Holidays at the Capitol will be observed but will look a little different this year. Due to COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution for public health and safety, Pinewood Performing Arts, formerly Pinewood Bowl, INC., sponsor of the annual Capitol tree lighting ceremony will not be holding a Nebraska State Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing this year. The annual tuba and horn concerts usually scheduled in the rotunda during December have also been canceled for this year only.
To encourage visitors to avoid the three C’s, Crowded Places, Close contact, and Confined spaces, and to protect staff from the several agencies involving in cutting, placing and decorating a tree inside the Capitol, the office of the Capitol Commissions will not be raising the large Christmas tree in the Capitol’s 2nd floor rotunda this year. Instead, the two large fir trees at the base of the Capitol’s north plaza will be lit with colored lights to celebrate the Christmas season. A smaller Christmas tree in the Reception Room of the Governor’s Office will also help observe the season.
The Capitol will be open for tours throughout the holiday season but will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Free guided tours are offered on the hour, except noon, beginning at 9 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. The last tour starts at 4 p.m. Depending on pandemic conditions and the capacity of the state’s hospitals, tour group size may be limited to 10 people.
Please call the tour office at 402-471-0448 for more information about touring the Capitol.