It’s the holiday season, and Christmas cheer is spreading throughout the Hawkeye State! Enjoy some of the best small Christmas towns in Iowa this year for a dose of holiday magic that’s sure to delight you.
- Winterset
Facebook / Madison County Chamber of Commerce Winterset is the crown jewel of Madison County, and a visit to the famous bridges and the city park are sure to put you in the holiday spirit, particularly if there’s a fresh blanket of snow. It is truly one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa. Learn more about Winterset and what a visit has in store for you. Winterset, IA 50273, USA
- Amana Colonies
Facebook / Amana Colonies Festivals, LLC The Amana Colonies preserve an old-fashioned way of life, and they become a quiet holiday oasis in December. Be sure to visit the Amana General Store, which is home to one of the biggest Christmas shops in the Hawkeye State. Read up on why the Amana Colonies are so special. Amana, IA 52203, USA
- Oskaloosa
Flickr / H. Michael Miley Oskaloosa has a reputation for being one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa! Visit the historic town square, shop local merchants, and enjoy the colorful lights that come on after dark. Get more details on Christmas in Oskaloosa. Oskaloosa, IA 52577, USA
- Wyoming
Flickr / Phil Roeder The itty bitty town of Wyoming, Iowa is home to just 500 people, but thousands visit each year to see downtown Wyoming all decked out with lights! Forty decorated trees and 2,500 lights will show you why this little town is known as Christmas City all season and is one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa. Learn more about Wyoming’s light display and other Christmas lights in Iowa. Wyoming, IA 52362, USA
- Cedar Falls
Facebook / Cedar Falls Downtown District Every year, Cedar Falls welcomes Santa with their Holiday Hoopla! Then, the big man himself takes up his occasional residence at Santa’s Workshop in this Iowa Christmas town. Grab a bite to eat at Barn Happy while you are in the area. Cedar Falls, IA, USA
- Atlantic
Facebook / Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas in Atlantic is one of the best holiday celebrations you can attend! All throughout the holiday season, decorated storefronts welcome shoppers and charming light displays turn one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa into a spirited destination. Read more about Atlantic during Christmas. Atlantic, IA 50022, USA
- Mount Pleasant
Facebook / Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights Mount Pleasant is a tiny town that’s known for hosting the largest light show in the region. Visit this Christmas town in Iowa and drive through massive and exciting colorful displays that take hours to assemble each year. Get more details on Christmas in Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, IA 52641, USA
Enjoy an evening surrounded by holiday magic when you spend time in some of the most charming Christmas towns in Iowa. Each one is worth a visit to see the lights and feel the spirit of the season.
Facebook / Madison County Chamber of Commerce
Winterset is the crown jewel of Madison County, and a visit to the famous bridges and the city park are sure to put you in the holiday spirit, particularly if there’s a fresh blanket of snow. It is truly one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa. Learn more about Winterset and what a visit has in store for you.
Winterset, IA 50273, USA
Facebook / Amana Colonies Festivals, LLC
The Amana Colonies preserve an old-fashioned way of life, and they become a quiet holiday oasis in December. Be sure to visit the Amana General Store, which is home to one of the biggest Christmas shops in the Hawkeye State. Read up on why the Amana Colonies are so special.
Amana, IA 52203, USA
Flickr / H. Michael Miley
Oskaloosa has a reputation for being one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa! Visit the historic town square, shop local merchants, and enjoy the colorful lights that come on after dark. Get more details on Christmas in Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa, IA 52577, USA
Flickr / Phil Roeder
The itty bitty town of Wyoming, Iowa is home to just 500 people, but thousands visit each year to see downtown Wyoming all decked out with lights! Forty decorated trees and 2,500 lights will show you why this little town is known as Christmas City all season and is one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa. Learn more about Wyoming’s light display and other Christmas lights in Iowa.
Wyoming, IA 52362, USA
Facebook / Cedar Falls Downtown District
Every year, Cedar Falls welcomes Santa with their Holiday Hoopla! Then, the big man himself takes up his occasional residence at Santa’s Workshop in this Iowa Christmas town. Grab a bite to eat at Barn Happy while you are in the area.
Cedar Falls, IA, USA
Facebook / Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce
Christmas in Atlantic is one of the best holiday celebrations you can attend! All throughout the holiday season, decorated storefronts welcome shoppers and charming light displays turn one of the best Christmas towns in Iowa into a spirited destination. Read more about Atlantic during Christmas.
Atlantic, IA 50022, USA
Facebook / Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights
Mount Pleasant is a tiny town that’s known for hosting the largest light show in the region. Visit this Christmas town in Iowa and drive through massive and exciting colorful displays that take hours to assemble each year. Get more details on Christmas in Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, IA 52641, USA
What are some of your favorite Iowa Christmas towns? Tell us in the comments!
