Looking for something to do in Cedar Rapids this Holiday season? We’ve got you covered with our list of Cedar Rapids Holiday Events! If you know of a great event that should be added to this list, please email info(at)cedarrapidsmomsblog.com. Most of all, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season full of laughter, hope, and love! Enjoy!
Merry Performances
A Christmas Carol at the Old Creamery Theatre. November 16th-December 17th. This brand new adaptation is a truly original retelling of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visitors brought to life by a small, imaginative cast. It’s the spirit of the Christmas season in a way you’ve NEVER seen it before. Witness Scrooge’s transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long in this highly theatrical adaptation. Rated G. Tickets: Adults $31; Children $10.
Junie B Jones is Not a Crook at the Old Creamery Theatre. November 26th-December 16th. Something terrible happened to Junie B. Jones at school today! Someone stole her new furry mittens! So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because finders keepers, losers weepers. It is okay to keep it, right? Junie B. Jones is not a crook…or is she? Join in on the fun with America’s favorite kindergartener! Tickets: $10/person.
Disney’s The Lion King Jr at Kennedy High School. November 30th-December 2nd. Put on by Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre. The animals of the Pridelands welcome the newborn cub of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi. As the cub grows, Mufasa explains the circle of life and that Young Simba will one day be king of the Pridelands. Tickets: $4/person.
A Christmas Night Of Song at Whipple Auditorium. December 1st and 2nd. RHCR Theatre proudly presents “A Christmas Night of Song”, featuring guest Musical Director Cameron Sullenberger, along with 33 talented local singers of all ages. There is something for everyone, as this show will take you on a nostalgic journey as it showcases Christmas songs from famous movies of every genre. This event will take place at the Whipple Auditorium on December 1 and 2 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $15-25.
Orchestra Iowa Presents: The Nutracker at The Paramount Theatre. December 2nd and 3rd. A journey to the Land of Sweets kicks off the holiday season when Orchestra Iowa teams up with Ballet Quad Cities to present the perennial family favorite, The Nutcracker. This captivating performance filled with holiday magic will take your family on an enchanted adventure with Clara and her Prince as they battle the Rat Queen. Tickets: $18-$54.
Merry Tuba Christmas at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. December 2nd from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Listen as the sound of tubas fill the air with your favorite Christmas songs.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Paramount Theatre. December 12th @ 7:30 p.m. The beloved TV classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL. Tickets: $48; $68.
Irish Christmas Show at CSPS Hall. December 15th from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humour and boundless energy. Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 at the door.
Orchestra Iowa Presents: A Holiday Spectacular at The Paramount Theatre. December 17th-18th. Celebrate the holidays with Maestro Tim Hankewich, Orchestra Iowa, and local jazz icon, Eddie Piccard. Friends from the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, Discovery Chorus, Espressivo Strings, and more will make a festive start to the season for family and friends! Tickets: $18-54.
Paw Patrol Live at The Paramount Theatre. December 26th-27th. X barks the spot in the new tour, PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure! The pups will need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including some help from the newest pup…Tracker! Tickets: $22-113.
Festive and Family Friendly Events
Holiday Mansion Tours at Brucemore Mansion. November 24th-December 31st. Visitors will enjoy the seasonal splendor of 13 glowing trees, a dining room set for Christmas dinner, stunning mantel arrangements, the lush garland adornment of the grand staircase, and other seasonal cheer throughout the Mansion. Sunday tours in December will feature live music from the original 1929 Skinner pipe organ. Tickets: $5/children, $12/adults.
Tannenbaum Forest in the Amana Colonies. Weekends November 24th-December 17th. Travel through our Tannenbaum Forest and see over 40 Christmas trees, decorated by local businesses. Bid on your favorite holiday wreath while you listen to Christmas carols. Santa and his reindeer will be visiting on the weekends! Admittance is free; a free-will donation is encouraged. Proceeds of the forest benefit the UI Children’s Hospital.
