Pioneers Park

The Pioneers Park acreage was greatly enlarged in December 1928 by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. John F. Harris in honor of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Harris. When the park was unofficially named Harris Park, the donor requested that it be named Pioneers Park, not only in honor of his parents, but to other pioneers whose faith and foresight was the foundation of all early west, as well as Lincoln. 

Dedicated on July 24, 1930, Pioneers Park is a 600 acre tract of rolling plains skirted by timber. Pioneers Park stands not only as a tribute in name to the early settlers of this region but as a growing monument to later men of that same pioneer stock. 

The impressive Pinewood Bowl has been an establishment in Pioneers Park since the early 1940s. The Pinewood Bowl was seen by landscaper, Chet Ager, when he became superintendent of parks in 1931 as a natural amphitheater. He carefully steered its development toward that goal, but he died in 1940 before his dream could be realized.

Work on the construction of the Bowl started on November 20, 1946. It was formally dedicated to the heroic men and women of World War II on July 13, 1947. Pinewood Bowl is a great natural hollow, which has been skillfully shaped for human use. Great floodlights are placed high to accentuate the beauty of the scene and intensify the shadows of the pine trees surrounding the Bowl.

This memorial bowl was sponsored by the Community Singfest Committee, made up of representatives from the Lincoln Ministerial Association and the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce. Fritz Craig was the name architect for the project, and was supervised by Ernst Heminghaus, then the Superintendent of Parks. 

The Pinewood Bowl is approached by a 15-foot walk leading through the pines toward the bowl. Looking down from the crest of the hill, one sees the stage below, set against a background of pines, and three stage wings on each side formed by rows of cedars. The stage has a concrete platform, which is made up of sidewalk slabs from the old Capitol building.

The most recent improvements to this treasured venue are the construction of a new box office, and towers to house stage lighting instruments and concessions in 2021. Additionally, artificial turf was placed in the lower portion of the bowl closest to the stage.

As part of a joint bicentennial project for the city of Lincoln, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Junior League of Lincoln, the four Treasury Building Pillars that formerly stood to the north entrance of Antelope Park at 23rd and O Streets were erected at Pioneers Park.

The pillars, originally taken from the United States Treasury Building, were given to the city in 1907 by Cotter T. Bride, a friend of William Jennings Bryan. The pillars are long storied to have sheltered President Abraham Lincoln while he stood on the steps of the Treasury Building reviewing troops during the Civil War. 

For 45 years the pillars stood guard over the entrance to Antelope Park. In 1961 the park land at 23rd and O Streets was sold and the pillars were put in storage until a new place could be found for them.

The re-erection near the duck pond in Pioneers Park cost $5000. The area was designed to give an aesthetically pleasing effect of ancient ruins. It was installed away from the road to allow a sense of meditation and provide scenic views through original tree-lined vistas to the Capitol, buffalo statue, duck pond, and passing trains. 

The dedication ceremony for the Bicentennial Pillars were held in 1976.

Plans were made in 1930 for the construction of a golf course. Two golf experts from a firm in Kansas City were hired to lay out the three nine-hole courses so arranged that each starts and ends at the clubhouse location, and so designed that they may be played as nine, eighteen, or twenty-seven holes.

Pasture in the far southwest corner for the larger animals--the buffalo, deer, and elk--were fenced, and ponds were improved. A winding road bordered by trees here and there runs its six mile course along the ridges where the view extends far out over the country. 

Later on, the golf course was reduced from its potential for twenty-seven holes to eighteen holes.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of evergreens, the venue offers concerts and events under the stars. Pinewood Bowl can accommodate up to 5,500 people.

Pinewood Bowl Theater

The concert series producers, ASM Global and Mammoth, are committed to keeping Pinewood Bowl Theater green.

Here’s some helpful tips when attending a Pinewood Bowl event:

• Carpool to our concerts whenever possible.
• Ride your bike!  Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department maintains trails that cyclists can travel to Pioneers Park.
• Please recycle when attending events at Pinewood Bowl Theater.  Recycling receptacles are located throughout the the venue.

2026 Events: 

May

 Brantley Gilbert with Aaron Lewis and The Stateliners:    Saturday, May 23 | 7:00 PM
 Styx with special guest Cheap Trick:    Sunday, May 24 | 7:30 PM 

June

 Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas:    Friday, June 19 | 7:30 PM
 38 Special & Kansas:    Saturday, June 17 | 6:00 PM 

August

 Southern Hospitality Tour: The Black Crowes:   Tuesday, August 04 | 7:30 PM
 Foreigner: Celebrating Fifty Years:   Thursday, August 13 | 7:00 PM
 Joe Bonamassa and Gov't Mule:   Sunday, August 16 | 7:00 PM

 John Mulaney with Mike Birbiglia and Very Special Guest: Friday, August 21 | 8:00 PM

September

 Ty Myers: The Legal Tour:    Friday, September 04 | 7:30 PM

Magic Under the Stars Since 1949

Lincoln's unique full production with a live orchestra theater experience at Pinewood Bowl since 1949. Pre-professional workshops, summer outdoor musicals, and community outreach. Visit the Pinewood Performing Arts website to learn more about their programming and to purchase show tickets.

pinewoodbowl.org

Tickets go on sale June 9 online or at all Russ's Markets

Summer Outdoor Musical

Dates:   JULY 9-12 & 16-18, 2026

Pinewood Performing Arts is excited to announce the 2026 summer musical will be: Annie.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next to nothing start in 1930's New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin features some of the greatest musical theater hits ever written, including "Tomorrow", "It's the Hard Knock Life," and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."

