Your Guide to 2024 Holiday Light Displays in Eastern/Central Iowa

November is finally here, which means there are going to be lots of holiday lights to check out in just a few short weeks! Here are some of the light displays happening in 2024 in Eastern and Central Iowa:

Holiday Lights at the Lake (Drive-Thru)

West Overlook Campground, Iowa City
November 27th through December 31st
Days/Hours
- Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  - Walk-Through ONLY on Wednesdays (11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18)
- Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices
- Car/Van: $10
- Mini Bus/Small Limo: $30
- School/Charter/Party Bus or Large Limo: $50
- Walk Through Wednesdays: $5 per person (3 and older)

Holiday Lights at the Lake, Facebook

Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights (Drive-Thru)

Midwest Old Threshers Campground, Mount Pleasant
November 27th through December 31st
Days/Hours
- Daily from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Santa Nights: November 29th & 30th, December 1st, 6th-8th, 13th-15th, and 20th-23rd
- Walk-Through Nights November 23rd & 24th from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Prices
- Family Vehicle: $10
- Limo: $25
- Mini Coach: $30
- Motor Coach: $60
- Walk-Through Nights: $5 per person (5 and older)

Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights, Facebook

Five Seasons Lights (Walk-Through)

McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
December 6th through 26th
Days/Hours
- Daily from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thursday includes food/beverages
- Friday includes live entertainment and food/beverages
- Saturday includes live entertainment, food/beverages, and visits with Santa
- Ugly Sweater 5K-ish Fun Walk/Run: Saturday, December 14th
Donations for local charities accepted

McGrath Amphitheatre, Facebook

Jolly Holiday Lights (Drive-Thru)

Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines
November 29th through January 4th
Days/Hours
- Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Holiday Hours (December 13th through 29th) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Prices
- Car: $20
- Bus/Limo:$50

Jolly Holiday Lights, Facebook

Tannenbaum Forest (Walk-Through)

Festhalle Barn, Amana Colonies
November 29th through December 22nd
Days/Hours
- Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Santa/Live Reindeer Schedule HERE
Free-will donations are encouraged

Courtlin

City of Christmas Display of Lights (Drive-Thru)

Rand Park, Keokuk
November 28th through January 1st
Days/Hours
- November 28th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- November 28th through December 23rd from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- All night Christmas Eve starting at 5 p.m.
- Christmas Day from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- December 26th through January 1st from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Keokuk City of Christmas, Facebook

Winter Wonderscape (Walk-Through)

Reiman Gardens, Ames
Dates
- December 5th-7th
- December 12th-14th
- December 19th-21st
- December 23rd
- December 26th-28th
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices
- Ages 13+: $16
- Members & ISU Students: $14
- Ages 2 to 12: $7

Reiman Gardens, Facebook

Holiday Lights (Drive-Thru)

Pulpit Rock Campground, Decorah
November 27th through December 25th
Days/Hours
- Daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Walk-Through Night: November 27th from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Santa Nights: Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Free-will donations are accepted

Helping Services for Youth & Families, Facebook

Symphony of Lights (Drive-Thru)

Eagle Point Park, Clinton
November 27th through December 30th
Days/Hours
- Monday thorough Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Walk-Through Night: November 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Santa Nights: December 1st, 8th, & 15th
Prices
- Car (up to 10 people): $10
- Vehicles with 10+ people: $2 per person

Symphony of Lights, Facebook

Mississippi Valley Fair Christmas Drive-Thru

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport
November 29th through December 30th
Days/Hours
- Daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Horse & Carriage Rides Rides December 15th to 23rd (excluding 12/19)
- "An additional indoor walk-through Christmas display will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Iowa Building. Enjoy craft vendors, music, food, beverage and visits by Santa Claus on select nights."
Prices
- Car: $10
- Buses/Limos: $25
- Carriage Rides: $20 per person

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Facebook

Jingle Bright Holiday Lights (Drive-Thru)

Delaware County Fairgrounds, Manchester
December 6th through 31st
Days/Hours
- Fridays & Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- 12/24, 12/25, and 12/31 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Free will donation to enter

Delaware County Fair, Facebook

Painting with Lights

Downtown Oskaloosa
November 23rd through January 5th
- Lights on daily from 4:45 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Additional Events
- Turn on the Lights: Saturday, November 23rd from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Merry Little Downtown Christmas: Saturday, November 30th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- 36th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 7th at 7 p.m.

Oskaloosa Main Street, Facebook

Merry-N County Christmas (Drive-Thru)

Marion County Park, Knoxville
November 22nd through December 24th
Days/Times
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- December 23rd & 24th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

THRIVE Knoxville, Facebook

Holiday Nights 'N Lights (Drive-Thru)

Greater Ottumwa Park, Ottumwa
November 23rd through December 27th
- Thursday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices
- $12 per car
- $45 season pass
- $10 advance tickets at Elliott Oil BP locations

Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress, Facebook

Santa's Rock N Lights (Drive-Thru)

Living History Farms, Urbandale
November 29th through December 31st
- Closed 12/2, 12/3, and 12/9
- Times vary by day
Prices
- $29.99 to $36.99 per vehicle (up to 6 people)
- $7 per person over 6 people
Online Ticket Purchase Required - Get them HERE

Santa's Rock n Lights, Facebook

CollinsChristmas Family Light Show

57 Oklahoma Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
November 29th through January 11th
- Daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tune your radio to 100.9 FM
Donations accepted for Mission of Hope CR

CollinsChristmas, Facebook

Little Light of Mine (Drive-Thru)

Mikkelson Park, New Hampton
2024 information TBA

Little Light of Mine, New Hampton LLC, Facebook

Blue Creek Christmas (Drive-Up)

4942 Blue Creek Ct, Walker
2024 information TBA

Blue Creek Christmas, Facebook

Festival of Lights (Drive-Thru & Walk-Through)

West Union Recreation Center, West Union
Opens Wednesday, November 27th - Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
More 2024 information TBA

Festival of Lights, West Union, Iowa, Facebook

Hickory Hills Holiday Light Show (Drive-Thru)

Hickory Hills Park, La Porte City
December 6th through December 22nd
- Friday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission is $10 per vehicle (cash only)

Hickory Hills Park, Facebook