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 2023
Christmas at the Homestead at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
Saturday 11/11/23
Downtown for the Holidays Monday 11/20/23
Canton Nutcracker Friday 11/23/23 through Sunday 11/26/23
Hall of Trees Grand Opening Friday 11/24/23
Hometown Christmas in Le Mars Saturday 11/25/23
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: The Grinch and It's a Wonderful Life Sunday 11/26/23
Nutcracker, Magical Christmas Ballet
Holiday Gift Workshop Thursday 11/30/23
Christmas at Morningside Thursday 12/30/23 and Friday 12/1/23
Flower & Flame's A Christmas Carol Friday 12/1/23
Every Christmas Story Ever Told Opens Friday 12/1/23 and runs through 12/10/23
Jill Miller Best Christmas Ever Concert Friday 12/1/23
Holiday Gift-Making Workshop Saturday 12/2/22
Sinterklaas Dog TBA, but likely the first Saturday in December based on past years
W.H. Over Museum Annual Christmas Festival Sunday 12/3/23
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: Elf Sunday 12/3/23
Thursday 12/7/23
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: Home Alone Sunday 12/10/23
Sounds of the Season Sunday 12/10/23
A Very Merry Y-Mas Sunday 12/10/23
Cookies and Cocoa Thursday 12/14/23 Wreaths Across America Saturday 12/16/23
Gingerbread House Workshop Saturday 12/16/23
Santa at the Center Saturday 12/16/23
Sioux City Parks and Rec Breakfast with Santa Sat 12/17/22 and Sun 12/18/22
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: Elf and It's a Wonderful Life Sunday 12/17/23
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neighborhoods I should add, please let me know, or if you see one on the list that ought to be taken off because it is no longer active, please let me know that too! (While this list has been partially updated for 2023 based on new information, most of the included houses are here based on excellence in past years. I will update throughout the Christmas season as I see or hear about great new displays or discover that homes or businesses on the list should be removed.)
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 11th from noon to 4pm at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota
- Historical buildings will be festively decorated, 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)
- 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 6:15-8pm and will feature live handbell and dance performances.
- from 3-8pm the Sioux City Public Library will be open and have supplies to make a special snowflake craft
- Cocoa and baked goods will be available from the Sioux City Convention Center and the Courtyard by Mariott
- Santa will be in the new ReMax City Centre from 3-8pm
- FREE admission to LaunchPad Children's Museum from 3-5pm with donation of travel toiletries, hand warmers, or socks for the Warming Shelter
- The Dance Gallery of South Dakota will be presenting the Nutcracker ballet live at the Canton Performing Arts Center in Canton SD with performances on 11/24 at 2 & 7pm, on 11/25 at 2 & 7pm, and oin 11/26 at 1 & 4pm
- Enjoy 50+ decorated Christmas trees, Nutcrackers, and other festive exhibits, plus coffee and cocoa at the Hall of Trees inside the beautifully restored Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD
- For more information, visit the Hall of Trees page on the Mead museum website.
- Festivities include Breakfast with Rudolph, a Santa's Fun Run 5k & 10k run/walk, crafts for all ages, Reindeer Roundup, crafts for all ages, Eleves Storytime at the Le Mars Public Library, 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.
- Catch the animated holiday classic The Grinch at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 1:30pm (doors open at 1pm)
- Tickets to The Grinch $3, with proceeds being donated to FOR Siouxland
- AND see It's a Wonderful Life at 4pm with an admission cost of a canned good donation for the Food Bank of Siouxland for those able to donate.
- Sponsored by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Sunday 11/26/23
- Watch Christmas magic come to life before your eyes on the Sioux City Orpheum Stage with this fun presentation of the Nutcracker Ballet, danced to live music performed by the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.
