Christmas is coming! The Sioux City area has so many fun and festive events to celebrate the Christmas season, and this post will be updated throughout the coming weeks as new events and details announced. I'm thrilled to share all the festive fun with you! You might also enjoy my posts on Christmas Road Trips (Christmas fun in Omaha, Sioux Falls, Okoboji, and more!) Christmas Tree Farms in Siouxland, Family Friendly New Year's Eve, Experience Gifts for Siouxland Families, and Last Minute Christmas Gifts You Can Buy in Siouxland!
This post features the best Christmas events in Siouxland, the best places in Siouxland to see Christmas lights, and some of the best places in Siouxland to see Santa!
Sioux City & Siouxland Christmas Events
November
Christmas at the Homestead at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Saturday 11/12/22
Another Night Before Christmas Opens Fri 11/18/22
Downtown for the Holidays Monday 11/21/22
Hall of Trees Grand Opening Friday 11/25/22
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland Friday 11/25/22
Hometown Christmas in Le Mars Saturday 11/26/22
Elf at the Orpheum Saturday 11/26/22
Standstill Parade of Lights Thursday 12/1/22
Christmas at Morningside Thursday 12/1/22 and Friday 12/2/22
A Christmas Carol Opens Friday 12/2/22
Opens Friday 12/2/22
Holiday Gift-Making Workshop Saturday 12/3/22
Sinterklaas Dog Saturday 12/3/22
A Charlie Brown Christmas Tuesday 12/6/22
Zach Williams "I Don't Want Christmas to End" tour Wednesday 12/7/22
Christmas Movie Marathon & Board Game Night Wednesday 12/7/22
A Christmas Carol Friday 12/9/22 through Sunday 12/11/22
A Very Merry Y-Mas Sunday 12/11/22
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Wednesday 12/14/22
Wreaths Across America Saturday 12/17/22
Sugar Cookie Decorating for Kids Saturday 12/17/22
Sioux City Parks and Rec Breakfast with Santa Sat 12/17/22 and Sun 12/18/22
Ornament Decorating
Wednesday 12/21/22
Siouxland is full of houses with beautiful and festive light displays, but here are a few of the best places in Sioux City and Siouxland to go if you're out driving specifically to see Christmas lights. If you know houses or neighborhoods I should add, please let me know, or if you see one on the list that ought to be taken off because it is no longer active, please let me know that too! (This list has NOT been updated for 2022 yet and should be considered a list of suggestions based on excellence in past years and not a guarantee the homes and businesses listed will be participating again this year)
Sioux City
South Sioux City & Dakota City
Santa is coming to Siouxland! Santa will be at many of the festive events this season, and I will list all events with confirmed attendance by Mr. Claus himself here:
- November 12th from noon to 4pm at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota
- Historical buildings will be festively decorated, Santa will be there to take pictures, vendors will be on site, and there will be delicious treats and other festive fun!
- FREE to attend (treats and vendor ware prices may vary)
Another Night Before Christmas
- Join LAMB Regional Arts for this new Christmas musical
- Evening shows at 7:30pm on:
- Fri 11/18 and Sat 11/19
- Fri 11/25 and Sat 11/26
- Thurs 12/1, Fri 12/2, and Sat 12/3
- Thurs 12/8, Fri 12/9, and Sat 12/10
- Sunday matinees at 1:30pm on:
- 11/27, 12/4, and 12/11
- Full details available on the LAMB website
- Sioux City's biggest Christmas bash kicks off the season in style downtown
- Holiday Lighted Parade starts at 6:15pm at Iowa St, and heads west on 4th street to the Sioux City Public Museum
- Festival of Trees in the Ho-Chunk Center will be open for public viewing from 6-8pm. In past years, there has been live dancing from area dance schools
- Santa's House will be open from 6-8pm at 422 Pierce Street
- Evolve Yoga at 411 Pearl will be handing out free hot cocoa from 5-6pm while supplies last
- FREE admission to LaunchPad Children's Museum from 3-5pm with donation of travel toiletries, hand warmers, or socks for the Warming Shelter
- Enjoy 50+ decorated Christmas trees plus a special Lego exhibit from the Yankton Community Library Lego Club and free coffee and cocoa, at the Hall of Trees inside the beautifully restored Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD
- This festive show from the makers of Cirque de Soleil brings spectacular acrobatic dance to the Sioux City Orpheum at 7:30pm, with tickets starting at $29.50
- For more information or to buy tickets, head to OrpheumLive.com
- Festivities kick off Friday with a drive-in movie showing of The Santa Clause at 7pm, hosted by Total Motors
- Saturday, the fun continues with Breakfast with Rudolph, a Santa's Fun Run 5k & 10k run/walk, crafts for all ages, Reindeer Roundup, cookie decorating, Christmas storytimes, live dance performances from local dance schools, and musical performances from the Dove-nominated gospel group The Browns, all culminating with a tree lighting ceremony at 6pm!
