5 things to do this weekend in Johnson County include holiday festival at Wilson's Orchard & Farm
Thanksgiving hasn’t even passed yet and the weekend is already filled with Christmas fun.
Get into the merry mood with Amana Colonies’ annual Tannenbaum Forest, a stunning display of lights and decorated Christmas trees.
Or, visit Wilson’s Orchard & Farm for the debut of a festival that includes a visit with Santa, sugar cookie decorating and some holiday shopping.
Here are five things to do this weekend in Johnson County.
Tannenbaum Forest at the Amana Colonies
Starting this weekend, Amana Colonies invites people to its Tannenbaum Forest in the Festhalle Barn for an annual tradition and display.
Front and center is a 17-foot German-style Christmas pyramid. According to the German Christmas Shop, a Christmas pyramid is an elaborate candleholder, typically smaller in size, invented in the Erzgebirge mountain region of Germany.
The heat from the lit candles will cause the propeller and central display, sometimes a nativity scene, to spin.
Surrounding the grand decoration are 70 decorated, real Christmas trees and a barn filled with holiday adornments.
It is free to visit the Tannenbaum Forest, but donations are encouraged, which will support the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
There will be photo opportunities, and later in the season, visits from Santa.
The fun starts at 11 a.m. Friday.
Visit the Amana Colonies’ website for more information on the Tannenbaum Forest, including a list of a related festivities.
Nutcracker Tea Party at the James Theater
The magic of tea parties will be especially evident Saturday at the James Theater, thanks to a Nutcracker Tea Party that will transport teatime to the world of Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince.
The Nutcracker Tea Party invites children, accompanied by an adult, for a seated tea service, sneak peek performances from the upcoming “The Nutcracker” from Nolte Academy, a meet and greet with Clara and other characters, and the chance to win tickets to The Nutcracker.
Nolte Academy, the performing arts school and dance studio in Coralville, has presented “The Nutcracker” at the Englert Theatre each winter for years.
“The Nutcracker” tells the story of the young Clara, whose nutcracker comes to life and takes her on a journey through fantastical lands as they work to defeat the Mouse King, only to be revealed that the nutcracker is actually a handsome prince.
The holiday classic comes to Iowa City audiences Dec. 2.
There will be two tea parties at James Theater on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Visit the James Theater’s website to purchase tickets.
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm’s Deck the Halls Festival
Join Wilson’s Orchard & Farm for a holiday festival Sunday hosted at the lower level of Wilson’s Ciderhouse.
The barn will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a variety of activities for kids, including sugar cookie decorating, an outdoor scavenger hunt, a hot chocolate bar and a visit from Santa Claus.
Tickets cost $20 a person, and children 2 and younger are admitted free. Included in the ticket is a $5 gift card, valid only on Sunday, for folks to use at the farm’s holiday market. The holiday market has Christmas trees, seasonal decorations, crafts, gifts, local foods and more for purchase.
The Deck the Halls Festival is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit Wilson’s Orchard & Farm’s website to purchase tickets for the event and to select a timeslot to avoid overcrowding.
Santa Saturdays in Iowa City
St. Nick is traveling from the North Pole to Iowa City for four Saturdays starting this weekend.
The annual tradition from the Iowa City Downtown District invites families and children to stop by the Chauncey between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to meet Santa.
Kids can drop off their letters and wish lists, and take a photo with Santa.
Santa will return Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Other holiday events from the downtown district kick off Saturday, including free tractor wagon rides around downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit Iowa City Downtown District’s website to learn more about seasonal fun coming to Iowa City.
‘Christmas with Jim McDonough and His Orchestra’ in Coralville
The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts presents “Christmas with Jim McDonough and His Orchestra: The 20th Anniversary Tour” on Sunday.
International Steinway Artist Jim McDonough was born in Monticello, Iowa, and began playing the piano as a child.
McDonough's decades-long career has included more than a dozen CDs, tours, including a holiday show, and an hour-long television special “Home for Christmas with Jim McDonough,” last year, according to his website.
Joining him will be a 14-piece professional orchestra performing arrangements of Christmas hits.
The performance is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $58.
Visit Coralville Center for the Performing Arts’ website to purchase tickets.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or (319) 519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Things to do this weekend in Johnson County holiday display in Amana
