Rudolph leading the way for 2023 holiday happenings in Eastern Iowa

Holiday happenings get underway this weekend around Eastern Iowa. Don’t see your event here? Go to Add Event at hooplanow.com. More will be added to this list during the season.

Rudolph returns to History Center

CEDAR RAPIDS — Do you remember the magic of walking through the holiday displays at Armstrong’s Department Store? The last holiday display shown at Armstrong’s is setting up shop at The History Center, 800 Second Ave. SE.

“Rudolph’s Return” will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18. Activities include free family photos with Santa, horse and carriage rides, crafts, holiday treats, museum tours and more. Tickets are $7 at historycenter.org/rudolph.

Festival of Trees at Lindale Mall in C.R.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The former Younkers store in Lindale Mall will become a winter wonderful for the Festival of Trees, presented by The Gazette.

More than 60 sponsored trees will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 19, 2023. Admission is $5 ages 18 and up and free for 17 and under with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the HACAP Food Reservoir.

An online auction to bid on the trees in support of Tanager will be live through 4 p.m. Sunday. Other features include a holiday vendor market, kids’ activity center and main stage entertainment.

Details: festivaloftrees.thegazette.com

Holiday Play Land

CEDAR RAPIDS — Holiday Play Land, a pop-up indoor play space for kids ages 1 to 7, is open on Fridays through Dec. 29, 2023, at 850 Twixt Town Road, in the former Perfect Game building next to the Long Branch Hotel. Cost is $12 for an hourlong session from 4 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m.

The event, organized by Jed Eichhorn, owner of The Shell and Little Sports Torts, features holiday-themed activities. Equipment includes, ride-on toys, mini workout gear, inflatables, sports fields and more, in nearly 8,000 square feet of room to run and play, For information and registration, go to littlesportstorts.com/holiday-play-land/

Hear ‘Four Seasons’ by candlelight

SWISHER — The Listeso String Quartet will perform Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More, at 8:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at The Midnight Gem, 2613 Ders Dr. NW, Swisher. Tickets are $40 to $65 at feverup.com/m/134280. The 6:30 concert is sold out.

Christmas, Santa racing to Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Hawkeye Downs Speedway and Expo Center is partnering with Shadrack Productions to bring the Christmas Adventure and Santa Village to Cedar Rapids from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly, Nov. 17, 2023, to Jan. 7, 2024.

Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure takes over the racetrack at Hawkeye Downs, 4400 Sixth St. SW, to create a drive-thru Christmas light event with a tunnel, Santas and scenes stretching over a mile, dancing along to Christmas music.

Tickets are $24.95 for a passenger vehicle with up to eight people, and $59.95 for an activity van with up to 25 people.

Then head indoors to the Santa Village in the North Expo Hall. Admission is free with racetrack tickets. Attractions include a Craft and Coloring Station, Letters to Santa Station, Selfie Stations, Holiday Market, paid inflatable rides, $5 photos with Santa and concessions for sale.

For details and tickets, go to hawkeyedowns.org/santavillage.

Camp Courageous fruitcake fundraiser

MONTICELLO — The 35th annual Camp Courageous Fruitcake Sale is underway. These one-pound fruitcakes contain no alcohol or citron. They are available for $10 now through the Camp Store website and at a variety of locations across Iowa, while supplies last — typically until early December.

For sites and details, go to campcourageous.org/fruitcakes/

Proceeds help make camp possible each year for nearly 10,000 people with special needs.

‘Dark Side of the Yule’

MAQUOKETA — Christmas meets classic rock in Classical Blast’s live holiday concert, “Dark Side of the Yule,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at the Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 E. Platt St., Maquoketa.

The show melds Christmas and rock, with music by bands like Metallica, Evanescence, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and others, all mashed with holiday classics, Baroque carols, classical music and originals — with light at the end.