- Will include ballet, acrobatics, and puppetry performed by a Ukrainian dance company
- For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra website
Free Community Movie: The Holiday
Monday 12/4/23
- FREE showing of the holiday movie at the Coyote Twin Theater in Vermillion, SD
Holiday Parade of Lights
Thursday 11/30/22
- Everyone's invited to this celebration in North Sioux City, with a parade at 6:30pm
- After the parade, enjoy cookies and cocoa with Santa inside the North Sioux City Police Department garage.
- Hosted by North Sioux City Parks & Recreation
- Kids in grades 4-8 are invited to make four unique holiday gifts at this workshop hosted by ISU Extension from 6 to 8pm
- Cost for this workshop is $15 and registration is required
- This annual live musical performance from Morningside college student groups is better than ever in 2023 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 purchase your tickets ($11.50 or $21.50 depending on seats chosen), visit the Christmas at Morningside page of the Morningside University website.
December 1st through 9th
- This unique musical approach to the Christmas classic by South Dakota-based group Flower & Flame will be performed live at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, SD
- This performance is FREE with museum admission and will also be streamed live on the NMM 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 12/1 and 12/8 and Saturday 12/2 and 12/9, with Sunday matinees at 2pm on 12/3 and 12/10
- For more information or to buy tickets online, visit the Sioux City Community Theatre website
- Join in the fun of one of Siouxland's Christmas traditions with Jill Miller's annual Christmas concert on stage live at the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre
- For more information or to buy tickets online, visit the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre website
- The Sioux City Art Center is transforming into Santa's Workshop! Kids are encouraged to come create handmade gifts for FREE, more details coming soon!
- For more information, visit the Sioux City Art Center website
Merry TUBACHRISTMAS Concert
Saturday 12/2/23
- 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
- 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!
Winter Celebrations
Saturday 12/2/23
- History learning event for kids at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, with sessions for kids in grades K-3 at 1pm and for kids in grades 4-6 at 2:30pm
Peirce Mansion Holiday Open House
Sunday 12/3/23
- Enjoy the beautiful Sioux Quartzite mansion on Sioux City's historic northside with refreshments, a visit from Santa, and live harp music, from 1 to 4pm.
- FREE event
- Enjoy Christmas music, trees, cookie decorating, clogging, and much more at this wonderful museum in Vermillion, SD
- Santa will be in attendance
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 1:30pm
- Doors open at 1pm and Santa will be in attendance and available for pictures before the movie
- Tickets $3, with proceeds being donated to FOR Siouxland
Free Community Movie: Elf
Monday 12/4/23
- FREE showing of the holiday classic at the Coyote Twin Theater in Vermillion, SD
Standstill Parade of Lights
- From 6-7pm, in historic downtown Vermillion, SD, the Christmas parade floats stay still as the crowd moves around instead!
- Open house to follow at the Vermillion Public Library from 7 to 8pm
- Full details available from the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce
The Nutcracker performed by Siouxland Civic Dance
Friday 12/8/23 and Saturday 12/9/23
- Both Friday and Saturday evenings at 7pm, watch talented dancers perform the most famous Christmas ballet on stage at the beautiful Sioux City Orpheum Theatre stage
- For tickets or more information, visit the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre website
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
From 12/8/23 to 12/17/23
- Live stage production performed by the REACH Youth and Family Theatre at the Briar Cliff University theater
- Performances include: Fridays 12/8 and 12/15 at 7pm, Saturdays 12/9 and 12/16 at 7pm, and Sundays 12/10 and 12/17 at 2pm
- All tickets $10
19th Century Christmas
Saturday 12/9/23
- History learning event for kids at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, with sessions for kids in grades K-3 at 1pm and for kids in grades 4-6 at 2:30pm
Santa Paws at Jefferson Beer Supply
Saturday 12/9/23
- From 11am to 4pm, visit Jefferson Beer Supply to meet Santa Paws. He's like Santa for man's best friend!
- For $35, take pics with Santa Paws (proceeds go towards a new playground at Jefferson's Tower Park!) which includes 3-5 pictures in an online gallery and a printed 5x7!
