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Welcome to the Home of Arbor Day in historic Nebraska City. For more than 150 years, folks in this small town on the Missouri River have faithfully planted trees. Oaks, pines, maples, elms, willows, sycamores. Flowering trees, conifers, deciduous. What started as a plan to make the empty plains welcoming to settlers and provide shade, shelter, and building materials has turned into a quest for environmental preservation – a chance to enrich the earth for future generations. Along the way, what became known as Arbor Day grew into a weekend-long celebration. And not only in our own community…Arbor Day may have started in the small town of Nebraska City, Nebraska, but it is now recognized in all 50 states and in many countries around the world. Come and visit us this Arbor Day! Make a weekend out of it; stay a few days, visit some museums, shop a bit, see the sights…plant a tree! Check out all our fabulous Nebraska City Museums! Make a weekend out of it and book an overnight stay ! Hungry , we have places to stop? Need to do some shopping , we have something for everyone? 7 Ways to Experience Arbor Day in the Home of Arbor Day Arbor Day Festival April 24-26, 2026 Arbor Day Schedule of Events Special thanks to our 2026 Sponsors Plan your Arbor Day 2026 weekend Filter by Date Filter April 16 - Thurs April 18 - Sat. April 22 - Wed. April 23 - Thurs April 24 - Fri. April 25 - Sat. April 26 - Sun. Select date(s) below to display events happening on the days of interest to you: 16 Apr Thurs Tree the Trail Details 1801 Frontage Road 9:00 AM 18 Apr Sat Greatest American Cleanup for Arbor Day Details Meet at the Sunken Parking Lot on Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 22 Apr Wed America 250: Nebraska City Time Capsule Details Otoe County Courthouse Lawn 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 22 Apr Wed Commemorative Tree Planting Details Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 23 Apr Thurs Old Freighters Museum Renovation Ribbon Cutting Details Nebraska City Historical Society, 407 North 14th St 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Bloom Bar Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Ave 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Patriotic Photography Display Details Kimmel Gallery, Morton-James Public Library 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Colonial Fun and Games: A Historical Play Day Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Brunch, Bloody Mary's, and Arbor Day Souvenir Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Centennial Flag Display Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri 250th Art Challenge: Postcard Art Invite Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska Cty, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Free Admission to Arbor Lodge Mansion Details Arbor Lodge State Park 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Wine and Cider Tastings, Shopping & More Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Children's Program Details Arbor Lodge Front Lawn 10:00 AM / 1:30 PM 24 Apr Fri Celebrating American Heritage: Trees Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion, 2600 Arbor Ave. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Kimmel Orchard Opening Season Details Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, 5995 G Road, Nebraska City, NE 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Patriotic Parade with Nebraska Brass Details Veterans Memorial Building, 810 1st Corso 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Tree Planting Demonstration Details Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm, 2700 Sylvan Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Arbor Day 5K/Kids Run Details Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm 5K @ 9:00 AM / Kids Run @ 10:00 AM 25 Apr Sat Patriotic Photography Display Details Kimmel Gallery, Morton-James Public Library 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Bloom Fest Workshops Details Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Centennial Flag Display Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat 250th Art Challenge:Postcard Art Invite Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Bloom Bar Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Ave 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Celebrating American Heritage: Trees Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion, 2600 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Colonial Fun and Games: A Historical Play Day Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Brunch, Bloody Mary's, and Arbor Day Souvenir Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Home, Craft, & Garden Market Details 600 1st Corso, Eagles Club 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Wine and Cider Tastings, Shopping & More Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Plant and Tree Sale Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Orchard Tours Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Wine Tasting Details Central Apple Market 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Wine Tastings Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Yard Games Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Little Heroes, Big Futures Details Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Food Court Details Behind Arbor Bank 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (or later!) 25 Apr Sat Show & Shine Car Show Details Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, 5995 G Rd., Nebraska City, NE 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Arbor Day Weekend Activities at Tree Adventure Details Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Parade Stop Details Central Apple Market 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Children's Entrepreneur Market (Part of the Home, Craft, and Garden Market) Details Eagle's Club 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Arbor Day Parade Details Central Ave. from 16th Street east to 6th Street 1:00 PM 25 Apr Sat A Story of Place: Native Plants and Lilacs in Nebraska Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Bloom Fest: Guided Lilac Trail Tours Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, 2600 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Red, White & Bloom: Planting for America's 250 Years Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Plant Bingo! Details Eagles Club 6:00 PM 25 Apr Sat America 250: Patriotic Parade | Nebraska Brass Details Veterans Memorial Building 7:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Fly-In Breakfast Details Nebraska City Airport, South Hwy 75 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Apple Trees & Pollinators Workshop Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 25 Apr Sat Apple Trees & Pollinators Workshop Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 26 Apr Sun Used Book Sale Details Morton-James Public Library 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM 26 Apr Sun Orchard Tours Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Wine Tasting Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Yard Games Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat America the Beautiful: A Tour of Lilacs Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 26 Apr Sun Arbor Day Craft & Color Details Morton-James Public Library 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Lilac Preservation and the International Lilac Society Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Best of the Midwest Bloody Mary Championship Details Eagles Club, 600 1st Corso 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 26 Aor Sun Celebrating American Heritage: Trees Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion, 2600 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Plant and Tree Sale Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Wine and Cider Tastings, Shopping & More Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Arbor Day Weekend Activities at Tree Adventure Details Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Bloom Fest: Guided Lilac Trail Tours Details Arbor Lodge State Park, 2600 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Centennial Flag Display Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Colonial Fun and Games: A Historical Play Day Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun 250th Art Challenge:Postcard Art Invite Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM To play, press and hold the enter key. 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Food Court Behind Arbor Bank 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (or later!) Sat Apr 25 Previous Event Next Event

