Christmas Celebrations, Shopping, & Comedy — Iowa Weekend Events
Now that the month of December has arrived, we are in for an extremely busy weekend here in Eastern Iowa! Here are some of the big events happening this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:
- Matilda the Musical
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- December 6th at 7:30 p.m.
- December 7th at 7:30 p.m.
- December 8th at 2:30 p.m.
- "Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, the story of an extraordinary little girl with an unbounded imagination – and a bit of magic – who proves you can overcome anything."
- Tickets range from $22 to $55 - get yours HERE
- Disney on Ice Presents Dream Big
- TaxSlayer Center in Moline
- Dates/Times
- December 6th at 7 p.m.
- December 7th at 11 a.m.
- December 7th at 3 p.m.
- December 7th at 7 p.m.
- December 8th at 11 a.m.
- December 8th at 3 p.m.
- Featuring Moana, Maui, Miguel, Rapunzel, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella
- Tickets start at $15 - get yours HERE
- Christmas in the Park & Peppermint Walk
- Marion Square Park
- December 6th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- "Each year we welcome Santa by firetruck to the Park at 4:00 pm and greet kids throughout the evening. Be sure to also SHOP all of the open Uptown Marion businesses for a peppermint treat! The Marion Library will also have music and crafts throughout the evening. Keep Your Neighbors Warm: Donate new hats, gloves or blankets to serve needy families."
- Prelude to Christmas
- Amana Colonies
- December 6th through 8th
- Featuring the Tannenbaum Forest, kids' activities, a cookie walk, shopping, food, beverages, samples, Santa, and more
- See a full schedule of events HERE
- Deck the District 2019
- Czech Village/New Bohemia District in Cedar Rapids
- December 6th through 8th
- Featuring a tree lighting, live music, holiday markets, Santa, food, bingo, a wreath workshop, and more
- See a full schedule of events HERE
- West Branch Christmas Past
- Downtown West Branch
- December 6th & 7th
- Featuring merchant open houses, homemade donuts, Santa, a bonfire/hot dog roasting, live music, kids' activities, horse-drawn wagons, a silent auction, a cookie walk, and more
- Check out a full schedule of events HERE
- Nutcracker Ballet: Orchestra Iowa & Ballet Quad Cities
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- December 7th at 2:30 p.m.
- December 7th at 7:30 p.m.
- "Celebrate the holidays with an enchanted experience for the whole family. Be swept away on a journey to the land of sweets, as Orchestra Iowa & Ballet Quad Cities present The Nutcracker. Breathtaking sets, dazzling costumes, incredible dancers, and extraordinary music."
- Tickets range from $18 to $49 - get yours HERE
- RoughRiders Hockey
- Cedar Rapids Ice Arena
- December 7th at 7:05 p.m.
- vs. Chicago
- Culvers Kids Jersey Giveaway/Santa at the Stable
- Post-Game Skate
- Tickets range from $12.75 to $25 - get yours HERE
- City Tree Lighting
- Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids
- December 7th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- "Enjoy storytelling and caroling at Greene Square beginning at 5:00 p.m., then watch the official City tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. and take a family photo in front of it to share with your friends. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted for Toys for Tots."
- Merry TubaChristmas Performance
- Cedar Rapids Public Library
- December 7th from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- "The beloved 18th annual Cedar Rapids Area Merry TubaChistmas concert will be filling the Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library with its larger-than-life sounds of the season at 2 pm on Saturday, December 7. A limited amount of seating is provided. People are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs but asked to follow Library guidelines for access and safety."
- 10th Annual Old World Christmas Market
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- December 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- December 8th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- "Experience a delightful market with local handcrafted items, delicious food and drink, entertainment and activities for people of all ages."
- Admission is free
- Holiday Art Market
- Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City
- Dates/Times
- December 7th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- December 8th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Nature's Noel
- Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids
- December 7th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- "Centerpieces, wreaths, and swags made with fresh greens; frozen soups and appetizers; vendors with various handmade wares; cookie dough and baked goods; and live music combine to create a festive holiday event. Enjoy festive children’s crafts, naturalist-guided activities, and magical winter nature walks. Visit Santa and peruse a variety of holiday vendors."
- Event is free
- Christmas in Springville
- Springville Secondary School
- December 7th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Featuring a craft & vendor fair, kids' activities, a soup supper, Santa, a light parade, cookies, and more
- Christmas in Kalona 2019
- Kalona Community Center
- December 7th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Featuring face painting, a cookie walk, a holiday costume contest, a toy drive, ornament decorating, a vendor & craft market, wine tasting, carriage rides, Santa, and more
- Dogs Forever Holidog Bazaar
- Ideal Social Hall in Cedar Rapids
- December 7th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Featuring raffle baskets, a bake sale, dog-themed apparel & collectibles, professional holiday family photos, vendors, and more
- Proceeds benefit
- Holiday Grande 2019
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- December 8th at 2:30 p.m.
- "This dazzling, all-new stage production features International Steinway Artist, Jim McDonough, joined by his 14-piece professional orchestra and a cast of sensational singers and dancers performing your favorite Christmas music and other all-time favorites."
- Proceeds benefit Camp Courageous
- Tickets range from $29 to $48 - get yours HERE
- Jeff Dunham: Seriously!?
- U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids
- December 8th at 3 p.m.
- "For the past twelve years, Jeff Dunham and his somewhat-inappropriate-proteges, Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J. and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, have filled arenas across the U.S. and the world with their multiple, blockbuster tours. This fall, Dunham and his cohorts will set out on their brand-new international tour, 'JEFF DUNHAM: SERIOUSLY!?'"
- Tickets range from $51.50 to $71.50 - get yours HERE
- Christmas with Michael W. Smith & Amy Grant
- Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
- December 8th at 7 p.m.
- "The highly anticipated show will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires and combine the vast collection of critically-acclaimed holiday albums between them."
- With special guest Marc Martel
- Tickets range from $27 to $77 - get yours HERE
- Christmas City Celebration
- Main Street in Wyoming
- December 8th from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- "Come enjoy our Christmas Celebration. We will have games for the kids, a lighted parade, soup supper, s' mores, and more!"
- Coralville's Aisle of Lights 2019
- The city of Coralville
- December 8th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- "Coralville residents and businesses are invited to light luminarias on their sidewalks. The City and community volunteers will light luminarias on 5th Street (1st Avenue to S.T. Morrison Park), 12th Avenue (Highway 6 to Oakdale Boulevard), and Holiday Road (1st Avenue to 12th Avenue)"
- Find out where to get free supplies HERE
- Santa, Snacks, and Stories
- Brucemore in Cedar Rapids
- December 8th at 6:30 p.m.
- "Join Brucemore for a festive and memorable evening of holiday tradition. Children will participate in a craft, listen to holiday stories, and give Santa their wish-lists. In between activities, children and parents are invited to view the first and second floors of the mansion and to ask any questions to the available stationary guides."
- Tickets are $10 per child and $5 per adult - get yours HERE
Other Holiday Markets/Events:
- Uno's Promise Holiday Vendor and Craft Fair - Cedar Rapids
- 2019 Holiday Retail Open House - Iowa City
- Winter Wonderland - Cedar Rapids
- Soup with Santa - Palo
- Christmas Craft Show - Cedar Rapids
- Enactus Market at the Mount 2019 - Cedar Rapids
- Vintage Gift Flea Market - Cedar Rapids
- Christmas Vendor and Craft Fair - Cedar Rapids
New Movies in Theatres:
- Playmobil: The Movie (PG) - 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
- Dark Waters (PG-13) - 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes