Immerse yourself in the festive magic of Cedar Rapids, IA, this holiday season with an array of captivating events. The Holiday DeLights Parade dazzles with illuminated floats and vibrant marching bands, filling downtown with glowing energy. Stroll through the creative wonders at the Festival of Trees, where each evergreen tells a unique holiday story.
For a nostalgic experience, step back in time during Christmas at the Mansion, exploring elegantly adorned rooms that evoke Victorian-era celebrations. Cedar Rapids offers a wealth of traditions and activities that will enchant both locals and visitors alike.
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The Top Christmas Events in Cedar Rapids
- Holiday DeLights Parade
- Festival of Trees
- Sister City Christmas Market
- Winter Nights, Holiday Lights
- Old World Christmas Market
- Santa at NewBo City Market
- Holiday Pops
- Santa's Workshop
- Holiday Candlelight Tours
- Christmas at Ushers Ferry
Cedar Rapids Holiday Light Displays
Winter Nights, Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display synchronized to music
Description:
Winter Nights Holiday Lights illuminates Cedar Rapids with a dazzling drive-through experience. This innovative display synchronizes thousands of lights to holiday music, creating a symphony of color and sound. The event, which began as a small neighborhood display, has grown into a city-wide attraction. Visitors tune their car radios to a dedicated station, immersing themselves in the coordinated spectacle. The route winds through picturesque landscapes, transforming familiar Cedar Rapids scenery into a glowing winter tableau.
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Cedar Rapids Holiday Markets and Shopping
Sister City Christmas Market
What to Expect:
International holiday goods from Cedar Rapids' sister cities
Description:
The Sister City Christmas Market in Cedar Rapids celebrates global connections through holiday traditions. This unique event showcases goods and crafts from Cedar Rapids' five international sister cities. Established to foster cultural exchange, the market offers a worldly shopping experience right in Iowa. Visitors can sample international holiday treats, bridging cultures through shared seasonal joy. The market highlights Cedar Rapids' commitment to global friendship, a tradition that began with its first sister city partnership in 1962.
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Old World Christmas Market
What to Expect:
European-style outdoor market with traditional crafts and foods
Description:
Cedar Rapids' Old World Christmas Market transports visitors to a European holiday bazaar. Wooden stalls line the streets, brimming with handcrafted ornaments, traditional toys, and aromatic holiday treats. This market pays homage to the city's Czech and Slovak heritage, celebrating traditions brought by early immigrants. Artisans demonstrate centuries-old crafting techniques, preserving cultural legacies. Visitors can warm up with a mug of mulled wine while browsing unique gifts and savoring authentic European delicacies.
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Holiday Craft Bazaar
What to Expect:
Showcase of locally made, one-of-a-kind holiday crafts
Description:
Cedar Rapids' Holiday Craft Bazaar celebrates local artisanship with a diverse array of handmade goods. This bustling marketplace showcases the talents of area craftspeople, offering unique holiday gifts not found in typical stores. The bazaar, a tradition since the 1970s, fills the air with the scent of cinnamon and pine from handcrafted decorations. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques, from glass blowing to woodcarving. Each purchase supports local artists and continues Cedar Rapids' long-standing tradition of valuing handmade goods.
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Cedar Rapids Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Symphony orchestra performs holiday classics with modern twists
Description:
Cedar Rapids' Holiday Pops concert invigorates classic carols with fresh, symphonic arrangements. The city's renowned orchestra breathes new life into familiar tunes, blending traditional melodies with unexpected harmonies and rhythms. This annual event, a staple of Cedar Rapids' cultural calendar, showcases the versatility of the orchestra. Audience members might find themselves tapping their feet to a jazzy rendition of "Jingle Bells" or moved by a poignant orchestral version of "Silent Night."
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Cedar Rapids Other Holiday Activities
Holiday DeLights Parade
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and marching bands
Description:
Cedar Rapids transforms into a glowing spectacle during the Holiday Delights Parade. Illuminated floats and energetic marching bands wind through downtown streets, captivating spectators with dazzling lights and lively music. This cherished tradition dates back to 1983, uniting the community in holiday spirit. Visitors can join the revelry by decorating themselves with glow sticks, becoming part of the luminous procession. The parade showcases local businesses and organizations, highlighting Cedar Rapids' vibrant community spirit.
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Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Creatively decorated trees by local artists and organizations
Description:
The Festival of Trees in Cedar Rapids bursts with creativity as local artists and organizations showcase their imaginatively adorned evergreens. Each tree tells a unique story, from whimsical themes to elegant designs. This event, originating in 1990, has become a cornerstone of Cedar Rapids' holiday season. Attendees can vote for their favorite tree, contributing to a friendly competition that sparks innovation year after year. The festival also features live performances, adding a melodious backdrop to the visual feast.