Arbor Day 5K/Kids Run Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm 5K @ 9:00 AM / Kids Run @ 10:00 AM Sat Apr 25 Run or walk in the footsteps of J. Sterling Morton! All will start and finish at the Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before each race. Packet pick-up will be Wed., April 22, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the NCTC Office or the morning of the event on-site. Route details will be available here before the start of the event. Previous Event Next Event Register

Holidays November - December 2026 Shop Nebraska City First Date TBD It’s time to shop local! For each $25 a shopper spends at a participating retailer, they will receive a Proof of Purchase card. Shoppers return their Proof of Purchase card(s) to NCTC by Monday, December 1, at 5:00 PM. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, NCTC will draw from Proof of Purchase entries. Winners will be paired with prize baskets (at least $50 value) provided by each participating retailer. It’s that simple! A complete list of participating retailers will be published in early November. Twelve Days of Christmas with Holli Day Dates TBD Check out Holli Day on our Facebook page; she is giving away hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to participating businesses! All you have to do is comment on her picture! Holli will post on weekdays during this campaign. Special thanks to our Sponsors To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Celebrate Nebraska City Annual Banquet January 24, 2026 Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce presents the 101st Annual Celebrate Nebraska City Banquet. Lourdes Central Catholic Gym 5:30 PM Reception / Silent Auction Begins 6:30 PM Dinner / Live Auction / Entertainment We will announce the winners of the: Business of the Year Organization of the Year Individual of the Year Golden Apple Award Get tickets HERE ! Nominate a business/individual/organization for an award and/or Nominate a Board of Directors candidate at this LINK . Directors Nomination Deadline: October 31, 2025 Award Nomination Deadline: December 17, 2025 Special thanks to our Sponsors To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Bloom Bar The Keeping Room - 717 Central Ave 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat Apr 25 We will help you create a fresh bouquet of stems with the purchase of a Keeping Room vase at 25% off! Previous Event Next Event

America 250: Patriotic Parade | Nebraska Brass Veterans Memorial Building 7:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Enjoy Nebraska Brass performing at the Memorial Building. Be entertained by the ensemble’s style and precision, along with their engaging and lighthearted commentary. Previous Event Next Event More Information

Parade Stop Central Apple Market 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Stop by and enjoy a boxed lunch and parade goodies as the parade goes by! Previous Event Next Event More Info

Apple Trees & Pollinators Workshop Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Sun Apr 26 Presented by Ben Huesinkfelt, Orchard & Grounds Manager at Arbor Day Farm. Discover how spring blossoms become fall harvest during this Bloomfest session Previous Event Next Event More Info

A Story of Place: Native Plants and Lilacs in Nebraska Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Presented by Mark Canney, Director of Horticulture and Landscape at Arbor Day Farm, explores integrating native prairie plants and heritage lilacs to support pollinators. Previous Event Next Event More Info

Patriotic Parade with Nebraska Brass Veterans Memorial Building, 810 1st Corso 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Fri Apr 24 This FREE performance, curated specifically for Nebraska City's 250th Celebration, will feature a wide range of American classics sure to entertain the audience. Previous Event Next Event More Info

Children's Program Arbor Lodge Front Lawn 10:00 AM / 1:30 PM Fri Apr 24 Continuing a tradition that started more than 150 years ago, local schoolchildren will celebrate Arbor Day with an educational and entertaining field trip to Arbor Lodge! Previous Event Next Event