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, 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 store fronts, 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 10 through December 31, 2023 at 5:00 to 10:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Dogtown Lights
What: The businesses surrounding the Drake University Campus go all out for the holidays with an artistic light display within the Dogtown Business District. This year’s enchanting light installation features a stunning array of 48,000 colorful twinkling lights, adorning the various establishments and creating a magical ambiance that captures the spirit of winter.
Where: Dogtown Business District in the Drake Neighborhood
When: November 11, 2023 through March 15, 2024
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 125,000 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 16 through December 31, 2023, lights are on 5:00 pm to Midnight.
Cost: FREE
Jolly Holiday Lights
What: Immerse yourself in the magic of the season at Jolly Holiday Lights’ new location at The Outlets of Des Moines. This year’s event promises enchanting lights-to-music displays, creating a captivating winter wonderland for guests to stroll through while shopping for their loved ones. In addition to the dazzling lights, there are exciting ticketed events like Breakfast with Santa, train rides, and more, adding extra layers of joy to this holiday experience.
Where: Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Dr NW, Altoona, IA 50009
When: November 17, 2023 through January 7, 202 at 5:00 pm to 30 minutes before closing. (CLOSED November 23, December 25, 2023 and January 1, 2024)
Cost: FREE
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 21, 2023 through January 8, 2024 at 5:00 to 10:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
A Night Under the Lights
What: Head to Waukee for the second 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 make a donation to the local food pantry.
Where: Centennial Park; 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA 50263
When: Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Dome After Dark
What: Experience the Des Moines Botanical Garden in a new light at Dome After Dark! Stroll through the lush conservatory and Gardeners Show House illuminated with unique lighting and luminarias. This family friendly event will include food and drink available for purchase from Trellis Café.
Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden; 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
When: Fridays November 24, 2023 through March 29, 2024 at 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Cost: Included with General Admission – Adult $12, Senior (65+) $11, Military $11, Youth (4-17) $9 and Children 3 and under FREE. Pre-purchasing tickets is encouraged but walk-ups will be available until capacity is reached.
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 24 – December 31, 2023 (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 – $36.99 tickets must be purchased on-line.
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 family-fun, holiday event will be held nightly from late-November to the new year.
Where: First Church of Open Bible, 2200 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
When: Christmas Tree Light Display is Friday, November 24, 2023 through Sunday, December 31, 2023 5:00 to 10:00 pm. The Living Nativity will be held December 9 and 10, 2022 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 1-30, 2023 (CLOSED on December 25) at 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Cost: $15 Adult General Public; $13 Adult Members & ISU Students; $7 Youth (ages 2-12); FREE for Youth under 2
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 1 through December 31, 2023 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 1 through December 31, 2023 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 2nd 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 2 through December 31, 2023 at 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Christmas Light Tower
What: Experience the enchanting glow of the holiday season on Ashby Street, where the west side of Ashby and east side of Ashby/Wallace come together to create a dazzling spectacle of lights. This festive display is not just a celebration of the season; it’s a heartwarming community effort dedicated to supporting the Food Bank of Iowa. Candy canes are given out to those that make a donation.
Where: 4316 Ashby Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
When: December 2-27, 2023 at 5:00 to 10:00 pm
Cost: FREE. Cash, Venmo and non-perishable food donations are accepted for the Food Bank of Iowa.
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 9 & 10, 2022 at 5:30 to 8:00pm.
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, 2023 at 6:00 to 10:00 pm.
Cost: FREE
Did we miss your family’s favorite Christmas light display in Des Moines? Let us know, so we can add it to the list!
