Wednesday, November 27 • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. 7 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Wednesday, November 27 • Mt. Pleasant’s Festival of Lights. Enjoy this annual holiday lights display, featuring the 12 days of Christmas, a giant animated toy factory, and much, much more. 5:30–9 p.m., Old Threshers, Mt. Pleasant. OldThreshers.org. Through Dec. 31.
Wednesday, November 27 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. A decades-old tradition. 7:15 sign-up, 7:30 p.m. start, Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main Street, Fairfield.
Thursday, November 28 • Thanksgiving Meal at Golden Magnolia Stone Soup Kitchen. This pay-what-you-may vegan community kitchen is serving up traditional fare, including vegan turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. 5–8:30 p.m. All are welcome, drop in. Golden Magnolia Sanctuary (north door), 200 S. Main, Fairfield. Contact@goldenmagnoliasanctuary.org.
Thursday, November 28 • CPKC Holiday Train. The train will stop in Ottumwa at 10 a.m. as part of its North American tour to raise funds, food, and awareness for food banks, with performances by American Authors and singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. Food or monetary donations welcome. 10–10:30 a.m., I C & E Railroad, 1300 Wildwood Dr., Ottumwa.
Friday, November 29 • Fairfield Holiday Lighting Ceremony. Holiday music at 5:30 p.m., light displays come on at 6 p.m., with horse-drawn wagon rides and hot cocoa at Santa’s House. Central Park, Fairfield. (641) 472-2111.
Friday, November 29 • Thankful Dead: A Thanksgiving Celebration with Winterland. Grateful Dead cover band. All ages. 8 p.m., Ideal Theater & Bar, Cedar Rapids. TheIdealTheaterandBar.com.
Friday, November 29 • Lights of Love Ceremony. Watch the illumination of Christmas trees, each purchased in memory of a loved one. 5:30–6:30 p.m., Central Park, 106 N. Court St., Ottumwa.
Fri-Sat, November 29–30 • Bloom & Bark Glass Blowing & Local Artisan Market. Glass-blown pieces along with works by 15 local artists using various mediums from fiber to wood. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 18517 County Rd. J40, Keosauqua. BloomandBark.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, November 29–December 1 • Amana Prelude to Christmas. Enjoy the Tannenbaum Forest Festival featuring over 70 decorated Christmas trees in the Festhalle Barn, plus a Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt and Happy Snowman Glass Painting class at Ackerman Winery, and more. Various times, Amana. AmanaColonies.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, November 29–December 1 • Eliot Ness In Cleveland. This new musical tells the bizarre story of Ness vs. the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, American’s first serial killer. 7:30 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. RevivalTheatreCompany.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, November 29–December 1 • A Brucemore Christmas. Peek into the holiday seasons of yore, with sparkling seasonal décor on three floors of the Mansion. RSVP. Wed-Sun through Dec. 31. Brucemore Mansion, Cedar Rapids. Brucemore.org.
Saturday, November 30 • Fairfield Indoor Farmers Market. The weekly market returns to its indoor location for the winter, offering fresh greens & vegetables, baked goods, handcrafted items, and food to go. 9-1. Golden Magnolia Sanctuary, 200 S. Main St., Fairfield.
Saturday, November 30 • An Evening with Peter Billingsley & A Christmas Story. A screening of the 1983 film, with stories and Q&A with Peter Billingsley, a Toys for Tots toy drive, and a “leg lamp” giveaway! 7 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Saturday, November 30 • Christmas on the River. Craft & vendor fair, Xmas tree auction, gingerbread house contest, live nativity scene, 5 p.m. lighted ride, and more. 1–6 p.m., Walnut St., Eddyville. (641) 954-1012.
Saturday, November 30 • Karaoke Night. Every Saturday 8-10:30 p.m. Noble House Kava, 115 N. Main St., Fairfield.
Saturday, November 30 • Zaka’an Celebration: David Huckfelt with Annie Humphrey. Concert, fashion show, and printmaking presented by Fire in the Village & Englert. 7:30 p.m., The James Theater, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Saturday, November 30 • The Reason for the Season: A Few of Our Favorite Things. A holiday variety show benefiting HACAP. 1 p.m., WAPAEC, Washington. WashingtonAuditorium.org.