Don't miss your chance to see Annie at Pinewood Bowl in Pioneers Park. Gather your family and friends for an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and spectacle. Tickets go on sale June 10 online and in all Russ's Markets.

Wondering which night to go? Check out the Theme Nights offered every evening during the pre-show hours!

Event FAQ's

Do I have a specific seat?

All tickets are general admission. You can sit wherever you like. Numerous wooden benches are available but many audience members bring a blanket or a chair and find a piece of grass to sit on. You may bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

 Pinewood Performing Arts is proud to be Lincoln's bring-your-own-dinner theater! There are food trucks and concessions available for purchase. You may bring your own water bottle.

Alcohol is not allowed in the park or amphitheater at any time. 

What should not be brought to performances?

The following items are NOT allowed during the performances:

• Animals (service animals are welcome and must be on a leash at all times)
• Fireworks and/or any other pyrotechnic devices
• Alcohol
• Illegal substances of any kind
• In-line or roller skates, skateboards, scooters, bicycles
• Laser pointers
• Mace/pepper spray or any type of personal protection chemical spray
• Weapons of any kind

• Citronella candles and other open flame products

If you arrive with a restricted item, you will be asked to return it to your vehicle.

For more information about Pinewood Performing Arts information and FAQ's, visit pinewoodbowl.org.

Schedule of Events on the trail

Events are scheduled in Pioneers Park and may result in restricted access to the equestrian and hiking trails, and access drives. Cross country and other running events will require that the Tallgrass Meadow Loop (blue) be closed. Other events may impact parking areas and cause increased vehicle traffic at crossings.

2026 Running Event Schedule

April

Saturday, April 11 (9am): Run for Hope 

August

Monday, August 10 (ALL DAY): Fall Practice for Cross Country Season
Saturday, August 22 (7:30am): Christian TT
Saturday, August 22 (8:00am): LH TT
Saturday, August 22 (9:00am): NW TT
Saturday, August 22 (9:30am): SB
Saturday, August 22 (10:00am): NE TT
Thursday, August 27 (4:00pm): Pius TT
Friday, August 28 (4:30pm): North Star TT
Friday, August 28 (5:30pm): East TT
Saturday, August 29 (7:30am): Lutheran TT
Saturday, August 29 (8:00am): LSE TT
Saturday, August 29 (9:00am): LSW TT

September

Sunday, DATE TBA (9am-4pm): Bites, Bikes, & Bison
Saturday, September 5 (9:00pm): NWU ALUMNI MEET
Tuesday, September 8 (5:00pm): LPS MIDDLE
Friday, September 12 (4:00pm): PIUS INVITE
Monday, September 14 (5:00pm): LPS MIDDLE
Thursday, September 17 (10:00am): HAROLD SCOTT
Sunday, September 20 (ALL DAY): Buffalo Run
Monday, September 21 (5:00pm): LPS MIDDLE
Thursday, September 24 (10:00am): NORTH STAR INVITE
Monday, September 28 (5:00pM): LPS MIDDLE

October

Thursday, October 1 (4:00pm): LUTHERAN INV
Friday, October 2 (4:00pm): LPS
Saturday, October 3 (9:00am): CATHOLIC YOUTH LEAGUE
Sunday, October 4 (ALL DAY): LYTC
Tuesday, October 6 (4:00pm): CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 10 (ALL DAY): CATHOLIC YOUTH LEAGUE
Tuesday, October 13 (ALL DAY): LPS OPEN
Thursday, October 15 (TBA): XC DISTRICT MEET
Friday, October 23 (12:00pm): STATE MEET

December

Sunday, December 6 (10:00am): Holiday Run

Lincoln's parks and public gardens have provided beautiful backdrops for generations of family photos. When you or your photographer are taking pictures, we ask that you be mindful of, and minimize disruption to, other park users and garden visitors. Please also take care to avoid damaging any flowers, plantings, turf, or park property.

If your photo shoot is large and/or it could disrupt normal park or public garden operations, you make need to seek a Special Use Permit. If fees for photography services are collected on site, a Permit to Conduct Business may be required. Wedding reservations are available at our wedding designated sites. Please contact 402-441-7847, Ext. 0, or email parks@lincoln.ne.gov, for additional information regarding both Special Use Permit and wedding reservations.

Thank you and enjoy those beautiful pictures!

Pioneers Park offers a riding experience with a variety of wide views of park space to shaded forest riding. The trail is approximately 2.6 miles and traverses Pioneers Park. Horses are not allowed past the arches at the Pioneers Park Nature Center on the far west of the park.