Upcoming lighted Christmas parades in Iowa (2022)

A few years ago I attended my first ever Christmas lighted parade – and I must say they are pretty impressive with all the lights. Granted, it can be pretty cold at a lighted parade. However, I’ve seen places handing out free hot cider as as well free hand warmers!

If you’re looking for my opinion on the best lighted Christmas parade in Iowa, that’s easy – the granddaddy of the lighted parades is in Oskaloosa. They have the longest-standing parade with the most floats, and you can’t beat the lighted storefronts on their historic town square. But if the trip to Oskaloosa is too far, here’s a list of upcoming holiday-lighted parades. Take a look through to find one close to you!

A night under the stars – a lighted parade in Waukee, Iowa

Wed. Nov 23rd, 2022

Location: Centennial Park in Waukee, Iowa
Date/Time: 5 pm Wed Nov 23rd, 2022
Details: A dinner and light parade followed by visits with Santa. The event will be collecting food items to place in a meal for families in need on Thanksgiving day.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/835659537792745/?active_tab=discussion

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Fri Nov 25th, 2022

Winterset Festival of Lights

Location: Downtown square in Winterset, Iowa.
Date/Time: 7:15 pm Fri. Nov 25, 2022
Details: Food, music, and free horse-drawn carriage rides start at 5 pm. The parade starts at 7:15 pm, followed by the movie Elf showing at the Iowa Theater at 8 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1644076419383704

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Fri Nov 25th, 2022

30th annual lighted Christmas Parade in Clarinda

Location: Downtown square in Clarinda, Iowa.
Date/Time: 6 pm Fri. Nov 25, 2022
Details: It’s a 30-year holiday tradition for SW Iowa, typically with over 60 parade entries, fire trucks, and a canopy of lights. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/786960199081640

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Fri Nov 25th, 2022

Fort Madison Parade of Lights

Location: Main Street in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Date/Time: 6:30 pm Fri Nov 25th, 2022
Details: More than 40 hand-crafted light sculptures. After the parade night, the sculptures are on display at Riverview Park for drive-by viewing at night thru the first week in Jan. It claims to be the largest lighted parade in SE Iowa.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FMParadeofLights/

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Fri Nov 25th, 2022

Belmond Parade of Lights

Location: Belmond, Iowa.
Date/Time: 6:30 pm Fri Nov 25th, 2022
Details: The parade starts at 6:30 pm with fireworks by 4G Pyrotechnics and then Santa!
Website: https://belmondiowa.com/event/parade-of-lights-november-25th/

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Sat Nov 26th, 2022

Lighted Holiday Parade in Burlington

Location: Downtown Burlington, Iowa.
Date/Time: 5 pm on Sat Nov 26, 2022
Details: Grab your seat on Jefferson Street to watch this year’s lighted parade with the theme “Merry & Bright”
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2061373710717195

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Belle Plaine Holiday Homecoming Lighted Parade

Location: Main Stree in Belle Plaine, Iowa
Date/Time: 5: 30 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: Santa will be leading the parade at 5:30pm on Main Street in Belle Plaine, Iowa. After the parade, Santa helps light the town Christmas tree.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/649714536640156

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Lighted Holiday Parade in Washington, Iowa.

Location: Washington, Iowa
Date/Time: 6:30 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: 27th annual lighted holiday parade which circles downtown Washington, Iowa.
Website: https://washingtoniowa.gov/experience-our-town/community-calendar/holiday-lighted-parade/?occurrence=2022-11-26

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Hometown Christmas Parade of Lights in Humboldt, Iowa.

Location: Humboldt, Iowa
Date/Time: 7 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: 2nd annual lighted holiday parade in Humboldt, Iowa.
Website: https://www.cityofhumboldt.org/visitors/attractions/christmas_in_humboldt/index.php

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Light Up the Night in Hampton, Iowa.

Location: Hampton, Iowa
Date/Time:5:30 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: The lighted parade travels through downtown Hampton starting at 5:30pm, then ends up at Band Shell Park where they light up the park for the season.
Website: https://allevents.in/hampton/light-up-the-night-2022/200023439065122

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

DazzleFest in Chariton, Iowa.