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Santa at NewBo City Market
What to Expect:
Santa visits in a vibrant, year-round indoor market setting
Description:
Santa makes a special appearance at Cedar Rapids' bustling NewBo City Market. This year-round indoor market, housed in a repurposed industrial building, provides a unique backdrop for holiday cheer. The event blends seasonal joy with the market's regular offerings of local produce, artisanal goods, and diverse cuisines. Children can share their wishes with Santa while parents explore the market's eclectic vendor stalls. This gathering reflects NewBo's role as a community hub, a tradition that began with the market's founding in 2012.
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Santa's Workshop
What to Expect:
Interactive toy-making activities for children
Description:
Santa's Workshop in Cedar Rapids buzzes with creative energy as children engage in hands-on toy-making activities. This interactive experience allows young visitors to craft their own holiday gifts, guided by skilled artisans. The workshop, set up in a historic downtown building, echoes with the sounds of busy little elves at work. Kids can paint wooden toys, stuff plush animals, or assemble simple electronics, fostering a sense of accomplishment and giving. This event harkens back to Cedar Rapids' industrial heritage, celebrating the joy of creation.
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Holiday Candlelight Tours
What to Expect:
Guided tours of historic sites by candlelight
Description:
Holiday Candlelight Tours illuminate Cedar Rapids' rich history in a soft, flickering glow. Guides lead small groups through historic buildings and sites, their paths lit only by candles and lanterns. This atmospheric experience offers a unique perspective on the city's architectural gems and holiday traditions of the past. Visitors step carefully through shadowy corridors, their footsteps echoing in the hushed spaces. The tours, initiated to showcase Cedar Rapids' preservation efforts, have become a beloved annual tradition.
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Christmas at Ushers Ferry
What to Expect:
Living history Christmas celebration in a recreated 19th-century village
Description:
Christmas at Ushers Ferry transports visitors to a 19th-century holiday celebration in Cedar Rapids. This living history event unfolds in a meticulously recreated village, complete with period-costumed interpreters. Participants can engage in traditional activities like candle dipping or learning parlor games. The village, established as an educational site in 1973, comes alive with the sights and sounds of a bygone era. Visitors might encounter carolers singing forgotten holiday tunes or catch the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread wafting from a wood-burning stove.
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Victorian Christmas Tea
What to Expect:
Authentic Victorian-era tea service and etiquette
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Tea in Cedar Rapids steeps guests in 19th-century refinement. This elegant affair recreates the elaborate tea rituals of the Victorian era, complete with period-appropriate china and delicacies. Attendees don their finest attire, immersing themselves in the manners and customs of the time. The event, held in a restored Victorian mansion, offers a taste of Cedar Rapids' genteel past. Participants learn the intricacies of tea etiquette while savoring traditional treats like cucumber sandwiches and plum pudding.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at the Mansion (Marion)
What to Expect:
Historical holiday decor in a preserved 19th-century mansion
Description:
Step back in time at Christmas at the Mansion in Cedar Rapids. This preserved 19th-century estate dons period-accurate holiday decorations, offering a glimpse into Yuletide celebrations of yesteryear. The mansion, built in 1877, stands as a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage. Visitors can explore lavishly adorned rooms, each showcasing different aspects of Victorian-era Christmas traditions. The air is filled with the subtle scent of pine and spices, enhancing the authentic historical ambiance.
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Light Up the Night (Marion)
What to Expect:
Community-wide simultaneous light switch-on
Description:
Light Up the Night unites Cedar Rapids in a synchronized illumination celebration. At a designated moment, residents and businesses across the city simultaneously switch on their holiday lights, creating a wave of brightness that sweeps through neighborhoods. This community-driven event, initiated in 2015, has become a symbol of Cedar Rapids' collective spirit. Participants gather in parks and public spaces to witness the city transform. You can join a countdown in your local area, becoming part of this city-wide spectacle.
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Downtown Holiday Walk (Marion)
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of decorated storefronts and public spaces
Description:
The Downtown Holiday Walk invites exploration of Cedar Rapids' festively adorned city center. This self-guided tour winds through streets lined with creatively decorated storefronts and public spaces, each competing for the coveted "Best Display" title. The walk, initiated to boost downtown vitality, has become a cherished annual tradition. Participants can warm up in welcoming shops offering special holiday treats and promotions. As you stroll, you'll discover hidden gems of Cedar Rapids' architectural heritage, beautifully highlighted by holiday decorations.
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Community Tree Lighting (Hiawatha)
What to Expect:
Massive tree decorated with ornaments made by local schools and organizations
Description:
Cedar Rapids unites around a towering evergreen during the Community Tree Lighting ceremony. This grand tree, adorned with hundreds of ornaments crafted by local schools and organizations, stands as a symbol of community spirit. The lighting event, a tradition dating back to the early 20th century, brings together residents from all corners of the city. Visitors can admire the diverse array of handmade decorations, each telling a story of Cedar Rapids' vibrant community groups. The air resonates with the harmonies of local choirs as the switch is flipped, illuminating the night.