Pella’s Christmas Tour of Homes: What to Know Before You Go
Pella’s Christmas decorations don’t stop at the town square. During the annual Christmas Tour of Homes, visitors can step inside homes filled with decorated trees, holiday collections, and creative touches tucked into room after room.
I visited during the 2025 tour, and the photos below give you a look at the variety. There were grand trees beside staircases, bedrooms dressed for Christmas, and smaller displays that deserved a second look. Even a stack of books became a Christmas tree.
Photo note: All photos in this article were taken during the 2025 Pella Christmas Tour of Homes. Different homes are featured each year. These images show a previous tour, not the homes on the 2026 lineup.
What is Pella’s Christmas Tour of Homes?
The Christmas Tour of Homes is an annual holiday event in Pella, Iowa, that opens selected homes to ticket holders. Visitors get a closer look at the interiors, Christmas decorations, and individual styles that make each stop different.
It’s an outing for anyone who enjoys decorating, architecture, or gathering ideas for their own home. You don’t need to be planning a holiday makeover to enjoy it, though. Sometimes it’s simply fun to see how much imagination people put into Christmas.
With different homes featured each year, there’s a reason to return even if you’ve taken the tour before.
Look beyond the big Christmas trees
The larger displays catch your attention first, but leave time to notice the smaller details.
On the 2025 tour, a dress form wore a skirt made of greenery and ornaments. A tree-shaped stack of books included folded pages and miniature sailboats. In another room, a holiday village stretched along a shelf above a cozy sitting area.
Those little discoveries give you something new to notice as you move through the homes. The photos here are examples from my 2025 visit. This year’s homes will have their own decorations and surprises.
When is the 2026 Pella Christmas Tour of Homes?
The 2026 tour takes place December 3–5.
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 1–8 p.m. |
| Friday, December 4, 2026 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. |
Check the official ticket page for updates before heading out.
Which homes are on the 2026 tour?
The published 2026 lineup includes four homes around Pella:
| Homeowners | Address |
|---|---|
| Michael & April Gruver | 1207 Park Lane |
| Ryan & Diana Brunholtz | 1257 Main Street |
| Jason & Cosette Clendenen | 1120 W. 3rd Street |
| Nick & Laura Fank | 403 Washington Street |
The photos throughout this article are from 2025 and do not identify the homes in this table. Plan to visit the advertised locations during the scheduled tour hours.
How do tickets work?
Purchase tickets through the 2026 Christmas Tour of Homes ticket page, where you can check current pricing and fees.
According to the organizer’s FAQ, a ticket can be used across the event dates, and repeat visits to homes are allowed. You can spread your stops over more than one day. Tickets remain available during the event, so advance purchase isn’t required.
The ticket page also includes one complimentary coffee at Kerstmarkt per ticket. Credit-card transactions carry a processing fee.
For cash purchases, the organizer lists these local outlets:
- The Sanctuary of Pella, 719 Franklin Street
- Pella Hometown Variety, 635 Franklin Street
- Thistles Flower Market, 832 Main Street
- Pella Historical Museums, 507 Franklin Street
Make it a Christmas outing in Pella
The Tour of Homes takes place the same weekend as Kerstmarkt, Pella’s Dutch Christmas market at Molengracht Plaza, 700 Main Street.
For 2026, the market runs December 3–5, with hours of 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday. That makes it easy to plan a day with time for both the homes and the market.
My suggestion: leave some room in your schedule for downtown, too. Browse the shops, stop for something to eat, and finish with a walk through the Christmas lights in Central Park after dark. Check individual business hours before planning your stops.
A few things to know before you go
Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and standing, and dress for the weather between stops. Allow extra time for travel between the homes.
If stairs or other accessibility needs affect your visit, contact Visit Pella before purchasing tickets.
For the latest event information, visit Christmas in Pella or contact Visit Pella at 641-204-0885.
Photos: Brian Abeling / Iowa Road Trip. All tour photos shown are from 2025.