Tickets are $22 adults and $13 students in advance, or $25 adults and $15 students at the door. Details: ohnwardfineartscenter.com/our-events/

Festive lights

• IOWA CITY: Holiday Lights at the Lake: Begins on Thanksgiving and continues through New Year’s Eve at West Overlook Campground, West Overlook Rd. NE. Featuring a milelong route of large, animated, and dazzling light displays. Hours: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday. Cost: $5 per person on walk-through Wednesdays (closed to vehicles); all other nights $10 car to $50 large limo or buses; cash at the gate or pay online at holidaylightsatthelake.com/tickets. Proceeds go to the Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County.

• CEDAR RAPIDS: Five Seasons Lights: Dec. 1 to 31, McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St SW. Hours: 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, with light displays and music; 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, with light displays, live entertainment, food/beverages; 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, with light displays, live entertainment, food/beverages, and visits with Santa. Free. creventslive.com/events/2023/five-seasons

• OXFORD: Light Up Oxford: Dubbed “a town wide holiday celebration that feels like Hallmark movie,” will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1. Details: cityofoxfordiowa.com/events-newsletter

• CEDAR RAPIDS: Tree lighting ceremonies. The city will be a whole lot brighter with two tree lighting ceremonies on Dec. 2.

First up is the tree in Greene Square, between Third and Fourth avenues SE. Festivities run from 4:30 to 6 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Watch for more details at facebook.com/DowntownCR/

Then head right over to the NewBo District, for the NewBo City Market Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Market Yard, 1100 Third St. SE. Details: facebook.com/NewBoCityMarket

• ROBINS: Christmas tree Lighting & Visit with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus: 4:45 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Robins Clock Tower: 4:45 p.m. holiday songs; 5 p.m. Santa arrives via firetruck, to help light the tree; afterward, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hoppe Safety Center, 225 S. Second St. robinscivicclub.com/christmas-tree-lighting.html

• CORALVILLE: Aisle of Lights: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10. Drive or walk through the business district and residential areas to see how thousands of white paper sacks, each filled with sand and a votive candle, create a magical scene on a winter evening. Related events include a soup supper, open houses, kids’ crafts, light show, Santa sleigh, ice sculpture and more; coralville.org/316/Aisle-of-Lights

• WALKER: Blue Creek Christmas: To Jan. 7, 4942 Blue Creek Ct., one mile north of Center Point. More than 100,000 lights synchronized to more than 25 minutes of music. Details, directions: facebook.com/bluecreekchristmas

• CEDAR RAPIDS: Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure: 6 to 10 p.m. to Jan. 7, Hawkeye Downs racetrack, 4400 Sixth St. SW. Drive-thru Christmas light event with a tunnel, Santas and scenes stretching over a mile, dancing along to Christmas music. Cost: $24.95 passenger vehicle with up to eight people, and $59.95 activity van with up to 25 people. Then head indoors to the Santa Village in the North Expo Hall; free with racetrack tickets; featuring Craft and Coloring Station, Letters to Santa Station, Selfie Stations, Holiday Market, paid inflatable rides, $5 photos with Santa and concessions for sale. Details: hawkeyedowns.org/santavillage

• MOUNT PLEASANT: Festival of Lights: To Dec. 31, Midwest Old Threshers Campground, 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant; $10 family vehicle, $25 limo, $30 mini coach, $60 motor coach. Southeast Iowa’s largest drive-through holiday light park; www.oldthreshers.org/festival-of-lights/

Hanukkah

Cedar Rapids: Public Hanukkah menorah lighting: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, in front of Ginsberg Jewelers, 4647 First Ave. SE. Featuring a 10-foot menorah,: juggling show, music, dancing Rabbis, and traditional Hanukkah foods; free. Organized by Chabad N.E. Iowa. Information: Chabad.org/Hanukkah

Community events

• MARION: Christmas in the Park: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1, Uptown Marion. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 4 p.m., then visit them indoors at 1104 Seventh Ave.; Community Peace Tree lighting at 6 p.m.; horse-drawn rides, entertainment, family activities, Peppermint Walk in many Uptown businesses. Details: cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/7703/17

