Tannenbaum Forest in the Amana Colonies (2026)

Picture a century-old barn filled wall to wall with glowing Christmas trees, each one decorated by a different local business, family or organization. That’s Tannenbaum Forest, one of the Amana Colonies’ most beloved holiday traditions.

For 2026, the forest is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 27 through December 20, inside the Festhalle Barn in Amana. Admission is a free-will donation, and every dollar goes to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and local nonprofits.

*More than 80 decorated trees fill the century-old Festhalle Barn. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

Photo note: These photos show previous years’ displays. Trees, decorations and events change each season.

Table of Contents

What is Tannenbaum Forest?

Tannenbaum Forest is an indoor display of more than 80 live Christmas trees, set up in rows inside the Festhalle Barn. The trees are grown by Amana Forestry, and each one is sponsored and decorated by someone in the community.

That’s what makes it fun to walk through. Some trees are elegant, some are whimsical, and some are themed around the business or group that decorated them. You’ll want to slow down and look at each one.

A few highlights to watch for:

The German Christmas pyramid. A 17-foot rotating pyramid stands at the center of the barn, a nod to Amana’s German heritage.
The nativity scene. A large nativity display offers a quieter moment among the trees.
Santa. He visits on select days, usually Saturdays and some Sundays.
The atmosphere. Holiday music, twinkling lights and the smell of fresh evergreen fill the barn.

*Nutcrackers and holiday figures ride the tiers of the 17-foot German Christmas pyramid. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

*The nativity scene sits beneath a rustic wooden shelter inside the barn. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

You’ll also find a few ready-made photo spots, like a vintage sleigh set in front of a snowy forest backdrop.

Each tree carries a sign naming its decorator, so part of the fun is seeing how local businesses put their own stamp on the season.

*The Amana Woolen Mill tree. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

*Schanz Furniture’s tree, trimmed with curled wood ribbons. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

Lean in close, too. Some of the best surprises are the ornaments themselves.

*A vintage photograph printed on a wood-slice ornament. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

*Not every tree is traditional. Keep an eye out for a dinosaur or two. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

A tradition that gives back

Tannenbaum Forest is free to enter, but the donation box by the door is the reason it exists. In 2025, nearly 12,000 people walked through the barn, and their free-will donations went to:

University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
CCA Foundation
Compass Hope for All
KCRG Coats for Kids
Iowa County Safe Haven
Amana Public Library

The 2026 beneficiaries haven’t been announced yet, but the Children’s Hospital and local nonprofits are again listed as recipients.

In past years, a sign at the donation table suggested $3 per person.

Last year also brought a couple of extras: a Hot Beverage Sample Walk and a Pickle Hunt, both of which sent visitors out to explore Amana’s shops. Watch the official event page to see whether they return this season.

When is Tannenbaum Forest in 2026?

The forest is open four weekends, Friday through Sunday:

Weekend	Dates
Thanksgiving weekend	Friday–Sunday, Nov. 27–29
Weekend 2	Friday–Sunday, Dec. 4–6
Weekend 3	Friday–Sunday, Dec. 11–13
Weekend 4	Friday–Sunday, Dec. 18–20

Daily hours and Santa times for 2026 haven’t been posted yet. Last year, the barn was typically open noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, with Santa visiting most Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the official Tannenbaum Forest page for this year’s schedule before you go.

Live music is part of the experience on select days. Last year’s lineup included local bands and a brass quintet performing on the barn’s stage.

*Live music fills the barn on select days. Photo credit: Amana Colonies*

Bringing a bus or large group? Groups visiting on a weekday in December can contact the events coordinator at events@amanacolonies.com to arrange a visit outside regular hours.

Make it an Amana Christmas day

Tannenbaum Forest overlaps with Prelude to Christmas, the Amana Colonies’ holiday celebration across all seven villages. Prelude runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, December 4–20, 2026, so the forest’s last three weekends line up with it. Only Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27–29) is forest-only.

During Prelude, expect holiday shopping in all seven villages, the Sampling Stroll, the German Pickle Hunt, kids’ crafts and holiday theatre performances. The second weekend is Amana Traditions Weekend, with the Amana Church Bazaar and Cookie Walk and the Annual Holiday Haus Walk, sponsored by the Amana Arts Guild.

My suggestion: visit the forest first, then warm up with a family-style meal at one of Amana’s restaurants and spend the afternoon browsing the shops. Check the Prelude to Christmas schedule for 2026 events, and check individual business hours before planning your stops.

Stop for a family photo at the Prelude to Christmas backdrop inside the barn. Photo credit: Amana Colonies

If you go on Traditions Weekend, save room for the Amana Church Cookie Walk.

Tips before you go

Dress warmly. The barn isn’t heated, so wear your coat, hat and gloves.
Wear sturdy shoes. You’ll be walking on a barn floor between rows of trees.
Plan for crowds when Santa is in. The forest gets very busy during Santa’s hours. Visit on a Friday or Sunday for a quieter walk.
Give yourself time. Allow at least 30 minutes to see the trees and take photos.
Bring cash for the donation box. Every dollar supports the Children’s Hospital and local nonprofits.

Warm up at St. Nick’s Café. The café inside the barn sells coffee, hot cocoa, hot apple cider, spiced chai, English toffee cappuccino and popcorn. Most drinks were $3 on a recent visit.