Saturday, November 30 • Birdchild. Synth-pop tunes from the ’80s, ’90s, and today. 8 p.m., Ideal Theater & Bar, Cedar Rapids. TheIdealTheaterandBar.com.
Saturday, November 30 • Joe Bonamassa. World-renowned bluesman. 8 p.m. Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Sat-Sun, November 30–December 1 • A Christmas Carol. This dazzling new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s heart-rending story bursts onto the stage with first-class professional actors, gorgeous costumes, stunning sets, and puppetry. Sat. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., FACC, Fairfield, FairfieldACC.com; Sun. 3 p.m., Paramount, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Sat-Sun, November 30–December 1 • Christmas in the Villages. This weekend’s family-friendly festivities include the Wasko Christmas Open House & Small Business Saturday in Keosauqua, Bonaparte Community Christmas, Birmingham Lions Soup Supper & Firemen Santa Visit, Douds Community Annual Christmas Sing-Along, with events through Dec. 31 in the Villages of Van Buren County. VillagesofVanBuren.com/christmas-in-the-villages.html.
Sunday, December 1 • Iowa City Old Capitol Coin Club’s Annual Coin Show. Multiple raffle prizes, $2 admission, free parking. Open to the public. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Riverside Casino and Resort, Riverside. campgrimm@gmail.com.
Sunday, December 1 • Zoukchata Sundays. Zouk and Bachata dancing with cozy seating, beautiful lighting, and community. 3:30–6 p.m., Kindred Coffee, 287 N. Linn St., Iowa City. hello@vroseproductions.com.
Sunday, December 1 • Art at Brucemore: Glass Cookie Plate. Brucemore partners with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio for this hour-long workshop. RSVP. 12:30 or 2:30 p.m., Brucemore, Cedar Rapids. Brucemore.org.
Tuesday, December 3 • UI Monthly Jazz Jam. 7 p.m., The Graduate Hotel, 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. (319) 337-4058.
Tuesday, December 3 • Clara McKenna. A talk with the author of the acclaimed Stella and Lyndy Mystery Series. 6–7 p.m., Marion Public Library, 1101 6th Ave., Marion. RSVP online at SwampFoxBookstore.com.
Wednesday, December 4 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. A decades-old tradition. 7:15 sign-up, 7:30 p.m. start, Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main Street, Fairfield.
Wednesday, December 4 • JACK Ensemble. 7:30 p.m., Hancher, Iowa City. Hanchedr.uiowa.edu.
Thursday, December 5 • Chelsea Handler: Live. Chelsea Handler is a comedian, TV host, New York Times best-selling author, and advocate. 7 p.m., Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Thursday, December 5 • Greg Hahn. Comedy Thursdays series, with opener Mike Marvell. 7:30 p.m., Memorial Auditorium, Burlington. BurlingtonRiverfront.org.
Thursday, December 5 • Black Pop Music Ensemble. 7 p.m., Wildwood BBQ and Saloon, 4919 Walleye Dr. SE, Iowa City. PerformingArts.uiowa.edu.
Thursday, December 5 • Joe Pug & Robert Ellis. Songwriter series. 7:30 p.m., The James, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Thursday, December 5 • Nina Lohman & Hannah Bonner. Nina Lohman will discuss her medical memoir, The Body Alone: A Lyrical Articulation of Chronic Pain, and will be joined by poet Hannah Bonner, author of Another Woman. Book signing. 6 p.m., Marion Public Library. SwampFoxBookstore.com.
Thursday, December 5 • Christmas with Lorie Line. 7 p.m., Hoyt Sherman, Des Moines. HoySherman.org.
Thursday, December 5 • Living Windows in Downtown Burlington. Enjoy extended hours for shops, complimentary treats and samples, carolers, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and much more. 5-8 p.m. Downtown Burlington.
facebook.com/downtownburlingtoniowa.
