See the essence of the festive season in Bettendorf. Our guide highlights all the key holiday events. Whether you're deeply rooted in Bettendorf or just branching out, our guide helps your festive spirit flourish.
One highlight of the season is Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, where dazzling light displays bring joy to visitors of all ages. Featuring an immersive drive-through experience, this event transforms the local landscape into a brilliant holiday spectacle. Another must-see is the Holiday Nights ‘N Lights, known for its captivating holiday-themed installations. And definitely don't forget the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, showcasing uniquely decorated Christmas trees from local artists. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Bettendorf
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (Cedar Rapids)
- Holiday Nights ‘N Lights (Ottumwa)
- Symphony of Lights (Clinton)
- Quad City Arts Festival of Trees (Davenport)
- Santa’s Rock N Lights (Urbandale)
- Merry-N County Christmas (Knoxville)
- Holiday Hullabaloo (Clive)
- Christmas Acres (Le Mars)
- Five Seasons Lights (Cedar Rapids)
- Blue Creek Christmas (Walker)
See these and even more events listed below!
Bettendorf Holiday Light Displays
Quad City Arts Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Largest helium balloon parade in the Midwest.
Description:
The Quad City Arts Festival of Trees features over 150 designer displays, fun-filled attractions, special events, and the largest helium balloon parade in the Midwest.
Where: Davenport | More Info: Quad City Arts Festival of Trees
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with special effects.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure is a drive-through Christmas light show at Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The event features synchronized lights, special effects, and festive melodies, transporting visitors to a larger-than-life storybook adventure. Guests are shrunk down to a world of super-sized toys and animals after Santa's Shrink Ray accidentally hits their car. The show includes Santa's Village with activities, treats, and photos with Santa.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Holiday Nights ‘N Lights
What to Expect:
Dedicated to soldiers with proceeds benefiting Wapello County Veterans.
Description:
Holiday Nights ‘N Lights is a festive light spectacle at Greater Ottumwa Park featuring over 80 lighted displays, holiday music, and a wreath photo opportunity.
Where: Ottumwa | More Info: Holiday Nights ‘N Lights
Symphony of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with unique park settings.
Description:
The Symphony of Lights in Clinton, Iowa, features over 40 lighted displays and 500,000 supporting lights, including castles, streams, and a gingerbread lodge, filling a 1.1-mile loop at Eagle Point Park.
Where: Clinton | More Info: Symphony of Lights
Merry-N County Christmas
What to Expect:
Free-will donation drive-through light display with special mailboxes for letters to Santa.
Description:
Merry-N County Christmas features a drive-through light display at Marion County Park, showcasing over 75 light and decoration displays, including an illuminated Historic Village. The event is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m., with extended hours through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Merry-N County Christmas
Santa’s Rock N Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with diverse holiday displays.
Description:
Santa's Rock N Lights is a drive-through Christmas light show featuring over one mile of nearly 1,000 programmable elements and over 100,000 animated lights dancing to Christmas music. The event includes larger-than-life dinosaurs, reindeer, and polar bears, as well as giant emojis and snowflakes.
Where: Urbandale | More Info: Santa’s Rock N Lights
Christmas Acres
What to Expect:
Largest country Christmas display with thousands of lights and sculptures.
Description:
Christmas Acres in Le Mars, Iowa, is the largest country Christmas display in the area, featuring thousands of lights, displays, and sculptures.
Where: Le Mars | More Info: Christmas Acres
Five Seasons Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with local music and Santa visits.
Description:
Stroll through a holiday light display at McGrath Amphitheatre while enjoying local music and making memories. The event features light displays, live entertainment, and visits with Santa, with food and beverage service available on select days.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Five Seasons Lights
Blue Creek Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with over 100,000 lights.
Description:
Blue Creek Christmas in Walker, Iowa, features over 100,000 synchronized lights and 25 minutes of Christmas music, creating a spectacular holiday display.
Where: Walker | More Info: Blue Creek Christmas
City of Christmas Display of Lights
What to Expect:
Over 150 light displays and one million lights in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
The City of Christmas Display of Lights in Keokuk, Iowa, features over 150 light displays and more than one million Christmas lights. This annual event has been a holiday tradition since 1989, with nearly 20,000 vehicles passing through Rand Park each year. Visitors can enjoy holiday carols on 90.1 FM while exploring the festive displays.
Where: Keokuk | More Info: City of Christmas Display of Lights
Winter Wonderscape
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and live music in a 17-acre outdoor garden.
Description:
Reiman Gardens presents a spectacular holiday light show featuring dazzling installations, laser-lit disco balls, and dynamic light strands across a frozen lake.
Where: Ames | More Info: Winter Wonderscape
Bettendorf Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Hullabaloo
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with diverse activities for all ages.
Description:
Holiday Hullabaloo is an immersive, family-friendly holiday experience featuring a variety of activities, including Santa's Workshop, Mrs. Claus's Kitchen, Toyland, Candyland, and a Sock Skating Rink. Guests can meet colorful characters, enjoy crafts and cookie decorating, and participate in snowball fights and other festive events.
Where: Clive | More Info: Holiday Hullabaloo
Winterfest at Bayliss Park
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday activities and snow-making equipment.
Description:
Winterfest at Bayliss Park is a community holiday celebration featuring a holiday lighting ceremony, Santa's workshop, reindeer, festive photo ops, face painting, free hot cocoa, ice sculpting, an outdoor movie, art activities, and live music. The event also includes horse carriage rides, bike rides, and snow-making equipment to transform Bayliss Park into a winter wonderland.
Where: Council Bluffs | More Info: Winterfest at Bayliss Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Moline (1 miles)
- Davenport (3 miles)
- Rock Island (3 miles)
- East Moline (4 miles)
- Clinton (28 miles)
- Muscatine (28 miles)
- Galesburg (41 miles)