Updated November 2026 by Erin Huiatt, Des Moines Parent
Quick answer: Miracle on 86th Street is a FREE holiday light display at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park in Urbandale, next to the Urbandale Public Library. In 2026 the park glows with more than 100,000 lights from Nov. 24 through Jan. 6, with free events like the Flip the Switch tree lighting (Nov. 24) and Santa and his reindeer (Dec. 18).
One of my favorite holiday movies is Miracle on 34th Street, so when I came across this fun light display in Urbandale, I knew we needed to visit! Miracle on 86th Street debuted in 2022, and we fell in love the moment we walked into the magically lit park. It’s back for 2026 with even more lights, and it’s FREE for families to enjoy. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Miracle on 86th Street 2026 at a Glance
| Dates | Nov. 24, 2026 – Jan. 6, 2027 |
| Best time to go | After sunset, around 5 p.m. |
| Cost | Free |
| Where | Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park, 86th Street, Urbandale (next to the Urbandale Public Library) |
| Parking | Urbandale Public Library parking lot |
Where Is Miracle on 86th Street?
Miracle on 86th Street is in Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park, the perfect place to decorate with twinkly lights! Park in the Urbandale Public Library parking lot, and stop into the library for a storytime or activity while you’re there. You can’t miss the light display.
About the Light Display
This year the park is filled with more than 100,000 holiday lights, up from about 50,000 when it first opened! You’ll find a large custom-built train kids can climb aboard, larger-than-life ornament displays, a gingerbread house, a sleigh for family photos and plenty of fun photo spots.
When Is Miracle on 86th Street Open?
The light display runs every day from Nov. 24, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027. Your best bet to take in all the beauty is to visit after the sun goes down, around 5 p.m.
Community Ice Skating Rink
The community ice skating rink just south of the Urbandale Public Library is open dawn to dusk, so it’s the perfect family activity before the lights come on! Check the flag before you skate: a green flag means it’s safe to skate, and a red flag means the ice is closed.
2026 Special Events at Miracle on 86th Street
Plan a visit any evening, or time your trip for one of the special events Urbandale has planned this holiday season.
Flip the Switch! Tree Lighting – Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026 (Free)
Join the Mayor and City Council at 5:30 p.m. as they flip the switch and light up Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park with more than 100,000 lights! Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as you walk around the beautifully decorated park.
Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt (Ages 1–8) – Friday, Dec. 11, 2026
Rumor has it someone left candy canes and candy around the Giovannetti Community Shelter! Bring a bag and a flashlight and help find them all. Registration is required (register your child only), parents must come along, and the event is entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Santa and Reindeer! – Friday, Dec. 18, 2026 (Free)
Meet Santa Claus and a few of his reindeer from 4 to 6 p.m. at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park! Take pictures and enjoy the lights. No registration required.
Letter from Santa (Ages 9 and Under) – $5
Order a letter from Santa mailed straight to your child, with Santa’s return address on the envelope! It arrives about a week before Christmas, and it’s a sweet surprise for kids, nieces, nephews or grandkids, no matter where they live.
See all Miracle on 86th Street details and registration from the City of Urbandale.
Tips for Visiting Miracle on 86th Street with Kids
- Go on a weeknight for a quieter stroll, or plan around a free event for extra fun.
- Bring a flashlight for the Candy Cane Hunt and the darker paths.
- Pack your skates and visit the rink before dark, then stay for the lights.
- Pair it with the library for a storytime or a warm-up stop.
- Bundle up! The whole display is outdoors.
Miracle on 86th Street FAQ
Yes! The light display and the tree lighting and Santa events are free. The Letter from Santa is $5.
The lights turn on at the Flip the Switch tree lighting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., and stay up through Jan. 6, 2027.
Park in the Urbandale Public Library parking lot, right next to Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park.
Santa and his reindeer visit Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. It’s free with no registration needed.
More Holiday Fun from Des Moines Parent
Looking for more lights? Check out Dome for the Holidays, Winter Wonderscape at Reiman Gardens, holiday parades in Central Iowa and Christkindlmarket Des Moines. And subscribe to DSM Weekly for weekend ideas every Monday morning!
