Written by Stephanie Frias from Family Travel Nomads
Come early December, we’re all on the prowl for the best Christmas events in the Midwest. And Iowa’s favorite Dutch town is quite the “Secret Santa” of holiday destinations. Tucked into the scenic countryside of Central Iowa, you’ll find Pella, a twinkling historic downtown dripping with nostalgia.
Quaint, boutique shops are laced together between majestic windmills and delicate touches of the Netherlands. And it glows through the eyes of the residents, too, many of whom tout ties to the original 800 Dutchmen who settled this area 177 years ago.
Each generation inspired by the last, today’s community thrives on keeping their European heritage alive with an ever-growing holiday scene. The smalltown Christmas vibe carries on throughout the season, but the dates not to miss circle around the first weekend in December.
The extra poignant holiday memories of an Iowa Christmas are those stuffed with Hallmark movie moments. Add these special holiday events in Pella worthy of a stamp on your holiday bucketlist calendar:
Inspired by the traditional outdoor European Christmas markets, Pella’s Kerstmarkt features a charming row of wooden booths along the Molengracht canal. Each cabin showcases a different artisan vendor, creating a charming boutique shopping experience with an extraordinary emphasis on supporting local businesses.
You’re sure to find the perfect gifts and a snack or two as you follow your nose through the ribbons of scent wafting through the streets. It’s impossible to resist a basket of fried Gouda or a cone of cinnamon roasted pecans, and don’t forget to look for the hot cocoa poffertjes!
Pella’s Kerstmarkt takes place Thursday through Saturday the first full weekend in December in the Molengracht Plaza.
For a mix of tradition and modern art, dip into the Pella Opera House and make your way through a gallery of towering Christmas trees. This twinkling, bustling atmosphere is an annual charity event presenting dozens of decorated Christmas trees up for auction.
Entrance to the festival is free with special treats for the kids and bidding is not required to visit.
But if you’d like to bid, you can do so through the silent auction. All proceeds benefit youth programming at the Pella Opera House. Alternately, you can support the cause through purchases made at the onsite Christmas Boutique.
Pella’s Festival of Trees at the Pella Opera House is an annual event that opens the weekend prior to Thanksgiving and completes at the end of the first weekend in December.
Jingle your way to Franklin Street on Saturday morning, the first weekend in December, to welcome Sinterklass arriving in Pella on a boat float. Don your Christmas sweaters or costumes and prepare to be enchanted by locals dressed in Dutch clothing dancing through the streets.
Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus and in their Christmas tradition he arrives at childrens’ homes via the canals circling the townships. In Pella, Sinterklaas starts his journey at the Scholte Church trickling downtown to the Tulip Toren on the town square.
Following the parade, children giggle and pace, eagerly awaiting his return to the Scholte Church. Each has a Christmas wish or two they’d like to whisper in the ear of Sinterklaas before dashing through the streets with their bag of holiday treats!
The intimate charms of a family Christmas await under the eaves of select homes throughout Pella, inviting onlookers to take a peek beyond the window sills. Each year, several locals volunteer their time and abodes to deck the halls for all to enjoy.
To visit the featured homes, visitors can purchase a ticket to the Christmas Tour of Homes which grants entrance to the participating addresses. No residence is repeated year after year, offering a very unique experience from one Christmas to the next.
In 2024, there were four homes on the list, including the Galligan Home known as Martha’s Cottage and Opa’s Barn, a woodworker’s ode to Christmas, located just north of Lake Red Rock.
If it isn’t already clear, Pella is one of the best places to be for Christmas in Iowa. The Kerstmarkt, Festival of Trees, and Christmas Tour of Homes all belong on a Midwest Christmas Bucket List. Incredibly, there’s still more to check everything off the Pella Christmas must-dos!
The holiday traditions continue with heritage experiences sprinkled throughout the season, including unique holiday crafting classes, iconic old-fashioned happenings, and even something for the winter gardeners!
Wooden Dutch shoes are symbolic of Dutch culture and there’s no better way to commemorate a visit to Pella than to return home with your own. Perhaps even better than buying a pair from one of the local gift shops, is taking a class during Kerstmarkt with Visit Pella to paint your own.
Staphorst Nailhead Painting is a style of stamping unique to a specific region of the Netherlands. It’s represented by colorful dots painted in patterns on their clothing, shoes, and other fabrics or materials. The dots are created by dipping the heads of nails into paint and pressing them onto the item.
When you take a Staphorst Nailhead Painting class in Pella, you learn how to apply the technique to a tiny wooden shoe. Once completed, you can choose to donate it to the gift shop or take your masterpiece home.
When you hear a jingle and a clomp echoing through the streets, stop to pause for a scene quite rare in America these days. It’s a horse-drawn carriage toting snuggling couples, caroling friends, and chattering families all through the town.
If you’d like to hop on for a jolly little ride, head to the Information Windmill in the townsquare to get your tickets! Just like the good ole days, bring a pocket full of cash for this experience and to purchase hot cocoa for sipping while you wait in line.
This post was published on the Visit Pella blog on March 3, 2025.
