𝑨 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒕 is set to return on Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2, 2023 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!
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FRIDAY
Event Schedule
December 1, 2023
Festival of Trees Display
10am-8pm at Rummells Center (127 W Main St)
Photo opportunity + free hot cider and cookies. Hosted by the Hoover Presidential Foundation.
Silent Auction "For the Ages"
10am-8pm at Rummells Center (127 W Main St)
Proceeds benefit Main Street West Branch. View and bid online or in person. Bidding ends Sunday. View the auction and bid online here!
Something for My Sibling
11am-8pm at Izzy's Treasures (105 S Downey St)
Kids can "shop" donated gift items to select and wrap something special for a sibling or loved one. Reservations recommended but walk-ins welcome. Reserve a time here.
Eat, Shop & Explore Historic Main Street
Hours Vary throughout Downtown District
Our local businesses are ready to welcome you in for holiday shopping and cheer! Enjoy open houses and exteded hours.
Christmas in Yellowstone Documentary
3pm & 4pm at National Park Service – Visitor Center
As snow falls and Christmas lights glow in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a holiday season of a different sort settles over the great winter world of Yellowstone, America's first national park and one of the greatest expanses of unspoiled nature and wildlife anywhere on Earth. Breathtaking landscapes frame intimate scenes as Yellowstone's diverse animal residents make their way through the most challenging season of the year when nature's inhospitality is matched only by its serenity. From the unique crystals of individual snowflakes to the grand sweep of Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, this is a Christmas like no other. Please join us for this 52-minute PBS Nature documentary in the park theater.
Opening Ceremony
5:00pm, Village Green Park
Gather around for the official kickoff of A Christmas Past 2023! Enjoy carolers, brief remarks and the anticipated arrival of Santa.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides *Sold Out*
5-8pm, Load at Wapsi Creek Park
Reservations are required in advance - Reservation site will open at Noon on Nov 10th. Reserve a time here.
Free Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
5-8pm, Load by Mural at 2nd St & Main St
Clip clop your way through our historic Main Street with a free horse-drawn wagon ride for the whole family. First come, first served - lines are expected.
Homemade Donuts by the Boy Scouts
5-8pm, in front of 223 Vintage Co (behind the Fire Station)
Homemade donuts fired over an open fire by local boy scouts. Free-will donations are appreciated.
Brick Ovens & Marshmallow Roasting
5-8pm, Main St and Downey St Intersection
Roast your own marshmallow and enjoy free hot cocoa! Hosted by the West Branch Lions Club.
Bon Fires & Hot Dog Roasting
5-8pm, Fire Station
Roast your own hot dogs over a toasty fire thanks to our volunteer fire fighters!
Gibson Family Train Display
5-8pm in the Fire Station
The Gibson family returns to present their festive 144-square foot Lionel train collection! Stop by to see the trains in action and enjoy free cookies.
Photos with Santa & Mrs Claus
5-7:30pm in Town Hall (115 N 1st St)
Enter the front (South) entrance. Take your own photos, elves will be on hand to assist if needed. Free-will donations appreciated. Doors close at 7:30pm, everyone in line at that time will see Santa.
Winter Holiday Arts & Crafts
5-8:30pm, National Park Service – Visitor Center
A variety of holiday craft projects will be available for all ages in the park visitor center. Park staff and volunteers will provide materials and instructions for these fun take home projects.
WBCSD Choir Holiday Music
5:30-9:00pm, National Park Service – Downey & Penn Streets (by the Birthplace Cottage) & Visitor Center
Listen to holiday music as the West Branch Community School District fine arts students perform. Vocal music students will perform on the hour, band students will perform on the half hour.
Blacksmithing Demonstrations
5:30 – 8:30pm, National Park – Jesse Hoover Blacksmith Shop
Stop by the park’s blacksmith shop for living history demonstration that describes the role that blacksmiths played in the late-1800s and how Jesse Hoover's business supported his family as well as the community.
Bell Choir Concert
7:00 PM, WB Friends Church, 116 Downey St.
