Christmas Lights in Des Moines

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Christmas Lights in Des Moines, Iowa 2024

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I do not know about you, but driving around and looking at lights is one of my favorite holiday activities. I love to get the kids dressed in their PJs, make some hot chocolate, pack some fun snacks, listen to holiday music, and set out to look for the best Christmas light displays we can find. This is our favorite activity of the holiday season! We have gathered some of the best places to see Christmas lights in Des Moines, including some new spots. We will keep updating this list as we discover new places. 

Do you have an amazing display you would like to share? Please fill out this form here. See a correction that needs to be made? Email us directly here to help us keep this list as up-to-date as possible this Christmas season. 

Bookmark these other fun holiday guides to plan this season:

• Santa in Des Moines
• Holiday Shows in Des Moines
• Des Moines Holiday Markets 2024
• Bass Pro Shop Santa Wonderland – All the Details!
• Des Moines Parent Event Calendar – The best way to stay up to date with events and activities.

Scroll to the bottom for a FREE Holiday Light Hunt printable!

Jolly Holiday Lights – 2024 Sponsor

For nearly 30 years, Jolly Holiday Lights has brought joy to thousands of families, filling Des Moines with magical lights, cherished memories and holiday cheer. This year, there are some exciting changes to this family-friendly event. Jolly Holiday Lights will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds this year! Known for hosting some of the most iconic events in Iowa, the fairgrounds provide an ideal space to bring Jolly Holiday Lights back to its original drive-through experience. That means you can enjoy the warmth and magic of the lights from your car as you drive through the beautifully lit displays, taking in the sights with your loved ones close by. Learn more here.

Dates: November 29 – January 4, 2025

Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds

Cost: $20 per car; $1 from every ticket will go to Make-A-Wish Iowa.

1801 N.W. Morningside Drive in Grimes 

It is one of our family’s favorite holiday displays! You will not want to miss a light show with flashing lights set to music played over your radio. 

4118 SW Snyder Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa

Do not miss this synchronized light show at an Ankeny neighborhood home that has been around since 2014! 

Argo Christmas Lights 

Opening December 1 through January 2

1023 NW 32nd Street, Ankeny

Monday – Thursday; 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday – Sunday; 5 to 11 p.m. 

​Come out and see this Christmas light show! Tune in to 94.7 and listen to a variety of songs all synced to our Christmas lights. 

Beaverdale

Ashby and Wallace Avenue just East and West of Beaver Avenue

​A bunch of homes compete to put on the biggest and best display of lights every year. This year, the Beaverdale Neighborhood is going out with a bang by having a light contest! Take a look at all the details here on the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association Facebook page. 

Brook Run Village

Brook Run Drive, Des Moines

​Brook Run Village has more than 50 homes decorated. With many featuring a themed tree. Three entrances to this development will take you on a holiday light-filled journey. A synchronized light show on Springwood Lane, a tribute to Candy Land, and Santa’s Seaside Crossing are just a few.

Buxton Family Lights

1832 SE Hillside Drive, Ankeny

Nightly 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

​Come see the Buxton Family holiday light shows! Tune to FM 95.5 to enjoy a variety of family-friendly songs sequenced with their lights. Free! Please be considerate of neighbors: don’t block driveways, and turn off your headlights. 

Carols & Lights

Prairie Ridge Church in Ankeny

December 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Kick off the Christmas Season with a night of Christmas carols, Christmas lights, family games, and warm cocoa!Invite your family, friends, and neighbors and join us for a joy-filled evening to kick-off the Christmas season!

Deck the Halls House for a Good Cause

3608 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines

​More than 50,000 lights are hung up at this house and the display took about 120 hours to construct. On the side of the house, you’ll find a box where non-perishable foods, toiletries, and baby items can be dropped off to be donated to DMARC. Kids are also encouraged to drop off their letters to Santa.

Dogtown Lights

Drake Neighborhood; 2321 University Avenue

Kicks off Saturday, November 9 through February 2025

​Families will love all the artistic light displays of lights throughout the Drake Neighborhood. There is usually an event held that offers s’mores, drinks, and more. We will update you as we learn more details! 

