Christmas is coming! The Sioux City area has so many fun and festive events and activities to celebrate the Christmas season and I'm excited to share them all with you. This post features the best Christmas events in Siouxland, the best places in Siouxland to see Christmas lights, and some of the best places in Siouxland to see Santa!
This post was originally written in 2018 and is now updated with 2024 events. I will keep updating this post throughout November and December 2024 as new details become available. Please email me at SiouxlandFamiliesBlog [at] gmail at anytime if you have updates I should add!
Sioux City & Siouxland Christmas Events
November 2024
Christmas at the Homestead at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Saturday 11/09/24
Tour of Homes Friday 11/21/24 through Sunday 11/23/24
Flower & Flame's A Christmas Carol Saturday 11/23/24
Parade of Trees Saturday 11/23/24 through Saturday 11/30/24 (closed Thurs 11/28/24)
Cirque Dreams HoliDaze
Downtown for the Holidays Monday 11/25/24
Hall of Trees Grand Opening Friday 11/29/24
Hometown Christmas in Le Mars Saturday 11/30/24
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: Elf Sunday 12/1/24
New Horizon Band Holiday Concert Sunday 12/1/24
12 Nights of Christmas Sunday 12/1/24 through 12/12/24
Thursday 12/5/24
Christmas at Morningside Thursday 12/5/24 and Friday 12/6/24
Closed for the Holidays (play) Friday 12/5/24 through Sunday 12/8/24 and Thursday 12/12/24 through Sunday 12/15/24
Holiday Gift-Making Workshop Saturday 12/7/24
Sinterklaas Weekend and Christmas Market Friday 12/6/24 and Saturday, 12/7/24
W.H. Over Museum Annual Christmas Festival Sunday 12/8/24
Sunday 12/8/24
Sounds of the Season 2024 details TBA
A Very Merry Y-Mas 2024 details TBA
Wreaths Across America Saturday 12/14/24
Sioux City Parks and Rec Breakfast with Santa Sat 12/14/24 and Sun 12/15/24
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: Polar Express Sunday 12/15/24
Siouxland is full of houses with beautiful and festive light displays, but here are a few of the best places in Sioux City and Siouxland to go if you're out driving specifically to see Christmas lights. If you know houses or neighborhoods I should add, please let me know, or if you see one on the list that ought to be taken off because it is no longer active, please let me know that too!
(While this list has been partially updated for 2024 based on new information, many of the included houses are here based on excellence in past years. I will update throughout the Christmas season as I see or hear about great new displays or discover that homes or businesses on the list should be removed.)
Sioux City
South Sioux City & Dakota City
Santa is coming to Siouxland! Santa will be at many of the festive events this season, and I will try to list all events with confirmed attendance by Mr. Claus himself here as I confirm details:
- November 9th from noon to 4pm at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota
- Historical buildings will be festively decorated, vendors will be on site, and there will be delicious treats and other festive fun!
- FREE to attend (treats and vendor ware prices may vary)
- Admire festively decorated homes in Wynstone and McCook Lake this holiday season, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland
- Tour is open from 9am to 7pm each day and costs $60 per person. For ages 10+ only
- Full details here
- This unique musical approach to the Christmas classic by South Dakota-based group Flower & Flame will be performed live at the Unity Knight Center in Orange City, IA at 7:30pm
- $25 for adults, $15 for students, and free for children 5 and under.
- Enjoy festive fun at the 3rd annual Parade of Trees at Sioux City's Abu Bekr Shrine Temple
- Santa will be there EACH day, but hours vary so be sure to check their social media to make sure you know what to expect on the day you'd like to go.
- Visit the Shriners Parade of Trees website for more information
Sunday 11/24/24
- Watch Christmas magic come to life before your eyes on the Sioux City Orpheum Stage with this fun presentation at 4pm
- Will include dance, acrobatics, and other contemporary circus arts
- For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Sioux City Orpheum website
- Sioux City's biggest Christmas bash kicks off the season in style, in historic downtown Sioux City
- Holiday Lighted Parade starts at 6:15pm at Iowa St, and heads west on 4th street to the Sioux City Public Museum
- New for 2024 is a sensory friendly viewing area inside the Sioux City Convention Center
- Additional fun TBA, but likely to include kids activities, live music and dance, the Festival of Trees, and more
- From November 29th through December 31st, 2024 at the Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD
- Enjoy 70+ decorated Christmas trees and other festive decor, plus coffee and cocoa at the Hall of Trees
- Friday night lights each Friday from 4 to 8pm
- "Santa Sundays" kids craft events on 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22 from 1 to 3pm
- For more information, visit the Hall of Trees page on the Mead museum website.
