Updated November 2026
Quick answer: Central Iowa’s 2026 holiday parades start in November run through Dec. 6 in Bondurant. Big nights include the Winterset Festival of Lights and Perry’s Lighted Holiday Parade (Nov. 27), the Hy-Vee Holiday Parade in downtown Des Moines (Nov. 28) and lighted parades in Atlantic, Osceola and Oskaloosa (Dec. 5). Most are free.
The nights are long this time of year, and lighted parades are a joyful way to brighten the season. With themes and extras from fireworks to carriage rides and Santa visits, you are bound to find a festive parade for your family. Check out a holiday parade or two around Central Iowa!
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2026 Holiday Parades Near Des Moines at a Glance
| Parade | Town | Date | Parade time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winterset Festival of Lights | Winterset | Fri., Nov. 27 | 7:15 p.m. |
| Festival of Lights | Greenfield | Fri., Nov. 27 (expected) | 6 p.m. |
| Lighted Holiday Parade | Perry | Fri., Nov. 27 (expected) | 7 p.m. |
| Hy-Vee Holiday Parade | Des Moines | Sat., Nov. 28 | Morning (coverage starts 10 a.m.) |
| Christmas Kickoff | Madrid | Mon., Nov. 30 (expected) | 7:30 p.m. |
| Lighted Parade and Fireworks | Atlantic | Sat., Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. |
| Christmas in the Park | Osceola | Sat., Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. |
| Lighted Christmas Parade | Oskaloosa | Sat., Dec. 5 | Evening |
| Sinterklaas Parade | Pella | Early December (TBA) | 10 a.m. |
| Christmas Lighted Parade | Boone | Early December (TBA) | Evening |
| Merry & Bright | Bondurant | Sun., Dec. 6 | 5 p.m. |
Dates marked “expected” follow each parade’s usual schedule but weren’t posted yet when we updated this guide, so double-check before you go.
Holiday Parades in Central Iowa 2026
Winterset Festival of Lights
When: Friday, Nov. 27, 5–8 p.m. (parade at 7:15 p.m.)
Where: Winterset courthouse square, 112 S. John Wayne Dr., Winterset
Starting at 5 p.m., vote for your favorite live and lighted window display, grab food and drinks on the west side of the courthouse lawn and visit Santa inside the courthouse. The parade starts at 7:15 p.m. Finish the night with Elf at the Iowa Theater at 8 p.m.; admission is free with a food pantry donation.
Festival of Lights in Greenfield
When: Expected Friday, Nov. 27, 6 p.m.
Where: Greenfield town square
Head to Greenfield for their annual Festival of Lights! Enjoy cookies and cocoa before the lighted parade circles the square, then visit Santa at Long’s Gazebo.
Perry’s Lighted Holiday Parade
When: Expected Friday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. (always the day after Thanksgiving)
Where: Downtown Perry
Come early to do a little holiday shopping downtown, but at 7 p.m. everything goes dark for the parade. The route starts at 2nd and Otley (by Oasis Market), heads east on Otley to 3rd Street, north on 3rd to Pattee, then south on 2nd Street through downtown. After the parade, Santa will be at Hotel Pattee.
Hy-Vee Holiday Parade in Des Moines
When: Saturday, Nov. 28, morning (live TV coverage starts at 10 a.m.)
Where: Downtown Des Moines, near Principal Park
Last year’s first Hy-Vee Holiday Parade was postponed because of a winter storm, so 2026 is its big debut! Hy-Vee and WHO 13 are bringing festive floats, local bands, giant balloons, walking teams and, of course, Santa to downtown Des Moines. Check WHO 13 for the final route and viewing tips.
Christmas Kickoff in Madrid
When: Expected Monday, Nov. 30, 5:30–7:30 p.m. (parade at 7:30 p.m.)
Where: 2nd Street, downtown Madrid
Madrid’s Christmas Kickoff is full of holiday cheer! Visit Santa, shop a vendor show and local businesses, grab dinner from the food trucks and take a horse-drawn carriage ride from outside the Bannor Toys building. The lighted parade travels along 2nd Street east to South Union Street.
Lighted Parade and Fireworks in Atlantic
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Atlantic
Step into a holiday movie about an hour west of Des Moines! Downtown Atlantic glows with nearly 200,000 lights across six blocks. From 3 to 5:30 p.m., visit Santa’s Cabin and enjoy hot chocolate and treats, then fireworks over the historic Rock Island Depot kick off the lighted parade at 6 p.m.
Christmas in the Park in Osceola
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, lighted parade at 6 p.m.
Where: Historic downtown Osceola square
Drive a little south to Osceola for Christmas in the Park. Wander the square during Wreath & Wonder, collecting decorations from local businesses to build your own wreath ($15 tickets), then catch the lighted parade at 6 p.m.
Lighted Christmas Parade in Oskaloosa
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Where: Oskaloosa City Square
Worth the drive! Oskaloosa’s Lighted Christmas Parade has been a tradition for more than 30 years, and the town square glows with its Painting with Lights display all season.
Sinterklaas Parade in Pella
When: Early December (2026 date TBA), 10 a.m.
Where: Downtown Pella, starting at Scholte Church, 507 Franklin St.
Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus, arrives in Pella! Watch the parade down Franklin Street, or dress up in holiday-themed outfits and march in it by lining up in front of Scholte Church at 9:45 a.m. Afterward, meet Sinterklaas and the Tulip Queen and Royal Court at Scholte Church.
Christmas Lighted Parade in Boone
When: Early December (2026 date TBA)
Where: Story Street, downtown Boone
Boone’s lighted parade travels down Story Street, and Santa rides in on the firetruck at the end. Last year the Boone County History Center served a soup supper before the parade, too. Watch Visit Boone County for this year’s date.
Merry & Bright in Bondurant
When: Sunday, Dec. 6 (lighted parade around 5 p.m.)
Where: Downtown Bondurant
Bondurant packs a whole afternoon of holiday fun into Merry & Bright! Past years have included a winter market inside downtown businesses, a Santa Social at the library, a tree lighting and carols, then the candy-free lighted parade.
Tips for Enjoying Holiday Parades with Kids
- Bundle up. Bring blankets, hats and mittens; Iowa evenings get COLD.
- Arrive early. Grab a curb spot 20–30 minutes before the parade starts.
- Check before you go. Small-town parades can change dates or times for weather, so check the organizer’s Facebook page that day.
- Make a night of it. Many parades pair with Santa visits, fireworks or downtown shopping.
- Skip the candy bag. Many lighted parades are candy-free for safety in the dark.
Holiday Parade FAQ
The Hy-Vee Holiday Parade is Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, in downtown Des Moines, with live coverage starting at 10 a.m. It’s the parade’s debut after the 2025 parade was postponed for weather.
On Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, you can catch the Winterset Festival of Lights (7:15 p.m.), Perry’s Lighted Holiday Parade (7 p.m.) and Greenfield’s Festival of Lights (6 p.m.).
Yes! The parades on this list are free to watch, though some events have optional paid extras like food or wreath-making.
Atlantic’s Lighted Parade and Fireworks on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, starts with fireworks over the historic Rock Island Depot at 6 p.m.
It’s Pella’s Dutch holiday tradition welcoming Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus, with a morning parade down Franklin Street and a meet-and-greet at Scholte Church.
More Holiday Fun from Des Moines Parent
Find even more festive fun in our guides to holiday events in Des Moines, Dome for the Holidays and where to see Santa in Des Moines, and subscribe to DSM Weekly for weekend ideas every Monday morning!
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