Holiday Activities Around the Cedar Valley

November is here are the holiday season is top of mind for many of us here in the Cedar Valley! We might be biased but we truly love how Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and surrounding communities come alive this time of year. Take a look at all that is going on in the Cedar Valley this Holiday season!

Sources: Cedar Falls Tourism Center, Experience Waterloo, & Cedar Valley 365

November 5, 2022: Shop Downtown Cedar Falls & Waterloo

• Shop local this holiday season to support your friends, family, and neighbors. Join us in Downtown Waterloo each Saturday from November 5th through December 17th as we host pop-up shops in addition to the retailers who are Downtown all year. 

November 10, 2022: Downtown Ingredients

• Join us the weekend of November 10th, 11th and 12th to grab all the right ingredients for your holiday season, pick up gifts, decor and more during Downtown Ingredients! As you eat, drink and shop you will pick up a recipe card from participating merchants and go home with your very own Cedar Falls Downtown District cookbook.

November 19, 2022: Million Dollar Quartet: Christmas

• There’s no place like home for the holidays, and Sun Records is just that for rock ‘n’ roll newcomers and soon to be legends – Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. Journey through a story of Christmas past, present and future, jam packed with unforgettable performances of classic holiday hits and favorites chart toppers such as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Blue Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town,” “Ring of Fire,” “Santa Baby,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Run Run Rudolph” and more.

November 24, 2022: Cedar Falls Turkey Trot 5K

• Join us for the 4th annual Cedar Falls Turkey Trot. This 5K Turkey Trot will begin on the South side of Big Woods and take you off the beaten path through the prairie grass and around the lake. Watch out for hay bales along the route, you can crawl over them or jump. Keep your eyes open for a turkey at the end of the route. A few lucky participants may find a turkey and can carry it across the finish line and home for the holiday.

November 25, 2022: Holiday Hoopla Kickoff & Santa Arrives in Cedar Falls

• Visit the Cedar Falls Downtown District for this year's Holiday Hoopla Kickoff from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. for this special event with live music, entertainment and Santa and Mrs. Claus’ arrival. Every year, it’s a surprise how they will make their entrance. This very special event is capped off by FIREWORKS!  

November 26, 2022: 

• Small Business Saturday
  • • This day celebrates and helps you discover small businesses. By shopping local, you support small business owners and the community!
• Shop The Flea Waterloo
  • Craft Events In Waterloo, Iowa. Find best art & craft workshops in Waterloo, Iowa, exhibitions, fairs & classes. Register for art & craft classes in Waterloo, Iowa with us.
• Waterloo Lights the Night
  • This free, family-friendly event is a fun way to bundle up and come downtown to see the lights in the park and visit Santa, too! Be sure and say hi to the llamas and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies with your friends.

November 30, 2022: Letterpress Holiday Cards

• Join the owners of Pretty Good Co. to make your own letterpress holiday cards. Pick out paper and choose from a selection of designs then print it yourself on a vintage press. Each person will make 7-10 cards

December 1, 2022: Jingle & Mingle

• Find unique gifts for everyone on your list during holiday open houses as you shop and stroll the sidewalks to view the beautifully decorated windows, smell the fresh greenery and enjoy the sparkle of holiday lights. Fun activities for little ones will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. FREE Holly Trolley rides will leave from the Cedar Falls Community Center throughout the evening doing a loop to the Plaza.

December 3, 2022: Breakfast at the North Pole

• Join Santa and all his favorite friends at the Community Center for a fun morning of food and photo ops.

December 7, 2022: Holiday Lights Ride

• CVC's annual Holiday Lights ride is back on! ‍‍Leaving from Overman Park on Thursday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. The route is usually around 10 miles through western Cedar Falls at 10-12 mph. Social at Second State and Urban Pie afterward. Helmets and lights are required.

December 8: Christmas Greetings on Main

• Get in the holiday spirit with Waverly’s Christmas Greetings on Main Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The event features live window scenes, an ice carver, hot spots featuring Nestle hot chocolate, plenty of holiday fun! Join thousands of residents and visitors downtown Waverly for this special signature event.

December 8-10, 2022: Eat, Drink, & Be Merry

• A different spin on hoopla Cheer. You will receive a bingo card of all the drinks and/or specials at each participating bar & restaurant and will have the weekend to complete it.

December 10, 2022: Martina McBride - The Joy of Christmas Tour

• Celebrate the "Joy of Christmas" this holiday season with country music legend Martina McBride!
  This Grammy® nominated artist has sold over 23 million albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 hits. McBride is best known for hit songs like “Independence Day,” “The One’s for the Girls,” and “A Broken Wing.”

December 11, 2022: Cookies & Cocoa with Santa

• Come chomp on some cookies and drink cocoa with Santa! While you play in the Phelps Youth Pavilion, Santa will be available for pictures and help you with fun holiday crafts.

December 15, 2022: Baby It's Cold Outside

• There will be ice sculptors, s'mores at the Plaza and trolley rides on the Holly Trolley.

December 17, 2022: Reindeer Games

• Select downtown Cedar Falls business will host Reindeer Games. A fun Hoopla event for the entire family.

December 22, 2022: Movie Magic

• Come for a showing of “Santa Clause” at the historic Oster Regent Theatre.