Here are seven spectacular Christmas lights and holiday displays to visit in Johnson County in December
Johnson County will light up the night sky just like Rudolph and his red nose with dazzling holiday displays over the course of December.
If you like to see inflatable Santa Clauses, some particularly extravagant Christmas décor and twinkling lights, the Johnson County community has you covered.
Here are seven displays to check out around town.
Holiday Lights at the Lake
Holiday Lights at the Lake returns for its second year at the West Overlook Campground at Coralville Lake.
The one-mile holiday light show and display is walkable and drivable, featuring lights in the shape of St. Nick, colorful archways and other whimsical scenes.
This display is presented by The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County as a fundraising event for the nonprofit, which provides end-of-life care.
Times are Sunday through Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices are $5 on Wednesdays for a walking only day. All other days are $10 for cars, vans or SUVs and $20 for large vans.
Visit Holiday Lights at the Lake’s website for more information.
Where: West Overlook Campground, W. Overlook Rd. NE, Iowa City
Radcliffe Drive Christmas Lights
Enjoy a Christmas light display with music.
The North Liberty home has a light display that dances to the music. Tune in to 97.1 FM for about 20 different songs as you take in the lights.
Visit Facebook for updates about Radcliffe Drive Christmas Lights.
Where: 355 Radcliffe Dr., North Liberty
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Aisle of Lights
Coralville’s tradition of the Aisle of Lights returns on the second Sunday in December.
Across town, white paper sacks filled with sand and a candle will be lit to create a stunning light display.
People are invited to walk or drive by the luminarias for one special evening on Dec. 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bonus, you can make your own paper lantern and participate in the display. Free sacks and sand will be provided by Coralville starting Dec. 5 and can be picked up at Coralville City Hall or the Coralville Recreation Center. Sand will be available in the parking lot adjacent to City Hall at the Coralville Community Aquatic Center.
Be sure to purchase your own votive candles to place inside.
Visit Coralville’s website for more information about the Aisle of Lights.
Where:
Holiday Road (First Avenue to Twelfth Avenue)
Twelfth Avenue (Seventh Street to Holiday Road)
Seventh Street (S.T. Morrison Park to Twelfth Avenue)
Eighth Street (S.T. Morrison Park to Twelfth Avenue)
Fifth Street (City Hall to the Library)
Biscuit Creek trail from Fifth Street to Sixth Street (next to Old Town Hall, 407 Fifth St.)
Spruce Ridge Christmas Lights
This Iowa City home boasts of over 50,000 lights to make Christmas music come to life.
This musical light display will be broadcast on 90.7 FM. Previous songs for the show have included “O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night,” “Let It Go” and “Little Drummer Boy.”
Visit Sunday through Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Check out Spruce Ridge Christmas Lights’ Facebook page for updates about the show before you visit.
Where: 4477 Napoleon St. S.E., Iowa City
Tannenbaum Forest
A grand 17-foot German-style Christmas pyramid, surrounded by dozens of decorated, real Christmas trees is on display at the Festhalle Barn in Amana.
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.
The free holiday display is open Friday through Sunday through Dec. 18. Donations are welcomed, which will benefit the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Visit the Amana Colonies’ website for more information on the Tannenbaum Forest, including a list of a related festivities.
Where: Amana Festhalle Barn, 4707 220th Trail, Amana
Rita Lyn Court
Multiple homes along Rita Lyn Court off Rochester Avenue in Iowa City are in the holiday spirit with Christmas and winter decorations set up across the front yards.
People can walk or drive to check out the displays. Visitors are invited to donate to nonprofit Table to Table, which collects food that might otherwise go to waste and provides it to food insecure populations.
There are no official times or days to stop on by Rita Lyn Court, so take a chance and check it out at your convenience.
Where: Rita Lyn Court, Iowa City
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Downtown Iowa City
Stop by the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City any evening for a colorful, lively display.
Artist Ali Hval designed six “Doodle Trees” for the Iowa City Downtown District. Hval’s neon rope lights adorn the trees in a playful way, adding to the bright Singing Tree installation that returns for another year.
The trees, draped in lights, will change in color and brightness in response to music and sound.
Where: Pedestrian Mall at the East Washington Street and Dubuque Street entrance in Iowa City
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: Dazzling Christmas light displays to see in Johnson County in 2022
