December is going to be a busy month here in Eastern Iowa! Here are some of the big events happening in the Cedar Rapids area... and beyond!

Holiday Light Displays

Kerstmarkt Dutch Christmas Market

  • Pella, Iowa
  • Dates/Times
    • Thursday, December 1st from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Friday, December 2nd from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • "Inspired by outdoor markets in the Netherlands, this cozy market will fill you with holiday cheer. Shop from artisan vendors, enjoy hot Dutch eats and drinks, and listen to live music."

Disney on Ice Presents Into the Magic

  • Dates/Times
    • Thursday, December 1st at 7 p.m.
    • Friday, December 2nd at 7 p.m.
    • Saturday, December 3rd at 11 a.m.
    • Saturday, December 3rd at 3 p.m.
    • Saturday, December 3rd at 7 p.m.
    • Sunday, December 4th at 11 a.m.
    • Sunday, December 4th at 3 p.m.
  • Vibrant Arena in Moline
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Jingle & Mingle- A Holiday Hoopla Event

  • Thursday, December 1st from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Downtown Cedar Falls
  • "Enjoy merchant open houses, stroll the sidewalks, smell the fresh greenery and enjoy the sparkle of holiday lights. Make memories with the little ones as you enjoy other fun activities that will be taking place from 6-8pm! Children can visit Santa at his workshop at the River Place Plaza. Holiday characters will be out to greet everyone as well. Free Holly Trolley rides will leave from the Cedar Falls Community Center throughout the evening doing a loop to the Plaza. "

RoughRiders Hockey

  • Dates/Times
    • Friday, December 2nd at 7:05 p.m.
    • Friday, December 9th at 7:05 p.m.
    • Friday, December 16th at 7:05 p.m.
    • Wednesday, December 28th at 7:05 p.m.
    • Friday, December 20th at 7:05 p.m.
  • ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Christmas in the Park & Peppermint Walk

  • Friday, December 2nd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Marion Square Park
  • Featuring a tree lighting, Santa, live music, popcorn, hot cocoa, and more

Deck the District 2022

  • Friday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 4th
  • Czech Village & NewBo Districts in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring the Old World Christmas Market, a tree lighting ceremony, Santa, and more

Prelude to Christmas Festival

  • Friday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 4th
  • Amana Colonies
  • Featuring food, drinks, caroling, the Tannenbaum Forest, shopping, a cookie walk, and more

A Christmas Past Festival

  • Friday, December 2nd & Saturday, December 3rd
  • Main Street in West Branch
  • "Join us for West Branch’s traditional holiday festival featuring timeless activities throughout Main Street including horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, photos with Santa, train display, festival of trees, silent auction, treats around the fire and more!"

Maddie Poppe's Acoustic Christmas

  • Friday, December 2nd at 8 p.m.
    • Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque
    • Purchase tickets HERE
  • Saturday, December 3rd at 8 p.m.
    • Diamond Jo Event Center in Northwood
    • Purchase tickets HERE
  • Sunday, December 4th at 7 p.m.
    • Prairie High School Concert Hall in Cedar Rapids
    • Purchase tickets HERE
  • Sunday, December 11th at 7 p.m.
    • Rhythm City Casino in Davenport
    • Purchase tickets HERE

Lorrie Morgan Enchanted Christmas

  • Friday, December 2nd - Doors Open at 7 p.m.
  • Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
  • Purchase tickets HERE

City of Cedar Rapids Tree Lighting

  • Saturday, December 3rd at 4 p.m. - tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
  • Greene Square Park
  • Also featuring family activities

Nature's Noel

  • Saturday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids
  • "Held annually on the first Saturday in December, the Nature Center grounds are adorned with 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!"

Dogs Forever's 11th Annual Holidog Bazaar

  • Saturday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Geonetric Building in Cedar Rapids
  • "Christmas themed items, dog themed items, t-shirts, gifts, jewelry, bake sale, silent auction items, and of course, our infamous RAFFLE BASKETS!!!!!
    We'll also have our Holidog Christmas mini photo sessions from 930-330pm during the event!"

Holiday Thieves Market

  • Dates/Times
    • Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Sunday, December 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center

Robins Annual Tree Lighting

  • Saturday, December 3rd from 4:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Robins Clock Tower
  • Featuring caroling, cookies, and Santa

The Nutcracker

  • Saturday, December 3rd at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
  • Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Christmas Market

  • Saturday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • St. Ludmila Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids

13th Annual Monticello Iowa, Holiday Craft Show & Vendor Fair

  • Saturday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monticello Berndes Center

Cultivate Hope Holiday Craft Fair

  • Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Groundswell Cafe in Cedar Rapids

Iowa Raptors Soccer

  • Dates/Times
    • Saturday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, December 11th at 2 p.m.
    • Friday, December 30th at 6:30 p.m.
  • Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

The Local Grove Market

  • Sunday, December 4th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Ashton Hill Farm in Cedar Rapids
  • Admission is $6 - ages 12 and under are free

