Get into the holiday spirit in Marion with our event guide. For Marion devotees and casual visitors, our guide is your ticket to festive fun.
Popular events this season include the Prelude to Christmas, a charming celebration featuring local arts, crafts, and live entertainment. Throughout this festive time, Tannenbaum Forest offers a delightful display of beautifully decorated trees that capture the essence of the season. And the Amana Colonies German Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing authentic crafts, tasty treats, and traditional holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Marion
- Tannenbaum Forest (Amana)
- Prelude to Christmas (Amana)
- Festival of Trees and Lights (Cedar Rapids)
- Amana Colonies German Christmas Market (Amana)
- Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk
- Merry-N County Christmas
- Shop Small Weekend (Amana)
- Christmas Sweater Weekend (Amana)
- Children’s Weekend (Amana)
- Amana Traditions Weekend (Amana)
See these and even more events listed below!
Marion Holiday Light Displays
Merry-N County Christmas
What to Expect:
Free drive-through holiday light display with special mailboxes to the North Pole.
Description:
Merry-N County Christmas features a drive-through lighted display at Marion County Park, showcasing over 75 light and decoration displays, including an illuminated Historic Village, from November 19 to December 25.
Where: Marion | More Info: Merry-N County Christmas
Marion Holiday Markets and Shopping
Prelude to Christmas
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with handcrafted goods and authentic German traditions.
Description:
The Prelude to Christmas in Amana Colonies is a cherished annual event marking the start of the holiday season. Visitors can explore shops filled with handcrafted goods, enjoy special promotions, tastings, and demonstrations, and participate in unique activities like the annual cookie walk and authentic German Christmas traditions. Highlights include the Tannenbaum Forest, visits with Santa Claus, and the traditional Christmas tree lighting.
Where: Amana | More Info: Prelude to Christmas
Amana Colonies German Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with authentic German traditions.
Description:
The Amana Colonies German Christmas Market offers an array of handcrafted goods, special promotions, tastings, and demonstrations. Visitors can explore shops filled with unique items, participate in activities like the annual cookie walk, and enjoy authentic German Christmas traditions. Highlights include the Tannenbaum Forest, visits with Santa Claus, and traditional Christmas tree lighting.
Where: Amana | More Info: Amana Colonies German Christmas Market
Small Business Saturday
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping event with local business participation.
Description:
Small Business Saturday in Uptown Marion features a shopping event with participating stores offering free ShopSmall gifts and the chance to win a $100 Uptown Dollars gift certificate.
Where: Marion | More Info: Small Business Saturday
Christmas Sweater Weekend
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping and activities in a historic setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with unique gifts, special promotions, tastings, and demonstrations. Participate in activities like the annual cookie walk and authentic German Christmas traditions. Highlights include the Tannenbaum Forest, visits with Santa Claus, and the traditional Christmas tree lighting.
Where: Amana | More Info: Christmas Sweater Weekend
Shop Small Weekend
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local handcrafted goods and special promotions.
Description:
Shop Small Weekend in Amana Colonies offers a chance to explore local shops filled with handcrafted goods, enjoy special promotions, tastings, and demonstrations, and participate in unique activities like the annual cookie walk and authentic German Christmas traditions.
Where: Amana | More Info: Shop Small Weekend
Uptown Marion Market
What to Expect:
Interactive market with local produce and artisan items.
Description:
The Uptown Marion Market is a vibrant event featuring local food, artisan items, and family-friendly activities. It offers a fun morning of shopping and dining in Uptown Marion, with the Power of Produce Club providing kids with educational experiences and POP Bucks to shop at participating vendors.
Where: Marion | More Info: Uptown Marion Market
Marion Farmers’ Market
What to Expect:
Local produce and handmade crafts.
Description:
The Marion Farmers Market in Iowa offers a variety of locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, flowers, homemade crafts, and more. Visit Taube Park on Saturdays from 8 AM to 11 AM, May through September, to explore the diverse goods produced locally.
Where: Marion | More Info: Marion Farmers’ Market
Uptown Fall Market
What to Expect:
Local produce and artisan items with live entertainment.
Description:
The Uptown Fall Market in Marion, Iowa, offers a variety of fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, Iowa wines, and artisan items from local vendors. Enjoy live entertainment and explore the charming 19th-century buildings of Uptown Marion.
Where: Marion | More Info: Uptown Fall Market
Chocolate Walk
What to Expect:
After-hours shopping event with chocolate treats.
Description:
Stroll through historic Uptown Marion and visit favorite stores while savoring sweet treats from participating businesses.
Where: Marion | More Info: Chocolate Walk
Marion Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Festival of Trees and Lights
What to Expect:
Live performances and craft activities amidst festive holiday decorations.
Description:
The Cedar Rapids Festival of Trees is a two-day holiday event featuring live performers, craft-based activities, area holiday vendors, and beautifully decorated trees. It offers a variety of cultural traditions and entertainment for all ages, supporting local nonprofits through tree bids and non-perishable food drives.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Festival of Trees and Lights
Music on the Festhalle Barn Stage
What to Expect:
Live music performances in a historic barn setting.
Description:
Live music performances take place on the Festhalle Barn Stage, adding to the festive atmosphere of the Tannenbaum Forest.
Where: Amana | More Info: Music on the Festhalle Barn Stage
Marion Other Holiday Activities
Tannenbaum Forest
What to Expect:
Unique Christmas tree decorations by local businesses and families.
Description:
Explore over 70 beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the Festhalle Barn, each uniquely adorned by local businesses, organizations, groups, or families. The entire barn is decked out for the season with Santa’s Sleigh, festive photo opportunities, and a stunning 17-foot German Christmas Pyramid as the centerpiece. Admission is free, with free-will donations supporting the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and local charities. The building is not heated, so dress warmly!
Where: Amana | More Info: Tannenbaum Forest
Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday event with Santa, horse-drawn rides, and tree lighting.
Description:
Join us for Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk, an annual celebration in City Square Park and Uptown Marion featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, a peace tree lighting ceremony, and festive activities.
Where: Marion | More Info: Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk
Amana Pickle Hunt
What to Expect:
Search for hidden pickle ornaments in local shops.
Description:
The Amana Pickle Hunt is an event inspired by the traditional German legend of the Christmas Pickle. Participants search for pickle ornaments in local shops, following the legend that the first child to find it on Christmas morning would receive an extra gift.
Where: Amana | More Info: Amana Pickle Hunt
Amana Traditions Weekend
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas traditions in a historic setting.
Description:
Amana Traditions Weekend is a cherished annual event celebrating German Christmas traditions. Visitors can explore shops filled with handcrafted goods, enjoy special promotions, tastings, and demonstrations. Highlights include the Tannenbaum Forest, visits with Santa Claus, and traditional Christmas tree lighting.
Where: Amana | More Info: Amana Traditions Weekend
Children’s Weekend
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities celebrating German Christmas traditions.
Description:
Children’s Weekend in the Amana Colonies offers a variety of activities, including visits with Santa Claus, live music, and seasonal treats. The event celebrates authentic German Christmas traditions and provides a warm atmosphere for families to create lasting memories.
Where: Amana | More Info: Children’s Weekend
Live Reindeer
What to Expect:
Live reindeer appearance during the event.
Description:
Live reindeer will be present on December 15th, offering a delightful and interactive experience for visitors.
Where: Amana | More Info: Live Reindeer
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Cedar Rapids (3 miles)
- Coralville (25 miles)
- Iowa City (26 miles)