Ditmars Orchard’s November nights: free bingo requires a reservation for each person

Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in Council Bluffs has a calendar of low-key evenings for November and December. For anyone on the Iowa side, or anyone in Omaha who wants a night out that does not involve a downtown parking garage, the orchard calendar this month is worth a look. It also has a couple of rules that are easy to miss.

The short version: Ditmars is closed Sunday, November 8 for a private party. Bingo night on Thursday, November 12 is free but requires pre-registration for every person, with no walk-ins. Game nights run Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. through November and December.

Bingo: register everyone, not just yourself

The orchard’s bingo night listing puts the event at 6 to 8 p.m. on November 12. It is free, but the page says you must pre-register each person in your party, seating is limited, and walk-ins will not be allowed. That is the detail that ruins a group plan if one person registers for four.

The format is two rounds of five games, with a break in between. The orchard asks players to take one set of cards at a time and grab another set if they stay for the second round.

Friday game nights

The game night page lists Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. in November and December, including November 13 and November 20. Lawn games, board games, and card games are available, and you can bring your own. The orchard says all ages are welcome. No registration is mentioned on that page, and no price is listed.

The page invites you to grab a drink. It does not list a drink or food menu or prices, so we are not going to guess what is pouring. Ask when you arrive.

Wassailing today, and the regular hours

Today, Saturday, November 7, the orchard hosts its 7th Annual Wassailing from noon to 4 p.m. The listing describes an old English custom of blessing the apple trees for next season, with ceremonies at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30, hot cider toasts, and cider-soaked donuts placed on the branches in place of the traditional bread. If you are reading this after 4 p.m., it is a date to remember for next year.

The orchard’s home page lists fall and winter hours of Thursday through Saturday noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the November 8 closure noted. The address is 19475 225th Street, Council Bluffs, and the phone number is 712.256.7053.

We have not visited for this story. This is a calendar note, not a review.

Planning information checked November 7, 2026, CST. Event details and hours can change. Follow the linked pages before leaving.