meet the creators behind the work, 5–9 PM.
🚶 Free The RiverFront Art Walking Tours
Explore the stunning public art installations along the RiverFront parks on a free guided walking tour. Tours depart from the Arch at 11th & Farnam at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30 PM. No registration required.
Also participating tonight:
Artists' Cooperative Gallery | 405 S. 11th St | "Life Force, an Artistic Journey" — drinks & hors d'oeuvres 6–9 PM
The Garden of the Zodiac | 1042 Howard St | Carina Linge "AFTER ALL…"
KANEKO | 1111 Jones St — Free admission all evening
Old Market Artists Co-Op | 1034 Howard St
Polina Gardens | 737 S. 13th St — Open until 6 PM

📍 All events are free and open to the public in Downtown Omaha.
Tag someone you're bringing this Friday and share this with anyone who loves great art, great spaces, and great evenings Downtown.
➡️ Full details and event map: https://omahadowntown.org/art-in-downtown/

06/03/2026

Downtown Omaha just got a little more beautiful.
Polina Gardens opens TODAY — and it's unlike anything we've had in the heart of the city before.
Lauritzen Gardens' first ever satellite location transforms a former parking lot at 737 S. 13th St into a lush, free public green space featuring 22,000 perennials, 120+ trees and shrubs, and two stunning works of public art:
The Kiss by British artist Sophie Ryder — a monumental 20-foot sculpture of two intertwined hands that you can walk through and experience from within.
Switchgrass by Omaha artist Lee Emma Running — a large-scale evolving mural inspired by native switchgrass tracings from the Nebraska State Museum, designed to change with the seasons.

Designed by Field Operations with plantings by internationally acclaimed landscape designer Piet Oudolf, this is a space built for the whole community — to gather, relax, explore, and connect with nature right in the Old Market.
Free to visit. Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Closed Tuesdays.
📍 737 S. 13th St, Omaha
Tag someone you want to bring this week.
➡️ Learn more at https://www.lauritzengardens.org/polinagardens/

05/26/2026

Tonight’s 2026 ODIDA Board Meetings has a location change. We’ll be meeting at We Make Omaha: Future Lab, located at 6470 Frances St #118, at 5:30pm.

Due to limited space, the public is encouraged to join via Zoom for tonight’s meeting. The board will conduct brief business, followed by a presentation and opportunity to explore the Future Lab.

If you have not checked out the We Make Omaha: Future Lab yet, we encourage you to visit before it closes at the end of the month. It’s a great opportunity to see ideas, planning tools, and community input shaping Omaha’s future.

More info: omahadowntown.org

05/24/2026

Our community's efforts shine bright with 43lbs of trash collected on our second cleanup day this year. Thanks to all who gave back over the holiday weekend, reinforcing the power of community action.

We invite you to join us on June 28th for our next impactful cleanup.

05/22/2026

One hour. Big impact. Let’s give Downtown Omaha a little love this Sunday! 🧡

Join us for Downtown Cleanup Day on Sunday, May 24 at 9am at 13th & Howard. We’ll provide the supplies, you bring the community spirit. Whether you come solo, bring a friend, or make it a family morning, all are welcome.

Let’s keep Downtown clean, welcoming, and ready for everyone to enjoy. See you Sunday! 🌿

More info at the link in our bio!

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

This week, engage with Downtown Omaha by volunteering, participating in the ODIDA Board meeting, or visiting the We Make Omaha Future Lab. Your participation is vital for fostering a thriving community.

The ODIDA Annual Report is also available, showcasing our progress and partnerships. Let's continue to build a vibrant Downtown together.

View it all here: https://conta.cc/3PSyM1c

Email from Omaha Downtown Improvement District Join a cleanup, attend the ODIDA Board meeting, visit Future Lab, and read the latest ODIDA Annual Report.       Help Shape Downtown Omaha This Week Hi D