Iowa has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Dome for the Holidays in Des Moines on November 14 to Scuba Santa in Dubuque, which runs through December 6. Every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Iowa for 2026, in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Dubuque
- First: Dome for the Holidays, Des Moines, November 14. Runs latest: Dome for the Holidays, Des Moines, through January 3
- Every event here charges admission or a ticket; check each host
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Iowa Christmas train rides page.
Iowa Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Dubuque
- Season
- November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Free events
- 0
- Kinds of events
- story time with Santa, holiday lights, holiday parade and Santa visit
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Iowa Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Dome for the Holidays in Des Moines on November 14; the last runs to December 6. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Dome for the HolidaysDes Moines · Nov 14 to Jan 3
- Festival of TreesDavenport · Nov 21 to Nov 29
- Santa, Snacks, and StoriesCedar Rapids · Nov 29 to Nov 30
- Family ChristmasUrbandale · Dec 5
- Scuba SantaDubuque · Dec 5 to Dec 6
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Iowa? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Des Moines
2 confirmed events for kids in Des Moines, including nearby Urbandale, soonest first.
Des Moines: Dome for the Holidays
Holiday lightsGreater Des Moines Botanical Garden · Des Moines
- Host
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
- When
- Saturday, November 14, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (select evenings; closed Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25, Jan 1), 5 to 9 pm
- Cost
- Adults $18, youth 1 to 13 $13, under 1 free
- Ages
- All ages; Family Night activities for ages 2 to 8
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dome for the Holidays turns the conservatory and Gardeners Show House into an indoor light display, so families can enjoy the glow without bundling up for the snow. Kids can join the annual gnome hunt, try playful interactive elements and look for the two holiday train displays, one with a prehistoric theme and an active volcano.
On Wednesday Family Nights (Nov 18 and 25, Dec 2, 9, 16 and 30, 5 to 8:30 pm), Glow Games and hands-on activities designed for children ages 2 to 8 are included with the ticket. Tickets are timed, and the garden is closed Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1. Private igloo reservations and dinner packages are also offered.
Parent tip: Buy timed tickets in advance, since door availability is not guaranteed. The free lot fills quickly, with overflow parking along Robert D. Ray Drive.
See dates and details from Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)Urbandale: Family Christmas
Story time with SantaLiving History Farms · Urbandale
- Host
- Living History Farms (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322 (near Des Moines)
- When
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, noon to 3 pm
- Cost
- Advance $12 ($11 members), door $13, under 2 free
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Family Christmas brings the 1900 town at Living History Farms to life for one afternoon. Families can hear carols and stories, decorate cookies, play parlor games and step inside historic buildings including the Flynn Mansion, Print Shop, Drug Store, Church of the Land and Tangen Home.
Kids can join a jingle bell toss and a snowball fight in the Flynn Barn, ride a horse-drawn wagon if the weather allows and take a photo with Santa. The buildings are heated, but much of the visit involves walking between them. Advance tickets cost a dollar less than tickets at the door, and children under 2 are free.
Parent tip: Buy tickets in advance to save a dollar, and bundle up for the wagon rides and the walk between buildings.
See dates and details from Living History Farms (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Cedar Rapids
1 confirmed event for kids in Cedar Rapids, soonest first.
Cedar Rapids: Santa, Snacks, and Stories
Story time with SantaBrucemore · Cedar Rapids
- Host
- Brucemore (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Brucemore Mansion, 2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
- When
- Sun November 29 and Mon November 30, 2026, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
- Cost
- $5 adults, $10 youth 12 and under, advance tickets only
- Ages
- Infants through age 12 at child pricing
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa visits the Brucemore mansion for two evenings, and kids are invited to bring their wish lists and pose for photos. Inside the decorated home, families will also find a holiday craft, a story time and a snack to take home, and can explore the first, second and third floors.
Entry is by staggered half-hour time slots from 5:30 pm, with the last entry at 7:30 pm. Every adult and child needs a ticket, and tickets are sold only in advance online, by phone or at the mansion, never at the door. Capacity is kept small so the evening feels intimate, and slots often sell out.
Parent tip: Book early since entry times sell out, and go straight to the mansion to check in. Online and phone orders carry a $4 processing fee.
See dates and details from Brucemore (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Davenport
1 confirmed event for kids in Davenport, soonest first.
