Upcoming events throughout the tri-state will lift holiday spirits and put attendees in the mood for the season ahead.
Here is a sampling of local events featuring Santa, ballet dancers, Christmas trees, holiday treats, carols and more.
Reflections in the Park
Times/dates: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Jan. 5.
Site: Louis Murphy Park, Dubuque.
Cost: $12 per vehicle at the gate, $10 in advance, with tickets available at Fidelity Bank locations and Hillcrest Family Services.
What to expect: The annual tradition, in its 30th year, is a fundraiser for Hillcrest and includes more than 100 lighted displays throughout the park. A walk-through preview event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27. Cost of the walk-through event is $10 per person. Ages 3 and younger are free.
Lancaster’s Night of Frosty Cheer
Times/dates: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.
Site: Maple Street, Lancaster, Wis.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The event includes Lancaster’s tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Santa will ride into town on a fire truck. Photos with Santa will be available. The event also includes wagon rides, a chili cookoff and other activities.
Christmas at Heritage Center “Glory to the Newborn King”
Time/date: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.
Site: University of Dubuque Heritage Center, John and Alice Butler Hall.
Cost: $19-$24.
What to expect: University of Dubuque’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts celebrates the birth of Christ through a concert presentation featuring the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ, UD choirs and UD Concert Band with live narration. Complimentary holiday refreshments and live music from UD’s Jazz Band will immediately follow the concert.
Christmas in the Village
Times/dates: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Site: Downtown Elizabeth, Ill.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Activities on Dec. 6 include living windows in local stores, luminaries on Main Street, a holiday fire pit and an appearance by The Grinch. The Dec. 7 schedule includes kids’ activities and cookie decorating, trolley rides and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Darlington Breakfast with Santa
Times/dates: 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Site: Darlington Fire Department.
Cost: Freewill donations accepted.
What to expect: A meal of pancakes, eggs and sausage along with photos with Santa.
Darlington Holiday Parade
Times/dates: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Site: Downtown Darlington.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The event includes a parade, carolers, treat bags for kids and a meeting with Santa at the Train Depot Museum.
Christmas at the Fort
Times/dates: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Site: Apple River Fort State Historic Site, Elizabeth, Ill.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The historic site presents Christmas as it was celebrated in 1832, with a decorated fir tree, hand-molded marzipan, period toys and games and bartering at a fur-trading post.
Dyersville Merry Mingle Market
Times/dates: Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. Dyersville’s Lighted Christmas Parade follows at 6 p.m.
Site: Legacy Square, Dyersville, Iowa.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: An event filled with shopping, a visit from Santa, opportunities to pet alpacas and carriage rides.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Holiday Family Concert
Time/date: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Site: Five Flags Theater.
Cost: $14 children 12 and younger, $24 adults, $34 box seats.
What to expect: An approximately one-hour concert intended for families with young children. The event features performances of lively holiday music, sing-along songs and guest appearances by members of the Heartland Ballet Company, vocalist Kira Guloien and the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choir. Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus immediately following the concert.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Times/dates: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.
Site: Five Flags Theater.
Cost: Tickets start at $19.
What to expect: Dubuque Symphony Orchestra is joined by vocalist Kira Guloien, of Toronto, Canada; the Dubuque Chorale; and members of Heartland Ballet. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/DSOHoliday2024.
It’s a Wonderful Life in Maquoketa
Times/dates: 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.
Site: Maquoketa Main Street and the downtown green space.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: An event that includes a vendor fair from noon to 5 p.m., wagon rides, a soup meal hosted by Kiwannis Club and a chili cookoff hosted by Maquoketa Brewing, a live Nativity scene, kids’ activities and a visit from Santa.
Platteville Holiday Magic on Main
Times/dates: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.
Site: Platteville, Wis., Main Street.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: This event includes hot chocolate and holiday treats, a craft and vendor fair, carolers, a gingerbread house contest and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Classical Blast Dark Side of the Yule
Times/dates: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.
Site: Turner Hall, Galena, Ill.
Cost: $30 in advance and $35 at the door for adults. $10 for ages 13-19. Free for 13 and younger.
What to expect: Chicago-based Classical Blast melds Christmas with classic rock. For more information, visit classicalblast.com.
Home for the Holidays
Times/dates: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with candlelight tours to follow at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14.
Site: Mathias Ham Historic Site.
Cost: $9 for adults, $6 ages 3-17. Candlelight tours cost $10 for adults, $7.50 for children. Dubuque County Historical Society members are free.
What to expect: The Ham House will be decorated in period style and costumed interpreters will share winter holiday traditions from Dubuque’s history. Refreshments and crafts will be available. Candlelight tours of the house will be conducted in the evening. For more information, visit rivermuseum.org/ham/events.
Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows
Times/dates: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Site: Galena, Ill., Main Street.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Store windows on Main Street come alive with animated living windows beginning at 4 p.m. Luminaries are typically lit from 5 to 9 p.m. A group of carolers from Galena Center for the Arts performs from 6 to 7 p.m.
Madrigal Christmas Dinner
Time/date: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 (dinner); and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 (tea).
Site: Dubuque Senior High School.
Cost: $50 for the dinner. $30 for the tea. Tickets can purchased in advance at dubuque.seatyourself.biz.
What to expect: Both concerts feature performances by Dubuque Senior High School’s choral and instrumental ensembles, accompanied by traditional madrigal food.
Dubuque City Youth Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”
Times/dates: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, and Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 21-22.
Site: Grand Opera House.
Cost: $25 for adults, $17 for ages younger than 18.
What to expect: Six performances of the classic ballet will be given. For more information, visit thegrandoperahouse.com/the-nutcracker-ballet.
Breakfast with Santa
Times/dates: 8 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Dec. 15.
Site: Dubuque County Fairgrounds.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger.
What to expect: A pancake breakfast that includes children’s activities and a visit from Santa.
Home for the Holidays: Afternoon Tea
Times/dates: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.
Site: Mathias Ham Historic Site.
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for children.
What to expect: An afternoon tea event that includes readings from books about winter. For more information, visit rivermuseum.org/ham/events.
Toys for Tots Kids’ Christmas Party
Times/dates: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.
Site: Five Flags Center.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Music, dancing, inflatable rides, treats, photos with Santa and “Frozen” and “Star Wars” characters.
Erik Hogstrom writes for the Telegraph Herald.
