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!

5:00 pm - Live and lighted window displays start. Voting opens at the Chamber's Welcome Center for your favorite window display. Food and beverages will be available on the west side of the courthouse lawn. Santa will be inside the courthouse for visits and your own photos.

6:45 pm - Santa leaves courthouse

7:00 pm - Parade floats begin lining up

7:15 pm - Festival of Lights Parade 

8pm - Live and lighted display voting ends 

8pm - Elf at the Iowa Theater - Free admission with a food pantry 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