- Festivities include Breakfast with Rudolph, a Santa's Fun Run 5k & 10k run/walk, crafts for all ages, Reindeer Roundup, crafts for all ages, Elves' Storytime at the Le Mars Public Library, a Christmas joy scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, live dance performances from local dance schools, and musical performances from the Dove-nominated gospel group The Browns, all culminating with a tree lighting ceremony at 6pm!
- New in 2024 is a Holiday Train!
- For more information, visit the Christmas in Hometown Le Mars website.
December 1st through 7th
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 1pm
- Tickets $5 which includes movie admission and a box of popcorn
- More information here
- Enjoy this lively holiday performance at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at 2pm
- FREE admission and a reception to follow
- Each night from 12/1 to 12/12, from 6 to 8:30pm at the Sioux City Railroad Museum
- Santa will be at the museum, along with carolers and lots of other festive fun
- FREE entrance, with a freewill donation requested from those able to contribute
- Food and drink vendors will be on site, prices will vary
- Full details here
North Sioux City Holiday Parade of Lights
Thursday 12/5/24
- Everyone's invited to this celebration in North Sioux City, with a parade at 5:30pm
- After the parade, enjoy cookies and cocoa with Santa inside the North Sioux City Police Department garage.
- Hosted by North Sioux City Parks & Recreation
Vermillion Standstill Parade of Lights
- From 6-7pm, in historic downtown Vermillion, SD, the Christmas parade floats stay still as the crowd moves around instead! There will also be cozy drinks, festive treats, and live music.
- At 7, enjoy a community tree lighting by Santa.
- Santa will also be at the Vermillion Public Library for photos after the tree lighting ceremony
- Full details available from the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce
- This annual live musical performance from Morningside college student groups is better than ever in 2024 with two performances; both the Thursday and Friday concerts will begin at 7:30pm and tickets are required for either.
- For more information or to purchase your tickets ($11.50 or $22 depending on seats chosen), visit the Christmas at Morningside page of the Morningside University website.
- Festive play presented by the Sioux City Community Theatre
- To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the Sioux City Community Theatre website
- The Sioux City Art Center is transforming into Santa's Workshop! Kids are encouraged to come create handmade gifts for FREE, with sessions at 10am and 12:30pm.
- Registration required. For more information or to sign your kids up, visit the Sioux City Art Center website
- Sinterklaas Day in Orange City is on Saturday, with lots of Dutch-heritage inspired kids' Christmas activities. More details here.
- European-style Christmas Market at Gezellig in downtown Orange City, IA both days. More details here
Merry TUBAChristmas
Saturday 12/7/24
- Live musical performance from local brass players at noon at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- FREE, with reception to follow
Peirce Mansion Holiday Open House
Sunday 12/8/24
- Enjoy the beautiful Sioux Quartzite mansion on Sioux City's historic northside with refreshments, a visit from Santa, and live harp music, from 1 to 4pm.
- FREE event
- More details here
- Enjoy Christmas music, trees, cookie decorating, clogging, and much more at this wonderful museum in Vermillion, SD from 1 to 4pm
- For more information, visit the W. H. Over Museum website
The Happy Elf musical
Friday 12/6/24 through Sunday 12/8/24 and Friday 12/13/24 through Sunday 12/15/24
- REACH Youth and Family Theatre presents Harry Connick Jr.'s The Happy Elf live at Briar Cliff University, with performances at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Sunday matinees at 2pm
- Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children
- More information here
December 8th through 14th
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: The Grinch
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 1pm
- Tickets $5, which includes movie admission and a box of popcorn
- More information here
- This FREE festive concert will be a holiday treat for the ears, with live music performed by the All-America Band and students from the Morningside University School of Visual and Performing Arts.
- Enjoy fun seasonal activities galore at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA in South Sioux City
- Full 2024 details are not yet released, and they could have something totally new and different planned, but in the past this event has included a wide variety of activities including crafts, games, cookie decorating, bounce house, rock wall climbing, a "splashing snowball fight" and Santa!
Sloan Festival of Trees and Visit from Santa
Sunday 12/8/24
- From 1-3pm at the Sloan Public Library in Sloan, IA enjoy the 3rd annual Festival of Trees, and a visit from Santa!
