Where to See Christmas Lights in Des Moines 2025

Driving around to see holiday lights in Des Moines is a favorite family tradition. Whether you’re exploring grand displays or driving to see local neighborhood favorites, enjoy the magic of twinkling lights this holiday season.

Celebrate the season with holiday lights around Des Moines!

The best places to see holiday lights in Des Moines

Miracle on 86th Street, Urbandale

When: November 25 tree lighting, through Early January
Where: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park
Bundle up and enjoy a walk through the park near the Urbandale library. The park is lit with more than 50,000 holiday lights and features a large custom-built train, larger-than-life ornamental displays, an ice-skating rink, and holiday-themed events all season long.

Fellowship Community Church

When: December 13, 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 225 North Ave., Norwalk 
Fellowship Community Church hosts a Synchronized Lights & Live Nativity featuring more than 60,000 LED lights synchronized to Christmas music. Other features include a live nativity featuring real animals and free cookies and hot chocolate brought right to your warm car. All donations received will go to needy families in the area.

First Church of the Open Bible

When: Thanksgiving through New Years Dusk to 10 p.m.
Where: 2200 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Check out this impressive outdoor light display synchronized to music, which you can listen to by tuning in on your radio (check the yard signs outside the church for the station number). You can also sit in the south parking lot and listen along as you watch the light display. New this year, a living nativity on December 9 & 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Magical Nights of Lights

When: Friday & Saturday nights, Thanksgiving – Christmas
Where: Picard Park, Indianola
Check out this drive-thru event in Indianola.

Winterset Festival of Lights

When: Nov 28, 5 p.m.
Where: Madison County Courthouse, Winterset
Head to the courthouse district over Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy food, window displays, free horse-drawn carriage, and live entertainment as well as a lighted parade at 7:15 p.m.

Jingle in the Junction

When: Nov 20, Dec 4, 11, 18 
Where: Historic Valley Junction, Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue, West Des Moines
The charm of historic Valley Junction really comes out during the holidays. Enjoy over 100,000 lights and displays and be sure to come early to eat dinner and visit the over 150 specialty shops, restaurants, and services before the lights come on. Valley Junction also hosts a few fun holiday events in December, check them out here.

Maytag Park Holiday Lights

When: opening November 28
Where: 301 South 11th Ave W; Newton, Iowa
Don’t miss one of Central Iowa’s largest free light displays featuring thousands of twinkling lights and more than 50 lighted displays organized by the City of Newton and Friends of Newton Parks.

Winter Wonderland at Center Grove

When: Fridays–Sundays, November 29 – December 23
Where: 32835 610th Ave, Cambridge
Enjoy holiday lights, brunch with Santa, and winter scenes in the Corn Pool area. Take photos at several staged locations, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride or train ride weather permitting. Check the calendar for times and ticketing information. Tickets can be pre-purchased, but walk-ins are also available. 

Family and Neighborhood Lights Displays

Gingerbread Lane, Ankeny

When: Early December – December 31
Where: S.E. Richland Court, Ankeny
During the holiday season, Richland Court in Ankeny transforms into Gingerbread Lane to delight children and adults alike. Every weekend, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be collecting canned goods for the Food Bank of Iowa. Visit their Facebook page for schedule updates and more information.

Ashworth Holiday Forest

When: Starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving
Where: 3608 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines
Don’t miss this massive 100,000-light display! 

Beaverdale

When: Until December 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Ashby and Wallace Avenues, east and west of Beaver Avenue
About 50 homes compete for the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association’s bragging rights and you can take advantage of the stiff competition. New and exciting displays, as well as beautiful classics, are a must-see for many families in Des Moines.

Waterbury Luminaries

When: Christmas Eve
Where: Waterbury Road in Des Moines
Luminaries line the sidewalks of Waterbury Road on Christmas Eve. It’s magical to drive down the streets! 

Windsor Heights

When: Thru January 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Recommended streets include South of Hickman Road, Franklin Avenue, Marylynn Drive, and 72nd St
Approximately 120 homes participate in Windsor Heights Foundation’s annual holiday lighting contest. You’ll want to gather up the family and drive by to check out what all the homeowners have come up with this year.

Venzke Animated Christmas Display

When: Through January 1, dusk to 9 p.m.
Where: 1335 N.E. Milan Ave in Ankeny, just off of 36th Street
Everyone around Ankeny loves the private residence of the Venzke’s. New and different each year, some favorites you may see include Frosty the Snowman, a flying cardinal, a skiing snowman, a Times Square ball drop, and/or Iowa State basketball and football players. 

Northwest Beaver Drive and Lower Beaver Road, Des Moines

Check out this impressive outdoor light display near the High Trestle Trail. There are tons of gigantic inflatable decorations like Santa and a polar bear to accompany the light displays. It’s a quick drive North on Beaver Avenue if you’re already looking at lights in that neighborhood. 

Buxton Family Lights

Head to 1832 SE Hillside Dr in Ankeny from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to see a synchronized light show. Tune in to 95.5 to listen to family-friendly holiday songs. 

Elven Cache Creations Christmas light show

Where are your favorite places to see Christmas lights in Des Moines? 

We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.