Holiday happenings around Eastern Iowa

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LIGHTS

Know a light display we don’t? Make sure you check out holidaylightfinder.com and submit a display, or plan your route for holiday viewing.

Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights: 5:30 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31, Midwest Old Threshers Campground, 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant. More than 180 holiday lighted scenes along 1.6-mile route; Santa visits on select nights. Admission: $10 family vehicle to $60 motor coach, at the gate. https://www.oldthreshers.org/festival-of-lights/

Lights at the Lake: Through New Year’s Eve, West Overlook Campground, West Overlook Road NE, Iowa City; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More than a mile of animated light displays, animated tunnel, sparkling arches and holiday figures; Memory Lane tribute trees, “Snowmerican Gothic.” Cost: $5 per person on walk-through Wednesdays; otherwise, $10 car or family van; $30 large van, small limo or small bus; $50 school bus, charter bus, party bus, large limo; holidaylightsatthelake.com/tickets

Blue Creek Christmas: To Jan. 5, 4942 Blue Creek Ct., Walker (one mile north of Center Point). Hours: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 24 and 25. More than 100,000 lights synchronized to more than 25 minutes of music. Donations to Center Point Lions. facebook.com/bluecreekchristmas

Five Seasons Lights: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 to 26, McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids; free admission. Holiday lights along the Cedar River, live entertainment; food and beverage services Thursday to Saturday; Santa visits Saturdays; Ugly Seater 5K-ish run walk/run Dec. 14, $18. creventslive.com/events/2024/five-seasons

Holiday Lights & Blooms Showcase: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6, Noelridge Park Greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Free admission, but canned goods and monetary donations accepted for the local HACAP food bank. Event showcases the permanent collection of plants in the seasonally decorated and lit greenhouse; free music and refreshments; small holiday-themed items, tabletop decor, pet gifts, porch pots and greenery for sale. facebook.com/events/1761349161357695

Cedar Rapids Tree Lighting Ceremony: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Greene Square, 305 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Write Santa letters, holiday crafts, sale items. crparkfoundation.org/event/city-tree-lighting/

Coralville’s Aisle of Lights: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 8. See lighted luminarias at residences and businesses. Details and related activities: coralville.org/316/Aisle-of-Lights

Celebrate the Holidays with Cedar Memorial: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15, Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. See festive trees, wreaths, ornaments and thousands of lights; live Christmas music; and Santa. cedarmemorial.com/

CITIES, DISTRICTS

In the Amana Colonies:

Hiawatha Holidays: Details at hiawatha-iowa.com/calendar/

West Branch celebrations: Dec. 5 to 7; hooverpresidentialfoundation.org/events/

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Marion’s Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, Uptown Marion. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 4 p.m.; Community Peace Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Also: horse-drawn carriage rides (suggest $5); caroling; donations of new hats, mittens, blankets, socks; Peppermint Walk through Uptown shops and businesses. Note: Seventh Avenue between 10th and 12th streets closed 2 to 9 p.m. https://www.marioncc.org/

Deck the District: Dec. 6 to 8, Czech Village and New Bohemia, Cedar Rapids; https://www.facebook.com/thedistrict.cr

Ho! Ho! Ho! In NewBo: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12, New Bohemia district, Third Street SE, Cedar Rapids. Samples, treats and specials at retail businesses and restaurants; Washington High School Madrigal Choir, lighted bicycles, Iowa Running Company holiday carolers. https://www.hooplanow.com/things-to-do/172235-ho-ho-ho-in-newbo-next-page-books-of-cedar-rapids

Mount Vernon Magical Night: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, Uptown Mount Vernon. visitmvl.com/our-events/magical-night-2024/

Christmas in Kalona: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 7, downtown Kalona. Music, live Nativity display, kids can fill walking stockings at businesses, make a wish with Santa, decorate ornament or cookies, Christmas Market with 40 vendors, cookie walk, movie at the library, wagon rides, sled giveaway, carolers, 5 p.m. lighted golf cart parade, Christmas Tree Walk. kalonachamber.com/christmas-in-kalona

Robins Tree Lighting: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Robins Square Clock Tower, 225 S. Second St., Robins. Beverages, music, Santa arrives at 5 p.m. to help light the tree; meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hoppe Safety Center. robinscivicclub.com/christmas-tree-lighting.html

A Very Merry Christmas in Swisher: 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14, Swisher. Tree lighting at 6 p.m., lighted Christmas parade on Second Street at 6:30 p.m., Santa visits, horse-drawn wagon rides, shopping, cookie walk, cookie decorating, holiday tree walk, kids’ crafts, live music. swisherstrong.com/copy-of-holiday-market

Luminaria Walk: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Pavilion, Prairie Creek Recreation Area, 1215 E. Summit St., Maquoketa; free, no registration needed. Features a campfire and a lighted walk along the trails to celebrate the winter solstice and the coming of winter. Participants must be able to walk on uneven trails, and up hills and stairs. Dress for the weather and start your hike before 6:30 p.m. to ensure the lighted pathway is still shining.