North Pole Express in Mt. Pleasant. Weekends November 25th-December 10th. Your trip to the North Pole begins at the Midwest Central Railroad’s North Depot in McMillan Park in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. As you ride through the wintry countryside on the way to the North Pole you will listen to The Polar Express story written by Chris Van Allsburg. When the story is finished you will have arrived at the North Pole. At the North Pole kids can make crafts, visit the Snow Princess, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa, and have a photo taken! Tickets: $25/18 months and up.
Prelude to Christmas in the Amana Colonies. December 1st-3rd. Break out your holiday spirit and join us for Prelude to Christmas in the Historic Amana Colonies. There is an authentic experience waiting for all ages during this holiday celebration, music, holiday goodies and FUN! Prelude to Christmas Weekend will kick off with all-day activities, along with great shopping and visits with Santa. There will also be live performances in the Festhalle Barn and will continue throughout the duration of Tannenbaum Forest.
Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk in Uptown Marion. December 1st from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Rich in traditional holiday activities, Christmas in the Park kicks off the holiday season for Marion. You won’t want to miss this family event that has been a tradition in Uptown Marion for over 25 years. Enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa & popcorn, holiday music and the lighting of the Peace Tree. Don’t forget the jolly man himself! Santa and Mrs Claus arrive in style escorted by the Marion Fire Department. Stroll Uptown Marion and visit shops filled with one of a kind, unique goods and services. Shoppers will receive a peppermint treat at participating businesses and may enter for a chance to win gift certificates.
Fridays@Newbo at Newbo City Market. December 1st @ 6:00 p.m. Join us for Fridays@NewBo as we watch A Christmas Story from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Ugly Sweater Party at Newbo City Market. December 1st from 8:30-11:00 p.m. Get in the Christmas spirit at Newbo City Market! Join us the Friday, December 1st at 8:30pm to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, partake in an ugly sweater contest, and party in Holiday style! Register now for $5 and receive a FREE beer from NewBo Beer and Wine (a $6 value) at the event. 21+ only.
Deck the District in the Czech Village-New Bohemia Main Street District. December 1st-3rd. Events will be taking place all weekend in the Czech Village and Newbo neighborhoods including a tree lighting, holiday markets, goodies, and more. Shuttles will be available. Visit the schedule for more information.
Nature’s Noel at Indian Creek Nature Center. December 2nd from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Come in the morning from 9:00 a.m-Noon for the fresh green decor and the artisan gifts you’ve always loved, and stay for a day of family fun! From 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. enjoy festive children’s crafts, naturalist-guided activities, and magical winter nature walks. Visit Santa and peruse a variety of holiday vendors. Coffee and hot chocolate from Brewhemia and lunch from The Grateful Crepe food truck will be available for purchase! Free.
African American Museum of Iowa Celebrates Kwanzaa at the African American Museum of Iowa. December 2nd from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. On December 2nd, the museum will host holiday craft tables for children to learn about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Jonkonnu and their connection to the African American community from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. We will also have Mrs. Clause here to read stories and greet families and visitors from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Santa at the Farm at Bass Family Farms. December 2nd from Noon-5:00 p.m. Join us for another year of Santa at the Farm! Come sit on Santa’s lap and give him your Christmas Wish List!! Grab a picture with Santa while you are here! (Please bring your own camera!) This is a FREE event! While you’re here, shop our country store filled with local honey, jams, jellies, meat sauces, salad dressings, Edgewood Locker Meats, fabulous wine, local hand soap and more! Ask us about gift baskets for that special someone! We can create any theme you want with various price ranges!
A Very Cherry Holiday at the Cherry Building. December 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Since 2000, the artists and entrepreneurs of the Cherry Building have been hosting this annual event to showcase their work and invite the public to visit their suites and studio spaces. This year, we will feature a Very Cherry Art Show on the first floor. The sensational Five Season Jazz Trio will be on-hand to perform holiday music. The Ceramics Center will have a “walk in workshop” where the public is welcome to try their hand at making ceramics and/or fused-glass artworks, and the Friends of the Library will have a book sale in the basement. The resident practitioners at Illuminations will conduct various demonstrations, there will be holiday photo sessions by photographers in the building, and art class demonstrations on the third floor.
