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Photos: Festive Fridays bring downtown Iowa City to life

Last Friday was the kick-off of Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City. The holiday-themed events, sponsored by the Iowa City Downtown District, will run for 4 more Fridays, until Dec. 19. They feature free trolley rides, seasonal entertainment, extended shopping hours and community events.

Elizabeth WoodElizabeth Wood

Nov. 23, 2025 2:15 pm

Community members walk between the Holiday Kids’ Market booths during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. Festive Fridays will run for five consecutive weeks from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 28, and Dec. 5, 12 and 19. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Community members walk between the Holiday Kids’ Market booths during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. Festive Fridays will run for five consecutive weeks from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 28, and Dec. 5, 12 and 19. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Bram Elias, of Iowa City, helps Hope Elias, 7, and Harry Elias, 9, decorate gift tags with the IC Press Co-Op as community members walk by during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. Festive Fridays include live entertainment, pop-up shops, and a trolley that connects the downtown with the Northside neighborhood. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Bram Elias, of Iowa City, helps Hope Elias, 7, and Harry Elias, 9, decorate gift tags with the IC Press Co-Op as community members walk by during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. Festive Fridays include live entertainment, pop-up shops, and a trolley that connects the downtown with the Northside neighborhood. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Caylon Hull, 17, performs as the Nutcracker during a preview of the Nolte Dace Academy’s upcoming performance of The Nutcracker during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. Hull said this is the first time he’s performing as the Nutcracker, and he’s excited to perform the role. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Caylon Hull, 17, performs as the Nutcracker during a preview of the Nolte Dace Academy’s upcoming performance of The Nutcracker during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. Hull said this is the first time he’s performing as the Nutcracker, and he’s excited to perform the role. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Emily Rabe,17, of Iowa City, performs as the Mouse Queen during a preview of the Nolte Dace Academy’s upcoming performance of The Nutcracker during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. The Nutcracker will be performed in the Englert Theatre, Dec. 4-7. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Emily Rabe,17, of Iowa City, performs as the Mouse Queen during a preview of the Nolte Dace Academy’s upcoming performance of The Nutcracker during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. The Nutcracker will be performed in the Englert Theatre, Dec. 4-7. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Caylon Hull, 17, performs as the Nutcracker during a preview of the Nolte Dace Academy’s up-coming performance of The Nutcracker during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. The Nutcracker will be performed in the Englert Theatre, Dec. 4-7. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Caylon Hull, 17, performs as the Nutcracker during a preview of the Nolte Dace Academy’s up-coming performance of The Nutcracker during Festive Fridays in downtown Iowa City on Friday. The Nutcracker will be performed in the Englert Theatre, Dec. 4-7. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

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