Where to see the lights around Grimes at the holidays.

When is the Grimes Holiday Celebration in 2026?

The Grimes Area Chamber of Commerce lists this year's Holiday Celebration for Sunday, December 6, 2026, at Heritage Park (1055 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd.). The Chamber puts it on with Grimes Parks and Recreation, and it is free.

Santa and Mrs. Claus tour town on a Johnston-Grimes Municipal Fire Department truck first, then the walk-through has Santa and other characters, hot cocoa, trivia, holiday lights and music. Goodie bags are first come, first served, and you have to be there to get one. Bring the kids' letters for Santa.

Note the move: the 2025 celebration (Dec. 7) was at the Grimes Community Complex, and the 2026 listing says Heritage Park. The listing's description still mentions December 7, so we'd check the Chamber page the week of.

What else is on in Grimes in early December?

The day before, the Grimes Public Library (200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd.) holds its Gingerbread Jamboree, Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m. to noon: build a gingerbread house as a family, hot drinks by the fire, find the Elf on the Shelf, and browse the Giving Tree. No registration, and library programs are free. Kids in 5th grade and up get a Gingerbread Build at Early Out on December 2, and K to 4th graders decorate cookies at Early Out on December 16.

Want a farm Christmas instead? Living History Farms in Urbandale, about 10 to 15 minutes from Grimes, holds Family Christmas on Saturday, December 5, noon to 3 p.m.: crafts, carols, cookie decorating, a photo with Santa, and horse-drawn wagon rides if the weather allows. Tickets are $12 in advance or $13 at the door, under 2 free.

When does Jolly Holiday Lights open in 2026?

Jolly Holiday Lights runs every night from November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027, in the campgrounds at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines). It is a drive-through, so you stay in a warm car. From Grimes it is about a 35-minute drive across the metro.

Prices are before taxes and fees, one ticket per vehicle, and $1 from every ticket goes to Make-A-Wish Iowa. The organizer advertises a flash sale starting November 9 at 8 a.m., and it is open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Where can you see holiday lights indoors near Grimes?

Dome for the Holidays at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D. Ray Dr., about 25 minutes from Grimes) runs most nights from November 14 through January 2. Lights fill the tropical conservatory, with a gnome hunt and two holiday train displays. Tickets are $18 adults, $13 for ages 1 to 13, and free under 1. The garden says to buy ahead because it can't promise space at the door. Wednesday Family Nights (Nov. 18 and 25; Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 30, 5 to 8:30 p.m.) add glow games for kids 2 to 8 at no extra charge.

Is there a walk-through light show near Grimes?

Winter Wonderscape at Reiman Gardens in Ames lights 17 acres of outdoor gardens with more than 200,000 lights, about 50 minutes from Grimes. The 2026 nights are Nov. 27 and 29; Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 23, and 26 and 27, 5 to 9 p.m., with the last entry window 7:30 to 8. Tickets are timed and the gardens strongly encourage buying ahead, since walk-ups are not guaranteed.

Not posted yet: Santa's Rock n Lights, the drive-through that rented Living History Farms last season, had no 2026 Des Moines dates as of late October.

Holiday lights near Grimes: FAQ

Where can I see holiday lights near Grimes, Iowa?

In town, the Grimes Holiday Celebration at Heritage Park on Sunday, December 6, 2026 has lights, music and Santa. Nearby, Jolly Holiday Lights is a drive-through at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027), Dome for the Holidays is indoors at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Winter Wonderscape is a walk-through at Reiman Gardens in Ames.

When is the Grimes Holiday Celebration?

The Grimes Area Chamber of Commerce lists it for Sunday, December 6, 2026, at Heritage Park, 1055 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd. Santa's firetruck tour runs 3 to 5 p.m. and the walk-through celebration 5 to 7 p.m. It is free. Confirm on the Chamber's event page the week of.

How much is Jolly Holiday Lights?

$25 per car, $50 for a bus, limo or RV, or $65 for a season pass, plus taxes and fees. It is one ticket per vehicle, and $1 of each ticket goes to Make-A-Wish Iowa.

Do I need tickets ahead of time for Dome for the Holidays or Winter Wonderscape?

Both strongly encourage it. The Botanical Garden says door availability for Dome for the Holidays can't be guaranteed, and Reiman Gardens says walk-in admission to Winter Wonderscape is not guaranteed.