The Christmas season comes alive at the 22nd annual Holiday Lights display in scenic Decorah, Iowa.
Drive through the lighted display at Pulpit Rock Campground, 505 Pulpit Rock, Decorah, Iowa, throughout the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and create new memories while enjoying over 70 light displays sponsored by area businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Visit nightly from November 26 through December 25 from 5-9:00 p.m.
Enjoy a visit with Santa Claus and have your picture taken with Santa during the Walk Through Night on November 25. He will also be visiting Holiday Lights on weekends through December 20. Bring your letters to mail to him. Santa promises to promptly reply to all letters.
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Helping Services for Youth & Families
Holidays Lights, is Helping Services for Youth & Families major fundraiser of the year. The non-profit organization “has been providing children, teens, and adults with the skills and knowledge to bring about positive change in their own lives and in their communities” in Northeast Iowa.
Freewill donations benefit Helping Services for Youth & Families.
Holiday Lights Walk Through Night-November 25, 2026
Save the date, as you don’t want to miss the Holiday Lights Walk Through Night. The popular walk-through event is scheduled for Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25, from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. It is the only day that visitors can enjoy the light display on foot. An estimated 3,000 visitors enjoy the walk-through every year. Traditionally, the sky is clear, and the weather is pleasant, with some years even seeing snow on the ground, making it the perfect event to kick off the Christmas season with family and friends of all ages.
Stay warm with a bowl of soup. Visitors will enjoy a variety of soups prepared and donated by local restaurants. The yummy soups served in 2025 include: chicken noodle, chicken and rice, tomato basil, French onion, pumpkin and roasted sweet corn bisque, homemade chili, steak soup, and broccoli cheese.
There is even ice cream from the local ice cream shoppe, Sugar Bowl, to enjoy with cookies donated by area businesses and served by Girl Scouts.
Enjoy a cup of steaming hot chocolate or apple cider!
Other highlights include the live nativity scene, Christmas carolers, and a photo with Santa.
New this year! Pulpit Rock Road will be closed to all traffic starting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, in Decorah, Iowa, for the Holiday Lights Walk Through Night.
For a list of tips to make your evening memorable, visit FAQ
Check out the parking map below to make your visit safe and enjoyable. Note: the map is from 2025.
Extend your visit with dinner at Twin Springs Supper Club and stay the night at Hotel Winneshiek when visiting Decorah.
Dinner at Twin Springs Supper Club
Made sure to make reservations! Your next stop is Twin Springs Supper Club. It is a light display all of its own. The supper club is located just minutes from the light display in the serene woods along the Twin Springs Trout Stream.
The food is as delicious as it looks, and a selection will satisfy any palate. The location and service will exceed your expectations. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
The selection of wine at Twin Springs Supper Club is exceptional. Thanks to the owner, Roumel Reynon, who is an accomplished Sommelier. You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Gruet sparkling wine from New Mexico, the oldest wine producing region in the U.S.
They also offer a wide selection of specialty drinks, such as a Aloha-tini, Very Berry Martini, Chocoholic Martini, Peachy Keen, Burnt Orange Manhattan, Lemon Drop, Cosmo, Berry Mule, Prairie Mule, or Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet. Take your pick!
For up-to-date information and to review the menu, visit Twin Springs Supper Club. .
A Night at Hotel Winneshiek
End the evening at the Hotel Winn Bar, located in historic Hotel Winneshiek in downtown Decorah. Hotel Winn Bar features Iowa craft beers, including Decorah’s Toppling Goliath and Pulpit Rock. Make sure to try the appetizers as they are mouth-watering delicious.
Hotel Winneshiek feels like you have walked into a Hallmark Christmas story. The hospitality is five-star, and you will not be disappointed in the historic sleeping rooms. The hotel is decked out in its finest Christmas attire during the holiday season. A brightly lit Christmas tree takes center stage in the lobby, with garland and poinsettias adding to the festive atmosphere.
The holidays have always been special in Decorah.