Christmas is coming and the Sioux City area has so many fun and festive events
and activities to celebrate. As we head into the Christmas season, I'm excited
to share all of the local festive events and activities in Siouxland with
you. 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!
Now updated with 2025 events!
This post was originally written in 2018 and is updated each year with the
newest Christmassy fun in Siouxland. I'll keep updating it with 2025 info
throughout November and December 2025 as new details become available.
Please email me at SiouxlandFamiliesBlog [at] gmail anytime if you have
updates that I should add!
Sioux City & Siouxland Christmas Events
November 2025
Christmas at the Homestead at Adams Homestead and Nature
Preserve
Saturday November 8th, 2025
Tour of Homes
Friday, November 20th, through Sunday November 22nd, 2025
Parade of Trees
November 22nd through November 29th, 2025
Downtown for the Holidays
Monday November 24th, 2025
Hall of Trees Grand Opening
Friday 11/28/25
Hometown Christmas in Le Mars
Saturday 11/29/25
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: The Polar Express Sunday 11/30/25
Nutcracker: the Magical Christmas Ballet
Wednesday 12/3/25
12 Nights of Christmas
Sunday December 1st through Friday, December 12th, 2025
Thursday 12/4/25
Christmas at Morningside
Thursday December 4th and Friday December 5th, 2025
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Friday, December 5th, through
Sunday, December 14th, 2025
Holiday Gift-Making Workshop
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Santa's Whistle Stop Tour Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Sinterklaas Weekend and Christmas Market
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
W.H. Over Museum Annual Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Sunday 12/7/25
Elf Christmas Craft Tuesday, December 9th, 2025
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Wednesday, December 10th, 2025
A Very Merry Y-Mas
TBA
Kids Saturday: Holiday Make & Take Saturday, December 13th, 2025
Wreaths Across America Saturday, December 13, 2025
Sioux City Parks and Rec Breakfast with Santa
Saturday December 13th and Sunday December 14th, 2025
Candy Cane Hunt Tuesday, December 9th, 2025
Christmas Movie & Hot Cocoa Friday, December 19th, 2025
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!
(Because it is before Thanksgiving, the homes, businesses, and neighborhoods listed 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.)
- November 8th 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)
- Admire festively decorated homes in Dakota Dunes this holiday season, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland
- Tour is open from 9am to 7pm each day and costs $75 per person. For ages 10+ only
- Full details here
- Enjoy festive fun at the 4th annual Parade of Trees at Sioux City's Abu Bekr Shrine Temple
- Santa will be there EACH day, but hours vary so be sure to check their social media to make sure you know what to expect on the day you'd like to go.
- Visit the Shriners Parade of Trees website for more information
- Sioux City's biggest Christmas bash kicks off the season in style, in historic downtown Sioux City
- Holiday Lighted Parade starts at 6:15pm at Iowa St, and heads west on 4th street to the Sioux City Public Museum
- New for 2024 was a sensory friendly viewing area inside the Sioux City Convention Center; I have seen that this officially is happening again in 2025!
- The ReMax City Centre is offering festive fun from 5:15 to 8:30pm including festive treats and drinks, a hat giveaway and a visit from the Grinch
- The Sioux City Public Museum will also be open late tonight from 6-8pm for parade-goers
- After the parade, the community tree in front of the Sioux City Public Museum will be officially lit for the season.
- Then, Santa will head to Art SUX where kids can greet him!
- Enjoy 70+ decorated Christmas trees and other festive decor, plus coffee and cocoa at the Hall of Trees inside the Mead Cultural Center in Yankton, SD
- Hall of Trees 2025 will be open from 11/28 to 12/31
- Visit with Santa, on "Santa Sundays" 2025: 12/7, 12/14, and 12/21
- Open until 8pm on Friday nights for "Friday Night Lights"
- 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, Elves' Storytime at the Le Mars Public Library, a Christmas joy scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, 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!