- For more information, visit the Christmas in Hometown Le Mars website.
- Enjoy a festive movie on the big screen at the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre at 3:30pm FREE, with donations for the Food Bank of Siouxland requested in lieu of admission
- Sponsored by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.
December 1st through 4th
- From 6-7pm, in historic downtown Vermillion, SD, the Christmas parade floats stay still as the crowd moves around instead!
- Programming to follow at the Vermillion Public Library
- This annual live musical performance from Morningside college student groups is better than ever in 2022 with two performances; both the Thursday and Friday concerts will begin at 7:30pm and tickets are required for either.
- For more information or to reserve your FREE tickets, visit the Christmas at Morningside page of the Morningside University website.
- Catch this holiday classic live on stage presented by the Sioux City Community Theater in Sioux City's Riverside neighborhood the first two weekends of December for the quintessential Christmas experience!
- Performances are at 7:30pm on Friday 12/2 and 12/9 and Saturday 12/3 and 12/10, with Sunday matinees at 2pm on 12/4 and 12/11/
- This live comedic play is presented by the New Stage Players in South Sioux City at 7pm on Fridays 12/2 and 12/9 and Saturdays 12/3 and 12/10, plus Sunday matinees at 2pm on 12/4 and 12/11
- The Sioux City Art Center is transforming into Santa's Workshop! Kids are encouraged to come create handmade gifts for FREE from 10:30am to noon.
- For more information, visit the Sioux City Art Center website
- From 10:30 to 11:45am, kids in pre-k through 4th grade are invited to this Dutch Christmas event at the Stadscentrum in Orange City, IA
- Includes a puppet show, games, singing, and a Dutch chocolate treat!
Holiday Parade of Lights
Saturday 12/3/22
- Everyone's invited to this celebration in North Sioux City, with a parade at 5:30pm, going along Main Street from the library to the senior center!
- After the parade, enjoy a tree lighting ceremony at Centennial Park with Santa himself, plus cocoa and other treats inside the senior center!
- Hosted by North Sioux City Parks & Recreation
New Horizons Band Christmas Concert
Sunday 12/4/22
- Starting at 2pm at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, catch the New Horizons Band live in concert with your favorite festive tunes
- FREE and with a reception to follow
December 5th through 11th
- Join the Peanuts gang live at the Sioux City Orpheum for the stage production of the classic Charlie Brown Christmas story, beginning at 6pm, with tickets starting at $25
- For more information or to purchase tickets, head to OrpheumLive.com
- Contemporary Christian music fans and anyone who enjoys Christ-centered Christmas music with a southern rock vibe will have a blast at this concert from Dove-award winning musician Zach Williams, live at the Sioux City Orpheum. The show starts at 6pm and tickets begin at $23.75
- For more information or to purchase tickets, head to OrpheumLive.com
- Beginning at 4pm, watch Elf and How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD while eating popcorn and playing board games.
- Catch this holiday classic live on stage presented by the Sioux City Community Theater in Sioux City's Riverside neighborhood the first two weekends of December for the quintessential Christmas experience!
- Performances are at 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2pm
Merry TUBACHRISTMAS Concert
Saturday 12/10/22
- Starting at noon, enjoy your favorite festive tunes live in concert performed by local tuba and euphonium players at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- FREE, with a reception to follow
- Enjoy crafts, games, cookie decorating, bounce house, rock wall climbing, and a "splashing snowball fight" at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA
- Everyone welcome! Admission to this event is $10 for a family of 4 non-members (additional people $5 each) and FREE for Y members
- Santa will also be at A Very Merry Y-Mas, and photos with Santa will be available for $10
Sweet Treats with Santa
Sunday 12/11/22
- At LaunchPad Children's Museum
- $20 for the first child per family; $15 per additional child
Jingle All the Way Through Sloan
Sunday 12/11/22
- "Hallmark Christmas" in small-town Sloan, IA just south of Sioux City!
