Things To Do in Iowa This Weekend: December 11-13, 2009

After a few days of being shut in I know I'll want to get out this weekend! Here's a list of things to do around the state:

My pick:
Prairie Christmas at Living History Farms in Des Moines; Saturday

Travel back in time and celebrate Christmas on the prairie! The town of Walnut Hill is bustling with holiday activity. The ladies of the Flynn House and Tangen Home are preparing for their parties and you can get in the holiday spirit by pulling taffy, making crafts, and taking a horse-drawn wagon ride around town. Enjoy an old-fashioned church social with the Walnut Hill Choral Society and visit with the big guy himself - Santa Claus, straight from the North Pole! $5, $4.50 for members.

Other events around Iowa:

Northeast:
12 Days of Christmas in Czech Village, Cedar Rapids, Saturday

12 Days of Christmas Detsky Holiday Crafts Workshop for children ages 5-12 in the Bartunek's Building (98 16th Ave SW) 2pm-4pm. Children's 12 Days of Christmas Sing-a-long with hot chocolate and cookies at the Bohemia Cafe (95 16th Ave SW) 4pm-4:30pm Czech Village/New Bohemia Luminaries 5pm-9pm (3rd Street SE to 16th Avenue SW)

Ecumenical Concert, Waukon, Sunday

Christmas concert involving volunteers from several organizations and churches. Includes brass choir, bell choir, men, women and children choirs. Concert starts at 7:30 pm.

Southeast:
The Putnam Museum turns 142! Monday, December 14 (it misses by a day but this is too good not to mention!)

Enjoy free admission to the exhibit halls all day long. And view The Polar Express on the IMAX (admission fees apply for movies)

The Old Creamery Theatre presents A Partridge in a Pear Tree, Saturday, Amana

And after the show go into Amana to view the Tannenbaum Forest, eat some great German food and do a little shopping!

Southwest:
Christmas in Mt Ayr

Free children's Christmas movie, festival of trees in the depot, Christmas tour of homes, Christmas concert by the Ringgold Singers. Mt Ayr also collects toys "ready to be loved again" in their Christmas Toy Drive.

Northwest:
Hometown Christmas in Marcus

Sleigh ride, Santa, festival of trees, refreshments, live Nativity, carolers, chili feed and shopping.

10th Annual Loess Hills Christmas Event at Country Homestead B&B, Turin

Hot cider, cocoa and treats. This year, free Christmas trees are available for the cutting. Bring your own saw and appropriate clothing for hiking into the hills to choose your own cedar tree.

Central:
Butterfly Blizzard at Reiman Gardens, Ames 9am - 4:30 pm daily

Thousands of tropical butterflies will fill the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing like never before for the multicolored Butterfly Blizzard event. Take shelter from the Blizzard in the holiday themed, tropical Conservatory and visit the Gift Shop. Reiman Gardens is a Toys for Tots drop off site. Entertainment this weekend:
Saturday, December 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Ames Children's Choir
Saturday, December 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Johnston Station Jazz Band (Big Band)
Sunday, December 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Junction Jazz Society
Children age 3 and under, Free; Youth age 4-17 $3.00; Senior age 65 and above $6.00; Adults age 18-64 $7.00

If you would like your event listed on this page please email me.