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

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