The best Lighted Christmas Parade in Iowa (2026)

Bybrian.abeling Hours
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If you haven’t seen Oskaloosa’s downtown square decorated for Christmas, parade night is a great reason to go. Lighted floats roll past the glowing storefronts as crowds gather for one of my favorite holiday traditions in Iowa.

The 39th annual Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade takes place Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland: Let it Glow.”

Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade 2026

  • Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Location: Downtown Oskaloosa, Iowa
  • Theme: Winter Wonderland: Let it Glow
  • Organizer: Oskaloosa Main Street

Make an afternoon of it

My advice? Arrive before parade time so you can explore downtown, enjoy the Christmas lights, and find a place to watch.

One of my favorite stops is Book Vault, an independent bookstore inside a former bank. Yes, the old vaults now hold books! Check the store’s hours before planning your visit.

Leave time to walk around the square, too. The illuminated buildings are a big part of what makes Christmas in Oskaloosa special. You can read more about the display in my Painting with Lights guide.

Plan ahead for parade night

Dress warmly, bring gloves, and allow extra time to park and walk downtown. A blanket or folding chair can make waiting along the route more comfortable.

Before leaving home, check the official Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade page for updated route maps, parking information, pre-parade activities, and any weather-related announcements.

The photos below are from a previous visit. Floats and activities change from year to year, but these will give you a look at the atmosphere on parade night.

More Christmas lights and parades

An aerial view of downtown Oskaloosa during a previous Lighted Christmas Parade. The illuminated storefronts surrounding the square make a colorful backdrop for the evening.

Christmas music filled the square during our visit as a local band played in the bandstand. There was even a little “Go Hawks!” mixed into the holiday tunes.

Crowds line the downtown streets, waiting for the Lighted Christmas Parade to begin. Arrive early to give yourself time to find a viewing spot.

Oh my… this tree was amazing, the colors slowly shifted and changed.

One unexpected kindness during our visit: people handing out free hand warmers along the parade route. They were certainly appreciated on a cold December evening!

Buzz and Woody made an appearance during our visit. The lighted floats give kids plenty to watch as the parade moves through downtown.

Watch a short clip from a previous Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade for a look at the illuminated floats and the atmosphere downtown.

The view from the bandstand in Oskaloosa’s town square during our visit.

Lighted floats pass the crowds, with the Mahaska County Courthouse glowing red in the background.

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3 Comments

  2. Brian you should send this to the today show in their hometown Christmas contest. We in Oskaloosa are so proud of our town and the Hallmark feel at Christmas! And yes I have entered it too!

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  3. Yeah wonderful to see all of the colors, however LED lights are extremely harmful to your eyes and to your whole body. Poo poo if you like; it is truth.

    Reply