The TLL Guide to the Holidays

Happy Holidays Ledgers,

Welcome to The Lincoln Ledger’s Holiday Guide 2024. This week, we’ll break the norm, look ahead to the rest of December, and highlight our favorite things to brighten your holiday season. Like most things during the holiday, expect this edition to be sentimental, sappy, and a bit over the top—and that’s precisely the way we like it.

In your holiday guide:

• Lights: Incandescent till I die.

• What to do: Holiday ☀️. Holi-night 🌚.

• Day Trip: A holiday evening in the Old Market

• Eats: The best holiday places to eat and drink

The older I get, the more this line hits me. Simple and profoundly deep—it’s a tiny reminder that time with loved ones is not a guarantee but rather a condition of coincidence.

Happy Holidays from The Lincoln Ledger,

- Landon

SUBSCRIBER QUESTION
What are your favorite holiday traditions in Lincoln (or Nebraska)? Respond to this email and let us know.

We’ll add your favorites to the article throughout the month. So check back from time to time. 🎄

LIGHTS

Your guide to Lincoln Lights.

Call your friend with the biggest vehicle (we see you Honda Odyssey ✌️), stack it full of merry travelers, and venture out across town. You’ll go out and explore all of Lincoln’s top light destinations, courtesy of local Reddit legend, /huskerPhil, who put together this map with all the top spots to see lights in Lincoln.

Here are a few of our favorites from the list:

• 7300 Carson Road: The Christmas Vacation home
  A shrine to the most popular Christmas movie of all time, this stop is a must-do for all light viewers. We love the attention to detail (including the Ford Tauras station wagon) and commitment to recreating the movie.

• 633 S 112th St: The Bayer Family Christmas Display
  Make the drive just East of Lincoln to view this Christmas classic. Once you hit the gravel road, you’ll see a line of cars as they line up to see this display. Turn your lights low, and the radio on to enjoy the synchronized light show fully.

• Sheridan Neighborhood: A Classic Christmas Drive
  If you’re in the mood for a Hallmark Christmas neighborhood, Sheridan is the move. Get a dose of nostalgia as you drive through the neighborhood and admire the historic homes.
  
  Sunday, December 15th | 6-8PM: Guided Sheridan Christmas Light Bike Tours 
  Let the Grinch pedal your merry crew through a dazzling holiday tour of Sheridan’s lights! Free rides, but tips keep his heart three sizes big. Meet your festive guide at Sheridan & Bradfield.

• Drive Through Light Displays
  Ever wanted to simulate the feeling of warp speed in Star Wars? Try one of these top drive-through options. We personally love The Magical Christmas of Lincoln (84th Street behind the Lancaster Event Center Fairgrounds | entry fee is $25 per car) or the Nebraska Christmas Lights Show (Star City Shores parking lot | entry fee is $25 per car).

WHAT TO DO

Our favorite holiday events.

🐒 Zoo Lights | Runs Through Dec. 31st
Perfect for the family, or a holiday date night, Zoo Lights offers something for everyone. Ride the train, grab a hot chocolate, watch the penguins, and enjoy the spectacle of lights on foot. In our opinion, Zoo Lights is hard to beat in terms of holiday fun. The event runs through December 31st, from 5:30PM - 9:00PM.

Bonus: There is no better place to take a holiday photo for your social media. 📸

🎄 Capitol Building Tree | Runs throughout December (minus holidays)
Looking for your Rockefeller Center Tree moment? Make a stop at the Nebraska Capitol building this holiday season to see the fully decorated 22ft Colorado Spruce tree, grown locally in Walton, Nebraska. Guided tours are available every hour from Monday to Friday, between 9:00-11:00AM and 1:00-4:00PM. On Saturdays, tours start at 10:00AM, and on Sundays, they start at 1:00PM.

🍓 Roca Merry Farms | December 13th and 14th
A holiday twist on a Lincoln favorite, Roca Merry Farms is back for its 2nd annual celebration—and Santa has brought the whole crew. Enjoy live carolers, meet real reindeer, and sip on festive holiday cocktails. Nightmare Before Christmas fan? Check out the holiday-themed haunted house for a spooky seasonal spin.

