Where to Find Christmas Lights Around Iowa

One of the favorite things to do around the holidays is to look at Christmas lights, and Iowa has some great displays. A lot of times you can just drive through neighborhoods to see some good displays. Just next door to me they have about 10 inflatables in their yard! Every once in a while you want to see those more over-the-top displays though. The ones where the streets are covered in lights, the lights are synchronized to music or even ones that include live nativity scenes!

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This is a roundup of places across Iowa where you can go to see some great light displays this holiday season. Now, I’ll admit I have not been to all of these, so if there is something I need to know about one of them, or if there is an amazing display that I didn’t add, please let me know.  As I was compiling this list I also kept social distancing in mind. I will be updating this list throughout the season as I make my way around to visit many of these displays myself! Happy light hunting and Merry Christmas!

Eastern Iowa – Park/Town Displays

Cedar Rapids – Holiday Laser Light Show

• Address: 4400 6th Street SW – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Dates: 12/11/20 – 12/13/20
• Times: 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 9:30 pm each day
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Cost: $25/car – get tickets here
• Type: Park and Watch at Hawkeye Downs

Davenport – Fejervary Holiday Lights

• Address: 1800 W 12th Street – Davenport, Iowa
• Dates: 11/28/20 – 1/3/21
• Times: 5:00 pm – last show begins at 9:30 pm
• Duration: Show is about 15 minutes long with a 15-minute break
• Cost: Free
• Type: Park and Watch at a Park

Clinton – Symphony of Lights

• Address: 3923 N 3rd Street – Clinton, Iowa
• Dates: 11/26/20 – 12/30/20
• Times: Monday – Friday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm / Saturday & Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: $8 / car of up to 10 people – $2 / person for vehicles over 10 people
• Type : Drive-Through at a Park

Dubuque – Reflections in the Park

• Address: 1700 S Grandview Avenue – Dubuque, Iowa
• Dates: 11/26/20 – 1/3/21
• Times: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Cost: $10 / vehicle – fundraiser for Hillcrest Family Services
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park

Wyoming – Christmas City

• Address: Downtown
• Dates: 11/25/20 – 1/1/21
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through the downtown area

West Union – Festival of Lights

• Address: 928 N Pine Street – West Union, Iowa
• Dates: 11/25/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Cost: Free, but donations accepted
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park

Decorah – Holiday Lights

• Address: 505 Pulpit Rock Rd – Decorah, Iowa
• Dates: 11/25/20 – 12/27-20
• Times: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: Free, but please bring a donation for Helping Services for Youth & Families
• Type: Drive-Through at at Campground

Sumner – Lights in the Park

• Address: Sumner City Park
• Dates: 11/21/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park
• BONUS: Santa visits Friday & Saturdays

La Porte City – Holiday Lights Show

• Address: 3338 Hickory Hills Road – La Porte City, Iowa
• Dates: 12/4, 12/5, 12/11, 12/12 , 12/18, 12/19, Christmas Eve
• Times: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: $10/vehicle cash or check (no pre-registration needed)
• Type: Drive-Through at a Campground

Keokuk – City of Christmas

• Address: Rand Park – Keokuk, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 1/3/21
• Times: 11/27 – 12/23 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm / Christmas Eve all night beginning at 5:00 pm / Christmas Day all day until 10:00 pm / 12/26-1/3 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park

Mt. Pleasant – Festival of Lights

• Address: 405 E Threshers Rd – Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
• Dates: 11/19/20 – 11/21/20, 11/25/20 – 11/29/20, 12/2/20 – 12/6/20, 12/9/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: $10/family vehicle – other vehicles vary (purchase at gate or here)
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park
• BONUS: Largest Southeast Iowa Drive-Through Holiday Light Park
• BONUS: Santa will visit 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm on Friday, Saturdays & Sundays in December before Christmas

Ottumwa – Holiday Nights ‘n Lights

• Address: Greater Ottumwa Park
• Dates: 11/21/20 – 12/30/20
• Times: Sunday – Thursday 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm / Friday & Saturday 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Cost: $12 / vehicle at admission
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park
• BONUS: You can get a season pass for $45 which is good for all 40 nights!

Eastern Iowa Christmas Lights – Home Displays

Davenport – Kall Christmas Lights

• Address: 1852 Westminster Circle – Davenport, Iowa
• Dates: 11/28/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:30 pm – last show begins at 10:34 pm
• Duration: Shows are about 4 minutes with a 26-minute break. Details about the timing of different songs are on their Facebook page.
• Cost: Free
• Type: Park and Watch at a Home

Bettendorf – Oakbrook Place

• Address: 18 Oakbrook Place – Bettendorf, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 1/8/21
• Times: 4:30 pm – 10:30 pm
• Duration: 25 minute shows continuously looped. Details about the timing of different songs are on their Facebook page.
• Cost: Free
• Type: Park and Watch at a Home

