All that’s merry and bright!!!
Set a festive mood with friends and family this year by taking in the dazzling lights illuminated across the Des Moines metro and beyond. Whether taking in the lights are a holiday tradition or a new ritual we rounded up the best twinkling multi-color attractions that’ll meet your eye.
Find more seasonal fun in our Holiday Fun Guide, and on our Events Calendar, and be sure to sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide.
Editor’s Note: We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always verify dates, times, location, and other information. A few of the light displays listed light up around Thanksgiving and turn off around New Year’s Day. Others are only lit on specific dates. Lights go on (and are best seen) after dark. And, if you want to avoid the crowds and potential traffic jams, go early in the evening on a weekday. These places tend to get busy on weekends.
Where to light up your holiday spirit this Christmas in Des Moines:
Winter Wonder Lights
What: Walk, ride, or drive through Uptown Ankeny after sundown to enjoy over 50 animated holiday displays sponsored by local businesses. In addition, you’ll find decked-out storefronts, several photo ops, and their 25-foot-tall show tree which will perform every 30 minutes. Experience this hometown tradition over and over this holiday season!
Where: Uptown Ankeny
When: November 8 through December 31, 2024 at 5:00 to 10:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Valley Junction
What: The entire Valley Junction business area comes out with lights, Christmas icons, and tons of holiday cheer. They turn it on full force with more than 100,000-holiday lights strung around the Historic Valley Junction area. You’ll want to get out of your car and walk around to take it all in!
Where: Valley Junction; Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue, West Des Moines, IA
When: November 21 through December 31, 2024, lights are on from 5:00 pm to Midnight.
Cost: FREE
Jolly Holiday Lights
What: A beloved Des Moines holiday tradition, the Jolly Holiday Lights drive-through light show, continues this year under new management and at a new location. Winterland, Inc., which has partnered with Make-A-Wish Iowa on the event for the past eight years, is now managing the light display. Make-A-Wish remains the benefiting charitable organization.
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds; Enter at Gate 2 at the intersection of E University Avenue and E 33rd Street
When: November 29, 2024 through January 4, 2024, 5:30 to 9:00 pm Weekdays and 5:30 to 10:00 pm on Weekends.
Cost: $20 per car
Miracle on 86th Street
What: Bundle up this winter and stroll through Urbandale’s Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and enjoy family-friendly holiday events that your whole family will love. The park will be lit everywhere with holiday lights and the City of Urbandale will be hosting special events all season long!
Where: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park; 3600 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322
When: November 26, 2024, through January 5, 2024, at 5:00 to 10:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
A Night Under the Lights
What: Head to Waukee for the third annual “A Night Under the Lights” lighted holiday parade, featuring festive floats, food, drinks, and a visit from Santa Claus. Hosted by local Waukee businesses, they invite you to donate to the local food pantry.
Where: Centennial Park; 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA 50263
When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Dome for the Holidays!
What: “Dome for the Holidays” introduces a new evening format with an indoor illuminated light show throughout the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House. Visitors of all ages will delight in the artful displays, featuring thousands of lights—from butterflies to trees, with swirling, sparkling, and interactive elements. A stunning collection of blown glass pieces by Hot Glass of the Quad Cities is showcased throughout. Don’t miss the beloved holiday train display with a fresh look and theme, and keep an eye out for the family of holiday gnomes!
Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden; 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
When: November 16 to December 31, 2024; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 6:00 to 9:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 5:00 to 9:00 pm. ADDITIONAL OPEN dates include December 23, 30 and 31, 2024. CLOSED November 22, 28 and December 24 and 25, 2024.
Cost: Adult $15, Children (13 & Under) $9 and Children under 1 FREE. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance.
Santa’s Rock N Lights Drive Thru Light Show
What: Santa’s Rock N Lights is an animated drive-thru light show that lets visitors traverse a mile-long course through Living History Farms to see hundreds of thousands of lights spread over dozens of holiday displays. Including over 700 feet of dancing light tunnels, giant dinosaurs, reindeer, and emojis. Synchronized music is streamed via your car’s radio.
Where: Living History Farms; 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322
When: November 29 – December 31, 2024 (CLOSED December 25); Sunday to Thursday at 5:05 to 8:30 pm and Friday and Saturday 5:05 to 9:30 pm
Cost: $29.99 to $36.99 tickets must be purchased online.