Five Finger Death Punch and Brantley Gilbert

  • Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 p.m.
  • Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
  • With special guest Cory Marks
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Hiawatha Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

  • Wednesday, December 7th at 5 p.m. - tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
  • Village Center Plaza
  • Featuring a a holiday market, cookies, Santa, and hot cocoa

Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular

  • Thursday, December 8th at 7 p.m.
  • Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
  • With special guest Girl Named Tom
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Ho Ho Ho in NewBo

  • Thursday, December 8th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • NewBo District in Cedar Rapids
  • "Over 16 brick-and-mortar retail businesses, plus NewBo City Market and local restaurants will be open to spread local holiday cheer. Several activities are planned, including an appearance by Santa Claus, the Iowa Running Company annual Holiday Carol Run, and a gift-wrapping station inside CSPS Hall."

A Christmas Crawl 4

  • Friday, December 9th from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Stops include:
    • Lucky's on 16th
    • Red Frog
    • Chappy's Safari Lounge
    • C.J.'s
    • Czech Town Station
    • Hospoda
  • Cost is $15 per person - all proceeds benefit the Madge Philips Center for Women and Children

Christmas in the Key of A with Alisabeth Von Presley

  • Friday, December 9th at 7 p.m.
  • Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

LeAnn Rimes: JOY: The Holiday Tour

  • Friday, December 9th at 8 p.m.
  • Riverside Casino
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Patti LaBelle

  • Friday, December 9th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Iowa City Christmas Craft & Vendor Show

  • Friday & Saturday, December 9th & 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Old Capitol Mall in Iowa City

Market at the Mount

  • Saturday, December 10th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Hennessey Rec Center at Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids

Iowa Demon Hawks Soccer

  • Dates/Times
    • Saturday, December 10th at 6:30 p.m.
    • Thursday, December 29th at 6:30 p.m.
  • Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

10th Annual Holiday Bazaar

  • Saturday, December 10th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • The Church On Northland in Cedar Rapids

Merry TubaChristmas

  • Saturday, December 10th at 4 p.m.
  • Cedar Rapids Public Library
  • "Past performances have included nearly 100 tuba players gathering together to perform holiday music."

Home Free Family Christmas

  • Wednesday, December 14th at 8 p.m.
  • Adler Theatre in Davenport
  • With special guests Texas Hill and Abby Anderson
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Iowa Heartlanders Hockey

  • Dates/Times
    • Wednesday, December 14th at 10:35 a.m.
    • Friday, December 16th at 7:05 p.m.
    • Saturday, December 17th at 7:05 p.m.
  • Purchase tickets HERE

2nd Annual Linn County Christmas Market

  • Saturday, December 17th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City

WWE Live Holiday Tour Supershow

  • Saturday, December 17th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Vibrant Arena in Moline
  • Matt Riddle vs. Seth 'Freakin' Rollins
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Hairball

  • Saturday, December 17th at 8 p.m.
  • Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Krampus Haunted Attraction

  • Saturday, December 17th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • The Slaughterhouse in Des Moines
  • "The Christmas Beast has chewed through the power lines, so this event will be a BLACKOUT show, meaning all the lights in the attraction will be off. Your group of courageous visitors will receive red Rudolph Glow Necklaces to help you navigate through our subterranean lair."
  • Purchase tickets HERE

WWE Monday Night RAW

  • Monday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m.
  • Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
  • Matt Riddle vs. Seth 'Freakin' Rollins
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

  • Friday, December 23rd at 7 p.m.
  • Adler Theatre in Davenport
  • Purchase tickets HERE

World Championship Motorcycle Ice Racing

  • Friday, December 30th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Vibrant Arena in Moline
  • Purchase tickets HERE

The Pork Tornadoes NYE Party

  • Saturday, December 31st at 9 p.m.
  • Q Casino in Dubuque
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Great Gatsby New Year's Eve Ball

  • Saturday, December 31st from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
  • Ideal Theater & Bar in Cedar Rapids
  • "Wear your flapper dresses and zoot suits to the GREAT GATSBY NEW YEARS BALL at The Ideal Theater & Bar and let's party like it's illegal, baby. The high-energy Bluetone Jazz Collective will entertain throughout the evening. Adult beverages, charcuterie and desserts available for (legal) consumption!!"
  • Purchase tickets HERE

25 Local Small Businesses to Shop This Holiday Season

If you're looking to support some small businesses here in the Cedar Rapids area this holiday season, you have a TON of options! This week, we asked Iowans on Facebook what local stores are their favorite for picking out Christmas gifts. Here are 25 of the responses:

LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born

With the holiday spirit in the air, it’s the perfect time to dive into the history of iconic holiday gifts. Using national toy archives and data curated by The Strong from 1920 to today, Stacker searched for products that caught hold of the public zeitgeist through novelty, innovation, kitsch, quirk, or simply great timing, and then rocketed to success.

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