Free Christmas Movie: A Christmas Story
Wednesday 12/11/24
- Watch a Christmas classic at the Coyote Twin Theater in Vermillion, SD starting at 7pm
- FREE admission, sponsored by the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company and Knutson Dentistry
- Join in this national event laying Christmas wreaths on monuments to veterans around the nation. Ceremonies planned for Sioux City and nearby cities include:
- Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City at 9am
- Arlington Township Cemetery in Moville, IA at 11am
- Plymouth County Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery in Le Mars, IA at 11am
- Sioux Center Memory Gardens in Sioux Center, IA at 11am
- South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD at 11am
- St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Dodge, NE at 11:15am
- Enjoy breakfast, tubing, and festive fun at Breakfast with Santa at Cone Park!
- Four sessions, with two times each morning, but limited attendance so sign up as soon as you're sure you'd like to go!
- Register by calling (712)279-6126 or online using the Parks & Rec registration website.
Santa at the Center
Sat 12/14/24
- Meet Santa at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center from 1 to 3pm
- There will also be a make & take ornament craft available for kids to work on
- More information available here
December 15th through 21st
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street with Polar Express playing at 1pm
- Tickets $5, which includes movie admission and a box of popcorn
- Pajamas encouraged!
- More details here.
Classic Langley Songs and Holiday Favorites
Sunday 12/15/24
- Join Mike and Jack Langley for a live musical performance at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at 2pm
- FREE admission, with reception to follow
- For more information, visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center website
Home for the Holidays with the Sioux City Symphony
Sunday 12/15/24
Sunday 12/15/24
- The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra presents Christmas favorites beginning at 3pm at the Sioux City Orpheum Theater.
- For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Sioux City Orpheum website!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Thursday, 12/19/24
- Enjoy this family-friendly stage musical version of the Christmas class, live at the Sioux City Orpheum at 7pm
- For tickets or more information, visit the Sioux City Orpheum website
December 22nd through 25th
Tuesday 12/24/24: Christmas Eve
Wednesday 12/25/24: Merry Christmas!
Best Christmas Light Displays in Siouxland
- Downtown Sioux City, especially the city Christmas tree in front of the Sioux City Public Museum on 4th Street, beautifully decorated storefronts throughout downtown, and colorful lights on the Warrior Hotel!
- Cherrywood Lane/Applewood Ave neighborhood in Morningside
- Blessed Sacrament neighborhood in Sioux City (Jackson and Jones streets between 29th and 30th)
- Grandview Blvd between 35th & 36th Street
- The Heights neighborhood, especially the Grandview Park Rose Garden. And look for the elaborately decorated vintage truck on Blackstone (off Valley Drive)!
- Ketelsen Christmas Light Show, formerly on Romans Rd, now at 2700 S Martha!
- Sunnybrook Community Church
- 6823 Coyote Run, set to 92.1fm on radio
- 5500 Old Lakeport Road with almost 30 inflatables
- Sioux City Railroad Museum every night from December 1st through 12th from 5 to 8pm with train rides, Santa, and lots of other festive fun!
- Morningside Santa and Friends at 2514 S. Alice: this sweet couple dresses up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and kids are encouraged to stop by and say hi and drop off letters for Santa! If they leave a return address, they'll probably even get a personalized reply! For more info, check out their Facebook page
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| 2514 S. Alice has a letterbox for Santa letters, and frequent visits from Santa himself! |
- 401 5th Avenue, South Sioux City
- Winterfest by the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA at the South Sioux City Scenic Park/Campground
- 1503 Willow Street, Dakota City
North Sioux City & Dakota Dunes
- Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve, hosting Homestead Holidays from 5 to 9pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from December 1st-24th
- The Meadows neighborhood in Dakota Dunes, especially corner of E. Sawgrass & Pebble Beach
Other neighboring communities
- 510 Baywood Ct., Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
- Falls Park, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (and catch the annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Sioux Falls!)
- Watchorn home at 58960 882nd Road in Ponca, Nebraska, as seen on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight!
Santa in Sioux City
- Downtown Sioux City's Holiday Lights Parade
- Breakfast with Santa
- 3rd Annual Parade of Trees at the Abu Bekr Shrine Circus
Merry Christmas, Siouxland!
As someone who recently moved here, thank you for putting this all in one place! Especially the lights displays! We can’t wait to drive around. :)
ReplyDeleteYou should go see 36th and jackson. One of the best Christmas light.
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