Lighting the Night: Lighted Holiday Parades in Iowa

One of my favorite things about the holidays is all the beautiful lighted outdoor decorations and even better is an illuminated Christmas parade. This weekend, there are a bunch of them around the state of Iowa.

Thursday, December 5

5 p.m.: Mt. Pleasant Holiday Parade

6 p.m.: Decorah Lighted Holiday Parade and free pictures with Santa Claus.

7 p.m.: Holiday Lighted Parade in Boone with tree lighting and more to follow.

7 p.m.: The streets will be lit in Creston for the "Creston Lighted Christmas Parade and No Place Like Creston Festival." Fireworks follow the parade.

Friday, December 6

6 p.m.: Charles City Lighted Parade with fireworks to follow.

6 p.m.: LaPorte City Home for the Holidays lighted parade with a variety of other activities throughout the weekend.

8 p.m. Oelwein Old Tyme Christmas Parade with fireworks to follow. Events throughout the day.

Saturday, December 7

4 to 7 p.m.: Mitchellville's First Annual Hometown Christmas. A lighted parade concludes the day's activities.

5 p.m.: Clear Lake Christmas by the Lake Parade with fireworks to follow. Events throughout the day Saturday and Sunday.

5 p.m.: DeWitt Hometown Christmas Pickup Parade. Events throughout the day.

6 p.m.: Atlantic Lighted Holiday Parade. Each entry includes lights and music. Fireworks kick off the event.

6 p.m.: Christmas Extravaganza in Madrid. Events begin at 10 a.m.

Sunday, December 8

5:30 p.m.: Christmas City Celebration Lighted Parade in Wyoming. Events start at 3:30 p.m.

6 p.m.: Norwalk Christmas Parade

Johnson County has a holiday parade next weekend:

Saturday, December 14

6 p.m.: A Very Merry Christmas in Swisher. Events begin at 4 p.m.