10 Magical Christmas Light Displays in Iowa You Can’t Miss in 2025 (With FREE Spots & Hidden Gems!)
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 11) Waverly Lights
- 3 12) Lights on State Street
- 4 13) Des Moines Holiday Lights
- 5 14) Holiday Lights at the Lake
- 6 15) Holiday Sparkle Lighting
- 7 16) Prospect Light Show
- 8 17) World’s Largest Concrete Gnome
- 9 18) Reiman Gardens
- 10 Kris Kringle Tips
- 11 19) Little Lights on the Lane
Find the Best Accommodations
Visitors like you rated these hotels, guesthouses and apartments as ‘superb’ or ‘exceptional’. No reservation fees.
11) Waverly Lights
Waverly Lights stands out as a beloved holiday display in Waverly, Iowa. You’ll spot it tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood.
The property glows with a collection of lights—simple, but it still draws a crowd. You can drive by or hop out for a quick photo.
Finding the place is easy with online directions. Lots of folks make it a yearly tradition.
There’s no entry fee. Plan to visit in December, since that’s when the display lights up the street. If you’re coming from out of town, hotels are nearby.
Rating: 4.8 (15 reviews)
Location: 103 Eliasen Ave, Waverly, IA 50677
Website: Visit Website
| Dates (2025) | Times | Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December (TBA) | Evenings (TBA) | 103 Eliasen Ave, Waverly, IA | Free | Hotels in Waverly on Booking.com | yeplights.com |
12) Lights on State Street
You’ll find Lights on State Street in Williamsburg, Iowa. Locals run this display, and families from all around show up to see it.
The lights stretch across a residential street, setting a festive scene. You can drive through in your own car—pretty convenient, honestly.
Lots of visitors tune their radios to a special station so the lights sync up with the music. The show doesn’t cost anything, which makes it a great low-budget holiday outing.
Lights on State Street usually kicks off in late November and runs through December. Weekends get busy, so if you want a quieter night, maybe try a weekday. There’s parking on nearby streets.
Rating: 4.7 (214 reviews)
Location: 608 W State St, Williamsburg, IA 52361
Contact: (319) 541-2361
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late November – December | Evening | 608 W State St, Williamsburg, IA | Free | Book in Williamsburg | https://listentoourlights.tornholm.com/ |
13) Des Moines Holiday Lights
At Des Moines Holiday Lights, you get to pick custom outdoor Christmas lighting for your home or business.
The staff takes care of everything—from design planning to installation and even removal after the holidays. They include premium C9 LED lights, clips, timers, and extension cords in the service.
You choose the colors you want, and their team puts up the lights. If a bulb goes out, they’ll come back and swap it out for free.
Once the season wraps up, they’ll take everything down and leave your place looking just like it did before.
You can call or go online for a quick quote. Most installations happen before Thanksgiving, so you’re all set for the holidays.
They keep over 20,000 feet of lights on hand, which is kind of impressive, honestly.
Rating: 5 (11 reviews)
Location: 5550 Wild Rose Ln #400, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Contact: (515) 257-6578
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov-Dec | By appt. | 5550 Wild Rose Ln #400, West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Varies by project | Hotels in West Des Moines | desmoinesholidaylights.com |
14) Holiday Lights at the Lake
You’ll find Holiday Lights at the Lake in Iowa City. This event popped up in 2021 and has quickly become a new holiday tradition.
Local volunteers organize it every year to raise money for The Bird House, a hospice home in the area.
The event runs every night from Thanksgiving Eve through New Year’s Eve. Sundays through Thursdays offer evening hours, and Fridays and Saturdays go a bit later.
You’ll drive through the displays, though sometimes they do walk-through nights.
There are tons of light installations and decorations. Families from around the area come out, so it feels pretty community-driven.
Local news covers the event each winter. Volunteers spend months planning and setting everything up.
Rating: 4.9 (25 reviews)
Location: 4053 W Overlook Rd NE, Iowa City, IA 52240
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay (Booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Eve – New Year’s Eve | Sun-Thurs: 5:30pm-8:30pm Fri-Sat: 5:00pm-9:00pm | 4053 W Overlook Rd NE, Iowa City, IA | Not listed | Iowa City hotels | holidaylightsatthelake.com |
15) Holiday Sparkle Lighting
Holiday Sparkle Lighting creates custom holiday lighting displays for folks in the Iowa City, North Liberty, and Cedar Rapids area.
You can pick warm white lights or go for something colorful—whatever fits your vibe.
Their service covers everything: design, installation, maintenance during the season, quick repairs, takedown, and storage for next year.
