Holiday Traditions, Events & Festivals

Celebrate the Season in C.R.

Stay tuned. More information will be added as updates are available. Have an event to share, submit it to our calendar.

December Events 2025
Holiday Shopping
Holiday Eats: Open For Christmas

November Events 2025

Nov. 1, 2025
Holiday Ornament Woodcarving, Wickiup Hill Learning Center
With the guidance of the Cedar Valley Woodcarvers, you will learn basic tool handling and carving. Start a new holiday tradition by creating a beautiful hand carved holiday ornament. Bring your own lunch. Materials and tools will be provided. Adults only- no experience needed.

Nov. 1, 2025
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert, Paramount Theatre
Join Orchestra Iowa for a night of fun! Based on an original poem and characters created by Tim Burton, the film was first released in 1993 as The Nightmare Before Christmas. The film follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s beloved Pumpkin King.

Nov. 1, 2025
19th Annual Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff, Uptown Mount Vernon
Get ready for a day of friendly competition, community spirit, and plenty of spice at the 19th Annual Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff! This event brings together chili enthusiasts from near and far for a flavorful showdown you won’t want to miss.

Nov. 8-9, 2025
Orchestra Iowa Masterworks III, Paramount Theatre
Get set for drama. Film and TV star, Damon Gupton joins Orchestra Iowa as guest conductor for this masterclass in musical drama. From George Walker’s somber Lyrics for Strings to Mozart’s deeply moving Symphony No. 40, drama thrives at Masterworks III. The program concludes with violinist William Hagen and the soaring melodies of Beethoven’s beloved Violin Concerto.

Nov. 8-9, 2025
Flea Market, Lindale Mall
Spaces filled with garage sale, flea market, direct sales, baked goods, crafts, small businesses and more. Stop by the Former Younkers space and show these vendors your support.

Nov. 15-16, 2025
Festival of Trees, Lindale Mall
Festival of Trees is a treasured holiday tradition that welcomes thousands to enjoy the magic of the season. Kids activities, live entertainment, a vendor market, and of course — incredible holiday decor featuring breathtaking trees!

Nov. 16, 2025
Art at Brucemore: Glass Candy Cane Ornament, Brucemore
Brucemore is partnering with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio for another popular workshop, just in time to kick off the holiday season! In this workshop, participants will design a candy cane ornament made of glass. Using a warm glass technique, you can craft your candy cane into a traditional design or create a colorful treat!

Nov. 20, 2025
It Must Be Christmas - An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young, Paramount Theatre
Nearing 20 years in the country music spotlight, Chris Young has grown into the definition of a long-haul superstar – but the road remains open ahead. One of Billboard’s top country artists of the decade, the prolific hitmaker boasts 14 No. 1 singles and 9 Billion+ streams; an unbroken streak of success built on songs that balance country roots with a modern edge—and connect through real feeling.

Nov. 22, 2025
8th Annual Holiday Bazaar, The History Center
Shop local and support small businesses this holiday season! Museum exhibits will be available for viewing during this time but require a paid admission ticket

Nov. 22, 2025
8th Annual Holiday Bazaar, The History Center
Shop local and support small businesses this holiday season! Museum exhibits will be available for viewing during this time but require a paid admission ticket

Nov. 22, 2025
Metaphysical Fair, Lindale Mall
The Metaphysical Fair will be back for one last show of the year at Lindale Mall! Vendors will be located in the common area of the mall selling lots of cute merchandise, tarot card readings, and much more!!

Nov. 29-30, 2025
Made in Iowa Holiday Market, Hawkeye Downs Expo Center
Discover a wide variety of handmade goods, delicious treats, unique crafts, and one-of-a-kind art from talented local makers, bakers, crafters, and artists at Made In Iowa Holiday Market, Iowa’s the premier artisan market. With more than 150 vendors expected, Made In Iowa is one of the region’s largest markets.

Nov. 30, 2025
CIRQUE MUSICA Holiday Wonderland, Paramount Theatre
This holiday season, experience the magic of cirque like never before with the all-new Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland! A thrilling blend of world-class circus artistry and your favorite holiday music, this spectacular production will transport you to a winter wonderland of awe and enchantment.

Discover all things Thanksgiving in Cedar Rapids.

