Des Moines Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Downtown Des Moines looks especially beautiful during Christmas season. The best way to enjoy the festive atmosphere and decorations in the city is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride that is available from early November through late December. Carriages pick up passengers at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets. So get some hot cocoa and enjoy your journey through the lights extravaganza!

Christmas Displays in Des Moines

One of the most amazing displays in Des Moines can be viewed near the First Church of the Open Bible at 2200 Beaver Ave. It is synchronized to music, which you can tune into on your radio. The lights remain on throughout the whole month of December.

Another beautiful area is the Historic Valley Junction on Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue in West Des Moines. This busy shopping and restaurant area features over 100,000 lights and displays. There is also a lot to see in the larger Des Moines–West Des Moines area and Polk County towns.

Santa's Rock N Lights Show (November 29–December 31, 2024)

Santa’s Rock N Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light show, located at Living History Farms, near West Des Moines. It features a one-mile trail with about a thousand of programmable elements and over 100,000 animated lights synchronized to Christmas music. Some of the highlights include themed light displays, like the dinosaur world. There are also over 700 feet (213 m) of light tunnels, Online registration is required to see the display. Times vary depending on the day. Tickets vary around $29.99 to $36.99. The display also annually takes place in Grayslake, Illinois, and Papillion, Nebraska.

Jolly Holiday Lights (November 29, 2024–January 4, 2025)

Jolly Holiday Lights is the largest light display in Iowa, located at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The lights were previously an initiative of Make a Wish Iowa but are now held by Winterland, Inc. Throughout its almost three-decade history, the light display has become a holiday tradition for many families in the area. The magical route features over 100 magical light displays. Every year, The display is open from 5:30 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and from 5:30 pm until 10 pm on weekends. Tickets cost $20 per car and $50 per bus or limo. A portion of the proceeds, $1 from each ticket, goes to the Make-A-Wish Iowa.

Beaverdale Holiday Lights (December 7–late December, 2024)

Each year, the neighborhood of Beaverdale annually hosts a holiday lights contest, during which more than 50 houses decorate their premises with vibrant Christmas displays. Deers, Santa Clauses, sculptures, and numerous light installations create a magnificent picture of a Christmas fairytale in the middle of Iowa. The displays can usually be found along Ashby and Wallace Avenues, as well as along Beaver Avenue. The lights generally light up from 6 until 9 pm and entertain passers-by throughout the month of December.

Winter Wonderlights in Uptown Ankeny (November 8–December 31, 2024)

Uptown Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines and is one of the best Christmas destinations in the area. Winter Wonderlights, formerly known as Hometown Holidays Aglow event, features more than 50 animated LED light displays lining several blocks of SW 3rd Street and stretching to the Ankeny Market and Pavilion Park. Thousands of lights decorate tree trunks, rooftops, and windows. You can start your tour on SW 3rd from S. Ankeny Boulevard and continue through the AMP, exiting onto W. First Street. The attraction is completely free and is a great chance to experience the charm of Christmas.

Miracle on 3rd Street (December 13, 2024)

While watching the magnificent Christmas lights, you have an opportunity to experience numerous fun activities prepared for this mid-December event. The 3rd Street and its nearby Walnut, Cherry, and Maple streets will transform into a magical Christmas fair, offering hot cocoa, souvenirs, craft workshops, and Santa visits. The event is set to run from 5 to 7:30 pm.