MAIN Christmas USA Christmas in Iowa

If you don't mind the freezing weather, Iowa is the one of the few places in the nation where you're still most likely to experience a hometown Christmas.
Enjoy that steaming hot cup of cocoa before being ridden off on a one-horse open sleigh -- with jingle bells! And, no. You're not dreaming. In Iowa, that still happens!

Just up ahead, check out holiday fun facts around Iowa, where the season is wide open with brightly-lit streets, visits by Santa, crafts fair and concert series happening statewide.

DID YOU KNOW? Iowa Christmas fun facts

Merry Christmas from West Bend.

• Depicting scenes such as The Stable in Bethlehem and The Christmas Chapel, the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend is the largest man-made grotto in the world, encrusted with about $4.3 million worth ofsemi-precious stones and gems. Begun in 1912 by Father Paul Dobberstein, it took more than a half-century to complete.

• What began began in 1962 with four animated elves has grown to more than 100 in the collection, which today boasts one of the largest displays of animated Christmas characters in the nation. Santa's Castle in Storm Lake, Iowa also features over 60 decorated Christmas trees and a model train set for kids of all ages.

• Every night during the season, hundreds of cars drive past one of the most popular holiday events in Davenport at the Kall family house featuring a dazzling 72,000 lights synchronized to music from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.

More information about Christmas in Iowa around the Web:

Iowa Christmas Festivals & Events - Complete information on Christmas shows, parades, and activities throughout the state.

Orchestra Iowa Holiday Spectacular - The fun Christmas concert by Orchestra Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

The Dubuque Grand Opera House - Check out fun for the whole family with special stagings of Christmas entertainment.

Christmas in Sioux City - Here's the annual calendar with listings of the annual craft fair, the Sioux City Symphony Christmas spectacular, and more.

Ames Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Including a visit by Santa, free horse-drawn wagon rides and live holiday music on Main Street.

Midwest Northern Railroad - North Pole Express - The annual holiday scenic route aboard the imaginary Christmas journey to the North Pole, beginning at Mt. Pleasant with ticket information and complete schedule.

Christmas by the Lake - At Clear Lake, with a weekend of holiday fun in early December including the Festival of Trees, ice sculpture demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, arts & crafts exhibits, and lots more.

Iowa Christmas Tree Farms - Listings by town or city with contact details, related links, and additional information on seasonal attractions including sleigh rides and free refreshments.

also see in Travel -> Iowa Ski Resorts