Iowa Towns with Christmas Trees on Main Street and Town Squares
A Christmas tree in the middle of an intersection? That’s what caught my attention while driving through Manning, Iowa.
After sharing a photo on the Iowa Road Trip Facebook page, I asked followers which other Iowa communities put a Christmas tree on Main Street or make one the centerpiece of their town square. Readers responded with photos from across the state.
Some trees stand right in the street. Others bring Christmas lights to a downtown park or gathering place. Together, they offer a look at the hometown traditions that make an Iowa holiday road trip special.
These photos were taken during previous Christmas seasons. Tree locations, decorations, and lighting celebrations can change, so check with the community before planning a visit around a particular display.
More Iowa Christmas tree traditions
- The POET Tree in Hanlontown: Discover a lone tree transformed by thousands of Christmas lights.
- Tannenbaum Forest in Amana: Explore a collection of decorated trees inside the Festhalle Barn.
- Iowa’s Christmas tree farms: Find places to start your own Christmas tree tradition.
Story City, Iowa
Another view of Story City’s Christmas tree during a previous holiday season. Photo submitted by Shanon McKinley.
Manning, Iowa
Stuart, Iowa
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington’s Christmas tree during a previous holiday season. Photo by Cammy Hartman-Kelley.
Glidden, Iowa
Glidden’s community Christmas tree stands in the middle of Main Street in this photo by Brooke Peterson.
Brooke shared that the photo was taken during the town’s Winter Wonderland celebration. Community members decorated clear ornaments and attached them to the tree, adding their own contributions to the display.
Marion, Iowa
Marion’s downtown Christmas tree during a previous holiday season. Photo by Sierra Quick.
Slater, Iowa
Photo by Courtney Croatt
Malvern, Iowa
Photo by Todd Chickering
Earlham, Iowa
Photo by Cheryl Vander Lindern
Earlham, Iowa Photo by Kent Carlson
Dike, Iowa
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
This submission takes a different approach to Christmas decorating. Rather than a tree, the photo features a decorated piece of equipment on Mount Pleasant’s town square, a fitting addition for the community known for the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.
Photo by Linda Stohler-Enearl.
Colo, Iowa
Photo submitted by Joyce Flynn-French
Lost Nation, Iowa
Photo submitted by Dick Rickerl
Atlantic, Iowa
Monticello, Iowa
Walnut, Iowa
Other communities that have a Christmas tree centerpiece tradition, but I don’t currently have photos for:
- Exira, Iowa
- Maquoketa, Iowa
- New Market, Iowa