Enjoy holiday bells in person or on zoom.
Herbert Hoover and Christmas Ranger Program
7:00 PM, National Park Service – Friends Meeting House
Christmas was very important to Herbert Hoover, and he celebrated the holiday many ways during his long life. Join us for a ranger talk about Hoover and Christmas, from the simple holiday celebrations of his Quaker youth to his globetrotting years as a mining engineer in many lands, to his years in the White House and a memorable Christmas Eve fire in 1929. In the last 20 years of his life, Hoover celebrated Christmas with elaborate decorations, gatherings, and gift giving from his suite in the Waldorf Towers. Based on the recollections of family and friends, and Hoover’s own writings, this talk will open a window into the private life of a president and his family, as they celebrated a favorite holiday.
Holiday Supper Club
7:00 PM, The Lively, 3 Ember Ln
A festive feast prepared by Chef Chris complete with live holiday music and elegant photo opportunities. Reservations required in advance.
SATURDAY
Event Schedule
December 2, 2023
Candy Sale
8am-Noon, United Methodist Church (203 Downey St)
Proceeds support West Branch United Methodist Church.
Free Community Breakfast
10am - Noon, Friends Church (116 N. Downey St)
All are welcome to join for food and fellowship.
Cookie Walk
9-10:30am, Bethany Lutheran Church (235 S 2nd St)
Proceeds support Bethany Lutheran Church.
Bake Sale
9-Noon & 4-8pm, Springdale Insurance (101 N Downey St)
Proceeds support Springdale United Methodist Church.
Something for My Sibling
9am-8pm at Izzy's Treasures (105 S Downey St)
Kids can "shop" donated gift items to select and wrap something special for a sibling or loved one. Reservations recommended but walk-ins welcome. Reserve a time here.
Festival of Trees Display
10am-8pm at Rummells Center (127 W Main St)
Photo opportunity + free hot cider and cookies. Hosted by the Hoover Presidential Foundation.
Silent Auction "For the Ages"
10am-8pm at Rummells Center (127 W Main St)
Proceeds benefit Main Street West Branch. View and bid online or in person. Bidding ends Sunday. View the auction and bid online here!
Eat, Shop & Explore Historic Main Street
Hours Vary throughout Downtown District
Our local businesses are ready to welcome you in for holiday shopping and cheer! Enjoy open houses and exteded hours.
Indoor Farmer's Market
10-Noon, Rummells Center (127 W Main St) Lower Level
Wreath Workshop (Tickets Required)
11:00 AM, Little Lights on the Lane (2 Ember Lane)
Ticket required and includes everything needed to create a live wreath at the workshop! Reserve a spot here.
Pie Making with Chef Chris (Tickets Required)
Noon at Little Lights on the Lane (2 Ember Lane)
Ticket required and includes everything needed bake a pie in the wood fired oven with Chef Chris Grebner & take one home! Reserve a spot here.
Christmas Dance Cardio (Tickets Required)
2:00 PM at Little Lights on the Lane (2 Ember Lane)
Reserve a spot here.
Christmas in Yellowstone Documentary
3pm & 4pm at National Park Service – Visitor Center
As snow falls and Christmas lights glow in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a holiday season of a different sort settles over the great winter world of Yellowstone, America's first national park and one of the greatest expanses of unspoiled nature and wildlife anywhere on Earth. Breathtaking landscapes frame intimate scenes as Yellowstone's diverse animal residents make their way through the most challenging season of the year when nature's inhospitality is matched only by its serenity. From the unique crystals of individual snowflakes to the grand sweep of Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, this is a Christmas like no other. Please join us for this 52-minute PBS Nature documentary in the park theater.
Storytime with Ms. Becky
3:00pm, Rummells Center 127 W Main St
Gather around the fireplace and enjoy holiday stories that correlate with the #StorybookXmas Festival of Trees.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides (Reservation Required)
4-8pm, Load at Wapsi Creek Park
Reservations are required in advance - Reservation site will open at Noon on Nov 10th. Reserve a time here.