December Events 2025

Dec. 2, 2025
Santa, Snacks and Stories, Brucemore
Santa Claus is coming to Brucemore, and he wants to meet all the little ones in Cedar Rapids to make sure they made the Nice List this year. So, kids, make sure to bring your wish list to share with Santa, and adults, have that camera ready for the perfect snapshot!

Dec. 4-6, 2025
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Playtime Poppy at Kennedy Highschool Theater
Perfect for your littles, Playtime Poppy Children's Theatre engages, educates and entertains through interactive children's theatre productions.

Dec. 5, 2025
Christmas in the Park & Peppermint Walk, Uptown Marion
Family Fun in Marion with Christmas in the Park and Peppermint Walk! Join us for this annual celebration the first Friday in December in City Square Park and Uptown Marion. We will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus escorted by the Marion Fire Department and Police Department.

Dec. 6, 2025
Magical Mount Vernon, Uptown Mount Vernon
Enjoy community favorites like visits with Santa at Mount Vernon Bank, Animatronics at the Presbyterian Church, and the Living Nativity at Memorial Park.

Dec. 6, 2025
Hiawatha Reindeer Run, Fay Clark Park
Each participant will receive a stocking hat with their registration along with hot cocoa, candy canes, cookies and an opportunity to take fun pictures in a giant snowglobe! Don't forget to wear your best holiday attire, prizes will be given to the best dressed! Bring your holiday cheer and a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots!

Dec. 7, 2025
Art at Brucemore: Double Glass Holiday Tree, Brucemore
Brucemore is partnering with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio to bring this popular workshop back to the Art at Brucemore series – but this year it’s double the trees, so double the fun! Participants will design a beautiful double glass tree decoration using warm glass techniques.

Dec. 5-7, 2025
Deck the District, The District: Czech Village & New Bohemia
Celebrate the holidays with family friendly activities in Czech Village & New Bohemia. Annual Events include: Very Cherry Holiday, Old World Christmas Market, Santa sightings, Tree Lighting Ceremonies and more!

Dec. 5-21, 2025
A Christmas Carol, The Giving Tree Theatre
Step into the magic of the holiday season with A Christmas Carol by Christopher Schario—a heartwarming and theatrical retelling of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic. In this uniquely intimate adaptation, a company of six performers—accompanied by a live fiddler—bring to life the powerful story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption.

Dec. 5-28, 2025
Five Seasons Lights, McGrath Amphitheatre
Stroll through an enchanting wonderland of holiday lights while enjoying local music, making memories and so much more! Don’t miss Cedar Rapids’ holiday glow up on the banks of the Cedar River. FREE and open to the public daily.

Dec. 6, 2025
Natures Noel, Indian Creek Nature Walk
‘Tis the season for handcrafted holiday decor, unique gifts and homemade baked goods when Nature’s Noel arrives the first Saturday in December. Across the Nature Center’s grounds visitors can find beautiful fresh-cut evergreens fashioned into wreaths, centerpieces, kissing balls, swags and yule logs, all available for purchase to make your home festive for the holidays! Local vendors, both indoors and outdoors, offer shoppers the chance to find rare gifts perfect for everyone on their list. Bring the kids along for holiday-themed crafts and a chance to meet Santa!

Dec. 6, 2025
St. Ludmila's Christmas Market, St. Ludmila Catholic Church
What better way to start the holiday season than the smell of fresh pine and unique, one-of-a-kind gifts? This annual event features many crafters and vendors, a silent auction, fresh greenery arrangements, cookie & candy sales, Cafe Ludmila and our famous Kolaches.

Dec. 6, 2025
The Nutcracker: Featuring Orchestra Iowa & Ballet Quad Cities, Paramount Theatre
Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker! In partnership with Ballet Quad Cities, Orchestra Iowa brings this beloved story to life in this enchanting holiday tradition. Follow Clara’s journey through a dazzling world of glimmering snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in a performance filled with beautiful music and timeless splendors.

Dec. 6-7, 2025
Old World Christmas Market, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Old World Christmas Market is inspired by traditional European markets, but with our own Midwest magic. Experience a delightful market with local handcrafted items, delicious treats, entertainment and activities for people of all ages.

Dec. 7, 2025
Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas, Paramount Theatre
Rocky Mountain High Experience®, A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler, America’s Top John Denver Tribute, is an intimate experience that will take you back to the ’70s when John Denver’s music permeated the radio airways.