With over 60,000 Christmas lights and a 100-ft tube slide, there’s fun for everyone. The event runs this Friday and Saturday, December 13th and 14th, from 4:00-9:00PM.

🎅 The Holiday Hub
Celebrate the season at The Holiday Hub, a cozy pop-up bar at The Hub Café. Open Thursday through Saturday from 5:00-10:00PM (December 5 - January 4), this festive spot offers chef-crafted dishes made with local ingredients and plenty of holiday charm.

Reservations are a must to secure your spot, but a few walk-ins will be welcomed each night. It’s the perfect place to toast the holidays in style!

🎭 Local Theatre at the Lincoln Community Playhouse
Nothing says “hometown holiday” like a local musical with just the right mix of charm and chaos. This weekend, snag last-minute tickets to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at the Lincoln Community Playhouse. It’s got all the classics: misfit kids, heartwarming lessons, and just enough seasonal shenanigans to keep you entertained. Plus, supporting local theatre? That’s basically a holiday miracle.

HOLI-DAY TRIP

Omaha: A Night in the Old Market

There are few places more perfect or romantic for the holidays than the Old Market in Omaha. Make the hour-long drive over the weekend for dinner and drinks, or extend your trip with a short stay for the evening. Here is your itinerary:

🍾 Drinks and Apps: La Buvette
An iconic Nebraska staple, La Buvette is a touch of Europe stateside. Get there early (we’d recommend by at least 4:00PM - 4:30PM) and grab a table before the crowds arrive. You’ll enjoy a bottle (or three) of wine and a few appetizers in the warm company of your friends.

🍝 Dinner: You’ve got options
There is no shortage of restaurants to choose from in the Old Market, but here are a couple of our favorites. For upscale dining, check out newcomer Memoir for dinner, the impeccably designed latest offering from Flagship Restaurant Group. For Italian, try Via Farina in Little Italy (a short drive from the Old Market) and enjoy handmade pasta or wood-fired authentic pizza.

🎄 Sights: Gene Leahy Mall at the Riverfront
Bundle up and take a stroll through Gene Leahy Mall. This world-class outdoor pavilion, completed in 2022 is worth every second. Explore the light display, cozy up next to one of the bonfires, and idk fall in love or something.

🏨 Stay: Stay out late and have a bit of fun. When you’re ready to retire for the evening, lay your head on the pillows of one of these excellent hotels:

• The Farnam: Upscale, modern, and luxurious

• The Cottonwood: Iconic design, beautifully renovated, classic

• Hotel Indigo: Colorful, classy, and elegant

EATS

Holiday snacks 🤤

What are the holidays without food and drink? Here are the top items to check off your bingo card.

🍨 402 Creamery
Grab the Lactaid, because 402 Creamery has been cheffing this holiday season. Among a list of elite holiday flavors, the one that stood out the most to us was the Reindeer Chow—complete with puppy chow tracks.

🍰 High Society Cheesecake
Let’s talk iconic holiday treats: Rolo Sugar Cookies, Christmas Truffles (peanut butter gets extra points), and the undisputed out-of-the-box champion—Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes.

So, imagine our delight when High Society Cheesecake decided to put its own spin on this festive favorite. They’ve transformed this nostalgic classic into a cheesecake masterpiece, and it’s everything we didn’t know we needed this holiday season.

🍎 Saro Cider
Christmas and Cider—feels like a match made in heaven. Check out their seasonal cocktail list a give the Festive Spiced Apple cider a try.

☕️ The Mill
Wake up on Christmas morning with a coffee that tastes like the season. The Mill’s Christmas Blend is here, featuring warm notes of cinnamon graham and a hint of nuttiness. It’s the perfect cup to pair with cozy mornings and holiday cheer.

🍹Miracle at Robber’s Cave
Need a little diesel to keep your motor running? Try out Miracle at Robber’s Cave and indulge in a few sweet, boozy creations while soaking in the over-the-top Christmas ambiance.