Top 5 Holiday Activities in Iowa: A Holiday Bucket List
TL;DR: Whether you're here for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a visit during holiday season, we've got the perfect escape plan: magical light displays, authentic European holiday markets, cozy cabin retreats, unique cultural celebrations, and epic outdoor recreation.
Why Your Iowa Holiday Visit Just Got Way More Exciting
Already planning to be in Iowa for the holidays? Perfect! Instead of spending all your time inside with relatives (we love them, but ...), here's your ultimate bucket list of five incredible activities that'll have you actually excited about getting out of the house during your visit.
1. Holiday Light Displays: Iowa's Winter Magic
Painting with Lights (Oskaloosa): They literally paint the town square with lights. This scenic display showcases the beauty of a small town during the holiday season, with historic brick buildings lit up for all to see – and with 250,000 lights illuminating Oskaloosa, you can’t miss it.
Christmas in Atlantic: As snow begins to fall, Atlantic transforms into the "city of lights" with an amazing town-wide display offering breathtaking walking or drive-through experiences.
Reiman Gardens Winter Wonderscape (Ames):
This 17-acre, 150,000 dazzling light spectacle comes alive with bright tunnels, massive laser-lit disco balls, dynamic light strands dancing across a frozen lake, a colorful neon forest, and much more.
Krumwiede Light Display (Waverly): What started more than 30 years ago as a humble yard display has grown into a spectacular event featuring dancing lights from famous movies and TV shows synchronized with music. The best part? This all supports miscellaneous non-profits throughout the year through the Krumweide family donation box.
2. Holiday Markets and Christmas Events: Shop with European Flair
Christkindlmarket (Des Moines, December 4 - 14): Experience authentic European tradition, right here in Iowa. Browse booths selling old-world, artisanal products while indulging in bratwursts, candied nuts, and authentic German foods and drinks with live music.
Winterfest (Council Bluffs, November 21: 6 – 8 PM): Kick off the holidays at Bayliss Park tree-lighting ceremony, featuring the pop-up Makers Village holiday market, a meet-and-greet with Santa, kids activities, food trucks and carolers.
Old World Christmas Market (Cedar Rapids, December 6: 9:30 AM – 6 PM):
Also inspired by European markets, the Old World Christmas market features centuries-old traditions. Check out local handcrafted items, delicious treats, and entertainment celebrating culture, community, and holiday cheer – all for free!
Weihnachtsfest (Manning, Friday, November 28: 5:45 – 8 PM): Celebrate German American culture with light parades, Santa's arrival, delicious food and live music.
Julefest (Elk Horn & Kimballton, November 28 – 29): Danish Villages celebration featuring 5K races, live entertainment, craft fairs, and opportunities to learn about Danish heritage.
Prelude to Christmas (Amana Colonies, November 28 – December 21): German flair across seven villages featuring the Tannenbaum Forest (50+ uniquely decorated Christmas trees!), Holiday Bazaar and live music.
Norwegian Christmas (Decorah, December 6, 10 AM – 4 PM): Traditional Scandinavian activities: singing around Christmas trees, holiday crafts, s'mores around fires, plus free Vesterheim museum admission!
3. Cozy Cabin Getaways: Unplug & Reconnect
Backbone State Park (Near Dundee): Iowa's first state park offers recently remodeled luxury cabins with cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting and fishing.
Briggs Woods Park (near Webster City): Briggs Woods Park has three luxury cabins (Legacy, Oak and Hickory) that overlook the serene Briggs Woods Lake. In the summer, the golf course is a hit, but this time of year, it doubles as a cross-country ski course.
Jester Park's Pine Cabins (Near Granger): Jester Parks’ cabins are a nature-lovers dream. The park offers just about every outdoor activity you can think of, including hiking, ice fishing, birdwatching, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even horse-drawn sleigh rides! The four modern rentals sleep between 6-8 people and have all the amenities you’d need.
Springbrook State Park's Sherburne House (Near Guthrie Center): Looking for a place fit for a large family gathering for the holidays? The Sherburne House sleeps 14, has a full kitchen, huge living room, and deck that overlook 12 miles of hiking trails. Deer sightings are practically guaranteed.
Whiterock Conservancy (Coon Rapids): If you want options, Whiterock Conservancy has you covered. With a farmhouse, cottage, yurt, cabins and more, there’s no wrong choice for how you choose to get away this winter.
4. Shop Local: Charming Downtowns for Holiday Shopping
Historic Valley Junction (West Des Moines): Eclectic, vintage and antique stores wait for shoppers in the Historic Valley Junction. Every Thursday starting in mid-November, Jingle in the Junction offers extended hours to allow visitors more time to find the perfect gift and stroll 5th Street under the glow of holiday lights.
Iowa City Downtown District: Located in the heart of this college town, you'll find a wide variety of boutiques, art studios, bookstores and coffee shops. The Iowa City ‘Tis the Season event also runs from November through December and offers fun events like tractor wagon rides, a holiday kid’s market, Santa Saturdays, pop-up markets and more.
Sioux City: Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, Historic Fourth Street in Sioux City has a variety of stores to meet every shopping list need. Before you head home, make sure to stop by Palmer's Old Tyme Candy Shoppe for Twin Bings and other sweet treats.
Decorah: Beautiful landscapes surround the cozy town of Decorah in northeast Iowa, and excellent shopping can be found in their extremely walkable downtown shopping district. If you want to feel like you’re walking around in a holiday movie, Decorah might be your best bet.
Ames: Another classic college town, Ames is a hidden gem for local shopping with plenty of boutiques, specialty retailers and restaurants all within walkable blocks. The magic of the season really gets going during the Merry and Bright Holiday Weekend, featuring the aforementioned Winter Wonderscape holiday light show, the Santa Express in nearby Boone (book ahead), TUBACHRISTMAS and more.
5. Outdoor Winter Adventures: Embrace the Elements
Sundown Mountain Resort (Dubuque): As the only Midwest resort to win the NSAA Award of Excellence, Sundown is a premier ski destination. At 85 acres and home to 21 scenic trails, Sundown has a diverse terrain for all ages and skill levels – and their adaptive equipment makes winter sports accessible for everyone.
Cone Park (Sioux City): It’s hard to have the winter blues when you’re racing down 700-foot tubing hills. If tubes aren’t your thing, hit the 5,400 square foot ice skating rink or grab some food and drinks in the lodge.
Brenton Skating Plaza (Des Moines): If you’re hitting Des Moines this winter, lace up your skates and get out on the ice. Experience breathtaking (literally) skyline views for less than $10 a person.
Trout Run Trail (Decorah): If you’ve never skied cross-country, the Trout Run Trail is a great place to start. The 11-mile trail loops through and around historic Decorah offering scenic views of forested limestone bluffs and the Upper Iowa River.
Storm Lake Ice Fishing: When the lake freezes, the fishing fun doesn’t stop. If it’s your first time on the ice, check out the Iowa DNR’s Introduction to Ice Fishing Guide.
Posted Oct 30, 2025, 3:54 PM UTC · locked