LINCOLN — Add the Nebraska State Capitol Christmas celebrations to the list of pandemic victims.
There will be no Christmas tree in the Rotunda this year and no tree-lighting ceremony. No Carol Sing for the public, and none of the usual holiday tuba and brass concerts.
State officials made the announcement Tuesday, saying the events are being canceled to help visitors and staff prevent infection by avoiding the three C’s: crowded places, close contact and confined spaces.
But the Capitol will not be totally devoid of holiday spirit. The two large concolor fir trees at the base of the Capitol’s north plaza will be illuminated with colored lights. There also will be a smaller tree in the reception room of the Governor’s Office, in the northeast hallway of the second floor.
The Capitol will be open for tours as usual except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Free guided tours are offered on the hour, except at noon. The tours start at 9 a.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. The last tour starts at 4 p.m. all days.
Christmas in the Omaha area through the years
1940s: Christmas at Union Station
1952: Christmas Day morning
1953: Christmas at Union Station
1958: Visit with Santa
1965: Christmas shopping, downtown Omaha
1968: Christmas shopping at Crossroads
1971: Crossroads Christmas parade
1972: Christmas shopping and Santa visit
1972: Westroads Mall Christmas shopping
1973: Downtown Omaha decorated for Christmas
1973: Southroads Christmas display
1977: Christmas shopping, downtown Omaha
1977: Durham Museum Christmas
1980: Christmas shopping at Target
1981: Christmas shopping at Crossroads
1981: Christmas shopping
1981: Last-minute Christmas shopping
1982: Westroads Christmas shoppers
1982: Westroads shoppers
1984: Christmas shopping
1984: Christmas shopping, toys
1988: Visit with Santa
1990: Durham Museum Christmas tree
1992: Tree-lighting at Union Station
2005: Dick Boyd plays Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol”
2018: Capitol District Ice Rink
2018: Salvation Army Tree of Lights
2019: Black Friday shopping at Shadow Lake Towne Center
2019: Christmas tree disposal
2019: Salvation Army Tree of Lights
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