- New in 2024 was a Holiday Train and in 2025 they are adding carriage rides in downtown Le Mars.
- For more information, visit the Christmas in Hometown Le Mars website.
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 2pm, with doors opening at 1pm
- Tickets $5 which includes movie admission and a box of popcorn
- More information here
December 1st through 6th
- At the Orpheum at 7:30pm
- Each night from 12/1 to 12/12, from 6 to 8:30pm at the Sioux City Railroad Museum
- Santa will be at the museum, along with carolers and lots of other festive fun
- FREE entrance, with a freewill donation requested from those able to contribute
- Food and drink vendors will be on site, prices will vary
- Full details here
North Sioux City Holiday Parade of Lights
Thursday 12/4/25
- Everyone's invited to this celebration in North Sioux City, with a parade at 6:15pm on Campbell Street
- After the parade, enjoy cookies and cocoa with Santa inside the North Sioux City Police Department garage.
- Hosted by North Sioux City Parks & Recreation
Vermillion Standstill Parade of Lights
- From 6-7pm, in historic downtown Vermillion, SD, the Christmas parade floats stay still as the crowd moves around instead! There will also be cozy drinks, festive treats, and live music.
- At 7, enjoy a community tree lighting by Santa.
- Santa will also be at the Vermillion Public Library for photos after the tree lighting ceremony
- Full details available from the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce
- This annual live musical performance from Morningside college student groups will include two performances in 2025; 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 ($15 or $25 depending on seats chosen), visit the Christmas at Morningside page of the Morningside University website.
- Festive play presented by the Sioux City Community Theatre
- To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the Sioux City Community Theatre website
- The Sioux City Art Center is transforming into Santa's Workshop! Kids are encouraged to come create handmade gifts for FREE, with sessions at 9:30am and 11am.
- Registration required. For more information or to sign your kids up, visit the Sioux City Art Center website
- Santa will be arriving by train at the Sioux City Railroad Museum for lots of festive fun including train rides, cocoa, and crafts.
- The museum grounds will be open from noon to 4pm. Santa will arrive at 12:30 and leave at 3:30pm.
- More information available here.
- Sinterklaas Day in Orange City is on Saturday with Dutch-heritage inspired kids' Christmas activities at the Stadscentrum beginning at 10:30am. More details here.
- There will also be a European-style Christmas Market at Gezellig in downtown Orange City, IA on December 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2025 with refreshments and live music. More details here
Merry TUBAChristmas
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
- Live musical performance from local brass players at noon at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- FREE, with reception to follow
- More information available here.
Peirce Mansion Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 7th, 2025
- Enjoy the beautiful Sioux Quartzite mansion on Sioux City's historic northside with refreshments, a visit from Santa, and live harp music
- FREE event
- More details here
- Enjoy Christmas music, trees, cookie decorating, clogging, and much more at this wonderful museum in Vermillion, SD from 1 to 4:30pm
- For more information, visit the W. H. Over Museum website
December 7th through 13th
Sunday Christmas Movie Series: The Grinch/ Elf double feature
- Catch a holiday classic at the Re/Max City Centre on historic Fourth Street at 2pm, with doors opening at 1pm
- Tickets $5, which includes movie admission and a box of popcorn
- More information here
New Horizons Band Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 7th, 2025
- Enjoy this festive holiday concert FREE at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center beginning at 2pm
- More information available here.
- Make a festive craft with Sergeant Bluff Parks & Recreation in the rec complex Fireside Room at 6pm
- More information available here.
- Live in concert at the Sioux City Orpheum at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm.
- More information here.
- Enjoy fun seasonal activities galore at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA in South Sioux City! In the past this event has included a wide variety of activities including crafts, games, cookie decorating, bounce house, rock wall climbing, a "splashing snowball fight" and Santa!
