5 of the Best Iowa Towns to Visit During the Christmas Season
The Christmas season is upon us!
Just a few weeks ago, we found out that Valley Junction, Iowa was named the Best Christmas Town in Iowa by Reader's Digest. Their "Jingle in the Junction" event throughout the month of December is a popular stop for Iowa families that want to get into the holiday spirit. But, Valley Junction isn't the only awesome Iowa town to visit during the Christmas season! Here are five other festive places in Iowa:
Amana Colonies
The Amana Colonies are a must-stop during the holiday season! The entire town is decked out with festive Christmas decor and there are a TON of different events and activities happening throughout the month of December. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, visitors can stop by the Festhalle Barn for the Tannenbaum Forest to see "over 60 unique Christmas Trees, each decorated by a different business, organization, group, or family," plus the 17-foot German Christmas Pyramid!
December 2nd through 4th, the Amana Colonies will celebrate the season with their Prelude to Christmas Festival, which will have food, drinks, carolers, shopping, and more. In addition, Children's Weekend is coming up December 9th through 11th and Holiday Traditions Weekend is the 16th through 18th. Don't forget to stop at The General Store and check out their International Christmas Room! It's decked out from ceiling to floor with Christmas decor!
Keokuk
Keokuk, Iowa is home to The City of Christmas, a huge holiday display at Rand Park that runs throughout the month of December. It's so popular that almost 20,000 vehicles pass through it each year! According to the website, "it now features over 150 light displays and over one million Christmas lights." It was even voted 2021's Top Christmas Town in Iowa!
The City of Christmas will run seven days a week through January 1st, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can check out the full schedule for the event HERE.
Atlantic
Located in Southwest Iowa, the city of Atlantic prides itself on its Christmas celebrations. Called "Iowa's City of Lights," the website invites Iowans to "be dazzled by more than 200,000 LED lights in a stretch of 6 blocks of historic buildings filled with gift shops, clothing stores and boutiques."
In addition to all the beautiful lights, Atlantic also hosts a series of Christmas events in December. The Lighted Parade and fireworks display will take place on December 3rd at 6 p.m., the Festival of Trees is set for December 1st through 4th, and visitors can visit Santa's Cabin and take a carriage ride on certain dates throughout the month. You can check out the city's holiday calendar HERE.
Wyoming
Wyoming, Iowa, also known as "Christmas City," is well-known for their holiday spirit! An article from Only in Your State says they have a "beautiful canopy of Christmas lights that spans four blocks along the town's Main Street," as well as 40 Christmas trees lining the streets.
The 30th annual Wyoming Christmas City Celebration will take place on Sunday, December 4th from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will feature horse & wagon rides, entertainment, a craft & vendor fair, food, kid's activities, and more. And don't miss the Lighted Vehicles Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m.! You can see a full schedule of events HERE.
Oskaloosa
Every holiday season, Main Street in Oskaloosa is transformed into a Christmas wonderland! The weekend of Thanksgiving, the town kicks off their "Painting With Lights" event, where all the buildings downtown are decked out with colorful Christmas lights. According to the Facebook event page:
"Painting with Lights will turn on each evening until January 8 and many of our downtown shops will offer extended shopping hours, sales, specials, and more throughout the holiday season.""
Oskaloosa also hosts an annual Lighted Christmas Parade, which will take place this year on Saturday, December 3rd at 7 p.m. The event is in its 35th year and the 2022 theme is "Christmas Canvas".
Looking for some light displays and other big events to check out here in Iowa this December? You can see a list of them HERE!