Welcome to the ultimate guide for holiday fun in Dubuque! Discover all the best festive events and attractions. From longtime Dubuque residents to temporary visitors, our guide is your passport to yuletide adventures.
This holiday season, experience the charm of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical," a delightful adaptation that brings the beloved classic to life on stage. With enchanting music and vibrant characters, it captures the spirit of the season. Another highlight is the Dubuque City Youth Ballet’s presentation of "The Nutcracker," featuring stunning choreography and beautiful costumes that transport audiences into a magical world. And the heartfelt performance of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - The Musical" is something you definitely don't want to miss as it brings laughter and festive cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Dubuque
- Dubuque City Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
- Home Free
- Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows (Galena)
- DSO Holiday Concerts
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - The Musical
- Sinatra and Friends New Year’s Eve
- Sunshine Holiday Gift Fair
- Sunshine Circle Holiday Fair
- St Joseph Key West Annual Fall Festival
See these and even more events listed below!
Dubuque Holiday Light Displays
Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows
What to Expect:
Thousands of candlelit luminaries and animated store windows create a festive atmosphere.
Description:
Over 5,000 candlelit luminaries illuminate Galena's streets and sidewalks, while store windows on Main Street come alive with holiday-inspired animated displays. Local businesses offer extended hours for holiday shopping, and group carolers serenade the crowd at the Grant Park Gazebo.
Where: Galena | More Info: Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows
Dubuque Holiday Markets and Shopping
Sunshine Circle Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Unique handmade gifts and baked goods for a good cause.
Description:
The Sunshine Circle Holiday Fair at Finley Hospital features homemade bakery items, handmade gifts, floral arrangements, and seasonal jewelry. Volunteers showcase their creations to benefit UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital's continuing patient care services.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Sunshine Circle Holiday Fair
Sunshine Holiday Gift Fair
What to Expect:
Unique handmade gifts and baked goods for sale.
Description:
The Sunshine Holiday Gift Fair at Finley Hospital features homemade bakery items, handmade gifts, floral arrangements, and seasonal jewelry. Volunteers showcase their creations to benefit UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital's patient care services.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Sunshine Holiday Gift Fair
Dubuque Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
What to Expect:
Heartwarming holiday classic with iconic songs and nostalgic set designs.
Description:
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is a heartwarming stage production that brings the beloved holiday classic to life. Follow Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster as they help Santa save Christmas in a story filled with iconic songs, dazzling costumes, and nostalgic set designs.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - The Musical
What to Expect:
Mischievous children disrupt a traditional Christmas pageant.
Description:
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - The Musical is a hilarious and heartfelt adaptation of Barbara Robinson's classic story, featuring the mischievous Herdman children who crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, leading to a chaotic yet heartwarming holiday celebration.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - The Musical
DSO Holiday Concerts
What to Expect:
World-class holiday music performance with vocalist Kira Guloien and the Dubuque Chorale.
Description:
The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Concert features a 90-minute performance of holiday favorites, including carols, selections from the Nutcracker, and film scores, accompanied by vocalist Kira Guloien and the Dubuque Chorale.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: DSO Holiday Concerts
Dubuque City Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Classic ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Dubuque City Youth Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a classic holiday ballet featuring whirling snowflakes and waltzing flowers. Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker battle the dreadful Mouse King in a nightmare that becomes a beautiful dream. This production is part of the 2024-2025 Subscription Series and has been a family holiday tradition for over 20 years.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Dubuque City Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker
Home Free
What to Expect:
Heartwarming mix of Christmas classics and country favorites.
Description:
Home Free brings an unforgettable evening of incredible harmonies, blending Christmas classics, Nashville-dipped pop hits, and timeless country standards in their signature holiday tour.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Home Free
Sinatra and Friends New Year’s Eve
What to Expect:
Classic songbook performance by Bryan Anthony.
Description:
Celebrating Sinatra and Friends New Year’s Eve features Bryan Anthony’s performance of the Great American Songbook, bringing timeless classics to life in a memorable evening.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Sinatra and Friends New Year’s Eve
Galena Shakespeare Festival (if relevant)
What to Expect:
Adults-only historical interactive comedy with a full bar.
Description:
The Galena Shakespeare Festival presents an adults-only historical interactive comedy, featuring a Victorian gentleman, scandalous secrets, and forbidden love. The event is set in a country estate with a cash bar and includes 90-minute sessions every weekend.
Where: Galena | More Info: Galena Shakespeare Festival (if relevant)
Dubuque Other Holiday Activities
Grimmwood Acres
What to Expect:
Handcrafted cemetery with singing Jack-O-Lanterns.
Description:
Grimmwood Acres is a haunted attraction featuring a handcrafted cemetery with singing Jack-O-Lanterns, playing holiday classics like "This Is Halloween" and "Monster Mash."
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Grimmwood Acres
St Joseph Key West Annual Fall Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven event with diverse activities and fundraising opportunities.
Description:
The St Joseph Key West Annual Fall Festival features a sit-down meal, bake sale, craft sale, bucket raffle, bingo, paddle wheel, and large raffle, offering a variety of activities for attendees.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: St Joseph Key West Annual Fall Festival
Autumn Adventure on Schmitt Island
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits and guided tours highlighting the island's history and future plans.
Description:
Autumn Adventure on Schmitt Island is a free family event celebrating the history and future plans of the city-owned island. Attendees can explore different points of interest, visit booths, and participate in guided tours and interactive exhibits. Food trucks and a sightseeing cruise are also part of the activities.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Autumn Adventure on Schmitt Island
Kaden’s Touch A Truck
What to Expect:
Interactive vehicle display with farm equipment.
Description:
Kaden's Kids presents Touch A Truck, an event where families can explore and interact with various vehicles, including farm equipment, at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds.