The tri-state area’s calendar of activities is filling up as temperatures drop.
“We do have quite a lot of activity (in December),” said Keith Rahe, president and CEO of Travel Dubuque. “That helps us continue to be a four-season destination.”
Rahe said May to November are the strongest months for Dubuque-area tourism, but lighting displays, skiing and other outdoor opportunities and annual holiday events provide a reason to visit as the year nears its end.
“Those things bring people in (to Dubuque) from throughout the region,” Rahe said.
Galena Country Tourism President and CEO Terry Mattson said holiday events and activities are strong drivers of winter tourism in northwest Illinois.
“These events give visitors a reason to choose Galena when many other destinations slow down,” Mattson said. “Visitors don’t just attend the events. Lodging occupancy climbs, restaurants fill and retail runs strong (because of the events).”
Here is a look at some of the holiday events scheduled for this season:
Reflections in the Park
Times/dates: 5-10 p.m. now through Sunday, Jan. 4.
Site: Louis Murphy Park, Dubuque.
Cost: $12 per vehicle at the gate. $10 in advance, with tickets available at Fidelity Bank locations.
What to expect: The 31st year of this annual tradition features more than 100 lighted displays throughout the park.
Lancaster’s Night of Frosty Cheer
Times/dates: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Site: South Madison Street, Lancaster, Wis.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The event includes Lancaster’s tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Santa will ride into town on a fire truck. Photos with Santa will be available. The event also includes wagon rides, a chili cookoff and other activities.
Christmas at Heritage Center “Come, Messiah”
Time/date: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Site: University of Dubuque Heritage Center, John and Alice Butler Hall.
Cost: $24-$29.
What to expect: University of Dubuque’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts celebrates the season with a concert presentation, featuring the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ, UD choirs and UD Concert Band. Complimentary holiday refreshments and live music from UD’s Jazz Band will immediately follow the concert.
Christmas in the Village
Times/dates: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
Site: Downtown Elizabeth, Ill.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Activities on Dec. 5 include an ugly Christmas sweater bar crawl, living windows in local stores, luminaria on Main Street, a tree-lighting ceremony and an appearance by The Grinch. The Dec. 6 schedule includes kids’ activities, a craft event, trolley rides and an appearance by Santa Claus and live reindeer.
Dyersville Merry Mingle Market
Times/dates: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6. Dyersville’s Lighted Christmas Parade follows at 6 p.m.
Site: Legacy Square, Dyersville, Iowa.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The event features shopping, a visit from Santa, opportunities to pet alpacas and carriage rides.
Christmas at the Fort
Times/dates: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
Site: Apple River Fort State Historic Site, Elizabeth, Ill.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The historic site presents Christmas as it was celebrated in 1832, with a decorated fir tree, period toys and games and bartering at a fur-trading post.
Galena’s Holiday Fire in the Sky
Times/dates: 6:30-6:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
Site: Downtown Galena, Ill.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: A fireworks display launched from Grant Park.
Darlington Lighted Holiday Parade
Times/dates: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
Site: Main Street, Darlington, Wis.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: The event includes a parade and Santa.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Family and Holiday Concerts
Times/date: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Site: Five Flags Theater.
Cost: $14-$34 and $19-$79.
What to expect: The one-hour Family Concert features the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choir, members of the Heartland Ballet and vocalists. Photos with Santa will be available. The Holiday Concerts feature a full-length program, with the Dubuque Chorale, members of the Heartland Ballet and vocalists.
Breakfast with Santa
Times/dates: 8 a.m.-noon, Sunday, Dec. 7.
Site: Dubuque County Fairgrounds.
Cost: $10 for adults. $5 for ages 5-12. Free for 4 and younger.
What to expect: A pancake breakfast, with activities and Santa.
It’s a Wonderful Life in Maquoketa
Times/dates: 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Site: 100 block of South Main Street, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Cost: Free. Vendors have items for purchase.
What to expect: A vendor fair, a soup meal, kids’ activities and visits from Santa and the Grinch.
Platteville Holiday Magic on Main
Times/dates: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.
Site: Platteville, Wis., Main Street.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Shopping, food, music and more.
Classical Blast Dark Side of the Yule
Times/dates: 7-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12
Site: Turner Hall, Galena, Ill.
Cost: $30 in advance and $35 at the door for adults. $10 for ages 13-19. Free for 12 and younger.
What to expect: Combines Christmas music with classic rock.
The Texas Tenors “Deep in the Heart of Christmas”
Times/dates: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Site: University of Dubuque Heritage Center, John and Alice Butler Hall.
Cost: $57-$67.
What to expect: A performance by the third-highest selling artist in the history of “America’s Got Talent.”
Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows
Times/dates: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
Site: Galena, Ill., Main Street.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Store windows on Main Street come alive with animated living windows. More than 5,000 candlelit luminaries line the streets.
Madrigal Christmas Dinner
Time/date: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 (dinner) and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 (tea).
Site: Dubuque Senior High School.
Cost: $50 for the dinner. $35 for the tea. Tickets can purchased in advance at dubuque.seatyourself.biz.
What to expect: Performances, with madrigal food.
World Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker”
Times/dates: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.
Site: Five Flags Theater.
Cost: Tickets start at $47. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/FiveFlagsNutcracker2025.
What to expect: A cast of 40 professional dancers performs the classic ballet with more than 150 hand-crafted costumes.
Dubuque City Youth Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”
Times/dates: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 19-20; 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 14 and 21.
Site: The Grand Opera House.
Cost: $25 for adults. $17 for ages younger than 18.
What to expect: Five performances of the classic ballet.
Toys for Tots Kids Christmas
Times/dates: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.
Site: Five Flags Center.
Cost: Free.
What to expect: Inflatable rides, race cars, a fire truck, an ambulance, cookies, music, face painting and photos with Santa.
Erik Hogstrom writes for the Telegraph Herald.
