Winterset Festival of Lights
November 27, 2026
5:00 pm to 8:00pm
Join The Madison County Chamber of Commerce & Scenic Byways in Winterset’s Courthouse Retail District for a holiday celebration like no other
Festival Schedule
- 5:00 p.m. — Live, lighted window displays open, and voting begins at the Chamber’s Welcome Center. Food and beverages will be available on the west side of the courthouse lawn. Visit Santa inside the courthouse and take your own photos.
- 6:45 p.m. — Santa leaves the courthouse; parade floats begin lining up.
- 7:15 p.m. — Festival of Lights Parade.
- 8:00 p.m. — Window-display voting closes.
- 8:00 p.m. — Elf at the Iowa Theater. Admission is free with a food pantry donation.
Join the parade!
Bring a creative, lighted float and be part of the celebration. There’s no entry fee, but participants must complete an application and submit it to the Chamber of Commerce. See application below.
Enter the window-display contest!
We’re excited to continue the tradition of live, lighted displays created by our local storefronts. There’s no entry fee; participating businesses must complete an application and submit it to the Chamber of Commerce. Each business will receive a number, with a corresponding voting box at the Chamber office. Cast your vote for your favorite display before voting closes at 8:00 p.m. The winning business will receive a traveling trophy the following week.
Display Window Form:
Parade Form:
Event Location
Winterset Courthouse
112 S. John Wayne Dr.
Winterset, IA
(515) 462-1185
