HOLIDAY
Calendar
Nov . 6 to Dec . 5
Festival of Trees , Pella Opera House , 611 Franklin St ., Pella . Bid on decorated trees , wreaths and festive decorations for the holidays ! Christmas décor will be available for purchase on the second floor . All proceeds support youth programming at the Pella Opera House . Hours are 10 a . m . to 4 p . m . Mondays through Wednesdays and Saturdays ; 10 a . m . to 6 p . m . Thursdays ; and 10 a . m . to 5 p . m . Fridays ; closed Sundays and Thanksgiving . Special hours include 10 a . m . to 8 p . m . Nov . 19 for the Tour of Stores .
Nov . 13 to Dec . 26
Sinterklaas Search , Pella Central Business Area . Fifteen Sinterklaases will be hidden in Pella ’ s Central Business area with helpful clues to assist in finding the “ sneaky little guy .” The search is for children of all ages . Details will be located at visitpella . com , the Sinterklaas Search Facebook page and posted in downtown kiosks . The event is designed to promote social distancing .
Nov . 19
Holiday Open Houses , 5-8 p . m ., downtown Ottumwa . Shop your favorite local retailers ahead of the holiday shopping season . Past events have also featured Santa as well as horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the downtown district .
Living Windows , 6 p . m ., Marion County Square , Knoxville . The town square , including many storefront windows and restaurants , will be open and decorated for the holiday season . Come do your holiday shopping by supporting local businesses ! Social distancing is encouraged when viewing windows and shopping at local businesses .
Annual Tree Lighting , 6 p . m ., Marion County Courthouse , Knoxville . Enjoy the official start to the holiday season in Knoxville with the annual tree lighting ceremony on the Marion County Courthouse lawn . Immediately following the tree lighting , Santa Claus will begin making “ Santa Stops ” at various locations around Knoxville to drop off goodie bags for kids . Drop-off locations will be announced at a later date and can be found on the THRIVE Knoxville Facebook page . Social distancing is encouraged , and the lighting of the tree will be available to watch virtually on the THRIVE Knoxville Facebook page .
Nov . 19-21
De Kerstdagen Tour of Stores , Historic Downtown Pella . Enjoy the official start to the holiday season in Pella with the lighting of the tree on the Tulip Toren , children singing Christmas carols , a visit from Santa , a free hot cocoa bar and decorated stores with delectable Christmas treats . Stores will continue discounts when customers use Holiday Pella Bucks from Nov 19-25 . Pella Bucks will be sold Thursday , Nov . 19 , at Marion County Bank beginning at 5 p . m . This year ’ s Tour of Stores event will be three days stead of one evening to ensure a safe celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Carriage Rides , 5-8 p . m ., Historic Downtown Pella . Festive and cozy horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered during Tour of Stores . Come take a unique tour around Historic Downtown Pella !
Nov . 20
Official Tree Lighting , 5:30 p . m ., Tulip Toren , Pella . Enjoy the start of the holiday season in Pella with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the Tulip Toren .
Nov . 20 to Dec . 19
Story Book Walk through Central Park , Central Park , 720 Franklin St ., Pella . The Pella Public Library and Pella Community Services are teaming up to offer a Story Book Walk in Central Park during the holiday season . The story will start at the windmill and wind its way through the park toward the fountain . Each stand will have a page from the book for kids and adults to read as they enjoy a stroll through the park .
Nov 20 to Dec . 23
Merry-N-County Christmas , 6-9 p . m . Fridays through Sundays and Dec . 21-23 , Marion County Park , 306 Willetts Drive , Knoxville . Enjoy a festive lighted holiday display through Marion County Park . The goal of this event is to bring families together to experience the holidays while allowing businesses , civic organizations and families around the community to showcase their creativity through lighted displays . Displays will highlight local businesses and holiday cheer . Social distancing is encouraged .
Nov . 21
Painting of the Lights , 6 p . m ., downtown Oskaloosa . Come take a walk or a drive around a bright and brilliant downtown as Oskaloosa Main Street officially turns on the Painting with Lights display . Each holiday season , local businesses on the square are set aglow with over 200,000 LED lights . Painting with Lights is the first display of its kind in Iowa .
Nov . 21 to Dec . 30
Holiday Nights ’ N Lights , Ottumwa Park , Ottumwa . This 15-year holiday tradition has drawn more than 230,000 people from all over Iowa and the Midwest to view the lighted spectacle . Drive through a mile of lighted displays ranging from patriotic to local landmarks to classic holiday scenes . Hours are 6-8:30 p . m . Sundays through Thursdays and 6-9:30 p . m . Fridays and Saturdays . For more information , contact Brenda Sieren at 641-814-5900 or brendas @ ottumwaiowa . com .
Nov . 27
Lighting of the Trees Ceremony , 5:30 p . m ., Central Park , Ottumwa . Main Street Ottumwa hosts the ninth annual Lights of Love ceremony with this year ’ s event live-streamed on Facebook for those unable to attend in person . Trees will be trimmed with white lights , a large red bow and the name of honoree , business , or donor names . Names will be read as the trees are lit and will remain lit through the holiday season . The event concludes with the lighting of the city ’ s tree on the Central Park stage . For more information , contact MSO at 641-682-3465 or director @ mainstreetottumwa . com .
ANNUAL LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE
DOWNTOWN OSKALOOSA
Phil Thompson
Body Shop Manager
301 Walnut St . • Eddyville , IA 52553 • 641-969-4100
8 Senior Resource Guide 2020