Need more convincing? Check out these reasons why Christmas in Iowa is the best.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
All About Iowa November 04, 2022 Rachel Raimondi Where can I visit Santa in Iowa? Don’t let Christmas towns in Iowa take all the accolades during the holiday season. There are plenty of other Christmas-related things to do, such as visiting Santa in Iowa. In Altoona, you can bring the little ones over to Bass Pro where Santa will be hosting Santa’s Wonderland. Here, you can get a photo with Santa, write letters, and take part in other holiday fun from the beginning of November until Christmas Eve. The Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids is also a great spot to visit with Santa. And not only can you humans see Saint Nick and get photos, but there are also special dates and times when you can bring your pet for a photo. Which state parks should I visit in Iowa? There are 83 state parks in Iowa for you to explore. In Hamburg, there is the 2,000-acre Waubonsie State Park. Here, you’ll have 16 miles of trails to explore as well as opportunities to stay overnight, fish, and hunt. Nestled among impressive cliffs, valleys, and a stone bridge, Ledges State Park is located in Madrid. The park’s 1,200 acres offer several recreational opportunities for visitors, such as hiking trails, campsites, and exploration of Peas Creek. What are the most unique restaurants in Iowa? Just like any other state, there are plenty of unique restaurants in Iowa. Des Moines is home to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. The restaurant is decked out in a horror theme and the menu is full of creative and interesting meals. Try fun burgers like the 28 Days Later or The Negan. Or interesting cocktails like Red Death or The Zombie. Vinny Vanucchi’s is located in Dubuque. It’s a superb Italian restaurant, serving scrumptious meals like veal Parmigiano and fettuccine carbonara. But what makes it really stand out is that the spot used to be a jail!
The OIYS Visitor Center
All About Iowa
November 04, 2022
Rachel Raimondi
Where can I visit Santa in Iowa? Don’t let Christmas towns in Iowa take all the accolades during the holiday season. There are plenty of other Christmas-related things to do, such as visiting Santa in Iowa. In Altoona, you can bring the little ones over to Bass Pro where Santa will be hosting Santa’s Wonderland. Here, you can get a photo with Santa, write letters, and take part in other holiday fun from the beginning of November until Christmas Eve. The Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids is also a great spot to visit with Santa. And not only can you humans see Saint Nick and get photos, but there are also special dates and times when you can bring your pet for a photo. Which state parks should I visit in Iowa? There are 83 state parks in Iowa for you to explore. In Hamburg, there is the 2,000-acre Waubonsie State Park. Here, you’ll have 16 miles of trails to explore as well as opportunities to stay overnight, fish, and hunt. Nestled among impressive cliffs, valleys, and a stone bridge, Ledges State Park is located in Madrid. The park’s 1,200 acres offer several recreational opportunities for visitors, such as hiking trails, campsites, and exploration of Peas Creek. What are the most unique restaurants in Iowa? Just like any other state, there are plenty of unique restaurants in Iowa. Des Moines is home to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. The restaurant is decked out in a horror theme and the menu is full of creative and interesting meals. Try fun burgers like the 28 Days Later or The Negan. Or interesting cocktails like Red Death or The Zombie. Vinny Vanucchi’s is located in Dubuque. It’s a superb Italian restaurant, serving scrumptious meals like veal Parmigiano and fettuccine carbonara. But what makes it really stand out is that the spot used to be a jail!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Don’t let Christmas towns in Iowa take all the accolades during the holiday season. There are plenty of other Christmas-related things to do, such as visiting Santa in Iowa. In Altoona, you can bring the little ones over to Bass Pro where Santa will be hosting Santa’s Wonderland. Here, you can get a photo with Santa, write letters, and take part in other holiday fun from the beginning of November until Christmas Eve. The Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids is also a great spot to visit with Santa. And not only can you humans see Saint Nick and get photos, but there are also special dates and times when you can bring your pet for a photo.
Which state parks should I visit in Iowa?
There are 83 state parks in Iowa for you to explore. In Hamburg, there is the 2,000-acre Waubonsie State Park. Here, you’ll have 16 miles of trails to explore as well as opportunities to stay overnight, fish, and hunt. Nestled among impressive cliffs, valleys, and a stone bridge, Ledges State Park is located in Madrid. The park’s 1,200 acres offer several recreational opportunities for visitors, such as hiking trails, campsites, and exploration of Peas Creek.
What are the most unique restaurants in Iowa?
Just like any other state, there are plenty of unique restaurants in Iowa. Des Moines is home to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. The restaurant is decked out in a horror theme and the menu is full of creative and interesting meals. Try fun burgers like the 28 Days Later or The Negan. Or interesting cocktails like Red Death or The Zombie. Vinny Vanucchi’s is located in Dubuque. It’s a superb Italian restaurant, serving scrumptious meals like veal Parmigiano and fettuccine carbonara. But what makes it really stand out is that the spot used to be a jail!
