10 Magical Christmas Light Displays in Iowa You Can’t Miss in 2025 (With FREE Spots & Hidden Gems!)
Looking for the best places to see Christmas lights in Iowa in 2025? You’ve got plenty of options across the state. Every year, communities and parks turn ordinary streets, homes, and public spaces into glowing holiday displays.
You’ll find a mix of drive-through routes, city parks, and special events with festive lights. Iowa’s Christmas light displays invite families, couples, and groups to enjoy the bright sights and soak up the holiday spirit.
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 1) Baird’s Christmas Lights
- 3 2) Kersten Christmas Light Display
- 4 3) Kall Christmas Lights
- 5 4) Spruce Ridge Christmas Lights 90.7 FM
- 6 5) Wolf Family Lights
- 7 6) Argo Christmas Lights
- 8 7) Santa’s Rock N Lights
- 9 8) Lights in the Park
- 10 9) Symphony of Lights-Clinton
- 11 Kris Kringle Tips
- 12 10) Lights on Hagemann
Find the Best Accommodations
Visitors like you rated these hotels, guesthouses and apartments as ‘superb’ or ‘exceptional’. No reservation fees.
1) Baird’s Christmas Lights
If you’re heading to Red Oak, you should check out Baird’s Christmas Lights. This local display draws in families and visitors from nearby, and the buzz keeps it busy all December.
They decorate a house with holiday lights and seasonal touches. You just drive by for free and see everything right from your car.
The show starts after dark, and most people don’t stay long—maybe twenty or thirty minutes tops. You’ll find it easily in a quiet neighborhood.
Don’t expect extra activities or vendors here. Bring your own snacks and drinks if you want them.
Keep an eye on their social media page for updated hours before you go.
Rating: 5 (15 reviews)
Location: 1233 E Ave, Red Oak, IA 51566
Contact: (712) 623-3930
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby (Booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Nov–Dec 25 | After dark | 1233 E Ave, Red Oak, IA 51566 | Free | See hotels in Red Oak, IA | https://m.facebook.com/BairdsChristmasLights/ |
2) Kersten Christmas Light Display
You’ll find the Kersten Christmas Light Display in the small town of Mount Auburn, Iowa. Locals and visitors from nearby towns come out to see it every year.
The display sits on private property, just a short drive from Cedar Rapids, so it’s easy to reach by car. The best time to visit is in the evening.
You drive slowly through the property and watch the lights from your car. The decorations are classic and family-friendly, with familiar figures everyone can spot.
There’s no posted entry fee, but you might see a spot for donations. This tradition brings out plenty of cars during December, especially in the evening.
If you want to avoid crowds, try going on a weekday or early in the evening.
Rating: 4.1 (16 reviews)
Location: 5598 22nd Ave Trail, Mt Auburn, IA 52313
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to stay nearby (Booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December (nightly) | Dusk–10 PM | 5598 22nd Ave Trail, Mt Auburn, IA 52313 | Free | Hotels in Cedar Rapids |
3) Kall Christmas Lights
Kall Christmas Lights in Davenport puts on a big show at a private home. The display is known for its large, synchronized Christmas light show.
The lights move with the music, so tune your radio and watch the lights dance. Parking is along the street—sometimes it gets busy, so you might need to be patient.
The show runs through December, starting at dusk and going into the evening. There’s no entry fee, but donations help keep the lights going.
You’ll find plenty of hotels nearby if you want to stay overnight. Kall Christmas Lights is a favorite for families and groups looking for Christmas light displays in eastern Iowa.
They post updates and special news on their Facebook page.
Rating: 4.8 (224 reviews)
Location: 1852 Westminster Cir, Davenport, IA 52807
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Dusk-Evening | 1852 Westminster Cir, Davenport, IA 52807 | Free (Donations welcome) | Hotels in Davenport on Booking.com | Visit Website |
4) Spruce Ridge Christmas Lights 90.7 FM
Spruce Ridge Christmas Lights sits just outside Iowa City. Families love driving by this private home light show during the holidays.
When you arrive, tune your car radio to 90.7 FM to hear music that matches the lights. The show runs through most of December.
They decorate the house, trees, and yard with hundreds of lights. You can watch the lights and listen to the songs from your car.
It’s easy to find along a quiet road. Street parking is available, but don’t block driveways or disturb the neighbors.
There’s no entry fee for the lights. If you’re planning an overnight visit, you’ll find several hotels in Iowa City.
Plan your route before you go, since the location is outside downtown, but the roads are usually well maintained in winter.
Rating: 4.9 (13 reviews)
Location: 4477 Napoleon St SE, Iowa City, IA 52240
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | 5pm–10pm* | 4477 Napoleon St SE, Iowa City, IA 52240 | Free | Iowa City hotels | Not available |
| *Note: Confirm times before visiting as schedules may change. |
5) Wolf Family Lights
Wolf Family Lights in Bettendorf is a neighborhood favorite for seasonal decorations during the holidays. People drive by to see the house and yard lit up.
The display features changing patterns and sometimes synchronized music. Crowds tend to be moderate, especially on December weekends.
All ages come out to enjoy the festive atmosphere. The location is easy to reach by car, and you’ll find parking on nearby roads.
There’s no admission fee. Before you go, check their social media for updates and show details.
