Festive Holiday Events to Enjoy in Eastern Iowa This December [LIST]
December is almost here, which means TONS of great holiday events in the Eastern Iowa area! Here are some of the ones you may want to check out:
Holiday Lights at the Lake: Drive-Through
- West Overlook Campground in Iowa City
- Open each night in December - Wednesdays are walk-through ONLY
- "The approximately 1 mile route includes brightly-lit archways, whimsical Santa's ranch characters, storybook scenes, fantasy flower arrangements, moose and reindeer involved in Olympic sporting activities, and more."
- Proceeds benefit The Bird House
- Purchase tickets HERE
Iowa Heartlanders Hockey
- Xtream Arena in Coralville
- Dates/Times
- Wednesday, December 1st at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 8th at 7 p.m.
- Friday, December 10th at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 11th at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, December 26th at 3 p.m.
- Monday, December 27th at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 29th at 7 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- Runs Thursdays through Sundays from December 2nd to December 19th
- Purchase tickets HERE
Deck the District
- NewBo & Czech Village District
- Friday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 5th
- Check out a full list of events HERE
Christmas in the Park & Peppermint Walk
- City Square Park in Marion
- Friday, December 3rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting, popcorn & hot cocoa, crafts, and more
Prelude to Christmas
- Amana Colonies
- Friday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 5th
- Featuring shopping, a Christmas cookie walk, the Tannenbaum Forest, children's activities, and more
Orchestra Iowa Holiday Spectacular
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- Friday, December 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 5th at 2:30 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
2021 Holiday Tree Lighting
- Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids
- Saturday, December 4th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Featuring crafts, games, food trucks, music, and more
Holiday Open House
- Downtown Iowa City
- Saturday, December 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- "Each participating retailer will be hosting a holiday party at their store that includes snacks, drinks, or a small gift for you at each stop."
- See a full list of stores HERE
Nature's Noel
- Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids
- Saturday, December 4th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- "Join us for our annual holiday fundraiser featuring fresh green decor, artisan gifts, frozen soups, appetizers, baked goods and more"
Tractor Wagon Rides
- Hills Bank & Trust in Iowa City
- Saturday December 4th, 11th, and 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- "Enjoy a FREE whimsical ride in a decorated wagon pulled by an antique tractor provided by Bass Farms"
Santa at the Farm
- Bass Farms in Mount Vernon
- Saturday, December 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Event is free
Dogs Forever's Annual Holidog Bazaar
- Ideal Social Hall in Cedar Rapids
- Saturday, December 4th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Featuring Christmas-themed items, dog-themed items, t-shirts, gifts, jewelry, a bake sale, a silent auction, raffle baskets, and more
Kip Moore Concert
- Five Flags Center in Dubuque
- Saturday, December 4th at 8 p.m.
- With special guests Lainey Wilson & Gabe Lee
- Purchase tickets HERE
A Very Merry Nashville Christmas
- Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids
- Sunday, December 5th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- "A fun, exciting, moving, one of a kind show (one night only) featuring some of Nashville’s finest songwriters in a true 'in the round' Bluebird Café style show!"
- Purchase tickets HERE
The Price Is Right Live
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Tuesday, December 7th at 7:30 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Live & Acoustic: Jason Mraz with Toca Rivera
- Adler Theatre in Davenport
- Tuesday, December 7th at 8 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Josh Turner Concert
- Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
- Friday, December 10th at 8 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
RoughRiders Hockey
- ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- Friday, December 10th at 7:05 p.m.
- Saturday, December 11th at 7:05 p.m.
- Friday, December 17th at 7:05 p.m.
- Monday, December 27th at 7:05 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Ely Winterfest
- Downtown Ely
- Saturday, December 11th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, face painting, crafts, story time with Anna & Elsa, a craft/vendor fair, and more
Holiday Hoopla Drive Thru
- Tiffin Soccer Fields
- Saturday, December 11th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Featuring cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, crafts, and more, all from your vehicle
Clint Black Concert
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Saturday, December 11th at 8 p.m.
- With special guest Lisa Hartman Black
- Purchase tickets HERE
Holiday Magic at the Play Station
- The Play Station in Cedar Rapids
- Sunday, December 12th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Featuring visits with Santa, Giggles the Elf balloon twisting, cookie decorating, an arts & crafts station, and more
- Holiday Magic is included in all ticket prices
Paws & Claus
- Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids
- Monday, December 13th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- "Bring your on-leash furry friend out for this magical visit with Santa. Pets will have their own turn to sit on Santa’s lap during this special evening"
Baby It's Cold Outside
- Downtown Cedar Falls
- Thursday, December 16th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Featuring ice sculptors, trolley rides, s'mores, and Santa
Mannheim Steamroller
- Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids
- Friday, December 17th at 8 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Sara Evans' Blue Christmas Tour
- Five Flags Center in Dubuque
- Friday, December 17th at 7:30 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Maddie Poppe's Acoustic Christmas
- Friday, December 17th at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque
- Purchase tickets HERE
- Sunday, December 19th at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Purchase tickets HERE
- Friday, December 31st at Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls
- Purchase tickets HERE
The Nutcracker
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- Saturday, December 18th at 2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 18th at 7:30 p.m.
- Featuring Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities
- Purchase tickets HERE
Alisabeth Von Presley - Christmas in the Key of A
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Tuesday, December 21st at 7 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Holiday/Craft/Vendor Markets
- Downtown Iowa City Holiday Pop-Up Market - November 27th through December 23rd
- Bloomsbury Farm Gift Market - December 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids - December 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Groundswell Café, Cedar Rapids - December 4th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Geonetric Building, Cedar Rapids - December 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- North Liberty Community Center - December 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 3240 Southgate Pl SW, Cedar Rapids - December 5th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids - December 11th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, Iowa City - December 18th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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