Embark on an exciting holiday adventure in Council Bluffs! Our guide has all the top festive events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide ensures you experience the holiday charm of Council Bluffs.
One popular highlight is Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops, where families can immerse themselves in a winter wonderland filled with festive displays and holiday cheer. The unique festive atmosphere and photo opportunities with Santa make it a favorite among locals. And don't forget Winterfest at Bayliss Park, which transforms the park into a winter oasis complete with twinkling lights and seasonal activities for everyone to enjoy. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Council Bluffs
- Winterfest at Bayliss Park
- Winterfest in Bayliss Park
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Christmas in the Village (Omaha)
- Family Nights with Santa (Omaha)
- Blank Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees and Lights (Des Moines)
- Symphony of Lights (Clinton)
- Elkhorn Tree Lighting Party (Elkhorn)
- Holiday Nights ‘N Lights (Ottumwa)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (Cedar Rapids)
See these and even more events listed below!
Council Bluffs Holiday Light Displays
Elkhorn Tree Lighting Party
What to Expect:
Free festive celebration with Santa and live music.
Description:
The Elkhorn Tree Lighting Party is a free community event featuring Santa, live Christmas music, hot dogs, chili, cookies, s'mores, and hot cocoa. The evening culminates with the lighting of the Elkhorn Christmas Tree at 5:00 PM.
Where: Elkhorn | More Info: Elkhorn Tree Lighting Party
Symphony of Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with over 40 lighted displays and 500,000 supporting lights.
Description:
Clinton's Symphony of Lights transforms Eagle Point Park into a spectacular holiday light display featuring over 40 lighted displays, 500,000 supporting lights, castles, streams, and a gingerbread lodge. The event fills a 1.1-mile loop with festive beauty and splendor, reminiscent of childhood holiday memories.
Where: Clinton | More Info: Symphony of Lights
Merry-N County Christmas
What to Expect:
Free drive-through holiday light display with special mailboxes for Santa letters.
Description:
Merry-N County Christmas is a free holiday light drive-through display at Marion County Park, featuring 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., starting November 19 and continuing through December 23.
Where: Knoxville | More Info: Merry-N County Christmas
Quad City Arts Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Unique holiday displays and attractions.
Description:
The Quad City Arts Festival of Trees features over 150 designer displays, fun-filled attractions, and special events, including 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 super-sized toys and characters.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Adventure at Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center features a drive-through storybook of lights with synchronized lights and special effects, transporting visitors into a larger-than-life holiday adventure. The event includes Santa's Village with activities, treats, and photo opportunities.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Blank Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees and Lights
What to Expect:
Decorated trees and local performances.
Description:
The Blank Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees and Lights is an annual event featuring beautifully decorated trees, special performances, visits with Santa, a scavenger hunt, fun crafts and activities, and impactful stories of children cared for at Blank Children’s Hospital. Visitors can also shop at the Holiday Gift Shop for gifts and more.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Blank Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees and Lights
Lights at Kennedy
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays and festive decorations.
Description:
Lights at Kennedy is an annual event featuring elaborate light displays and festive decorations that transform the Kennedy area into a vibrant holiday spectacle.
Where: Fort Dodge | More Info: Lights at Kennedy
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.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Five Seasons Lights
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. It is a staple holiday event dedicated to soldiers with proceeds benefiting Wapello County Veterans.
Where: Ottumwa | More Info: Holiday Nights ‘N Lights
Maytag Park Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Thousands of twinkling lights and over 50 lighted displays.
Description:
Maytag Park Holiday Lights features over 100,000 twinkling lights and more than 50 lighted displays, making it one of Central Iowa's most spectacular free light displays.
Where: Newton | More Info: Maytag Park Holiday Lights
Santa’s Rock N Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with diverse animated displays.
Description:
Santa's Rock N Lights is a drive-through Christmas light show featuring over 1,000 programmable elements and 100,000 animated lights dancing to Christmas music. The event includes larger-than-life dinosaurs, reindeer, and polar bears, along with 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 a festive display featuring lighted sculptures, inflatables, and an estimated 200,000 lights. Visitors can enjoy the display with accompanying music.
Where: Le Mars | More Info: Christmas Acres
Blue Creek Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music display in a rural setting.
Description:
Blue Creek Christmas in Walker, IA, features an impressive light display set to Christmas music, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Where: Walker | More Info: Blue Creek Christmas
City of Christmas Display of Lights
What to Expect:
Over one million Christmas lights in 150 displays.
Description:
The City of Christmas Display of Lights in Keokuk, Iowa, features over 150 light displays and over one million Christmas lights. This annual event, established in 1989, includes Toyland, Santa's Barn, Santa's Workshop, a Nativity Scene, and the International Christmas Display. Visitors can tune into 90.1 FM to hear holiday carols and stories about the displays.
Where: Keokuk | More Info: City of Christmas Display of Lights
Winter Wonderscape
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and live music.
Description:
Reiman Gardens presents a spectacular holiday light show featuring dazzling installations, captivating tunnels, massive laser-lit disco balls, and dynamic light strands across a frozen lake. The event includes whimsical mushroom forests and more, all set to cheerful holiday tunes.
Where: Ames | More Info: Winter Wonderscape
Council Bluffs Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas in the Village
What to Expect:
Cultural community celebration with diverse holiday activities and shopping.
Description:
Christmas in the Village is a cultural community celebration featuring holiday music, a live nativity scene, free carriage rides, and a holiday boutique with over 30 vendors showcasing unique merchandise.
Where: Omaha | More Info: Christmas in the Village
Winter Solstice Market
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday market with 25 local vendors.
Description:
The Winter Solstice Market is a two-day indoor shopping experience featuring 25 curated arts, crafts, and food vendors in the restored Winterset Livery building at Winterset Courthouse Square. Savor the sights, sounds, and scents of the holiday season while shopping for handcrafted items.
Where: Winterset | More Info: Winter Solstice Market
Council Bluffs Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Family Nights with Santa
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and festive entertainment.
Description:
Family Nights with Santa offer a variety of activities including meeting Santa, watching model trains, hearing seasonal stories, making crafts, and getting face painted.
Where: Omaha | More Info: Family Nights with Santa
Council Bluffs Other Holiday Activities
Winterfest in Bayliss Park
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday activities and snow.
Description:
Winterfest in 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, outdoor movie, art activities, crafts inside the museum, live music, food trucks, giveaways, horse carriage rides, bike rides, and snow.
Where: Council Bluffs | More Info: Winterfest in Bayliss Park
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
What to Expect:
Free studio-quality photos with Santa.
Description:
Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops offers free photos with Santa, holiday giveaways, and a variety of games and activities for families to enjoy.
Where: Council Bluffs | More Info: Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Letters to Santa
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday letter-writing experience for children.
Description:
The Letters to Santa event at the Council Bluffs Farmers Market offers a special opportunity for children to write their holiday wishes to Santa Claus. The event is part of a larger festive celebration that includes various activities and attractions.
Where: Council Bluffs | More Info: Letters to Santa
Santa Paws
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa and pet event.
Description:
Santa Paws is a fun event where attendees can interact with Santa and his furry friends, fostering a sense of community and holiday cheer.
Where: Omaha | More Info: Santa Paws
DIY Gingerbread House at Home Depot
What to Expect:
Hands-on DIY projects for kids with a certificate and apron.
Description:
At Home Depot, kids can participate in free DIY workshops every first Saturday of the month. These hands-on activities are designed for children aged 5-12, but all ages are welcome. Each workshop includes a new project, an orange apron, and tools to create a wooden masterpiece. Participants receive a certificate of achievement and a pin for their apron.
Where: Omaha | More Info: DIY Gingerbread House at Home Depot
Candy Cane Course 5K
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday running event with youth-based pricing.
Description:
The Candy Cane Course 5K is a fun, Christmas-themed event designed for the whole family. It features great swag, chip-timing, live results, awards, free photos, and delicious treats at the finish line.
Where: Omaha | More Info: Candy Cane Course 5K
Winterfest at Bayliss Park
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday activities and local entertainment.
Description:
Winterfest at Bayliss Park is a community holiday event featuring a 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 food trucks and a food court on Pearl Street.
Where: Council Bluffs | More Info: Winterfest at Bayliss Park
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, entertainment, and festivities. Enjoy activities like Santa's Workshop, Mrs. Claus's Kitchen, Toyland, Candyland, and the Sock Skating Rink. Meet colorful characters like Jack Frost, Suzy Snowflake, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Create holiday memories with crafts, cookie decorating, and live entertainment.