Arbor Day 2025
A love of trees that goes way, way, way beyond hugging.
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!
Would you like to nominate someone as the 2025 Arbor Day Honoree? Or to be the 2025 Tree Planter of the Year? Or do you know of a Prestigious Tree? Let us know HERE. (Link disabled for 2025 — winners have been selected! Stay tuned to learn who our winners are!)
SPONSORS: Click HERE to submit your sponsorship information. (Deadline is Friday, March 21.)
Would you like to pre-order an Arbor Day t-shirt? Click HERE!
Do y0u have a special event planned for Arbor Day that you’d like us to include in our marketing? Click HERE to add an activity to our Schedule of Events. (To be in the printed booklet, deadline is Friday, April 4. Events will be added to this page until day of festival.)
Click HERE to include your entry in the Parade! (Deadline is Friday, April 18.)
Interested in being a vendor at the Home, Craft, & Garden Market? Click HERE to register! (Deadline is Monday, April 14.)
Check out all our fabulous Nebraska City Museums!
Make a weekend out of it and book an overnight stay!
Hungry?
Need to do some shopping?
7 Ways to Experience Arbor Day in the Home of Arbor Day
Friday, April 25, 2025
Children's Program
Time: 10 a.m. / 1:30 p.m.
Location: Lawn in front of Arbor Lodge Mansion
Description: 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!
Commemorative Tree Planting for 2025 Arbor Day Honorees and Tree Planters
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Description: Recognizing the 2025 Arbor Day Honoree and Tree Planter of the Year
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Arbor Day 5K/10K/Kids Run
Time: 10K at 7 a.m. / 5K at 9 a.m. / Kids Run at 10 a.m.
Location: Arbor Day Farm
Description: Run or walk in the footsteps of J. Sterling Morton! The annual Arbor Day 5K Fun Run/Walk will be on Saturday, April 26 - 10K at 7a, 5K at 9a, and Kids Run will begin at 10a. All will start and finish at the Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm. Check-in begins at 6:30am for 10K and 8:30 am for 5K and Kids Run. Packet pick-up will be Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the NCTC Office or the morning of the event on-site. Details about the route will be available before the start of the event. Watch the NCTC website for route information as it is released. Fur babies are welcome on a leash. The route is mostly gravel and may be difficult for strollers. There will be medals awarded to top runners. The entry fee includes a t-shirt (not guaranteed for late entries) and a finisher medal.
Website: Click here to register!
Home, Craft, & Garden Market
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Eagles Club
Description: Home goods, improvement vendors, garden ideas, makers -- all indoors!
Website: Sign Up Here!
National Historic Landmark Unveiling at Kregel Windmill Factory Museum
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Kregel Windmill Factory Museum, 1416 Central Avenue
Description: Join us in celebrating the designation of the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum as a National Historic Landmark!
Website: Click here for more details
2025 Arbor Day Parade
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Central Ave. from16th Street east to 6th Street
Description: Floats, vehicles, bands, and more! VIEW US LIVE ON FACEBOOK!
Website: Sign Up Here!
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Best of the Midwest Bloody Mary Championship
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Eagles Club, 600 1st Corso
Description: Do you make the best Bloody Mary in the Midwest? Or would you be willing to be a taste-tester at our Best-of-the-Midwest event? We know, we know... it's a tough job! We are looking for participants AND party-goers! $5 cover charge to get in, then pick up five (5) tasting tickets for $10. This is a 21+ event!
Website: PARTICIPANTS: Individuals and bars/restaurants welcome! Cash prizes and trophies awarded to winners. Find details and register here! Deadline to sign up: April 11.
Festival Sponsors
The Morton Oak
