Is there any better start to the holiday season than taking a drive to go see the Christmas lights? This is your chance to bundle up and make some memories with the people most important to you. You get to experience a little bit of magic while taking in the happiest season of all! If you’ve been planning on seeing the Christmas lights in Des Moines this year but don’t know where to go, I’m here to help you out! As a Des Moines family photographer, I love working with parents to plan memories they can cherish for the rest of their lives. Here are the spots I think you should make a part of your annual Christmas traditions!
Don’t Miss These Great Spots To View Spectacular Christmas Lights In Des Moines
Holiday Promenade
Downtown Des Moines, Iowa
Holiday Promenade in the Historic East Village begins each year the weekend before Thanksgiving. Things kick off with the Annual Tree Lighting, where you can watch as Christmas comes to Des Moines. Once that’s done, you can stick around for live performances as well as shopping and dining in the East Village. It’s the perfect way to get a jump start on your holiday shopping while enjoying some free hot cocoa.
For the rest of the season, you can check out a loaded schedule full of weekly events like Ugly Sweater Contests, drone shows, and holiday sing-alongs. The entire area will continue to be decorated in its Christmas best with window displays and streetlights putting on a show. Each Friday will also feature a ton of festive treats you can share with your family while shopping local. Things wrap up on the last Friday before Christmas, where Santa himself will be there to wish you a happy celebration!
Winter Wonderscape
1407 University Blvd, Ames, Iowa 50011
Just next door to Des Moines in Ames, Iowa State University puts on a Christmas lights show all of their own. The school sets up over 200,000 lights across Reiman Gardens, creating a display you just can’t find anywhere else. They go all out with colors to give you a picture-perfect backdrop your family will adore. The University offers ticketed time slots that you can purchase online, and they suggest buying your ticket early since sessions will fill up! In addition to the displays, they will have a s’mores roasting station where you can purchase kits and roast marshmallows. This is a walk-through event with easy-to-navigate paved paths, and strollers are welcome! The trail is under a mile and will take 40-90 minutes to explore.
Christmas Traditions Always Include Some Fun Christmas Lights In Des Moines
If you are looking for the best way to get into the holiday spirit, these spots for Christmas lights in Des Moines will be just the thing! Be sure to plan your trip soon so you can celebrate the season in style!
Are you looking for more ways to make memories throughout the holidays? Then I would love to chat! I am a Des Moines family photographer, and I love working with parents to plan sessions that let them capture each and every milestone. If you would like to see if my style is a match for yours, I would love to chat about it! Send me a message today to find out more!
