Holiday Lights 19th Season Opens November 22

Posted: November 16, 2023 at 12:52 pm

Helping Services for Youth & Families is happy to announce the opening of the 19th annual Holiday Lights event, held at Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah. Holiday Lights is an annual fundraiser for Helping Services for Youth & Families, a nonprofit organization with programs that promote healthier and safer families throughout Northeast Iowa.

Thanks to the help of volunteers and sponsors, Holiday Lights will be ready for the opening Walk-through Night on Wednesday, November 22nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is the only night visitors will be able to walk-through to see the lighted displays up close. Parking will be available at the soccer fields on Pulpit Rock Rd with shuttle buses provided by EARL Public Transit to transport visitors into Holiday Lights, or at the Twins Springs side of the campground that connects by a footbridge. Visitors are invited to stroll through the lighted displays and enjoy donated soups, cookies, and hot chocolate while supplies last. There will be a live Nativity hosted by St. Benedict’s Parish, carols performed by local choirs, complimentary photos taken with Santa, and “Pokey Pete” train rides for children (weather permitting).

The Holiday Lights drive-through event begins Thanksgiving and is open nightly, 5:00 to 9:00 pm until Christmas night. Santa will be at Holiday Lights every Friday through Sunday from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. leading up to Christmas. Santa’s last night will be Sunday, Dec. 17th. Returning this year is the fireworks show on Tuesday, December 12th, starting at 6:30 p.m. over downtown Decorah. All guests are welcome to enjoy the show in the Decorah High School football stadium.

A free-will donation will be collected as you enter the gates of Holiday Lights. All donations benefit Helping Services for Youth & Families. For the complete schedule and list of sponsors, please visit www.helpingservices.org/holidaylights.