Dec. 8, 2025
Rain: A Beatles Christmas Tribute, Paramount Theatre
Join us for a nostalgic evening of love, joy, and timeless music as RAIN – A Beatles Christmas Tribute brings the spirit of the season to life. Hear holiday favorites alongside the legendary sounds of the Beatles.

Dec. 12, 2025
Christmas in the Key of A, Paramount Theatre
Step into the sparkle of Alisabeth Von Presley’s “Christmas in The Key of A.” This isn’t just another holiday show. It’s a full-on family-friendly spectacular bursting with Show-stopping holiday hits, Side-splitting comedy skits, Outrageous, over-the-top costumes, Choreography so electric, you’ll be dancing in your seat and special guest stars will bring the magic to life!

Dec. 13, 2025
Amy Friedl's Christmas at the Paramount, Paramount Theatre
Amy Friedl’s Christmas at the Paramount is an annual holiday extravaganza at the beautiful and historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids! Mixing traditional Christmas songs with contemporary Holiday favorites, it’s an evening full of laughter and beautiful music.

Dec. 13, 2025
24th Annual Merry TubaChristmas, Downtown Public Library
Open and free to all, join the Cedar rapids Public Library for a festive and fun celebration! Past performances have included nearly 100 tuba players gathering together to perform holiday music.

Dec. 16, 2025
Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular, Paramount Theatre
Following over a decade touring the world as one of the most successful magic shows in history, the Champions Of Magic team return with a spectacular celebration of the season, featuring thrilling illusions, grand-scale magic with a holiday twist and festive surprises to entertain all ages.

Dec. 18, 2025
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Alliant Energy PowerHouse
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for 40 years! The program includes 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects – capturing the spirit of the season in an immersive yet intimate setting.

Dec. 20-21, 2025
Orchestra Iowa Pops III: Holiday Spectacular, Paramount Theatre
Celebrate the season with Orchestra Iowa’s Holiday Spectacular—a grand tradition filled with joyful music and festive cheer! With plenty of surprises and jolly good fun, it’s the perfect way to share the magic of the season with family and friends.

Dec. 20-21, 2025
Made in Iowa Merry Market, Hawkeye Downs Expo Center
Discover a wide variety of handmade goods, delicious treats, unique crafts, and one-of-a-kind art from talented local makers, bakers, crafters, and artists at Made In Iowa Merry Market, Iowa’s the premier artisan market. With more than 60 vendors expected, Made In Iowa is one of the region’s largest markets.

Dec. 22, 2025
A Magical Cirque Christmas, Paramount Theatre
A Magical Cirque Christmas is a dazzling holiday variety show that captivates audiences of all ages. Bursting with festive charm, laugh-out-loud comedy, and heartwarming magic, this high-flying spectacle showcases the extraordinary talents of the world’s most elite cirque performers.

Holiday Shopping

We all know the holidays can be stressful, from deciding who’s going to make the turkey, to addressing and stamping the holiday cards. Whether you’re a shopper who likes to plan ahead, or a procrastinator who waits until the last minute, it’s our goal to help you cross everyone off your shopping list this season!

  • Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District: Shop dozens of local retailers offering unique and personal gifts for everyone on your list - from outdoor gear to vintage wear to vinyl records!
  • Uptown Marion: Be sure to stop into Scout of Marion, The Marion Chocolate Shop and the many locally owned businesses - from clothing to home decor to sweet treats.
  • Cedar Rapids Shopping Centers: There are two main areas of town with abundant shopping opportunities within a few blocks. The Lindale Mall area is on the Northeast side of town and the Westdale area is on the Southwest side of Cedar Rapids. Both areas are surrounded with multiple shopping plazas and a variety of stores and restaurants to make for a complete day of shopping!
  • Don't forget the unique treasures you can find out our local museum stores including the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Brucemore, The History Center and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

Holiday Eats: Open For Christmas

Stay tuned as we update 2025 Holiday Eats information! Many local restaurants will be offering holiday take out specials to feed the whole family. While most places are closed on holidays, some restaurants in our community are open on Christmas Day.

Check back soon to see more restaurants​ that are typically open over the holidays! Their menus and hours may vary from their regular offerings and schedule.

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