A Christmas Past | Main Street West Branch

Friday & Saturday, December 5-6, 2025

𝑨 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒕 is set to return on Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6, 2025 in historic West Branch, Iowa (just 6 miles from Iowa City down I-80). Join us for West Branch’s traditional holiday festival featuring timeless activities throughout Main Street and beyond including horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, photos with Santa, train display, festival of trees, silent auction, treats around the fire and more!

Note: Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride Reservations will open below at 10:00am on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Click to See the Full 2025 Schedule

Volunteer to Help

Featured Activities

View & Bid Online!

Silent Auction For the Ages

View and bid on a collection of gift baskets, unique experiences and local services! Auction is open Sat. Nov 19th - Sunday Dec 7th.
Proceeds support Main Street West Branch and help fund the free activities during A Christmas Past.

View & Bid Here

Reserve a Time!

Something For My Sibling

Help your kids experience the JOY of giving! Reserve a time for your child(ren) to pick out and wrap a FREE gift for a sibling (or loved one) during A Christmas Past. Hosted by Izzy's Treasures.

Reserve a Time

Gingerbread House Contest

Join the West Branch PTO’s first annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest—enter your creation and see (and vote for) the displays during Christmas Past Weekend. $5 Entry fee. All ages welcome! Full rules.

Snowball Sprint 2K Run/Walk

Join the 2nd Annual Snowball Sprint at Cubby Park! Festive holiday attire encouraged! Register by Nov 19th to get the official Snowball Sprint Sweatshirt. Open to all ages and abilities!

Reservations Required!

Private Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Skip the line and enjoy a magical horse-drawn carriage ride through historic West Branch with just your loved ones (Seats 4-6 adults, no more than 8 people max if some are small kids). $40 reservation fee, get $10 back in Downtown Dollars.

SOLD OUT

Chili Cook-Off at The Black Rose

NEW this year! Sign up to compete and show off your own chili recipe! Guests will get to taste each entry and vote for the winner of the Golden Ladle! $5 entry fee per chili. Sampling fee TBD.

Email to Enter

Click to See the Full 2025 Schedule

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THANK YOU

to our generous sponsors:

Sponsorship Opportunities

This event attracts over 4,000 people to eat, shop and explore in West Branch and offers a unique opportunity for community and corporate partners to engage with the pubic in meaningful ways. 2025-2026 Sponsor Opportunities are now available.

Sponsor Options