Location: Downtown Chariton, Iowa
Date/Time: 7pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: The lighted parade travels through downtown Chariton starting at 7pm, however, there are numerous other activities scheduled before the parade.
Website: https://www.charitonareachambermainstreet.com/dazzle-fest-2022?fbclid=IwAR3GGS2_rHgfe_TgoypQzRhXh2125kOqCyN_0OBt8BmS3Ykt2MsIeCca5yE

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Bellevue’s Annual Lighted Christmas Parade

Location: Bellevue, Iowa
Date/Time: 7 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: Parade starts at 7 pm, followed by fireworks.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/906171893695012

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Guttenberg Holiday Parade

Location: Guttenberg, Iowa
Date/Time: 5 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: The parade starts at 5 pm on Clayton Ridge, turns on Schiller, then 1st Street to Pearl Street.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/666200338278562

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Sat Nov 26, 2022

Holiday Brilliance Parade in Osceola, Iowa

Location: Osceola, Iowa
Date/Time: 5 pm Sat Nov 26th, 2022
Details: The parade starts at 5 pm on the downtown square. They also have free mule team wagon rides from 4 to 7pm.
Website: https://www.osceolaiowa.com/news/local/2022/11/24/holiday-brilliance-shop-small-saturday-is-nov-26/

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Thurs Dec 1, 2022

Christmas walk and static Christmas parade in Manchester, Iowa.

Location: Manchester, Iowa
Date/Time: 6:00 pm Thur Dec 1, 2022
Details: This year’s theme is “Classic Christmas”. Stores are open for extended hours and feature static float parade, and horse & buggy rides.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/5454660837896079

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Thurs Dec 1, 2022

Holiday Parade in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Location: Mount Pleasants downtown Central Park
Date/Time: 5:15 pm Thurs Dec 1, 2022
Details: Kick off the holiday season with The Grinch and Cindy Lou who will join this year’s parade.
Website: https://mountpleasantiowa.org/calendar/holiday-parade/

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Thurs Dec 1, 2022

Christmas on Story Street in Boone, Iowa.

Location: Story Street in Boone, Iowa
Date/Time: 6:00 pm Thurs Dec 1, 2022
Details: Grab a free hot chocolate and enjoy the lighted parade that takes place on Story Street.
Website: https://business.boonecountychamber.com/events/details/christmas-on-story-street-1397

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Thurs Dec 1, 2022

Creston Lighted Christmas Parade

Location: Creston, Iowa
Date/Time: 7:00 pm Thurs Dec 1, 2022
Details: Creston’s annual lighted Christmas Parade.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/788832765750536/

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Thur Dec 1, 2022

Decorah’s Water Street Lighted Parade

Location: The parade travels through Decorah’s historic downtown. It starts at the east end of Water Street (Riverside Avenue) and turns off at the west end of Water Street (Mill Street).
Date/Time: 6 pm Thurs Dec 1, 2022
Details: Decorah’s lighted parade is celebrating its 31st year and the theme is “Gingerbread”. After the parade, get your photo with Santa at T-Bock’s Bar and Grill from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1106493606589701

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Thur Dec 1, 2022

Lighted Christmas Parade in Cherokee, Iowa

Location: Cherokee, Iowa.
Date/Time: 5 pm Thurs Dec 1, 2022
Details: 24th annual lighted Christmas parade in Cherokee, Iowa.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/702494810732931/

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Fri Dec 2, 2022

Oelwein Olde Tyme Christmas

Location: Oelwein, Iowa.
Date/Time: 8 pm Fri Dec 2, 2022
Details: Parade starts at 8pm on Frederick Ave from Advanced Auto to 2nd St SW
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079867264298

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Merry & Bright Parad in Bondurant, Iowa.

Location: Downtown Bondurant, Iowa
Date/Time: 5 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: Come celebrate their 8th annual parade which is a family-friendly, kids-appropriate event.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1332793527459874

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

DeWitt’s Hometown Christmas, Iowa.

Location: DeWitt, Iowa
Date/Time: 5:15 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: The lighted parade starts at 5:15 pm, however, there’s a day worth of activities including a kid’s Christmas carnival, window walks, and lighting of the town Christmas tree.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/646660796964822

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Christmas by the Lake in Clear Lake, Iowa.

