Uncover Pella’s Hidden Holiday Gems

Pella. Iowa. Inviting. Charming. Rustic. A fairy tale town with rich heritage and nostalgic ambiance. A magical town that embraces traditions and rings in the Christmas season and awakens all your senses. I invite you to stroll along and invite you to visit this town the Dutch way.

Central Park Illumination

The holiday season arrives in Central Park, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, as it becomes illuminated with a light tunnel, large lighted ornaments and a large Christmas tree, which are perfect picture opportunities for selfies or a family photo. Continue the evening with Tour of Stores where downtown windows become winter wonderlands and the season of shopping begins as stores kick off the season with extended hours! End the evening by sipping on hot chocolate while sitting under a cozy blanket on a horse drawn carriage ride listening to the klomp klomp of horses’ hooves against the rustic brick roads.

Pella Christmas Tour of Homes

Need some holiday inspiration? Then Pella’s 61st Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec. 5 – 7, 2024 is a perfect way to begin the holiday season! Each home is beautifully and uniquely decorated to represent each homeowner and their style. While each home is meticulously decorated, pay attention as the walls tell their own story too. This year’s theme is “Nostalgic Noel.” Think about those who built the home during a time when modern tools were not available or wonder where that door leads or if it is a laundry shoot from the top floor! Each home is unique, just like the homeowners themselves, and while each decoration has been perfectly placed, we thank them for opening their homes and letting us peek inside their lives and inspiring all those that walk thru their doors for a weekend.

 

Sinterklaas at Kerstmarkt

On Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Sinterklaas is coming to town! Embrace your inner childlike belief as he makes his way down the street in his boat and announces his arrival on the Tulip Toren. Or take your picture with him and receive a special treat at the Scholte Church or as he makes special appearances at Kerstmarkt, an outdoor Dutch Christmas market.

While strolling along the Molengracht canal browsing at all the local artisans and their fine work, Kerstmarkt makes it feel like you are in the Netherlands! While there could be a slight nip in the air, join friends and grab a Dutch delicacy and share life while sipping on mulled wine and listening to a Christmas performance with music filling the air. And if you’re a romantic, grab some hot chocolate and wrap yourself in a blanket while taking a horse-drawn carriage ride under the lights of downtown. While the weather is not predictable, if it starts to snow while on that carriage ride, you’ll feel like you are part of a very nostalgic movie, a picture-perfect moment in time! If you are looking for a way to learn more about our Dutch culture, sign up for a Staphorst Nailhead Class during the market, where you’ll learn this traditional form of Dutch art from a local expert and get to take home a custom wooden shoe created by you. There will also be story time and crafts for kids and a winter arrangement class available during the market. This year, Kerstmarkt is held on Dec. 5 – 7, 2024.

 

Other Pella Holiday Events

What else is there to do in Pella during the holiday season? Great question and we invite you to experience it all! While I suggest you look at our website visitpella.com to find all the activities, here are a few that you won’t want to miss:

• The Pella Opera House hosts their annual Festival of Trees where the Great Hall becomes a gorgeous Christmas scene with decorated trees, lights and wreaths and shop their Christmas Boutique with one-of-a-kind décor available for purchase. The Pella Opera House has something for everyone, from Merry & Martini’s for those older than 21 or Pajamas and Pancakes for the kiddos, watching Elf or enjoying a Jordan Smith Christmas concert as the historic stage is filled with his amazing voice. The Pella Opera House continues to preserve and operate a historical facility in a unique, intimate setting to provide quality arts and entertainment and invites you to experience all they have to offer!
• Look for the tallest working windmill in North America and find Pella Historical, while stepping into another world that connects old world charm with yuletide spirit. As the Village becomes a winter wonderland in December, the Scholte House Museum exudes Victorian Christmas charm. Enjoy a complimentary coffee time with a Saint Nick cookie and hot chocolate in the Village Dutch Bakery. After shopping their super cute gift shop, head out the doors to downtown shopping and listen for the Klokkenspel to ring in the hour or watch the Old-World charm come to life in a musical way as you watch eight figurines dance and share the story of people and moments of Pella’s history. Experience a Dutch “koffie tijd” at Maria’s Tea Room as you’ll hear the story of Maria Scholte, her precious pieces of Delft, and enjoy a taste of Pella with treats from the bakeries and meat markets!
• If attending one of Central College athletic events, be on the lookout for Big Red, Central College’s mascot that pays homage to Pella’s Dutch roots as the lion is featured in the royal coat of arms from the Netherlands. Walk on campus and across the bridge and you’ll find the red, iconic phone booth that invites all who walk pass to stop for a moment and smile and embrace what used to be as it brings a unique character to Central’s campus. You don’t have to be a music major to enjoy a concert during the holiday season. There’s the A Capella Choir or Christmas Candlelight concerts, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble or Flying Pans Steel Band and Percussion Ensemble that will raise the roof and have you tapping your foot in your seat!

Come and experience the nostalgic ambiance of this holiday season. From Tour of Homes and finding those perfect gifts while boutique shopping to horse drawn carriage rides and strolling along the Kerstmarkt path and finding your favorite local artisan, this town invites you to attend one of their many performances and encourages you to catch that holiday spirit as the town lights up the square and the lights are captured in the twinkle of your eyes!

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings.