Tour of Steeples: Sioux City’s Holiday Church Open House
Some of the finest buildings in Sioux City have towers you’ve driven past a hundred times without ever stepping inside. For one weekend each December, that changes.
The Tour of Steeples is a free, two-day open house when more than 20 churches across the Siouxland area unlock their doors, switch on the lights and welcome anyone who wants to look around. You set the route, the pace and the number of stops. All you need is a free afternoon and a little curiosity.
What Is the Tour of Steeples?
The idea came from Sioux City’s Michelle Smith. She saw a holiday tour of homes shared on Facebook and wondered why nobody had organized the same kind of tour for the area’s churches. In December 2024, she made it happen.
Think of it as a holiday open house, church by church. Participating congregations decorate for the season, and many offer music, snacks and members on hand to share their church’s story. Visitors get a close look at the architecture, the stained glass and the history behind buildings that have anchored their neighborhoods for generations.
What the tour isn’t matters just as much. Organizers are clear that nobody will make a sales pitch or recruit you. As Smith put it, “There’s no pressure.” Whether you’re a person of faith, an architecture buff or just looking for a festive way to spend a December day, you’re welcome.
When Is the 2026 Tour?
The tour runs the first weekend of December:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday, December 4, 2026 | 3 to 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
That’s two more hours than last year’s tour. Friday evening is a nice time to see stained glass lit from inside against the early December dark.
How the Self-Guided Tour Works
There’s no bus to catch and no group to keep up with. The whole tour is self-guided:
- Start anywhere. Walk into any participating church to begin. There’s no official starting point.
- Grab a map. Every church has a map listing all the stops, so you can plan your route on the spot.
- Come and go. Stay five minutes or an hour. Visit two churches or all of them, in any order.
- No tickets. The tour is free and open to the public, with no registration.
One thing to know: not every church is open both days. Last year, a few were open Friday only and several were open Saturday only, so check the map before you head out.
A Tour That Gives Back
Admission is free, but you can drop a free-will donation at any participating church. Every dollar is split between two local organizations that help neighbors through the cold months: the Siouxland Soup Kitchen and The Warming Shelter.
It’s a fitting cause for a tour built around open doors in the middle of an Iowa December.
How It’s Grown
The first tour, on December 7, 2024, featured 12 Sioux City churches open for a single Saturday.
One year later, the tour more than doubled. In 2025, 25 churches took part over two days, and the tour crossed state lines into South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. The lineup grew more diverse too, with Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Reformed and Orthodox congregations all opening their doors. Smith has described it as a way for the community to come together around a shared purpose.
Tips for Planning Your Tour
- Check the list first. The 2026 lineup will be posted on the Tour of Steeples Facebook page. You can also scan the QR code on the event flyer.
- Mind the days. Some churches open only Friday or only Saturday, so plan around the stops you most want to see.
- Go downtown. Many of Sioux City’s oldest churches sit within a few blocks of each other, which makes an easy walking loop.
- Try Friday evening. It’s a great time to see stained glass glowing from inside.
- Bring a few dollars. Donations help the Soup Kitchen and The Warming Shelter.
- Be respectful. These are active houses of worship, so keep voices low and ask before taking photos.
Questions? Contact organizer Michelle Smith at 712-898-9349 or tourofsteeples@gmail.com.
