116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Where to see holiday lights, Santa and more around Eastern Iowa this year
Nov. 25, 2025 6:00 am
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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. oldthreshers.org/festival-of-lights/
Lights at the Lake: Through Dec. 31, 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. 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
Five Seasons Lights: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 to Dec. 28, 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. https://www.creventslive.com/events/2025/five-seasons
Holiday Lights & Blooms Showcase: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5, Noelridge Park Greenhouse, 4900 Council St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Admission free with non-perishable food donation for local HACAP food pantry. Event showcases the permanent collection of plants in the seasonally decorated and lit greenhouse; refreshments, holiday arrangements for sale to support the Children’s Garden. facebook.com/events/1888549788405553
Coralville’s Aisle of Lights: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14. See lighted luminarias at residences and businesses. Details and related activities: coralville.org/316/Aisle-of-Lights
CITY, DISTRICT CELEBRATIONS
In the Amana Colonies:
- Prelude to Christmas: to Dec. 21, Amana Colonies. Handcrafted gifts, festive treats, holiday music and family-friendly fun. Amana Traditions Weekend Dec. 5 to 7 features the Amana Church Bazaar and Cookie Walk and the Annual Holiday Haus Walk. Holiday Haus Walk Tickets: $25/adult; Kids 12 and under free. Details: https://amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/prelude-to-christmas/
- Traditional Christmas Communal Meal: Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Reservations required and seating limited. Tickets $35/person at amanaheritage.org or call with questions at 319-622-3567.
- Tannenbaum Forest: Friday to Sunday, to Dec. 21; Festhalle Barn, 4707 220th Trl., Amana. Features decorated trees, nativity scene and other photo opportunities, Santa visits on select days. Freewill donations benefit Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and local nonprofits. https://amanacolonies.com/event/tannenbaum-forest-19/
- Prelude to Christmas Kid’s Weekend at Ackerman Winery: Dec. 12 to 14. Kids crafts (supplies provided, $5), “Reindeer Games,” holiday movies and Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt. Christmas Carols with Clear Creek Amana High School Kids Choir, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. https://amanacolonies.com/event/prelude-to-christmas-kids-weekend-at-ackerman-winery/2025-12-12/
- Holiday Heritage Workshop at Homestead Folk Art Museum: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 13. Ornament and cookie workshops, light refreshments. Tickets $25/person: https://amanaheritage.org/product/holiday-heritage-workshop/
City of Cedar Rapids Tree Lighting: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Greene Square, Cedar Rapids. Lighting ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. Performances by Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale and the Washington High School Madrigal Singers. Community activities lead up to the tree lighting countdown.
Christmas in Kalona: 7 a.m to 7 p.m. Dec. 6, downtown Kalona. Music, live Nativity display, Christmas market with 40 vendors, cookie walk, wagon rides, smores, lighted golf cart parade, Christmas tree walk. Kids can fill walking stockings at businesses, make a wish with Santa, decorate an ornament or cookies. Details: kalonachamber.com/christmas-in-kalona
Cookies & Cheer at Lindale Mall: Dec. 6th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lindale Mall, 4444 1st Ave. NE, located by Famous Footwear in the common area. Ativities include cookie decorating, face painting, balloon twisting, Chick-Fil-A mascot appearance and a performance by Prestige Dance Studio. Santa will greet children and then take photos with guests and Cherry Hill Programs.
Deck the District: Dec. 5 to 7, Czech Village and New Bohemia, Cedar Rapids
- RHCR Theatre’s Christmas Cabaret: Christmas at the Movies, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6; 2 p.m. Dec. 7, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE. A festive cabaret packed with songs, laughs and movie magic inspired by your favorite holiday films. Tickets: $25, cspshall.org/events
- Very Cherry Holiday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6, Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Art sale and open house in Main Studio and Gallery. Free hands-on activity in STEAM classroom. Shopping, live Christmas music from Five Seasons Chamber Music, Santa 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. https://iowaceramicscenter.org/2025-2/?
- NewBo City Market Tree Lighting Ceremony: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Market Yard. Cocoa, caroling and holiday shopping.