Old World Christmas Market at the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library. December 2nd and 3rd. Experience the magic of the Christmas season at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library at the 8th annual Old World Christmas Market! Shop for specialty imports and handmade gifts by select artisans, stop for seasonal treats, see live music and dance performances, and enjoy free family activities all weekend long. Admission to museum exhibition galleries will also be free on December 2nd and 3rd! Bring the whole family for one of Cedar Rapids’ best-loved holiday events. Old World Christmas Market is part of Deck the District, a neighborhood holiday celebration! See the schedule here.
CANS Film Festival at Wehrenberg Theatres. December 3rd from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Donate 5 or more cans of food per person and see one of our Holiday Classics films playing that day including It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf and The Polar Express for FREE! All donors will also receive a Buy One, Get One Free voucher to return to see another Holiday Classics Film anytime between December 8th – 14th. Film choices include Christmas Vacation, White Christmas and A Christmas Story.
Christmas Cookie Walk at Bickford Senior Living of Marion. December 6th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Come join us for our first annual Bickford of Marion Christmas Cookie Walk! Grab a platter and some hot chocolate and make your way around the Branch to collect a variety of goodies. We have gathered several family recipes from our resident’s to share with you! Santa will be making his appearance so make sure to bring the kids, and take a minute to vote for your favorite decorated apartment door! We look forward to seeing everyone this Christmas Season!
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland at the NW Recreation Center. December 9th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Join us on December 9th for our 7th Annual MK Family Fun Day and Holiday Expo – FROSTY STYLE! Located at the NW Recreation Center in Cedar Rapids next to Harrison Elementary School. There will be lots of FREE activities for the kids, Stocking Scavenger Hunt, activities, candy cane hunt, vendors to shop from, cookie decorating, and of course…SANTA!
Winter Market at the Mount at Mount Mercy University. December 9th from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 70+ Local vendors selling their handmade goods inside of Mount Mercy’s gymnasium, there will be Victor’s Famous Burritos and pictures with Santa for the family!
Holiday DeLight Parade in Downtown Cedar Rapids. December 9th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Downtown Cedar Rapids will be transformed into a winter wonderland at the Holiday DeLight Parade! Experience one of the few lighted parades in the area and get in the holiday spirit. Check here for the parade route.
Santa, Snacks, and Stories at Brucemore Mansion. December 10th-12th. Children are invited to Brucemore for a festive and memorable evening of holiday tradition. The Mansion’s holiday décor and the estate’s seasonal spirit add to the evening’s activities. Children will participate in a craft, listen to holiday stories, and give Santa their wish-lists. In between activities, children and parents are invited to view the first and second floors of the mansion and to ask any questions to the available stationary guides. Tickets: $5-10/person. **Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance, as this event usually sells out!
Gingerbread House Party at 1831 Huntsboro Ln SW in Cedar Rapids. December 17th from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Skogman Homes at our Clearwater spec home for a Sunday morning of gingerbread house making! All supplies will be provided. This event is free and open to the public! Parents, just bring your kids! Kids, bring your imagination! See you there!
Santa Sightings
Looking for Santa? Check out our guide: Where to see Santa in Cedar Rapids!
Christmas Tree Farms
Are you thinking of getting a real Christmas tree this year? Check out our Guide to Cedar Rapids Area Christmas Tree Farms!
Holiday Shopping Guide
We love to shop local and shop small! Check out our #ShopCedarRapids2017 Holiday Shopping Guide for great gift ideas and a list of fantastic Cedar Rapids area businesses who can help you cross everyone off your list this year!
Do you know of more Cedar Rapids Holiday events? Let us know in the comments or by emailing us at info(at)cedarrapidsmomsblog.com! Make sure you never miss out on a parenting or community-related blog post: sign up to receive CRMB posts in your inbox. While you’re at it, join our VIP List to ensure you’re one of the first to know about upcoming Cedar Rapids Moms Blog events and promotions!!