They measure and install the lights to fit your house, so you don’t end up with awkward gaps or leftovers.
Instead of grabbing store-bought lights, you get commercial-grade LEDs cut just for your home. If something breaks or a bulb burns out, their crew comes by and fixes it for free.
When the holidays are over, they’ll take everything down and store it until next year. Pretty convenient, right?
Rating: 5 (6 reviews)
Location: 75 Commercial Dr Suite 161, North Liberty, IA 52317
Contact: (319) 382-0871
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Nearby Stay (Booking.com) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov–Dec | By booking | 75 Commercial Dr Suite 161, North Liberty, IA | Varies by design | Click here | https://www.holidaysparklelighting.com/ |
16) Prospect Light Show
MAY BE CLOSED
You can catch the Prospect Light Show in Waterloo for a seasonal light display.
Locals know this event as a go-to holiday stop for families and visitors who want to enjoy Christmas lights from the comfort of their car. The show takes over a residential neighborhood.
You’ll need to park on nearby streets, though spots fill up fast on weekends. Always check for parking signs so you don’t get ticketed.
You can walk around if you want, but the display is really meant for viewing from your car.
Most people show up after dark when the lights are at their best.
Details about ticket prices or donations aren’t online, so it’s smart to check their Facebook page before you go for the latest info.
Rating: 3.7 (3 reviews)
Location: 1056 Prospect Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50701
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | Evenings (Seasonal) | 1056 Prospect Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50701 | Not listed | Nearby hotels | https://www.facebook.com/prospectlightshow/ |
17) World’s Largest Concrete Gnome
You can visit the World’s Largest Concrete Gnome at Reiman Gardens in Ames.
This quirky attraction sits among the gardens and draws thousands of visitors every year. People love snapping photos with the gnome, and the paths, flowers, and plant displays nearby make it even better.
Reiman Gardens puts on special attractions around the holidays. The gnome itself doesn’t get a makeover, but the area lights up with festive displays for Christmas.
You can stroll around and soak in the lights, seasonal plants, and all the garden decorations. It’s super family-friendly and easy to get around.
There’s more to see here too—think plant exhibits and the occasional event.
It’s always a good idea to check the garden’s schedule before you go, since hours or displays might change.
Rating: 4.6 (243 reviews)
Location: 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
Contact: (515) 294-2710
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-November–Early January | 5–8 PM | 1407 S University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011 | $ | Hotels near Reiman Gardens | http://www.reimangardens.com/ |
18) Reiman Gardens
If you want to see Christmas lights in a cool botanical setting, Reiman Gardens in Ames has a holiday light show every winter.
Paths wind through the gardens, and thousands of lights make everything glow. Sculptures and seasonal decorations give the place a peaceful vibe at night.
Inside, heated conservatories offer a warm break from the cold. You’ll spot tropical plants and themed displays next to the lights.
Families and groups often take photos under the biggest exhibits.
Staff hosts special evening events during the holidays, so check their website for dates and ticket info. Sometimes you need to book ahead.
You can usually buy food and gifts during event nights.
Rating: 4.8 (1177 reviews)
Location: 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
Contact: (515) 294-2710
Website: Visit Website
| Dates | Times | Location Address | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To be announced (Nov-Dec) | Evening hours | 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011 | Check website | Booking.com – Ames hotels | http://www.reimangardens.com/ |
Kris Kringle Tips
Dress in warm layers, including a thermal base, sweater, and insulated coat. Add a hat, gloves, and a scarf to protect against Iowa’s chilly winds. Waterproof boots are a good idea for walking around the market.
19) Little Lights on the Lane
MAY BE CLOSED
Little Lights on the Lane sits just outside Iowa City, tucked among rolling hills. You’ll catch some beautiful views of the countryside from here.
Most people know this spot for weddings, but honestly, it shines during holiday events too.
The venue blends indoor and outdoor spaces with those big glass doors and a covered porch. You can take in the landscape and all the light displays during the holidays.
Their staff knows what they’re doing and really tries to keep things smooth and organized.
You’ll get in-house services and event coordination, plus there’s plenty of room for guests to hang out comfortably.
It’s near some local golf courses and pretty easy to reach from nearby cities. The festive ambiance comes from both the team and the natural scenery.
Rating: 4.9 (80 reviews)
Location: 2 Ember Ln, West Branch, IA 52358
Website: Visit Website
| Date(s) | Time(s) | Location | Cost | Where to Stay Nearby | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | Not listed | 2 Ember Ln, West Branch, IA 52358 | Not listed | Booking.com: Hotels West Branch IA | littlelightsevents.com |
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.