Ely Winterfest: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13, downtown Ely. The Grinch, carriage rides, giveaways, vendor fair, cookie decorating, s’mores station and more. facebook.com/share/1AAr2sGNWZ/
Hiawatha Holidays:
- Holiday Tree Lighting 5:30 p.m. Dec 4 at Village Center Plaza in front of City Hall, 101 Emmons St., Hiawatha. Meet Santa, drink cocoa, sing carols with Linn County Ukulele Club.
- Hiawatha Reindeer Run: 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 6, Fay M. Clark Park, 1200 N. 18th Ave., Hiawatha. Three-mile fun run and walk; $30, eventbrite.com/e/hiawatha-reindeer-run-2025-registration-1602541608089?aff=erelexpmlt
- Hiawatha Holiday Lights Parade: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Dec. 18, route snakes through town. With lighted floats, Santa arriving on the back of a firetruck. Route map available at www.Hiawatha-Iowa.com
Light Up Oxford: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, downtown Oxford. Tree lighting and Santa at City Hall, live nativity scene, live music, food and drink vendors, holiday market and more. cityofoxfordiowa.com/events-newsletter
Magical Mount Vernon: 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7, Uptown Mount Vernon. Santa, animatronics, living nativity and more. Event schedule: visitmvl.com/our-events/magical-mount-vernon/?occurrence=2025-12-06
Marion’s Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 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. Details: marioncc.org
PCI Pediatrics Photos with Santa: 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 13, PCI Medical Pavilion 2, 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. pcofiowa.com/for-patients/classes-and-events/events/pci-pediatrics-photos-with-santa/eid_41826769cc8e02a3/
Robins Tree Lighting: 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30, Robins Square Clock Tower. Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive at 5 p.m. to light tree; meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hoppe Safety Center robinscivicclub.com/christmas-tree-lighting.html
Santa Village at Hawkeye Downs: Dec. 5 through Dec. 21, Expo Center North Expo Hall, 4400 Sixth St. SW, Cedar Rapids. Free admission. Visits with Santa, craft and coloring station, activities, games, photo opportunities, peppermint putt putt golf, holiday market, concessions for sale, $5 Santa photos, inflatables with individual tickets or wristbands for unlimited play. Fridays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. hawkeyedowns.org/santavillage
A Very Merry Christmas in Swisher: 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 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
Veterans Holiday Meal: 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 50 2nd Ave. Bridge, Cedar Rapids. Free with free parking on 2nd Ave. Bridge. Roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and more, plus pie for dessert. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/190175-veterans-holiday-meal-veterans-memorial-coliseum
West Branch celebrations:
- Festival of Trees “Kaleidoscope of Colors”: Rummels Center, Hoover Presidential Foundation, 127 W. Main St., West Branch. Dec. 5 and 6 and business days for the rest of December, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- A Christmas Past: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, downtown West Branch. Gingerbread house contest, decorations, music, crafts, refreshments, horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, photos with Santa, train display, silent auction, treats around the fire; mainstreetwestbranch.org/christmas
- Snowball Sprint: 10 a.m. Dec. 6, Cubby Park, 301 Scott Dr. Participants are encouraged to dress up for a chance to win bragging rights in Best-Dressed Costume Contest.
- Holiday Elf Hunt Color Quest: Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the West Branch Public Library or Rummels Center or print one at home. Find 20 elves hidden in participating businesses throughout the historic main street district. Return your completed form to the library or Rummels Center for a small prize and a chance to be drawn the winner of the grand prize basket. mainstreetwestbranch.org/christmas
MUSEUMS
At Brucemore mansion: 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids. brucemore.org/holidays/
- A Brucemore Christmas: Self-Guided Tours: select weekdays Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, Brucemore mansion. Hours vary by week. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 students 4 and up; free ages 3 and under
- Brucemore Holiday Nights: Self-Guided Tours: to Dec. 28, Brucemore mansion, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Entry every half hour, last entry 7:30 p.m. Additional tours Dec. 17 and Dec. 22 5 to 8:30 p.m. See the mansion aglow with more than a dozen Christmas trees and thousands of twinkling lights. Tickets: $18 adults, $10 students 4 and up; free ages 3 and under.
