Christmas Light Shows in Northeast Iowa

What could be nicer this festive season than to spend the evening with the family taking in the Christmas light shows that are put on by various towns and cities throughout the Northeast Iowa area. Elkader, Decorah, Oelwein and Dubuque offer such activities.

Before going in to any detail on the Northeast Iowa shows, neighboring Southwest Wisconsin, just a five minute ride across the bridge from Marquette or McGregor in Iowa, is worth a mention.

On Dec. 2 and 9, the famous Villa Loius will be hosting their annual Christmas holidays in the 1890s special. These wonderfully romantic evening lamplight tours take place on Saturday nights between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

There are two great events that take place in Northeast Iowa that are worthy of mention. The first is Holiday Lights, Magical Nights, which takes place from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1 at Decorah Campground in Decorah. The telephone is 563-382-7357. The only downfall to this grand event is that the entry fee is expensive.

The other great professional light show that takes place in Northeast Iowa that is worth mentioning is what is known as the 13th annual Reflections in the Park: a Hillcrest Lights Festival which takes place from Nov. 22 through Jan 1 at Louis Murphy Park on 151 to 161 S. Grandview Avenue in Dubuque. The contact number is 563-583-7357. They have kept the entry fee the same as last year: $7. Of coarse it is always cheaper to travel through with a bus load of people for the sum of $35. The lights will be on from 5 p.m., to 10 p.m. Their will be thousands of Christmas bulbs and animated displays and 50,000 visitors are expected to turn up for this event.

For those who are looking for something a little less extravagant Elkader offers a free professional display organized by the City of Elkader on Dec. 23. The event is entitled: Christmas Moonlight Candle Drive. Aside of street and shop window displays, residents will display candles and Christmas lights in their windows and outside of their homes. This event takes place every other year.