The best Omaha fall activities right now are the big pumpkin patches and corn mazes (open through early November), the last weekends of the Omaha Farmers Market, First Friday art walks in the Old Market and Benson, leaf walks at Fontenelle Forest and metro parks, and haunted attractions through Halloween. Dates and links below were checked on Oct. 5, 2026. Hours can change with weather, so confirm before you drive.
I’m Lacory Gordon, a REALTOR with Revel Realty in Bellevue. My family and I live in the Omaha metro year-round, and October is when we stack a pumpkin run with a quiet boardwalk walk and maybe a Creighton night downtown. If you’re new here or just need a weekend plan, this is the list I’d hand a neighbor.
Key takeaways
- Pumpkin patches near Gretna, Blair, and Papillion run daily through about Nov. 1, 2026 (confirm each farm’s hours).
- Omaha Farmers Market wraps its regular season this weekend: Old Market on Sat., Oct. 10, and Aksarben on Sun., Oct. 11.
- First Friday continues monthly in the Old Market and Benson. Next first Friday is Nov. 6, 2026.
- Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue is a strong foliage stop, with a family Bewitched Boardwalk night on Oct. 17.
Where can I find pumpkin patches and corn mazes near Omaha?
Vala’s Pumpkin Patch (Gretna)
Vala’s 2026 season runs every day through Nov. 1. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The farm is at 12102 S. 180th Street in Gretna, with 50-plus attractions, hayrack rides to the pumpkin fields, and a large apple orchard. October is their Pumpkin Harvest stretch. Details: valaspumpkinpatch.com dates and hours.
Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch (Blair)
Skinny Bones is open Sept. 4 through Nov. 1, 2026, at 3935 State Highway 133 in Blair. Admission covers 35-plus attractions, including JJ’s Corn Maze. Fridays bring Flashlight Night (6 to 10 p.m.). Saturdays in October host Haunted Nights (7 to 10 p.m.). Weekday and weekend hours differ by month. Details: skinnybonespumpkinpatch.com.
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch (Papillion)
A short drive for many Sarpy County families. The Great Pumpkin Patch runs Sept. 12 through Nov. 1, 2026, at 11001 South 48th Street in Papillion. Daytime hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ranch of Terror and haunted hayrides run Friday and Saturday 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., through Nov. 1. Details: bellevueberryfarm.com/hours-pricing.
For orchards and patches farther out, KETV’s 2026 roundup is useful: Omaha-area pumpkin patches.
What is First Friday in Omaha this fall?
First Friday is a monthly art walk. Downtown and Old Market galleries typically open for a self-guided evening. Benson Creative District runs its own First Friday with galleries, music, and markets along Maple Street.
October’s First Friday was Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 (Old Market galleries, ODIDA’s Downtown Alley Alive near Jones Street, and Benson’s Handmade Parade). The next first Friday is Nov. 6, 2026. Check BFF Omaha and Downtown Omaha listings for the November lineup.
Old Market and Benson are also easy evenings if you are looking at homes nearby and want to feel the neighborhood after dark.
Where should I go for fall foliage and parks?
Peak color in the Omaha metro often lands in mid to late October, though weather moves the window.
Fontenelle Forest (Bellevue). About 15 minutes from downtown at 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N. Trails are generally open sunrise to sunset. The Nature Center runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Expect about 17 miles of trails plus the one-mile Riverview Boardwalk. Daily admission applies (members free). Their fall page highlights foliage from October through November. Sources: Visit page and Fall page.
Bewitched Boardwalk (Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026). Family evening at Fontenelle Forest, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with trick-or-treating on the first boardwalk loop. Pre-registration required through Fontenelle Forest’s program listing.
Simple metro walks. Elmwood Park, Memorial Park, Chalco Hills Recreation Area at Wehrspann Lake, and Lake Zorinsky are local favorites for leaves and paved paths. Visit Omaha’s fall overview is another planning start. Confirm park hours on City of Omaha Parks and Papio NRD pages before you go.
Are the Omaha Farmers Markets still open?
Yes, for one more regular weekend.
- Old Market (Saturdays): through Oct. 10, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 11th and Jackson.
- Aksarben Village (Sundays): through Oct. 11, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 67th and Mercy Road.
A Holiday Market is set for Dec. 5 and 6 in Aksarben. Source: omahafarmersmarket.com.
What haunted attractions and sports nights are on the calendar?
Dungeon of the Damned at 1209 Jackson Street runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 31, 2026. Thursday and Sunday 7 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight. Source: dungeonofthedamned.com.
Scary Acres at 17272 Giles Road opened Sept. 12, 2026, with Masters Castle, House on the Hill, and Haunted Woods. Check the Scary Acres calendar for remaining October nights (ticket sales typically begin at 7 p.m.).
Bellevue Berry Ranch of Terror nights continue through Nov. 1 (see pumpkin ranch section above).
Creighton men’s basketball: home exhibition vs. Minnesota is Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at CHI Health Center Omaha. Regular season opens Monday, Nov. 2, at home vs. Kansas City. Source: Creighton Athletics. Confirm tip times before you buy tickets.
FAQ
What are the best Omaha fall activities in October 2026?
Pumpkin patches (Vala’s, Skinny Bones, Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch), corn maze nights, First Friday art walks, Fontenelle Forest and metro park foliage walks, the final Omaha Farmers Market weekends, and haunted attractions through Halloween.
When do Omaha pumpkin patches close in 2026?
Vala’s, Skinny Bones, and Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch all list seasons through Nov. 1, 2026 on their sites (as of Oct. 5, 2026). Recheck hours for weather closures.
Is First Friday still happening this fall?
Yes. It is monthly in the Old Market/downtown galleries and in Benson. October’s was Oct. 2. The next first Friday is Nov. 6, 2026.
Where can I see fall leaves near Bellevue?
Fontenelle Forest is the standout, with trails and the Riverview Boardwalk. Elmwood Park, Memorial Park, Chalco Hills, and Lake Zorinsky work well for shorter walks.
When does the Omaha Farmers Market end for 2026?
The regular season ends Oct. 10 (Old Market Saturday) and Oct. 11 (Aksarben Sunday). A Holiday Market returns Dec. 5 and 6 in Aksarben Village.
This post is general information about local events and places. Dates, hours, and prices come from venue and tourism sites accessed Oct. 5, 2026, and can change. Confirm details before you go.
I’m here if you want a local guide
If fall weekends have you thinking about where you want to live next (closer to Fontenelle, nearer the Old Market, or out toward the patches in Sarpy and west Omaha), I’m glad to talk neighborhoods and listings with you. Call or text me at 402-297-6625 or email lacoryg@revelne.com.
Lacory Gordon, REALTOR
Revel Realty
1313 Harlan Dr, Bellevue, NE 68005