Thurs-Fri-Sat, December 5–7 • Indian Hills Theatre: A Christmas Carol. In this retelling by John Jakes, Dickens himself weaves in and out of the action. 7 p.m., St. John Auditorium, 525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa. (800) 726-2585.
Thurs-Fri-Sat-Sun, December 5–8 • The Nutcracker. Presented by Nolte Academy and the Englert. Thurs–Sat, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 6:30 p.m., Englert Theatre, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Thurs-Fri-Sat-Sun, December 5–8 • Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Learn about European culture through this 400-year-old tradition. Food, entertainment, shopping, and gluhwein. Principle Park, 1 Line Dr., Des Moines. Free. Christkindlemarketdsm.com. Free.
Thurs-Fri-Sat, December 5–7 • Indian Hills Theatre: A Christmas Carol. In this retelling by John Jakes, Dickens himself weaves in and out of the action. 7 p.m., St. John Auditorium, 525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa.
Thurs-Fri-Sat, December 5–7 • Kerstmarkt Dutch Christmas Market. Held in conjunction with Pella’s Christmas Tour of Homes, this cozy market will fill you with holiday cheer. Thurs. & Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Molengracht Plaza, 700 Main St., Pella. VisitPella.com.
Friday, December 6 • Fairfield First Fridays. Enjoy holiday lights and festivities around the square, with shops open late. 6-9:30 p.m. Fairfield. FairfieldFirstFridays.org.
Friday, December 6 • Holidays at the Hotel. Santa and Mrs. Claus, treat bags, bird-seed ornament making class for kids, VB HS art exhibit, and holiday performance by the VB HS Choir. 5 p.m., Hotel Manning, Keosauqua. VillagesFolkSchool.com. Free.
Friday, December 6 • AHFA Winter Wonderland. Holiday shopping with a diverse selection of vendors, hot cocoa bar, freshly baked treats, and photo ops with Santa. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Hotel Ottumwa, 107 2nd St. E, Ottumwa. (641) 682-3449.
Friday, December 6 • Jeffrey Foucault. Singer-songwriter. With Erik Koskinen. 7:30 p.m., The James Theater, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Friday, December 6 • Apocalypso Tantric Noise Choir. Jazz and funk trio. By donation. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Fri-Sat, December 6–7 • Eastside Artists Annual Sale. Handmade holiday gifts made by artists. 10-8 Friday, 10-5 Saturday. Masonic Building, 312 E. College St., Iowa City.
Fri-Sat, December 6–7 • Artists’ Reception: Beautiful Land. A conversation between artists Kim Uchiyama and Ken Buhler about their exhibition. 6:30–8:30 p.m., Wege Center, MIU, Fairfield. WegeCenter.org.
Fri-Sat, December 6–7 • Ottumwa’s Home for the Holidays: Home Tours & Downtown Shopping. Carriage rides, ornament painting at Be Shabby, cookie decorating at Candy Caboose, carolers at the Career Campus, Polar Express movie at the Depot Clubhouse, and more. Various times, Main Street Ottumwa, 334 E. Main St., Ottumwa. MainStreetOttumwa.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, December 6–8 • Van Buren County Festival of Trees. Live decorated trees, tabletops, and wreaths up for silent auction, ending Sunday. With cash & carry items, refreshments, and entertainment. Proceeds to go to “Christmas for Kids.” Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 12–3 p.m., Roberts Memorial Center, 20497 Hwy 1 North, Keosauqua. (319) 293-3716.
Fri-Sat-Sun, December 6–8 • The Nutcracker. Presented by Nolte Academy and the Englert. Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat 1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m., Englert Theatre, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Fri-Sat-Sun, December 6–8 • Van Buren County Festival of Trees. Live decorated trees, tabletops, and wreaths up for silent auction, ending Sunday. With cash & carry items, refreshments, and entertainment. Proceeds go to “Christmas for Kids.” Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 12–3 p.m., Roberts Memorial Center, Keosauqua. (319) 293-3716.