Elven Cache Creations

1121 62nd St, West Des Moines, 50266

Every night in December, weeknights 6 to 11 p.m. and weekends 6 p.m. to Midnight. 

​Listen to the music with your radio on 89.5 FM, and watch 1000’s lights perform a bright and magical light show. Have no doubt, that there is a high-energy Trans-Siberian Orchestra song included. Learn more about Elven Cache Creations. 

Fellowship Community Church 

225 North Avenue in Norwalk 

December 14 & 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

FREE drive-thru event with 60,000+ LED lights synchronized to Christmas music on their property! Live Nativity with animals and FREE bakery cookies & cocoa brought to your car. 

First Church of the Open Bible 

2200 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines

December 1 – January 1; Dusk until 10 p.m. 

​This is a fun one in the Beaverdale Neighborhood! Enjoy a synchronized music and light display which you can listen to on your car radio. The radio station is shared on signs around the light display.

Frosty Lane 

Directly across the street from Gingerbread Lane (listed below). 

Gingerbread Lane, Ankeny 

SE Richland Ct 50021, just off of SE 8th- accessible by SE Delaware or Hwy 69

​Gingerbread Lane is a long tradition on Richland Ct. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be out on the weekends collecting canned goods for the Food Bank of Iowa. Watch their FB page for schedule updates and reminders. 

Dome for the Holidays

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

The holiday season in Des Moines is always magical, but NEW this year is one of the most enchanting events in the city, Dome for the Holidays at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Perfect for families, couples, and anyone looking for festive cheer, this celebration transforms the garden into a glittering winter wonderland.

Historic Valley Junction

The holiday tradition you love is back and better than ever. 150+ local businesses will shine under the warm glow of 125,000-holiday lights, and you’ll enjoy a shopping and dining experience unlike any other in our metro. You can enjoy the lights all season long, but save the date for Jingle in the Junction held November 2 and December 5, 12, and 19.

Ice Horns

Address: Water Works Park near Des Moines Biergarten and the Lauridsen Amphitheater

No details released yet if will return for 2024.

Stop by Water Works Park and check out the new “Ice Thorns” installation! This is a great spot for a chilly selfie this winter! Wright Outdoor Solutions placed this beautiful, artistic display near the Des Moines Biergarten and the Lauridsen Amphitheater.

Lights of Hope 

Lutheran Church of Hope; Jordan Creek 

Experience the joy of Advent with a FREE, self-guided drive through Hope’s parking lot filled with dazzling lights and Christmas displays. All are welcome!

Help them fill the shelves of local food pantries by bringing nonperishable food items, like canned meat, peanut butter, canned fruit, cereal, and rice! A special drop-off location will be located in Hope’s Circle Drive, where items can be placed in the designated boxes each night. 

Magical Nights of Lights

Pickard Park; 2205 E 2nd Ave. Indianola, IA 50125

Friday/Saturday nights at Pickard Park from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. starting Thanksgiving through Christmas. 

Free-will donations from cars will be split between Kiya Koda Humane Society, Heal House, and Helping Hand Food Pantry. 

Maytag Park Holiday Lights

301 South 11th Ave W; Newton, Iowa

November 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. – Grand Opening – Runs through January 1

Experience the magical drive-through holiday lights at Maytag Park! This dazzling display features thousands of twinkling lights and over 200 enchanting displays, created by the City of Newton and Friends of Newton Parks

November 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. – Walk Through – A vehicle-free wonderland, enjoy an enchanting walk amid the lights, sipping hot cocoa. Open to all, with free admission and optional free-will donations to sustain this tradition.

Miracle on 86th Street

Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park in Urbandale 

Late November through early January

More than 50,000 lights are at the Charles Gabus Tree Memorial Park next to the Urbandale Public Library. They have walking paths throughout the area. Bring your smiles for fun photo opportunities and the kids will have fun climbing and playing all over the fun wooden train⁣. Families will enjoy ice skating in the community skating rink and other events happening all season long⁣. Take a look and learn more about this magical light display in Urbandale, Iowa!

Northwest Beaver Drive and Lower Beaver Road 

Right before you head over the interstate bridge you will see an entire yard filled with gigantic inflatables, light installations, and Christmas decorations. 

