Downtown Des Moines is especially beautiful during the Christmas season. The best way to enjoy the city’s festive atmosphere and decorations is with a horse-drawn carriage ride, available from early November to late December. Carriages pick up passengers at the corner of Franklin and Main streets. So grab some hot chocolate and enjoy your journey through the lights extravaganza!
Christmas displays in Des Moines
One of the most incredible exhibits in Des Moines can be seen near the First Open Bible Church at 2200 Beaver Ave. It is synchronized with music, which you can listen to on the radio. The lights stay on throughout the month of December.
Another beautiful area is the Historic Valley Junction at Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue in West Des Moines. This bustling shopping and restaurant area has over 100,000 lights and decorations. There’s also plenty to see in the larger Des Moines-West Des Moines area and the towns of Polk County.
Santa’s Rock N Lights Show (late November 2024–early January 2025)
Santa’s Rock N Lights is a dazzling drive-through light show located at Living History Farms near West Des Moines. It features a one-mile trail with approximately a thousand programmable elements and more than 100,000 animated lights synchronized to Christmas music. Some of the highlights include themed light displays, such as the dinosaur world. There are also over 700 feet (213 m) of light tunnels. Online registration is required to view the exhibition. Hours vary depending on the day. The expo is also held annually in Grayslake, Illinois, and Papillion, Nebraska.
Merry Christmas Lights (late November 2024 – early January 2025)
Jolly Holiday Lights is Iowa’s largest light display, located at Adventureland in Altoona, just 9 miles from Des Moines. The lights are an initiative of Make a Wish Iowa. Throughout its nearly three-decade history, the light display has become a holiday tradition for many area families. The 2.5-mile (4 km) Magic Course features more than 100 magical light displays. Each year, Jolly Holiday Lights grants approximately 80 wishes for children with serious illnesses. The exhibition is generally open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Beaverdale Holiday Lights (December 2024)
Each year, the Beaverdale neighborhood hosts a Christmas light contest, during which more than 50 homes decorate their properties with vibrant Christmas displays. Deer, Santas, sculptures and numerous light installations create a magnificent picture of a Christmas fairy tale in the middle of Iowa. The displays are typically found along Ashby and Wallace Avenues, as well as along Beaver Avenue. The lights usually come on from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and entertain passersby throughout the month of December.
Winter Wonderlights at Uptown Ankeny (November 8 – December 31, 2024)
Uptown Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines and is one of the area’s best Christmas destinations. Winter Wonderlights, formerly known as the Hometown Holidays Aglow event, features more than 50 animated LED light displays along several blocks of SW 3rd Street and extending to Ankeny Market and Pavilion Park. Thousands of lights decorate tree trunks, roofs and windows. You can begin 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 a great opportunity to experience the charm of Christmas.
Miracle on 3rd Street (December 14, 2024)
While looking at the magnificent Christmas lights, you have the opportunity to experience many fun activities prepared for this mid-December event. 3rd Street and its surrounding Walnut, Cherry and Maple streets will be transformed into a magical Christmas fair, offering hot chocolate, souvenirs, craft workshops and visits from Santa.
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