Free Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
4-8pm, Load by Mural at 2nd St & Main St
Clip clop your way through our historic Main Street with a free horse-drawn wagon ride for the whole family. First come, first served - lines are expected.
Homemade Donuts by the Boy Scouts
4-8pm, in front of 223 Vintage Co (behind the Fire Station)
Homemade donuts fired over an open fire by local boy scouts. Free-will donations are appreciated.
Brick Ovens & Marshmallow Roasting
4-8pm, Main St and Downey St Intersection
Roast your own marshmallow and enjoy free hot cocoa! Hosted by the West Branch Lions Club.
Bon Fires & Hot Dog Roasting
4-8pm, Fire Station
Roast your own hot dogs over a toasty fire thanks to our volunteer fire fighters!
Gibson Family Train Display
4-8pm in the Fire Station
The Gibson family returns to present their festive 144-square foot Lionel train collection! Stop by to see the trains in action and enjoy free cookies.
Photos with Santa & Mrs Claus
4-7:30pm in Town Hall (115 N 1st St)
Enter the front (South) entrance. Take your own photos, elves will be on hand to assist if needed. Free-will donations appreciated. Doors close at 7:30pm, everyone in line at that time will see Santa.
Kids' Cookie Kits
4-6:30pm in Town Hall (115 N 1st St)
(While supplies last) Kids can pick-up a cookie decorating kit to enjoy at home after they see Santa. If you are not visiting Santa you may pick-up a cookie kit at the West entrance. Donated by West Branch Kiwanis Club.
Soup & Stroll at Little Lights
4-7:30pm, Little Lights on the Lane (2 Ember Ln)
Enjoy warm soups and treats, find a cozy spot and enjoy a seasonal cocktail or snap some photos in the beautiful decorated venue.
Winter Holiday Arts & Crafts
5-8:30pm, National Park Service – Visitor Center
A variety of holiday craft projects will be available for all ages in the park visitor center. Park staff and volunteers will provide materials and instructions for these fun take home projects.
Live Music at the Art Gallery
5-8:00pm, Hoover Fine Arts
Enjoy live music by The Big Begonias featured WB locals George Spielbauer and Abby Kouri, then
Annual Soup Supper & Live Nativity
5:00-7:00pm, United Methodist Church (203 Downey St)
West Branch UMC will be serving Chili, Chicken Noodle, Potato, Ham and Bean and Vegetable Beef Soup along with fresh bread, crackers, relish and desserts. Free Will Offering.
WBCSD Choir Holiday Music
5:30-9:00pm, National Park Service – Downey & Penn Streets (by the Birthplace Cottage) & Visitor Center
Listen to holiday music as the West Branch Community School District fine arts students perform. Vocal music students will perform on the hour, band students will perform on the half hour.
Blacksmithing Demonstrations
5:30 – 8:30pm, National Park – Jesse Hoover Blacksmith Shop
Stop by the park’s blacksmith shop for living history demonstration that describes the role that blacksmiths played in the late-1800s and how Jesse Hoover's business supported his family as well as the community.
Herbert Hoover and Christmas Ranger Program
7:00 PM, National Park Service – Friends Meeting House
Christmas was very important to Herbert Hoover, and he celebrated the holiday many ways during his long life. Join us for a ranger talk about Hoover and Christmas, from the simple holiday celebrations of his Quaker youth to his globetrotting years as a mining engineer in many lands, to his years in the White House and a memorable Christmas Eve fire in 1929. In the last 20 years of his life, Hoover celebrated Christmas with elaborate decorations, gatherings, and gift giving from his suite in the Waldorf Towers. Based on the recollections of family and friends, and Hoover’s own writings, this talk will open a window into the private life of a president and his family, as they celebrated a favorite holiday.
Candlelit Concert
7:30 PM, Little Lights on the Lane (2 Ember Lane)
Come enjoy a cozy candlelit concert and sing some holiday carols! Free to the public, all ages welcome.