Rating: 4.8 (17 reviews)
Location: 2505 Navajo Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Evenings | 2505 Navajo Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722 | Free | Bettendorf Hotels | Visit Website |
6) Argo Christmas Lights
Argo Christmas Lights pops up each December in an Ankeny neighborhood. Families go all out decorating their home and yard with colorful Christmas lights and festive designs.
This display has become a community tradition and draws lots of local visitors every holiday season. Plan to drive by at night to catch the lights.
You can see everything from your car, and there’s no entrance fee. It’s a nice budget-friendly outing for families.
For updates or schedule changes, check their Facebook page. It’s smart to look online before visiting.
The display sits in a residential area, so please be respectful with parking and don’t disturb the neighbors.
Rating: 4.4 (24 reviews)
Location: 1023 NW 32nd St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Evenings | 1023 NW 32nd St, Ankeny, IA 50023 | Free | Hotels in Ankeny | https://www.facebook.com/ArgoChristmas/ |
7) Santa’s Rock N Lights
You can take in Santa’s Rock N Lights right from your own car. This drive-thru event runs for over a mile, and the lights sync up to music as you roll along.
For 2025, the route got longer and they added even more lights—always a good sign. Tickets for 2024 will be available in November, and honestly, it’s smart to grab them early.
All Community Events organizes the show and keeps their website updated with fresh info and blog posts. You can check the schedule online before you go, which makes planning way easier.
Santa’s Rock N Lights sets up in Urbandale, close to Des Moines. The whole thing happens from your car, so you stay cozy even if the weather isn’t great.
Rating: 3.1 (49 reviews)
Location: Santa’s Rock N Lights
Contact: (224) 757-5425
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 – December 2024 (exact dates TBA) | TBA | 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322 | TBA | Hotels in Urbandale on Booking.com | https://santasrocknlights.com/ |
8) Lights in the Park
If you want to check out a Christmas light display in northeastern Iowa, head over to Lights in the Park in Sumner’s City Park. Every winter, volunteers decorate the park with seasonal lights, and you can either walk or drive through.
Locals know this display for its community vibe and simple charm. You can stroll at your own pace and soak in the thoughtful arrangements—nothing too flashy, but it feels genuine.
Families and anyone looking for a small-town holiday experience will probably enjoy it. The city park location also makes parking and access a breeze.
Sumner keeps things pretty relaxed, so you won’t usually run into big crowds. There aren’t many extra attractions or vendors, but sometimes that’s just what you want—a peaceful night out.
Before you go, check online for updates or changes to the schedule. The event details sometimes shift as the season gets closer.
Rating: 4.9 (90 reviews)
Location: City Park, Sumner, IA 50674
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December (check website for exact dates) | Evening hours (check for 2025 schedule) | City Park, Sumner, IA 50674 | Free | Hotels in Sumner, IA | Visit Website |
9) Symphony of Lights-Clinton
You can catch Symphony of Lights in Clinton at Eagle Point Park during the holidays. They set up over 40 displays and string more than 500,000 lights along a 1.1-mile driving loop.
The displays range from castles to streams to a gingerbread lodge—something for everyone, really. If you’d rather walk than drive, join the Family Walk one evening; there’s a small fee per person.
During the walk, food vendors line up outside the lodge, and you can meet Santa inside. They also host a craft and vendor fair with local food and handmade crafts for sale.
On select nights, Santa stops by to greet kids and pose for photos in the lodge. If you want to catch a certain event, check the schedule and plan ahead.
Rating: 3.8 (47 reviews)
Location: 3999 N 3rd St, Clinton, IA 52732
Contact: (563) 243-3442
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Time | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 2024 (Family Walk) | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM | 3999 N 3rd St, Clinton, IA | $5/person (Family Walk) | Hotels near Clinton, IA | http://www.symphonyoflights.org/ |
| Dec 7, 2024 (Fair) | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 3999 N 3rd St, Clinton, IA | varies (Fair) | Hotels near Clinton, IA | http://www.symphonyoflights.org/ |
| Dec 8, 2024 (Fair) | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 3999 N 3rd St, Clinton, IA | varies (Fair) | Hotels near Clinton, IA | http://www.symphonyoflights.org/ |
| Dec 1, 8, 15, 2024 (Meet Santa) | evenings | 3999 N 3rd St, Clinton, IA | included | Hotels near Clinton, IA | http://www.symphonyoflights.org/ |
Kris Kringle Tips
Dress in warm layers, including a thermal base, sweater, and insulated coat. Add a hat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof boots since Iowa’s Christmas markets can be cold and snowy. Don’t forget thick socks and hand warmers for extra comfort while walking around outside.
10) Lights on Hagemann
You’ll find Lights on Hagemann in Burlington, Iowa. Every December, the house and yard burst with hundreds of lights, and families often drive by to see the colorful setup.
The show runs after sunset all month. You can drive past or park nearby for a closer look—no tickets or entry fees.
The house sits in a quiet neighborhood, so parking is simple. Most families stop for a few minutes, snap a photo or two, and move on. You’ll probably see other groups doing the same, but the street doesn’t get too crowded.
Rating: 5 (5 reviews)
Location: 1216 Hagemann Ave, Burlington, IA 52601
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where To Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025* | After sunset | 1216 Hagemann Ave, Burlington, IA | Free | Hampton Inn & Suites Burlington |
*Dates based on previous years; check for updates
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing or an image, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.