Newton Holiday Guide

Celebrate the Holidays in Newton

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Newton has many festive opportunities to fill up your winter calendar and hit up the local shops to create a truly magical season for you and yours.

• What To Do: Newton’s Lighted Holiday Festival is back on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. This year, the community is excited for the return of the lighted parade, along with the Jasper County Courthouse holiday lighting, visits with Santa, local vendors for shopping, carolers and hot cocoa! And from Saturday, Nov. 29 through Thursday, Jan. 1, find the magic at Maytag Park’s holiday lights walk-through experience. A brand new can’t-miss event weekend is Newton’s Holiday Hometown Hop planned for Dec. 12-13, 2025: local shopping, sparkling lights, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. This weekend also coincides with MercyOne Newton’s Jingle for a Cure 5k run/walk at Legacy Plaza. Even more special events include Photos with Santa at the Library, Free Holiday Movies at the Capitol II Theater and the Jasper County Historical Museum’s Tree-Mendous Christmas Experience.
• Where to Shop: Explore this list of businesses including the Newton Main Street District and Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce members. Be sure to shop small on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025! And mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 for the Winter Wonderland Market at DMACC Newton, where you’ll find unique gifts, handcrafted items, decorations and more!
• Special Holiday Moments: Don’t miss local talent at the Newton Community Theatre’s rendition of "Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas" with several performance dates during December. Additionally, the Newton Community Schools offer several options for winter choir and band concerts full of holiday classics and seasonal favorites.

Enjoy the Holidays Throughout Greater Des Moines

Shop, celebrate and support local this holiday season. Use DSM Local as your guide for all things holidays and enjoy the season in places near Newton, like Grinnell and Bondurant.