Fri-Sat-Sun, December 6–8 • A Christmas Pajama Party Concert. RHCR Theatre Company’s annual Christmas singing and variety show features 23 local performers. Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. CSPSHall.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Norwegian Christmas Celebration. Juletrefest Christmas tree party, hot chocolate and Scandinavian s’mores, Julebukker costumed folk, music, hands-on crafts, folk-art demonstrations, Norwegian treats, and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Vesterheim Museum, Decorah. Vesterheim.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Nature’s Noel at Indian Creek. Annual holiday fundraiser featuring fresh green decor, kissing balls, swags, yule logs, artisan gifts, and prepared foods for purchase. 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. IndianCreekNatureCenter.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Holiday Hop & Gingerbread Party. Family gingerbread house party, all supplied provided, with Santa photo ops in front of the Gothic House. Part of Eldon’s Annual Holiday Hop with punch-card pass. Stop in anytime from 2–3:30 p.m., American Gothic House Museum, Eldon. (641) 652-3352.
Saturday December 7 • Family Festival & Market. View and buy holiday ornaments, visit craft and food vendors, purchase collectibles. Holiday crafts for kids. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Muscatine Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Ave., MuscatineArtCenter.org.
Saturday December 7 • Holiday Bazaar. Holiday food sale. 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Women’s Club, McElhinny House, Fairfield. (641) 472-3241.
Saturday December 7 • Claudia McGehee’s Iowa River Frost Fair. Iowa City based scratchboard artist and award-winning illustrator-author will sign her new 2025 Engagement Calendar, and her books (including new picture book, Counting Winter), with holiday prints on hand. 11 a.m., Prairie Lights Books, 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Saturday December 7 • Iowa City Holiday Retailer Open House. Snacks, drinks, or a small gift at each participating stop. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., downtown Iowa City. DowntownIowaCity.com.
Saturday December 7 • Christmas in Kalona. Kids’ Walking Stockings, music and campfires along the sidewalks, hot cider, cocoa, live nativity, photo stop, 1 p.m. movie at the Library, 5 p.m. Lighted Golf Cart Parade, Christmas market, Christmas Tree Walk, caroling, and much more. 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Kalona. KalonaChamber.com.
Saturday, December 7 • Karaoke Night. Every Saturday 8-10:30 p.m. Noble House Kava, 115 N. Main St., Fairfield.
Saturday, December 7 • Arts & Crafts Bazaar at Iowa City Public Library. Shop a wide selection of unique, one-of-a-kind gifts, from quilts and hand-knitted items to jewelry, holiday ornaments, and more, all donated by local artists and crafters. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., ICPL, Iowa City. ICPL.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Joy to the World: Art, Yoga, and Live Music. 3–4:30 p.m. Candlelight Yoga with Marsha Nieland & live music by Jonny Lipford (RSVP at MarshaNieland.com); 5–7 p.m. art for sale by six local artists, with live music. 3–7 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. CSPSHall.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Orchestra Iowa & Ballet Quad Cities: The Nutcracker. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Saturday, December 7 • Family Christmas at Living History Farms. A 19th-century Christmas with horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, demos of letterpress printing, crafts and cookie making, stories, tree trimming, and St. Nick. RSVP. Noon–3 p.m., Living History Farms, Urbandale. LHF.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Children’s Holiday Benefit Concert Featuring Steve & Michaela McLain. Host Jonas Magram, with Jimmy Ryan, Steve Hillis, and Tim Britton. $15. 7:30 p.m., The Lab, 408 W. Lowe, Fairfield.
Saturday, December 7 • Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus: Thankful. 2 & 7 p.m., Hoyt Sherman, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Saturday, December 7 • Season of Miracles. Quad City Symphony Orchestra plays diverse classical works inspired by the beauty of winter and the celebration of miraculous moments. 7:30 p.m., Adler Theatre, Davenport. DavenportLive.com.
Saturday, December 7 • Cedar County Cobras and Awful Purdies. Local folk. 7 p.m., The James, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. TheJamesIC.com.
Saturday, December 7 • Bex Marshall. UK British Blues Award winner and four-time European Blues Awards nominee. 8 p.m., The Washington, 306 Washington St., Burlington. TheWashingtonMusic.com.
