WEEKENDER BLOG

(photo courtesy Cedar Falls Community Main Street)

Bundle up the kids, pack takeout from your favorite restaurant, turn on your favorite holiday music and make family memories with magical winter nights spent enjoying the sites of holiday light displays in 2025! 

Many of the larger displays are synchronized to music. If you park your car to watch, please be courteous of others and don't block driveways and please dim headlights while parked. 

Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Tour
December 10-31, 2025

Cedar Falls residents submit your decorated home at forms.cedarfalls.com/Forms/LightsTour2025 through December 8, 2025. 

Starting December 10, 2025, a downloadable map will be available, or printed maps may be picked up at City Hall (220 Clay Street) and the Visitor Center (6510 Hudson Road). Gather with friends and family, grab some cocoa from your favorite coffee shop, and enjoy a twinkling tour through Cedar Falls.
 

Santa's Workshop
November 28 - December 20, 2025
2nd and State Streets, Cedar Falls

Enjoy the exciting light display at Santa's Workshop in the Cedar Falls Downtown District. It's the perfect backdrop to your holiday photos. Kids, don't forget to drop off your letter to Santa in his mailbox by his workshop before December 18!  
 

Davis Family Lights
Come and witness the magical holiday light display by the Davis Family. Enjoy the beautiful lights synchronized with music played on 90.3 FM. Visit their facebook page for updates.  

Oxford Lane, Cedar Falls

M-Thurs. 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Fri-Sun: 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
 

Kohlhaas Holiday Magic
November 28 - December 28, 2025
Kara Drive, Cedar Falls

Drive by for a seasonal light display where colorful lights shimmer to all your favorite Christmas songs. Tune your radio to 103.3 FM to enjoy the full experience.

Daily: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM 

Around the area

Illuminate the Gardens
November 28-29, December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 26-27, 2025
Cedar Valley Arboretum
1927 E. Orange Road, Waterloo 
319-226-4966

Experience the magic of the season as the gardens glow with thousands of lights and festive displays. Enjoy hot cocoa and s'mores as you stroll through the illuminated pathways and warm up by the fire pits. Check their website or Facebook page for special-themed nights, such as Date Night, Family Night, Pet Night, and visits from Santa and carolers. Tickets may be purchased here.  5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
 

Krumwiede Light Display - 2025 updates TBA
3708 5th Avenue NW, Waverly (25 minute drive)
View thousands of lights, character figurines at this drive-through display. 
 

Hickory Hills Holiday Light Show
December 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 2025 
3338 Hickory Hills Road, La Porte City (30 minute drive)
319-433-7275

Businesses and organizations have decorated Hickory Hills Park with thousands of lights for you to enjoy as you drive through the park's campground! $10/vehicle (cash only), 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

(Hickory Hills Holiday Light Show, photo courtesy Hickory Hills Park) 

Sumner Christmas Light Show
November 17, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Sumner City Park at 547 Columbia Avenue, Sumner (45 minute drive)

Lights in the Park features inflatables, animation, a lighted 30-foot tree and dancing lights set to music; tune to 91.5. Lit nightly, 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Visit their Facebook page to see when Santa will be in the park. Free will donation. 
 

Little Light of Mine - check this link for 2025 updates.
November 26 – December 31
Mikkelson Park at 1013 E. Spring Street, New Hampton (45 minute drive)
641-394-2777

Drive through the park with your radio dial tuned to 99.5 FM to hear music synchronized to their light display. Once a memorial light display, the community’s display offers visitors the message, “If one person lets their light shine, it will inspire others to gather and do the same.” The park is illuminated nightly, 5:00 – 10:00 pm. 

Festival of Lights - check this link for 2025 updates.
November 26 - December 31
928 North Pine Street, West Union (1 hour drive)

The West Union Recreation Complex is decked out for the holidays! Throughout December, be sure to tune your radio to 99.5 FM to hear the sounds of Christmas as you drive through the park. They have over 40,000 lights and they'll be on 5:00 – 10:00 pm nightly.

If you’d like more information about Things to Do, Places to Eat & Drink or a Place to Stay, we invite you to contact the Cedar Falls Visitor Center at 319-268-4266. We’re open  9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, at 6510 Hudson Road. And, if you want to find additional events taking place in the Cedar Valley, visit our online calendar at CedarValley365.com. 
 

We wish you a holiday filled with the magic and joy of the holiday season! 

Cedar Valley Arboretum
 

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