Winterset Festival of Lights

November 28, 2025
5:00 pm to 8:00pm

Join us in Winterset’s courthouse retail district for a holiday experience like none other! At 5:00 pm, the whole family can enjoy food and warm beverages provided by local non-profit organizations, live and lighted window displays, free horse-drawn wagon rides, extended shopping hours, and photo opportunity with Santa, all around the Historic Courthouse District. A lighted parade gets underway at 7:15 pm, culminated with Santa lighting up the square. At 8pm, join us for the annual showing of Elf at the Iowa Theater (free with non-perishable food donation).

We hope you'll join us in the parade with a creative, lighted float. There is no fee but you must complete the application and submit it to the Chamber of Commerce. This year's theme is  “Christmas Carols." New this year: Due to the increased number of entries in recent years and to better serve our participants and attendees the parade will go around square one time.

We are excited to continue the tradition of the live and lighted window displays brought to you by our local storefronts. There is no fee but you must complete the application and submit to the Chamber of Commerce. Each participating business will receive a number and have a corresponding voting box at the Chamber office. Attendees are encouraged to cast their vote for their favorite window prior to the event ending at 8pm. A traveling trophy will be awarded to the winner the following week.

Please submit your application by Friday, November 21st

Parade: https://forms.gle/RYRytXHVFiAohiYj7

Window Display: https://forms.gle/rsEHqXA2jzUjTg6g9

Event Location

Winterset Courthouse
112 S. John Wayne Dr.
Winterset, IA
(515) 462-1185