- More details TBA!
Harpist Mary Watts presents "A Grateful Feel"
Sunday 12/11/22
- Starting at 2pm, enjoy your favorite festive tunes live in concert performed by a talented harpist at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- FREE, with a reception to follow
December 12th through 18th
- Cookie decorating at the Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD beginning at 4pm
- Join in this national event laying wreaths on monuments to veterans around the nation at the official Siouxland ceremony at the Floyd Monument at 11am.
- Kids are invited to decorate festive sugar cookies at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, FREE while supplies last!
- Enjoy breakfast, tubing, and festive fun at Breakfast with Santa at Cone Park!
- Four sessions, with two times each morning, but limited attendance so sign up as soon as you're sure you'd like to go!
- Register by calling (712)279-6126 or online using the Parks & Rec registration website.
Christmas With the Sioux City Symphony featuring Brule
Sunday 12/18/22
Sunday 12/18/22
- The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra presents Christmas favorites beginning at 3pm at the Sioux City Orpheum Theater.
- For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Sioux City Orpheum website!
Jack & Mike Langley Holiday Concert
Sunday 12/18/22
- Enjoy rockin holiday tunes with local favorites, father-son duo Jack and Mike Langley, live in concert at the Lewis & Clark Intepretive Center
- FREE, with reception to follow
December 19th through 25th
Ornament Decorating
Wednesday 12/21/22
- Make festive ornaments at the Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD beginning at 4pm
Events Still TBA for 2022Holiday Tour of Homes - Siouxland Civic Dance presents The Nutcracker
- Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- Holiday Drop & Shop at the Arena
Santa Supper in Hinton Hinton Holiday Homes Tour Breakfast with Santa in Jefferson, SD
Holiday Tour of Homes - Siouxland Civic Dance presents The Nutcracker
- Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- Holiday Drop & Shop at the Arena
Santa Supper in Hinton Hinton Holiday Homes Tour Breakfast with Santa in Jefferson, SD
Best Christmas Light Displays in Siouxland
- Downtown Sioux City, especially the city Christmas tree in front of the Sioux City Public Museum on 4th Street, beautifully decorated storefronts throughout downtown, and colorful lights on the Warrior Hotel!
- Cherrywood Lane/Applewood Ave neighborhood in Morningside
- Blessed Sacrament neighborhood in Sioux City (Jackson and Jones streets between 29th and 30th)
- Grandview Blvd between 35th & 36th Street
- The Heights neighborhood, especially the Grandview Park Rose Garden. And look for the elaborately decorated vintage truck on Blackstone (off Valley Drive)!
- Ketelsen Christmas Light Show, formerly on Romans Rd, now at 2700 S Martha!
- Sunnybrook Community Church
- Morningside Santa and Friends at 2514 S. Alice: this sweet couple dresses up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and kids are encouraged to stop by and say hi and drop off letters for Santa! If they leave a return address, they'll probably even get a personalized reply! For more info, check out their Facebook page
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| 2514 S. Alice has a letterbox for Santa letters, and frequent visits from Santa himself! |
- 401 5th Avenue, South Sioux City
- Winterfest by the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA at the South Sioux City Scenic Park/Campground
- 1503 Willow Street, Dakota City
North Sioux City & Dakota Dunes
- Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve
- The Meadows neighborhood in Dakota Dunes, especially corner of E. Sawgrass & Pebble Beach
Other neighboring communities
- 510 Baywood Ct., Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
- Christmas Acres, 18481 Impala Ave, LeMars, Iowa
- Falls Park, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Watchorn home at 58960 882nd Road in Ponca, Nebraska, as seen on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight!
Santa in Sioux City
- Downtown Sioux City Holiday Lighted Parade
- Very Merry Y-Mas @ the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA
- Breakfast with Santa at Cone Park
- Santa at the Southern Hills Mall
- Santa will also be at the Southern Hills Mall to take pictures with kids. There will be many sessions of traditional Christmas photos available as well as a special sensory sensitive event! Reservations are encouraged, and more info is available on the Southern Hills Mall website.
- Mead Cultural Center Hall of Trees
- Santa will be at the Mead from 2-4pm on the first three Saturdays of December: 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18
Merry Christmas, Siouxland!
As someone who recently moved here, thank you for putting this all in one place! Especially the lights displays! We can’t wait to drive around. :)
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