Thousands turn out as Maha music festival makes its return to Omaha's riverfront

The Omaha music festival filled Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront, where festivalgoers formed a mosaic of picnic blankets and danced in the pit of the stage.

Maha and Outlandia music festival organizers joined forces to bring the Maha Festival back to the riverfront in downtown Omaha. The 16-year-old festival had been held along the riverfront until flooding along the Missouri River pushed it to Stinson Park in Aksarben Village in 2011, where it had been held since, save for the event’s cancellation in 2020 and 2024.

The festival was warmly welcomed back to the Omaha music scene, featuring a lineup of indie and alternative artists and bands. Included in that lineup was Omaha-based punk band Little Brazil.

The headliner was acclaimed alternative rock band Pixies, who took the stage after indie artist Katie Crutchfield (performing under the name Waxahatchee). The events lineup also featured alternative rock band Silversun Pickups, Seattle rock band Band of Horses and pop duo Magdalena Bay.

In a previous interview with The World-Herald, Maha Board President T.J. Twit hoped to see at least 5,000 people in attendance.

That goal was met early in the day, with 5,000 tickets sold around 3 p.m.

One guest, Jonathan Little, has attended multiple Maha festivals and was excited to see the event’s comeback and the new location.

“We knew this was going to be the new spot for a time,” Little said. “But we’re interested in how they’re gonna do up the place to make it fun.”

Little also pointed out the importance of these kinds of events to attract more people to Omaha.

“Having events like Maha and even seeing this expanded bigger than it is, really makes Omaha more attractive for people to want to live here,” Little said. “And it’s not just like the cost of living is nice. No, the city itself is actually enjoyable. There’s stuff to look forward to every year.”

Maha’s return included old favorites, such as food trucks and the Community Village.

Lining the streets near the main stage, festivalgoers could pick from a variety of food truck offerings, such as Indian food, gyros or plant-based options from Rutabagas. There was also the Community Village, where local community partners and sponsors hosted booths.

Across from the Community Village, kids skated along the Skate Ribbon at The Bay’s skate demo.

Another festivalgoer, Omaha resident Jessica Freeman, has been attending the festival since 2014. She noted that in the past, the event has been a really great way to showcase the art of the city, the nonprofit sector and the energy of the youth in Omaha.

“I think it’s just a really great way for the community to come together,” Freeman said.

She hopes, too, that Maha will continue to grow.

“I want to see it grow and get bigger,” Freeman said. “We’ve had like two nights before, we had one day. We’ve had more stages. There’s just a lot that can happen. I think there’s just a lot of potential, because I think the brand of Maha is out there.”