Santa Village at Hawkeye Downs: Thursday to Sunday through Christmas Eve, Expo Center North Expo Hall, 4400 Sixth St. SW, Cedar Rapids. Free admission. Visits with Santa, craft and coloring station, activities, games, photo opportunities, holiday market, concessions for sale, $5 Santa photos, inflatables with individual tickets or wristbands for unlimited play. Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and Dec. 23 and 24; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday. hawkeyedowns.org/santavillage

PCI Pediatrics Photos with Santa: 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 7, PCI Pediatrics, 275 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Kids of all ages are invited to PCI Medical Pavilion 2 for cookies, activities, crafts and a photo op with Santa using your own phone. Free and open to the public. https://www.hooplanow.com/things-to-do/171833-pci-pediatrics-photos-with-santa-pci-pediatrics

Skate with Santa: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21 ImOn Ice Arena, 1100 Rockford Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Decorate cookies and makes crafts with Santa’s Elves, and skate with Santa himself; $15, includes skate rental, first-come. Skate walkers rental $7. https://www.hooplanow.com/things-to-do/172915-skate-with-santa-imon-ice-cedar-rapids-ice-arena

Celebrate Kwanzaa: Noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 28, African American Museum of Iowa, 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; free. Celebration honoring African American heritage, culture and unity. Includes cultural performances; interactive activities for all ages; food; local artisans. We will highlight all seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba), emphasizing values such as unity, self-determination and collective responsibility. blackiowa.org/event/celebrate-kwanzaa/

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MUSEUMS

At Brucemore mansion: 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids. brucemore.org/holidays/

Christmas at Montauk: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Montauk Historic site, 26223 Harding Rd., Clermont; free admission. The house will be decorated and open to walk through. Also: hot cider, Christmas goodies, ornament craft for the kids and visit with Santa. https://www.hooplanow.com/things-to-do/171775-christmas-at-montauk-montauk-historic-site

NATIVITIES

Cedar Rapids Nativity Celebration: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 7, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4150 Bluejay Dr., Cedar Rapids; free. See hundreds of Nativity sets, including the restored Armstrong-Smulekoff Nativity, damaged in the 2008 flood; also children's activities and live music; bring a canned food or personal care item for the Catherine McAuley Center. crnativity.info/

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The Living Story: Live Nativity: 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19 to 21, FaithLife Church, 8300 C Ave., Marion. Drive-thru experience with multiple stations, narration tracks, live animals and music. Enter the parking lot from C Avenue, then use parking lights; bring mobile device to hear narrations on the church website; free admission, any donations will go to a local community organization. faith-life.org/livingstory

PETS

Last Hope Animal Rescue: Magical Night Holiday Fundraiser: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, former fire station, 217 First St. NW, Mount Vernon. With adoptable animals, cocoa, bake sale, holiday pet gifts, Last Hope apparel. facebook.com/LastHopeAnimalRescueIA

Dogs Forever’s Holidog Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Christmas themed items, dog themed items, apparel, gifts, jewelry, bake sale, grab ’n' go gifts, and raffle baskets. All proceeds go to care for the dogs at the organization’s shelter. dogsforever.org/events/

SEASONAL MARKETS

Eastside Artists Show and Sale: Dec. 6 to 8, Masonic Building, 312 E. College St., Iowa City. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. Wide variety of handmade items by local artists. eastsideartists.com/

Nature’s Noel: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7, Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. Holiday decorations using fresh-cut evergreens, wreaths, local vendors indoors and outdoors, food, meet Santa, make-and-take crafts. indiancreeknaturecenter.org/gallery/natures-noel/

Cultivate Hope Holiday Craft Fair: 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 7, Groundswell, 201 Third Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Local craft vendors, baked goods from the Youth Development Program, food from our Urban Farm, photo booth, crafts and activities, music by the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra, and more. matthew-25.org/event/cultivate-hope-holiday-craft-fair-2/

Old World Christmas Market: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. Local handcrafted items, treats, entertainment, activities for all ages, wreath raffle, cookie walk, kolache cafe, visits from Father Christmas, Devil and Angel. Free event and galleries admission. ncsml.org/ncsml-events/old-world-christmas-market/

Young Entrepreneurs Market: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, at NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Products handcrafted and curated by local young entrepreneurs at Metro STEAM Academy. facebook.com/metrosteamacademy

Holiday Thieves Market: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, Expo Hall, Hyatt Regency Coralville, 300 E. Ninth St., Coralville; free admission. More than 85 vendors, with handmade ceramics, glass art, jewelry and more; plus silent auction to benefit Summer of the Arts’ free community programming. summerofthearts.org/sota-events/holiday-thieves-market/

Market at the Mount: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14, Mount Mercy University, Hennessey Recreation Center, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids. More than 80 local vendors with handmade crafts, gifts, food, dog treats, free gift wrapping, Santa photos and more. mtmercy.edu/news-events/events/2024/12/market-at-the-mount

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com