Blue Grass – 6363 Productions

• Address: 6363 114th Street – Blue Grass, Iowa
• Dates: 11/28/20 – 1/1/21
• Times: 6:00 pm – last show beginning at 7:30 pm
• Duration: 2 songs, and a new show every 30 minutes. Details about the timing of different songs are on their Facebook page.
• Cost: Free
• Type: Park and Watch / Drive-Through at a Home

Anamosa – Drew’s Lights

• Address: 907 E. 2nd Street – Anamosa, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 1/3/21
• Times: Sunday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm / Friday & Saturday 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
• Cost: Free, but please bring a donation for the Jones County Food Pantry to help fill Santa’s Sleigh
• Type: Drive-Through at a Home

Walker – Blue Creek Christmas

• Address: 4942 Blue Creek Ct – Walker, Iowa
• Dates: 11/29/20 – 1/3/21
• Times: Sunday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm / Friday & Saturday 5:30 pm – 11:00pm / Christmas Eve & Day 5:30 pm – 12:00 am
• Duration: 25 minutes continuously looped (may be shortened on high traffic nights)
• Cost: Free, but please bring a donation for the Walker Fire Department & Center Point Volunteer Fire Department
• Type: Drive-Through at a Home/Neighborhood

Williamsburg – Christmas on Court Street

• Address: 401 Court Street – Williamsburg, Iowa
• Dates: 11/26/20-1/1/21
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through at a Home

Waverly – Waverly Lights

• Address: 103 Eliasen Avenue – Waverly, Iowa
• Dates: 11/28/20 – 1/1/21
• Times: Sunday – Thursday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm / Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
• Duration: 20 minutes
• Cost: Free, but donations accepted for St. Jude Children’s Hospital
• Type: Park and Watch at a Home

Waterloo – Prospect Light Show

• Address: 1056 Prospect Blvd – Waterloo, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Duration: 8 songs on rotation
• Cost: Free
• Type: Park and Watch / Drive-Through at a Home

Central Iowa – Park/Town Displays

Altoona – Jolly Holiday Lights

• Address: 3300 Adventureland Drive – Altoona, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 12/30/20 (closed Christmas Eve and Day)
• Times: 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
• Cost: $20/car – other vehicle types vary (purchase tickets here)
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park
• BONUS: Check out their website for other fun holiday activities

Ankeny – Hometown Holidays AGLOW

• Address: SW 3rd Street in Uptown through Ankeny Market Pavilion
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 1/1/21
• Times: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through the Town

Norwalk – Synchronized Lights & Live Nativity

• Address: 225 North Avenue – Norwalk, Iowa
• Dates: 12/12/20 & 12/13/20
• Times: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through at a Church
• BONUS: Live nativity with animals & free bakery cookies and cocoa brought to your car!

Urbandale – Santa’s Rock ‘n Lights

• Address: 11121 Hickman Rd – Urbandale, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 1/3/21
• Times: Sunday – Thursday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm / Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm / Christmas week hours vary
• Cost: Prices vary from $20 – $28/vehicle depending on when (must pre-purchase tickets here)
• Type: Drive-Through at a Park

Fort Dodge – Lights at Kennedy

• Address: 1415 Nelson Avenue – Fort Dodge, Iowa
• Dates: 12/5, 12/6, 12/11-12/13, 12/18-12/20
• Times: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: Suggested $5 free will donation
• Type: Drive-Through at a Campground

Central Iowa Christmas Lights – Home Displays

Ankeny – Gingerbread Lane

• Address: SE Richland Ct – just off SE 8th Street
• Dates: 12/1/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm is recommended time
• Cost: Free, but food donations for the Food Bank of Iowa will be collected
• Type: Drive-Through a Neighborhood
• BONUS: There is also Frosty Circle located across 8th Street

Windsor Heights – Holiday Lighting Contest

There is nothing set for this, but many of the houses take part in the contest and have decorated homes and yards.

Western Iowa Christmas Lights

Atlantic – Christmas in Atlantic

• Address: Throughout 6 blocks of historic buildings in Downtown Atlantic
• Dates: 11/19/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: Throughout the evening hours
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through or Walk Through the Downtown area
• BONUS: Santa will make some appearances (check the website for details)

Le Mars – Christmas Acres

• Address: 18481 Impala Ave – Le Mars, Iowa
• Dates: 11/26/20 – 12/31/20
• Times: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• Cost: Free, but donations accepted for Christian Needs Center
• Type: Drive-Through at a Home. Could also walk around, but must wear masks if you’re walking.
• BONUS: There’s a bake shop with yummies you can purchase!

Carroll – Festival of Lights

• Address: 22676 Swan Lake Drive – Carroll, Iowa
• Dates: 11/27/20 – 12/25/20
• Times: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Cost: Free
• Type: Drive-Through at a Campground

So here’s a great place to start your hunt for Iowa Christmas lights this holiday season! By no means is it all of them, but I’m sure they’ll help brighten the season! I’ll be updating throughout the month as I visit these locations myself, so make sure to check back! I’ll also be sharing about them on my Instagram, so make sure to follow me there! I hope you all have a wonderful, and safe holiday season!

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