Christmas Lights in Pella, Iowa: A Walk Through Central Park
Pella knows how to put on a show in the spring, but its downtown deserves another visit when the Christmas lights come on. Central Park fills with glowing displays, including a tunnel you can walk through and a giant ornament big enough to step inside.
Bring your camera, bundle up, and leave time to wander. With the downtown storefronts surrounding the park, it’s an easy place to combine a holiday walk with shopping or a stop for something to eat.
Walk through the Tunnel of Lights
The Tunnel of Lights is one of the highlights of Christmas in Central Park. Rows of lights arch over the walkway, surrounding visitors with a glowing canopy. It’s the kind of spot where a quick walk can turn into several stops for photos.
Walk through it, then take a look from the outside, too. The pointed arches give the tunnel a different look from each end, and there’s plenty to notice beyond the lights overhead.
Spirit of Pella’s 2025 annual report describes the tunnel as ten sections long and using more than a mile of lights. That’s a lot of sparkle packed into one walk through the park.
Step inside a giant Christmas ornament
Another favorite photo stop is the oversized illuminated ornament. Its round shape, glowing outline, and red bow make it easy to spot, and the opening gives visitors a place to step inside for a picture.
It’s especially fun to see how people use these displays. Some stop for a quick selfie, while others gather for a family photo or take turns behind the camera.
Keep exploring Central Park
The tunnel and ornament deserve the attention, but they’re only part of the display. Spirit of Pella also lists lighted spheres around the sundial and illuminated lampposts surrounding the square among its Christmas projects.
Follow the park’s sidewalks to see the lights from different angles. The sundial, Information Windmill, and Tulip Toren give the park a setting that’s distinctly Pella.
When is Pella’s Christmas tree lighting in 2026?
Pella’s 2026 Annual Tree Lighting is scheduled for Monday, November 23, at the Tulip Toren in downtown Pella. The evening’s activities run from 5 to 8 p.m., with the tree lighting scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
According to the PACE Alliance event listing, carriage rides begin at 5 p.m. and pause during the tree lighting. A free hot cocoa bar also opens at 5 p.m., with cocoa available until gone. Santa visits begin after the lighting, around 6 p.m.
These are opening-night activities. Check the current event calendar for additional dates for carriage rides, Santa visits, and other holiday extras.
Make an evening of it in downtown Pella
Plan your visit so you have time to explore downtown before walking through the lights. Check shop and restaurant hours in advance, especially if a bakery stop is on your list.
For an outing that includes Pella’s Dutch Christmas market, Kerstmarkt is scheduled for December 3–5, 2026, at the Molengracht. Visit Pella’s published vendor schedule lists hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Thursday or Friday gives you a chance to enjoy the market after dark and include a walk through Central Park.
Plan your visit
- Location: Central Park, 720 Franklin Street, Pella, Iowa.
- Experience: An outdoor walk through holiday light displays in the downtown square.
- 2026 lighting ceremony: Monday, November 23, at 5:30 p.m. Opening-night activities run from 5 to 8 p.m.
- What to bring: Warm layers, comfortable shoes, and a camera. Watch for snow or ice on winter evenings.
- Latest updates: Check Spirit of Pella, Visit Pella, and the PACE Alliance event calendar before heading out.