Sat-Sun, December 7-8 • Scuba Santa. Santa will be diving in the Main Channel Aquarium, noon until 1 p.m., National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Dubuque. RiverMuseum.org.
Sat-Sun, December 7-8 • Old World Christmas Market. Handcrafted items, treats, entertainment, and activities. 9-5. Czech Museum, Cedar Rapids. NCSML.org.
Sat-Sun, December 7-8 • Holiday Thieves Market. Shop a spectacular array of fine art, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, glass, and more. Sat. 10–6, Sun. 10–4, Hyatt Regency Coralville Expo Hall, 300 E. 9th St., Coralville. SummeroftheArts.org. (Above: A ring by Maggie Joint)
Sat-Sun, December 7-8 • Christmas Craft Show. The 53rd annual show, spanning the banquet rooms, arena, and stage. Sat. 9–4, Sun. 10–3, Burlington Memorial Auditorium. BurlingtonRiverfront.org.
Sat-Sun, December 7-8 • Blue Violin: Candlelight Christmas. The songs of Christmas on violin in an atmosphere of elegance, fascination, and mystique. Sat. 7 p.m., Bridge View, Ottumwa. BridgeViewCenter.com; Sun. 5 p.m., Heatilator Performing Arts Center, Mount Pleasant, Eventbrite.com.
Sunday, December 8 • River Glen and Band: Live Album Recording. Americana, folk, pop, and rock group from Iowa and Ontario. 4:30 p.m., The James Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. TheJamesIC.com.
Sunday, December 8 • Wizards of Winter: The Christmas Dream. Christmas holiday rock opera. 8 p.m., Rhythm City Casino & Resort, Davenport. RhythmCityCasino.com.
Sunday, December 8 • Second Sunday Sound Bath. Pay-what-you-may. 9:30 a.m., Source Vibrations, 122 N. Court St., Ste 102, Fairfield. (641) 200-1534.
Sunday, December 8 • Maddie Poppe: Tis the Season. Iowa native Maddie Poppe rose to stardom after winning Season 16 of American Idol. 7 p.m., Paramount, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Sunday, December 8 • Harper Holiday Chamber Concert. Join the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra for an afternoon of moving music under the backdrop of this stunning rural church. 2 p.m., Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 30832 242nd St., Harper. Free. SEISO.us.
Sunday, December 8 • The Plot to Overthrow Christmas. A comedic staged reading accompanied by a children’s dance and a sung performance of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” presented by Reading Railroad Theater. 2 p.m., Morning Star Studio, Fairfield. (641) 472-4287. Also Dec. 15.
Sunday, December 8 • John Crist: Jokes for Humans. One of today’s fast-rising stand-up comedians. 7 p.m., Adler Theatre, Davenport. DavenportLive.com.
Monday, December 9 • Santa, Snacks, and Stories. Kids can visit Santa, with holiday activities inside the mansion, including crafts and story time. 5–7 p.m., Brucemore Mansion, Cedar Rapids. Brucemore.org.
Fri-Sat, December 13–14 • 15th Annual Holiday Trade Fair. One of the largest holiday gift and craft shows in SE Iowa. Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. FairfieldFirstFridays.org.
Tuesday, December 10 • Great Taste Live. The monthly food show hosted by Steve Boss, with food samples and door prizes. 7 p.m. Green Building Supply, Fairfield. Free.
Saturday, December 14 • Karaoke Night. Every Saturday 8-10:30 p.m. Noble House Kava, 115 N. Main St., Fairfield.
Saturday, December 15 • Great Bluegrass Herons Christmas Program. Holiday acoustic music with refreshments. 2–4 p.m., Ainsworth Opera House, 284 N. Railroad St., Ainsworth. (319) 653-6250. By donation.
Sunday, December 15 • The Plot to Overthrow Christmas. A comedic staged reading accompanied by a children’s dance and a sung performance of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” presented by Reading Railroad Theater. 2 p.m., Morning Star Studio, Fairfield. (641) 472-4287.