Welcoming Week 2026 Wrap-Up!
Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect – Sept. 10-20 and beyond!
Calendar of Nebraska Welcoming Week Events
Over these days of Welcoming Week 2026, we have seen celebrations of our state’s cultural richness, neighbors connecting over shared stories, and, of course, plenty of food and smiles to fill us up and continue the work ahead. This year, local welcomers across Nebraska hosted over 75 events in more than 12 communities from Scottsbluff and Grand Island to Crete and South Sioux City – and we are still celebrating.
We saw local business tours, community gatherings around food and storytelling, belonging-themed storytimes, cultural celebrations, arts and healing, and so much more. The variety of events and local gatherings demonstrates to us that local bridge-building and connectedness matter so much to us and build into local communities’ welcoming and belonging work that happens year-round – so many ways to connect, learn, and have fun with neighbors! There are still a few more events to come!
Beyond Welcoming Week events still to come:
- Sat, Sept 26 (3:00-11:00 PM CT): Columbus Hispanic Festival: Celebrating Hispanic culture, community, music, food, art, and local businesses in Frankfort Square, 2614 13th Street.
- Sept 25-27: 4th Street Festival: Join the Grand Island 4th Street Festival and enjoy live music, business and food vendors, dance performances, piñatas, carnival rides, pony rides, and more.
- Sat, Sept 26 (4:00-6:00 PM CT): Harvest Moon Festival, hosted by the Asian Community & Cultural Center, is a celebration of cultural diversity in Lincoln! This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Guests enjoy a variety of cultural performances, music, food, and activities.
- Sun, Sept 27 (4:00-7:00 PM CT): Welcome Fest! CIRA is proud to host Welcome Fest in Omaha as part of national Welcoming Week 2026, which brings together neighbors of all backgrounds to celebrate and affirm the importance of welcoming everyone in our communities.
Enjoy a few photo highlights from Nebraska’s Welcoming Week 2026!
Photos from Columbus!
Centro Hispano and House of Bah Foundation hosted an evening of connection with neighbors, a full-course meal prepared by local Columbus chefs, and plenty of music, poetry, and stories of belonging that connected everyone.
Photos from Grand Island!
Our friends at the Grand Island Welcoming Initiative, alongside many local partners, hosted a week full of events – everything from local business tours to showcasing local art for healing, and sharing stories of belonging.
Photos from Lexington!
The Lexington Public Library hosted a Family Fun Night alongside local partners where families had the opportunity to connect with local non-profits and engage in fun activities together!
Photos from Lincoln!
Local community partners all across Lincoln hosted celebratory events throughout Welcoming Week, including cultural performances at Lincoln Unites and engaging events where local community members could hear directly from neighbors who shared their stories in the new book titled The Lives of Immigrants and Refugees: Tales of Migration, Hope, Grief, and Finding Home in Nebraska.
Photos from South Sioux City!
Celebrate Siouxland, hosted by Unity in Action and many partners and businesses in South Sioux City, brought together neighbors of all backgrounds for Lotería/Bingo game night, as well as local business tours, a Zumbathon & health fair, movie night under the stars, and a Latino Heritage Festival.
Welcoming Work Continues Beyond Welcoming Week
Those are just a few of the photos and moments from the 75+community events in communities across the state. Thank you to all for celebrating Welcoming Week 2026 and for being an integral part of what makes Nebraska home for so many! Please reach out to us to support additional welcoming and belonging efforts throughout the year.
Take a moment to reflect on your Welcoming Week and the opportunities to build upon it – whether inviting someone new you met to another community event, continuing your personal learning, expanding community learning, or maybe just regrouping with other Welcomers to say “What’s next?”
Help spread the message! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2026. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA on Instagram.