Christmas Tree Light Display + Living Nativity
What: Beaverdale’s First Church of Open Bible has a large Christmas Tree lighting display synchronized to music. The light show runs December 1-31, 2024. The Living Nativity will be held December 6 and 7, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Where: First Church of Open Bible, 2200 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
When: The Christmas Tree Light Display is Sunday, December 1, 2024, through Tuesday, December 31, 2024 5:00 to 10:00 pm. The Living Nativity will be held December 6 and 7, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show
What: Go on an outdoor walk-through holiday light show featuring a variety of immersive light displays throughout the entire 17-acre site at Reiman Gardens in Ames. You won’t want to miss their new and improved features and elements including motion and music. Walk through brightly lit tunnels, meander through fantasy lights falling like stars, view massive disco balls twirling to laser lights, enjoy a twenty-foot-wide fountain of lights and a wide array of other sparkling wonders. The kids will enjoy lighted sculptural forms including Peter Rabbit, the metamorphosis of the luna moth, penguins cavorting on skis, sleds and ice skates and a giant lighted snowflake.
Where: Reiman Gardens; 1407 University Boulevard, Ames, IA 50011
When: Thursday through Saturday, December 5-28, 2024, and Monday, December 23rd at 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Cost: $16 Adult General Public; $14 Adult Members; $14 ISU Students; $7 Youth (ages 2-12); FREE for Youth under 2. Pre-purchased timed ticketing is required.
Gingerbread Lane
What: Gingerbread Lane is a long tradition on Richland Court in Ankeny where 30+ homes are decked out for the holidays. Expect lots of gingerbread-themed handmade displays and oodles of twinkling lights. Watch their Facebook page for schedule updates and reminders.
Where: SE Richland Court, Ankeny, IA 50021
When: December 6 through December 31, 2024 at 5:30 to 10:00 pm.
Cost: FREE. Cash and non-perishable food donations are accepted for the Food Bank of Iowa.
Windsor Heights Holiday Lights
What: Approximately 120 Windsor Heights homes come alive with festive spirit as they participate in an annual holiday lighting contest. The community transforms into a dazzling spectacle of creativity, with each home decked out in festive displays of lights, holly, and holiday decorations.
Where: South of Hickman Road, Franklin Avenue, Marylynn Drive and 72nd Street
When: December 6 through December 31, 2024 at 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Beaverdale Holiday Lights
What: The Beaverdale Neighborhood Association sponsors a Holiday Lights contest each year. With approximately 50 homes participating in this Beaverdale holiday tradition each year you’ll never know what you’ll see. Voting for best lights starts on December 7th along with the Beaverdale tree lighting ceremony, which will remain lit until after the holidays.
Where: Ashby and Wallace Avenues, east and west of Beaver Avenue
When: December 7 through December 31, 2024 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Synchronized Lights & Live Nativity
What: Usher in the Christmas season by visiting Fellowship Community Church in Norwalk. Their property will be covered in 60,000+ LED lights that are synchronized to Christmas music. They’ll also have a live nativity with real animals. The best part is you can enjoy everything from the warmth of your vehicle AND free cookies & hot chocolate will be brought to you!
Where: Fellowship Community Church; 225 North Avenue, Norwalk, IA
When: Saturday & Sunday, December 14 & 15, 2024 at 5:30 to 8:00 pm.
Cost: FREE. Donations will be accepted and will be used to assist local needy families.
Snider’s Animated and Musical Holiday Lights Display
What: A Madrid brother sister duo create a beautiful display of over 13,000 Christmas lights that coordinate to over 15 songs each year. You can tune in to 102.9 FM to listen to music accompanying the light show. Watch their Facebook page for an official start date and for any mechanical or weather-related issues or cancellations.
Where: 611 South Market Street; Madrid, IA
When: Mid-December through January 1, 2024, 6:00 to 10:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
Lights at the Museum
What: Play under the lights at the Des Moines Children’s Museum and learn about light festivals around the world in their annual special holiday event.
Where: Des Moines Children’s Museum, 1551 Valley West Drive #108, West Des Moines, IA, 50266
When: December 19-21, 2024 at 6:00 to 8:00 pm; Sensory Friendly Lights December 20, 2024 at 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Cost: $10 for ages 1 – 9, $4 for ages 10+, free for infants and members.
