8 enchanting holiday events across Iowa in December 2024

With the holidays fast approaching, Iowans have plenty of ways to celebrate an array of traditions. Here are the best holiday events happening in Iowa this year.

Don’t look now, but the holiday season is almost upon us! Where does the time go? Even if it feels like 2024 just started, soon the Hawkeye State will be decked with lights, and Frosty the Snowman, Santa, and the rest of the gang will be on their way.

December in Iowa brings a tapestry of holiday celebrations, with events that capture the magic of the season for everyone. Whether you’re planning a family outing, searching for a romantic evening under festive lights, or hoping to sample seasonal treats at holiday markets, these are Iowa’s most enchanting celebrations for 2024:

1. December 5-7: Pella’s Dutch Christmas Market

Kick off the festive season with a trip to the Netherlands—right here in the Hawkeye State! Pella was founded by Dutch immigrants in the nineteenth century, and today, the city celebrates that heritage with its annual Kersmarkt, or Dutch Christmas market. Inspired by the markets you’d see in the Netherlands, the event features live music, artisan crafts, delicious treats, and even the chance to take a “staphorst class” and paint your own wooden shoe!

2. December 7-9: Clear Lake’s Christmas By the Lake

For the first weekend in December, Clear Lake’s Christmas By the Lake returns for another year of festive fun. This three-day festival kicks off with a charity 5k run, followed by the annual tree lighting and holiday concert, and finally, a full Saturday of family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, bingo games, a bake sale, and, of course, Clear Lake’s annual Christmas Parade down Main Avenue. For the especially daring, the Sunday after the festival is the Polar Bear Plunge at City Beah, but if you go, be sure to bring blankets to warm yourself up afterward!

3. December 12-15: Ballet Des Moines’ The Nutcracker

Enjoying a performance of “The Nutcracker” is a Christmas tradition for people around the world, and Ballet Des Moines is ready to join in the fun. Their performance of this ballet, which has delighted audiences for over a century, is bursting with Sugar Plum Fairies, an army of mice, and musical treats, making it perfect for ballet lovers and newbies alike!

4. December 16: Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Fancy a festive trip to the circus? For nearly a decade, Cirque Dreams has been wowing Iowans in Cedar Rapids with their international troupe’s 20 different acts in their Holidaze show for a winter spectacular. You can expect acrobats, stilt walkers, high-wire acts, and more in this family-friendly show. Remember, this is a one-night-only performance, so book your tickets as quickly as possible!

5. December 20-22: Arts Iowa’s Holiday Spectacular

For the third year running, Arts Iowa is hosting a Holiday Spectacular as part of their Pops series. Part of the Paramount Theater’s build-your-own subscription program (with individual tickets also available), this orchestral spectacular featuring the Orchestra Iowa Holiday Chorus alongside the symphony will feature familiar favorites and modern classics for music lovers of all ages!

6. December 25-January 2: Chabad Chanukah Parties at Chabad of Northeast Iowa

Chabad is an organization that provides gathering spaces, community events, and holiday celebrations for the Jewish community around the world. This year, for Iowans looking to celebrate Chanukah, Chabad of Northeast Iowa is hosting eight nights of events, including a menorah car parade, evening menorah lightings, and Chanukah parties with delicious potato latkes!

7. December 31: New Year’s Eve at the First Avenue Club

Looking to ring in 2025 in style? At Iowa City’s First Avenue Club, you can do just that. Their New Year’s Eve party will feature prime rib and chicken marsala for dinner, a champagne toast and hot hors d’ouerves at midnight, and a DJ spinning tunes all night! Evening-only tickets are also available, but book them while you can!

8. December 31: Noon Year’s Eve

For families with small children, New Year’s Eve can run a little late for the youngsters (and for tired parents!). At Mercer Park’s Noon Year’s Eve, you don’t have to worry about staying up all night—the fun starts before the clock strikes noon! Come on down for a New Year’s themed pool party, complete with a “beach ball drop,” to enjoy the last day of 2024!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.