• AMANA: Prelude to Christmas: Dec. 1 to 3, Amana. With special events and food/beverage sampling in the shops, carolers on the street, and the town decked out in Christmas finery. Also: Amana Church Christmas Cookie Walk and Holiday Bazaar; Tannenbaum Forest. Details: amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/prelude-to-christmas/

Events

A Brucemore Christmas: Self-guided tours, Thursday to Sunday to Dec. 31, Brucemore mansion, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids; $15 adults, $5 students; brucemore.org/event/a-brucemore-christmas-self-guided-tours-2/2023-11-24/

Tannenbaum Forest: Dec. 8 to 10 and 15 to 17, Festhalle Barn, 4707 220th Trl., Amana. Decorated trees, Santa’s Sleigh, photo opportunities, a 17-foot German Christmas Pyramid, St. Nick’s Cafe. Children’s Weekend, Dec. 8 to 10; Holiday Traditions Weekend, Dec. 15 to 17. Donations: $3 for charities; amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/tannenbaum-forest/

Cookies with Santa: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9, Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE, Cedar Rapids; $1 to $8, eventbrite.com

NewBo Gingerbread House Party: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10, NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. House decorating competition; $35, register at eventbrite.com

Santa at the Market: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17, NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids; newbocitymarket.org/events

Live Nativity: The Living Story: 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 to 16, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave. NE, Marion. Drive through the parking lot and experience the wonder of the birth of Jesus, without exiting your vehicle; free admission, but donations will be accepted for Willis Dady Homeless Services in Cedar Rapids. Bring a mobile device to hear the recorded narration at stmarkscr.org/livingstory

Holiday Gift Wrapping and Card Party: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Iowa Children’s Museum, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville. Drop-in DIY gift-wrapping and card-making session; gift wraps, gift bags, and blank cards will be available, or bring your own to decorate; free with paid admission; theicm.org/event/holiday-gift-wrapping-card-party/

Skate with Santa: 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 17, ImOn Ice Arena, Cedar Rapids. Decorate cookies, get crafty and skate with Santa; $15 per skater; facebook.com/ImOnIceCR

Celebrate the Holidays at Cedar Memorial: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17, Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. With music from the St. Pius X Christmas Singers at 5 p.m.; festive trees, wreaths, ornaments, Santa visits; cedarmemorial.com/News/Default.aspx

Workshop

Solstice Celebration: 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18 to 20, Owl Glass Puppetry Center, 319 N. Calhoun St., West Liberty. Free and open to the public, all materials provided. Create lanterns and puppets to be lit from within. Attend any or all three days and make your own creation. Or help with the group project, 5 p.m. Dec. 21, constructing a giant sun and other celestial bodies. When the sun sets, participants will light their lantern puppets and stroll them through the streets of West Liberty to celebrate the Solstice and welcome the return of the sun. The short parade will end at Ron-De-Voo Park or Owl Glass Puppetry Center, depending on the weather, where the community is invited for cocoa, treats and music. Workshop reservations: (319) 627-2487 or email monica@puppetspuppets.com or eptcoutreach@Lcom.net

Holiday open houses

• Noelridge Greenhouse Lights and Blooms: A Tropical Holiday Adventure: 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, Noelridge Greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE. Bask in the warmth of the greenhouse and its permanent collection of tropical plants; shop for winter plant decor and gifts. Admission is free with non-perishable food donation for HACAP.

• Very Cherry Holiday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Shop and visit artists and businesses in this renovated warehouse.

Seasonal markets

• Old World Christmas Market: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3; National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. Inspired by traditional European markets. Local handcrafted items, treats, entertainment and activities for all ages. New this year: pop-up restaurant featuring authentic Czech and Slovak foods. Free admission. Details: ncsml.org/ncsml-events/old-world-christmas-market/

• Holiday Thieves Market: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 9; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10; Hyatt Regency Coralville Expo Hall, 300 E. Ninth St., Coralville; free admission. Fine arts gifts, from ceramics and jewelry to painting, photography and wood items. Details: summerofthearts.org/sota-events/holiday-thieves-market/

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