Location: The parade begins at 8th Street and Main Avenue and will travel down Main Avenue and North Lakeview Drive in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Date/Time: 5:07 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: There’s a whole weekend of activities in Clear Lake: breakfast with Santa, polar plunge, carriage rides, and craft show. After the lighted parade, there are fireworks over the lake!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/673598074113044

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Lighted Parade in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Location: Coon Rapids, Iowa
Date/Time: 5:30 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: Lighted parade starts in downtown Coon Rapids at 5:30 pm.
Website: https://www.coonrapidsiowa.com/pview.aspx?id=35872&catid=462&fbclid=IwAR1_hRQj2BTlRzWIhjx-MYGwNNhqNAY94Ma16km7JaYr-SRFnvpvr9UcBj4

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Oskaloosa’s Lighted Christmas Parade.

Location: Downtown Square in Oskaloosa, Iowa
Date/Time: 7 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: This is the granddaddy of all lighted parades in Iowa. It’s been held for 35 years and probably has the largest number of lighted floats. And don’t forget the setting – the downtown square in Oskaloosa is perhaps the most lighted town square in the entire state. If you live anywhere near Oskaloosa, this is worth the drive. I personally think this is the best lighted Christmas parade in Iowa.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/808661797174664

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Lighted Christmas Parade in Atlantic, Iowa.

Location: Atlantic, Iowa
Date/Time: 6 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: Fireworks and a lighted parade await you in Atlantic, where the downtown district is covered with thousands of holiday lights.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1322690375226324

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Light up LeClaire Parade

Location: LeClair, Iowa
Date/Time: 5:30 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: Takes place on Wisconsin Ave in LeClaire, Iowa, starting at 5:30pm.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/687732812377641/

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Preston Fire Women’s Auxiliary’s Lighted Christmas Parade

Location: Preston, Iowa
Date/Time: 6 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: 3rd annual lighted Christmas parade in Preston, Iowa.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/509773557423513/

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Sat Dec 3, 2022

Christmas in the City, Webster City, Iowa

Location: Webster City, Iowa
Date/Time: 5:30 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: Karl Webster City Lighted Parade starts at 5:30pm, however, the entire is filled with activities.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1447101132366147

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Sun Dec 4, 2022

Christmas City Celebration in Wyoming, Iowa.

Location: Wyoming, Iowa
Date/Time: 5:30 pm Sun Dec 4, 2022
Details: The town of Wyoming is known as the Christmas Capitol of Iowa! Dec 4th marks their Christmas City Celebration which includes a full day of activities with wagon rides, wine tasting, music on the main street, and a house lighting contest. The lighted parade starts at 5:30 pm
Website: https://wyomingia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CCC24.pdf

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Sun Dec 4, 2022

Annual Winter Lights Parade in Waverly, Iowa.

Location: Waverly, Iowa
Date/Time: 5 pm Sun Dec 4, 2022
Details: It’s the three annual winter lights parade in Waverly, Iowa.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/623417419475461

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Mon Dec 5, 2022

Lighted Parade in Madrid, Iowa.

Location: Madrid, Iowa
Date/Time: 6:30 pm Mon Dec 5, 2022
Details: Lighted parade starts at 6:30 pm in Madrid.
Website: https://madridiachamber.com/what-to-do/calendar/christmas-kickoff/

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Thurs Dec 8, 2022

Miracle on Lake Avenue in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Location: Storm Lake, Iowa
Date/Time: 6:15 pm Thurs Dec 8, 2022
Details: The parade starts at 6:15 pm, but retailers kick things off as early at 5:30 pm with warming stations and other activities. The annual tree lighting takes place right after the parade and Santa’s Castle will open after the tree lighting.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/992348455056350

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Sat Dec 10, 2022

Swisher’s A Very Merry Christmas, Iowa.

Location: 2nd Street in Swisher, Iowa
Date/Time: 5:30 pm Sat Dec 3, 2022
Details: Lighted parade starts on 2nd Street at 6 pm. However, the activities start as early as 4pm and include crafts, wagon rides, and holiday tree walk.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/650791806622072

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Sat Dec 10, 2022

Indianola’s Home for the Holidays Lighted Parade.

Location: Indianola, Iowa
Date/Time: 8:30 pm Sat Dec 10, 2022
Details: Lighted parade starts at 8:30 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2037256436459582/