Sloan Festival of Trees and Visit from Santa
- Annual Festival of Trees, and a visit from Santa at the Sloan Public Library
Free Christmas Movie in Vermillion
TBA
- Watch a Christmas classic at the Coyote Twin Theater in Vermillion, SD
- FREE admission, sponsored by the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company
- *2025 details TBA. I'll update as soon as I hear when it's happening and what movie is showing!
- Kids are invited to make festive crafts at the Sioux City Public Museum from 10 to 11am
- Admission and supplies for this event are FREE.
- More information available here.
- Join in this national event laying Christmas wreaths on monuments to veterans around the nation. Siouxland locations participating include:
- Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City *date listed on the Wreaths Across American site is Thursday 12/11 NOT the same day as the others. Please verify with cemetery if interested in participating*
- Arlington Township Cemetery in Moville, IA, ceremony at noon and wreath laying at 12:30pm
- Onawa Cemetery in Onaway, IA, ceremony at 11am and wreath laying at noon
- Plymouth County Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery in Le Mars, IA, with a ceremony at 11am
- Sioux Center Memory Gardens in Sioux Center, IA, ceremony at 11am and wreath placement to follow
- South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD, ceremony at 11am with wreath placement to follow
- St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Dodge, NE, ceremony at 11:15am with wreath placement to follow
- Wisener Cemetery in Wisener, NE, with a ceremony at noon and wreath placement to follow
- Enjoy breakfast, tubing, and festive fun at Breakfast with Santa at Cone Park!
- Four sessions, with two times each morning (8am and 9:15am each day), but attendance is limited, so sign up as soon as you're sure you'd like to go.
- Tickets are $18 per person
- Register by calling (712)279-6126 or online through Sioux City Parks & Recreation.
Santa at the Center
Sat 12/13/25
- Festive fun including hands-on activities and tasty treats at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center from 1 to 3pm
- Santa will be there at 2pm!
- This event is FREE to attend and open to all ages.
- More information available here
December 14th through 20th
Home for the Holidays with the Sioux City Symphony
Sunday 12/14/25
Sunday 12/14/25
- 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!
- Join in this FREE festive activity from 3:30 to 7pm at the Sergeant Bluff Rec Complex
- More information available here.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Friday, 12/19/25
- Enjoy the Christmas spectacle, live at the Sioux City Orpheum at 7:30 pm with doors opening at 6:30pm.
- For tickets or more information, visit the Sioux City Orpheum website
- Watch a holiday movie and enjoy festive treats at the Sergeant Bluff Rec Complex beginning at 7pm, FREE
- More information available here.
December 21st through 25th
Classic Langley Songs and Holiday Favorites
Sunday 12/21/25
- Join Mike and Jack Langley for a live musical performance at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at 2pm
- FREE admission, with reception to follow
- For more information, visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center website
Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24th, 2025
Christmas!
Thursday, December 25th, 2025
Best Christmas Light Displays in Siouxland
Best Christmas Light Displays in Sioux City
- Downtown Sioux City, especially the official 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 with almost 30 inflatables
- 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! |
Best Christmas Light Displays in South Sioux City & Dakota City
- 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
Best Christmas Light Displays in North Sioux City & Dakota Dunes
- Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve, hosting Homestead Holidays from 5 to 9pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from December 5th through 21st, 2025
- The Meadows neighborhood in Dakota Dunes, especially corner of E. Sawgrass & Pebble Beach
Best Christmas Lights in More Siouxland Communities
- 510 Baywood Ct., Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
- Falls Park, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (and catch the annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Sioux Falls!)
- Watchorn home at 58960 882nd Road in Ponca, Nebraska, as seen on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight!
Where to see Santa in Sioux City in 2025
Santa is coming to Siouxland! Santa will be at many of the festive events this season, and I will try to list all events with confirmed attendance by Mr. Claus himself here as I confirm details:- Downtown Sioux City's Holiday Lights Parade
- Breakfast with Santa at Cone Park
- Santa at the Center at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- Parade of Trees at the Abu Bekr Shrine Circus
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.
ReplyDelete