Davenport: Festival of Trees
Holiday paradeQuad City Arts · Davenport
- Host
- Quad City Arts (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- RiverCenter, 136 E 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801
- When
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, November 29, 2026 (daily; closed Thanksgiving Nov 26; Nov 22 opens 10 am), 9 am to 7 pm
- Cost
- Admission charged, see festival site
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Festival of Trees is a long-running Quad Cities holiday tradition, with more than 150 designer trees and displays filling the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport. Families can wander the decorated halls and enjoy the festival's attractions and special events over nine days.
The festival is known for what it calls the largest helium balloon parade in the Midwest. The state tourism listing gives opening day as Saturday, Nov 21, with most days running 9 am to 7 pm, Sunday, Nov 22 starting at 10 am, and the hall closed on Thanksgiving. Check the festival site for ticket prices and the parade time.
Parent tip: Check qcfestivaloftrees.com for the parade time and ticket prices before you go.
See dates and details from Quad City Arts (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Dubuque
1 confirmed event for kids in Dubuque, soonest first.
Dubuque: Scuba Santa
Santa visitNational Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium · Dubuque
- Host
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 E 3rd St, Dubuque, IA 52001
- When
- Sat December 5 and Sun December 6, 2026, 11 am to noon
- Cost
- Included with general admission or membership
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
For one hour on each of two December mornings, Santa makes his annual stop at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and dives into the large Gulf aquarium in the Rivers to the Sea exhibit. It is on the first floor of the Diamond Jo National River Center.
Families can gather at the tank to wave and take photos with Scuba Santa among the fish. There is no separate ticket, since the visit is included with general admission and membership, so it pairs easily with a full day exploring the aquariums and river exhibits. The museum is open 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Parent tip: Arrive a little before 11 am to get a spot by the aquarium glass for photos.
See dates and details from National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in Missouri, Christmas events for kids in Minnesota and Christmas events for kids in Wisconsin list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonIowa Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Iowa in 2026?
We confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in Iowa for 2026 on each host’s own page: Dome for the Holidays in Des Moines (November 14), Festival of Trees in Davenport (November 21), Santa, Snacks, and Stories in Cedar Rapids (November 29), Family Christmas in Urbandale (December 5) and Scuba Santa in Dubuque (December 5). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Des Moines, Iowa?
For families in and around Des Moines, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Dome for the Holidays (Select evenings, Nov 14 to Jan 3, 5 to 9 pm; Family Nights Wednesdays, adults $18, youth 1 to 13 $13, under 1 free); Family Christmas (in Urbandale, Sat, Dec 5, noon to 3 pm, advance $12 ($11 members), door $13, under 2 free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Des Moines section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
For families in and around Cedar Rapids, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Santa, Snacks, and Stories (Sun, Nov 29 and Mon, Nov 30, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, $5 adults, $10 youth 12 and under, advance tickets only). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Cedar Rapids section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Davenport, Iowa?
For families in and around Davenport, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Festival of Trees (Daily, Nov 21 to 29 (closed Thanksgiving), most days 9 am to 7 pm, admission charged, see festival site). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Davenport section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Dubuque, Iowa?
For families in and around Dubuque, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Scuba Santa (Sat, Dec 5 and Sun, Dec 6, 11 am to noon, included with general admission or membership). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Dubuque section of this page.
Where can kids see Santa in Iowa this December?
Santa appears at Santa, Snacks, and Stories in Cedar Rapids (November 29), Family Christmas in Urbandale (December 5) and Scuba Santa in Dubuque (December 5). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Iowa?
Holiday story times on this page: Santa, Snacks, and Stories in Cedar Rapids and Family Christmas in Urbandale. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Are there kids' Christmas events in Iowa on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Dome for the Holidays in Des Moines (through January 3).
How much is Dome for the Holidays in Des Moines?
Adults $18, youth 1 to 13 $13, under 1 free. Dome for the Holidays is on Saturday, November 14, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (select evenings; closed Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25, Jan 1), 5 to 9 pm at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Festival of Trees in Davenport?
Admission charged, see festival site. Festival of Trees is on Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, November 29, 2026 (daily; closed Thanksgiving Nov 26; Nov 22 opens 10 am), 9 am to 7 pm at RiverCenter. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Santa, Snacks, and Stories in Cedar Rapids?
$5 adults, $10 youth 12 and under, advance tickets only. Santa, Snacks, and Stories is on Sun November 29 and Mon November 30, 2026, 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Brucemore Mansion. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Family Christmas in Urbandale?
Advance $12 ($11 members), door $13, under 2 free. Family Christmas is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, noon to 3 pm at Living History Farms. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Scuba Santa in Dubuque?
Included with general admission or membership. Scuba Santa is on Sat December 5 and Sun December 6, 2026, 11 am to noon at National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Iowa?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Iowa Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