- Santa, Snacks and Stories: 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, Brucemore mansion. Entry every half hour, last entry 7 p.m. Kids can share their wish list with Santa, and adults can snap photos. Also craft, story time and take-home snack. Tickets: $5 adults; $10 ages 12 and under.
Clermont Christmas at Montauk Historic Site: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6, Montauk Historic site, 26223 Harding Rd., Clermont; free admission. The house will be decorated and open to walk through. Kids Christmas craft, Santa, live music on 1916 piano in the parlor. Details: facebook.com/events/831168812737435
NATIVITIES
The Living Story: Live Nativity: 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18 to 20, 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
Dogs Forever’s Holidog Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6, Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Christmas themed items, dog themed items, apparel, gifts, jewelry, bake sale, grab ’n' go gifts, raffle baskets and holiday photo minis. All proceeds go to care for the dogs at the organization’s shelter. dogsforever.org/events/
Pet Night at Lindale Mall: Dec. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m., bring your pet to Lindale Mall, 4444 1st Ave NE, for a photo with Santa
Santa Paws: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids; free admission. Bring your dog to get a photo with Santa. Dogs only, must be well-behaved and on a leash. creventslive.com/events/2025/five-seasons
SANTA
Happy Llama-days with Llama Santa: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6, Prairie Patch Farm, 2989 120th St. NE, Cedar Rapids; open house for photos with llamas dressed as Santa, elves and more. General Admission $17, Kids age 3 to 12 $15, age 2 and under free. prairiepatchfarm.com
Photos with Santa at Lindale Mall: Nov. 28 through Dec. 24 at Lindale Mall, 4444 1st Ave NE. Photo reservations: whereissanta.com/mall/0439.
Santa Cares at Lindale Mall: 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 7, Lindale Mall, 4444 1st Ave NE. Sensory-friendly photo experience with Santa.
Scuba Santa: noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 East 3rd St., Dubuque. Take photos with scuba diving Santa in the Gulf of Mexico exhibit located in the Diamond Jo National River Center. rivermuseum.org/events/scuba-santa-4
SEASONAL MARKETS
Cultivate Hope Holiday Craft Fair: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 Groundswell, 201 3rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Art and craft vendors, live orchestra music, food and baked goods, kids crafts, holiday photo booth and more. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/188845-cultivate-hope-holiday-craft-fair-groundswell
Eastside Artists Show and Sale: Dec. 5 to 7, Masonic Building, 312 E. College St., Iowa City. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7. Wide variety of handmade items by local artists. eastsideartists.com/
Holiday Thieves Market: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, 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. The silent auction will also be available online. summerofthearts.org/sota-events/holiday-thieves-market/
Made in Iowa Holiday Market at Hawkeye Downs: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30, Expo Center North Expo Hall, 4400 Sixth St. SW, Cedar Rapids. $5 entry at door, kids under 12 are free. Shop 177 vendors from across Iowa, snap photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live music, and more. madeiniowa.org/holidaymarket2025/
Made in Iowa Merry Market at Hawkeye Downs: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 21, Expo Center North Expo Hall, 4400 Sixth St. SW, Cedar Rapids. $5 entry at door or online. More than 60 vendors including local artists, bakers, crafters. madeiniowa.org/merrymarket/
Market at the Mount: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6, 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/2025/12/market-at-the-mount
Nature’s Noel: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6, 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/
Old World Christmas Market: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, 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/
Sip and Shop Holiday Market: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Cellar space, Fireside Winery, 1755 P Ave., Marengo; free admission. All vendor booth fees donated to the nonprofit animal rescue organization Safe Haven of Iowa County.
St. Ludmila’s Christmas Market: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at St. Ludmila Community Center, 211 21st Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Kolaches until sold out, cookie and candy sales, silent auction, vendors, fresh cut greenery arrangements, concessions. stludmila.org/christmas-market
Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com
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