December 10th through 16th
Breakfast with the Grinch
Sunday 12/10/23
- Drop by the Salvation Army of Siouxland on Villa Avenue anytime between 9and 11am to enjoy a FREE breakfast with the Grinch
- Besides eating green pancakes, guests can also enjoy Grinch themed crafts, games, prizes, and treats, and take pictures with the grumpy green guy himself!
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 1:30pm (doors open at 1pm)
- Tickets $3, with proceeds being donated to FOR Siouxland
New Horizons Band Christmas Concert
Sunday 12/10/23
- 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
- This FREE festive concert will be a holiday treat for the ears, with live music performed by the All-America Band and students from the Morningside University School of Visual and Performing Arts at 6pm.
- This concert will be live on stage at Morningside University's Eppley Auditorium, but will also be livestreamed, so consider watching from home if going in person isn't a good option for you this year.
- Enjoy fun seasonal activities galore at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA in South Sioux City
- Full 2023 details are not yet released, but in the past have included things like 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 $5 for non-members and FREE for Y members
- Santa has been at the Very Merry Y-Mas in the past but I have not yet been able to confirm whether he will be there this year.
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
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Monday 12/12/23
- The iconic group is performing their Christmas classics live on stage at the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre at 7:30pm
- For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre website
- Enjoy cozy seasonal treats at the North Sioux City Community Library anytime from 10am to 6pm
- Santa will also be at the library, appearing at 10:30am and 5pm
- 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.
- Hawks Coffee Shop in Sergeant Bluff is hosting this creative Gingerbread House workshop from 9 to 11am.
- Registration is required and the workshop costs $15 per person
- Kids are invited to meet Santa at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and enjoy crafts, treats, and music while they're there.
- Kids from K-3rd grade are invited from 1-2pm and kids from grades 4-6th grades are invited from 2:30 to 3:30pm
December 17th through 23rd
- 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.
Sweet Treats with Santa
Sunday 12/17/23 and Thursday 12/21/23
- Join Santa at LaunchPad Children's Museum to take a photo, eat cookies, and decorate a stocking!
- $20 for the first child per family; $15 per additional child
- Families should sign up for a 45-minute session at one of the following times:
- Sunday 12/17/23 at 1, 2, 3, or 4pm
- Thursday 12/21/23 at 10am or 4, 5, or 6pm
- Sign up with LaunchPad Children's Museum as soon as you know the time you want, because they will likely fill up quickly!
- Catch a pair of holiday classics at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street with Elf at 1:30pm and It's a Wonderful Life at about 3:45pm
- Tickets $3, with proceeds being donated to FOR Siouxland
Holiday Brass, Percussion, and the Mighty Howlitzer with the Sioux City Symphony
Sunday 12/17/23
Sunday 12/17/23
- 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 12/17/23
- Enjoy rockin' holiday tunes with local favorites, father-son duo Jack and Mike Langley, live in concert at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- FREE, with reception to follow
Home Free for the Holidays
Saturday 12/23/23
- Catch these talented country vocalists live in concert at the Tyson Events Center at 7pm for smooth harmonies, a capella versions of your Christmas favorites, and much more.
- For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Tyson Events Center website
December 24th and 25th
Sunday 12/24/23: Christmas Eve
Monday 12/25/23: Merry Christmas!
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
- 6823 Coyote Run, set to 92.1fm on radio
- 5500 Old Lakeport Road
- Sioux City Railroad Museum every night from December 1st through 12th from 5 to 8pm with train rides, Santa, and lots of other festive fun!
- 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, hosting Homestead Holidays from 5 to 9pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from December 1st-24th
- 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 (and catch the annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Sioux Falls on Friday, 11/24/23 at 7:30pm)
- 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
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. :)
ReplyDeleteYou should go see 36th and jackson. One of the best Christmas light.
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