Things To Do in Iowa This Weekend: December 4-6, 2009

It's December- and today it feels like it! Rumor is there may be snow this evening. Iowa is filled with fun things to do this weekend- get out and enjoy!

My pick:
We'll be trekking to the Amana Colonies this weekend for Prelude to Christmas. The Tannembaum Forest, the Gingerbread Trail, the Villages of Amana Haus Walk... And then the shops and restaurants... If you haven't been to the Amana Colonies this is the perfect weekend!

Happenings around Iowa:

Central: Albia's Victorian Stroll, Saturday, all day

Take the kids to see Santa in his workshop. Sample a freshly roasted chestnut from a street vendor.

View the spectacularly decorated Christmas trees in the Chamber building at the Festival of Trees. See the Garden Train and Department 56 display at the First Iowa State bank.

Munch on a bag of kettle corn. And definitely take a look and see what Albia Merchants and Restaurateurs’ have to offer.

During the day there are several events to attend such as breakfast with Santa, A Christmas Craft Show and a Kids movie with Santa. See the back of the brochure for more details.

And please take in the joy and warmth of the holiday season and have a prosperous New Year.

Take a horse drawn carriage ride around the square. Take in the beautiful Christmas lighting that adorns the 92 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the lights on the courthouse trees.

Southwest:
No place like Creston for the Holidays Begins December 3.

Festival of trees, Santa's arrival at the historic Depot, entertainers, model railroads at the historic Depot, lighted Christmas parade and much more.

Christmas in Atlantic Saturday

Times: Parade starts at 6. Horse-drawn carriage rides go from 3-5, Santa visits in the log cabin are 3-5. Living windows are from 5 to 6.

Admission charge: Free! Santa, carriage rides, etc. are all free! We give out free hot chocolate from 3-5, too. (And it’s goooood!)

We do a lot of celebrations for Christmas, but this weekend is our biggest! Our lighted parade starts with fireworks, and then kids and adults alike love to see all the lighted entries. Make a day of it by coming in for lunch (Lots of great local places!), doing a little shopping (might I recommend Bonnesen’s 5 & 10? This general store is a favorite of ours and kid-approved!), seeing Santa, taking a Carriage Ride, watching the parade, and then eat a little dinner. Before you head home, be sure to cruise up-and-down Chestnut Street, too. We have 6 blocks of new LED Christmas Lights. We love Christmas in Atlantic and hope you will too!

Northwest:
LeMars has so much going on this weekend!

Storybook Christmas at the Arts Center on Saturday, a Lighted Christmas Parade Friday night and Pioneer Village Christmas Wonderland with Live Nativity scene, sleigh rides, lighted trees, animated Christmas scenes, music and more Saturday and Sunday.

Northeast:
Hampton is hosting the Hollydazzle Historic Tour of Homes Saturday and Sunday.

We will be touring the Blum/Boehmler House in Hampton, The Harriman Nielsen House on the West edge of Hampton, Country Heritage Bed and Breakfast five miles West of Hampton, The Old Stone House on the way to Geneva and ending at Townsend Winery in Hansell. You will learn the history of each home, be able to ask all the questions you want, enjoy a light repast at several homes and receive a wine tasting at the Winery. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of tour.

Southeast:
Christmas in LeClaire All weekend

The charming downtown of LeClaire is transformed into a scene from a Norman Rockwell holiday painting, with its delightful shopping, carriage rides, crafts fair, silent auction, breakfast with Santa at Happy Joes and living nativity scene.

Get out and explore Iowa! If your community has an upcoming event you would like to see featured here contact me.