Prairie Ridge Church

825 NW 36th St., Ankeny, Iowa

Check out this synchronized light show. Dates have not been announced yet.

Santa’s Rock N Lights

Living History Farms

Most nights November 29 – December 31; 5:10 to 8:30 p.m. 

Santa’s Rock N Lights is an animated drive-thru light show. You’re invited to experience the reimagined layout with themed worlds of light including the dinosaur world, over 700 feet of tunnels, and about a mile loop route. Purchase tickets here. 

Snider’s Animated and Musical Holiday Lights Display

Madrid, Iowa at 611 South Market Street

This holiday lights display is put on by brother and sister team Nick Snider and Sarah Carr. This light show is from 7 to 10 p.m.

Venzke Animated Christmas Display 

1335 N.E. Milan Ave in Ankeny, just off 36th Street

With a new and different theme each year, you will not want to miss this fun Christmas display! 

Waterbury Luminaries

Waterbury Road in Des Moines

​Christmas Eve

Jump in the car and drive down the street in the Waterbury neighborhood. It truly is a magical experience!

Windsor Heights

South of Hickman Road, Franklin Avenue, Marylynn Drive, and 72nd Street

About 120 homes participate in Windsor Heights Foundation’s annual holiday lighting contest each year. You will not want to miss this neighborhood all lit up for the Holiday season. 

Winterset Festival Lights

Winterset’s courthouse retail district

November 29 at 5 p.m. 

At 5:00 p.m., the whole family will enjoy food, live and lighted window displays, free horse-drawn wagon rides, extended shopping hours, roaming carolers, and interactions with Santa, all around the Madison County courthouse. A lighted parade gets underway at 7:15 pm.

Winter Wonderland 

Center Grove Orchard

Friday’s and Saturday, November 30 – December 23 – Ticket options for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 4 to 7 p.m.

One of the most captivating attractions at Center Grove Orchard is its Winter Wonderland. Imagine stepping into a scene straight out of a holiday fairy tale. The Corn Pool is transformed into a breathtaking walking Winter Wonderland adorned with glistening snow, majestic twinkling trees, radiant lights, and the iconic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. As you stroll through, you’ll encounter scenes that beautifully capture the essence of the season, from cozy family gatherings to Santa’s very own workshop. Take a look at all the details and special activities here.

Winter Wonderlights 

Uptown Ankeny

Early November 8 – December 31

Shop and wander your way through Uptown Ankeny and enjoy all the twinkly lights! You can enjoy 50 animated light displays in and around 6 blocks of SW 3rd Street. Walk, drive, or bike! 

Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show 

Reiman Gardens

Dates:  December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27 and 28

Times:  5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (last entry window: 7:30 – 8:00 p.m.)

Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show is back for its second year and better than ever with our outdoor walk-through holiday light show featuring a variety of immersive light displays throughout the entire 17-acre site. Don’t miss our new and improved features and elements including motion and music. Walk through brightly lit tunnels, meander through fantasy lights falling like stars, view massive disco balls twirling to laser lights, and enjoy a twenty-foot-wide fountain of lights and a wide array of other sparkling wonders. The kids will enjoy lighted sculptural forms including Peter Rabbit, the metamorphosis of the luna moth, penguins cavorting on skis, sleds, and ice skates, and a giant lighted snowflake.

On your way out through the main building, don’t miss the RG Express Holiday Train display in the Hughes Conservatory! Visitors young and old will be enchanted by this custom-built garden-scale train, which was created by Applied Imagination, an internationally recognized company whose train displays meld botanical design and architecture. Purchase tickets here. 

FREE Holiday Light Hunt Printable

Spice up your drive around town looking at Christmas lights! We have created a FREE Holiday Light Hunt printable. Print one out for each member of the family and see who can spot all the items first. Good luck!

Click here to download the FREE Holiday Light Hunt Printable here!

BONUS! Ankeny, Iowa Christmas Light Displays Map

Many of the Des Moines area Christmas light displays are located in Ankeny, Iowa. I have created an interactive map just for YOU! Take a night and drive through Ankeny, Iowa, and take in all the twinkling lights.