Illustration of a santa visit scene (Christmas in Olde Town)
Christmas Markets

Christmas in Olde Town

Downtown Altoona transforms into a holiday celebration where visitors can meet Santa, enjoy live reindeer encounters, and take carriage rides. Guests can roast marshmallows at a s’mores station, sip hot chocolate, and participate in holiday crafts. The event also features entertainment, photo opportunities, and access to exhibits at the Altoona Area Historical Museum.

What to Expect

Holiday celebration featuring Santa, reindeer encounters, carriage rides, and s'mores.

Event Details

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

Olde Town

Timed Entry

No

Organizer

Altoona Area Historical Society

Food & Drink

Enjoy hot chocolate and roast marshmallows at the s’mores station.

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families with young children

Vibe

Festive and magical

Energy Level

Moderate

Budget

Free

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

Moderate

Know Before You Go

  • Tickets: Free; family-friendly event.
  • Hours: 2-4:30 PM.

Tips & Advice

  • Bring the whole family, since meeting Santa, reindeer encounters, carriage rides and holiday crafts are all part of this free afternoon downtown.
  • Dress warmly for an afternoon outside in downtown Altoona, especially if you plan to linger at the s'mores station roasting marshmallows.
  • Bring a charged phone or camera, because photo ops are set up throughout the celebration, from Santa to the reindeer.
  • Step inside the Altoona Area Historical Museum, which takes part in the celebration and holds thousands of artifacts on East Polk County history.
  • Come early rather than late, since the celebration runs for just two and a half hours on a single Saturday afternoon.

Special Events & Promotions

  • Admission is free, and the event is family-friendly.

Quick Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do?

You can meet Santa, have reindeer encounters, take carriage rides and make holiday crafts. There's also entertainment and plenty of photo ops around Altoona's historic downtown.

Is it good for kids?

Yes. It's a free, family-friendly celebration, so bring the whole family.

What is there to eat and drink?

There's hot chocolate, and you can roast marshmallows at the s'mores station.

Can I visit the historical museum during the event?

Yes. The Altoona Area Historical Museum is in a historic Olde Town building and takes part in Christmas in Olde Town. Its exhibits hold thousands of artifacts on East Polk County history.

Tags

community celebrationholiday traditionSanta visitstree lightinglive musicfamily friendlyfestive atmosphereholiday cheerseasonal activities

More Christmas Events Near Altoona

More Christmas Events near Des Moines

Open the map around Des Moines →

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team