ia Season Preview

Now that we’ve stopped saving daylight, you have two basic options: Lean into winter or hibernate until spring. The team here at ia won’t judge — you do you — but we’ve taken the liberty to round up some of our favorite suggestions for whenever you're ready to get out of the house during the next few months. Iowa has so much to offer, even when we’re tilting away from the sun.

For the most part, the following list of performances, festivals and other events steers clear of Central Iowa. For activities in greater Des Moines, check out the dsm Season Preview we published a few weeks ago.

Stay warm — and keep in touch,
Michael Morain
Editor

America's national bird inspired an annual winter tradition along the Mississippi River. (Photo: Getty Images)

Arts & Culture

Muscatine music festival is for the birds

Birds of a feather and music fans flock together for the annual Eagles & Ivories Ragtime Fest set for Jan. 16-19 in Muscatine.

For 30 years now (just a few years longer than a typical bald eagle’s lifespan), this indoor-outdoor tradition has drawn loyal regulars and curious newcomers alike to a winter weekend of bird-watching events and ragtime concerts along the Mississippi River. And as the birds’ population has grown, so has the festival.

This year’s event offers a chance to watch birds from the Pearl City Station at Riverfront Park, with a few tips and presentations from local naturalists. Whenever you’re ready to warm up inside, you can heat up with a lineup of informal concerts and music-accompanied meals, including a kick-off cabaret, a soup supper at the local Methodist church, silent films accompanied by live music at the Muscatine Art Center, and a Sunday morning gospel service filled with ragtime and jazz. So go ahead: Shake those tail feathers!

More Arts & Culture

“Climate/Change,” through Jan. 5, Sioux City. In the current biennial show at the Sioux City Art Center, artists who live and work within 300 miles express their thoughts, hopes and fears about the changing climate through painting, sculpture, photography and other media.

“Louise Kames: I Don’t See Anything That’s Not Beautiful,” Nov. 30-April 6, Davenport. The Dubuque artist, Iowa Arts Council fellow and former Catholic nun continues her meditative, multimedia series about life, death and the beauty of natural decay in a new exhibition at the Figge Art Museum.

“Dear Evan Hansen,” Dec. 4-8, Sioux City, Ames and Iowa City. The national tour of the 2016 musical about a shy high school senior who struggles with social anxiety and a sudden whirlwind of social media visits the Orpheum (Dec. 4), Stephens Auditorium (Dec. 5) and Hancher Auditorium (Dec. 6-8).

“Hadestown,” Jan. 15-26, Davenport, Mason City and Iowa City. The Greek myth about a singer named Orpheus and the girl he tries to impress, Eurydice, gets a fresh retelling in the 2016 musical. The national tour visits the Adler Theatre (Jan. 15), North Iowa Community Auditorium (Jan. 16) and Hancher Auditorium (Jan. 24-26). It returns to Iowa in the spring with stops in Cedar Falls (April 4-5) and Des Moines (April 11-13).

Icestravaganza, Jan. 17-19, Davenport. Bundle up for the annual ice sculpture festival, where artists will carve sculptures inspired by this year’s theme: “Mystical Monsters Under the Sea.” The event also offers a farmers market, plenty of local food and beer, and a party on Saturday night.

“Close to Me: Portraits by Julie Blackmon, Rachel Cox, Heidi Draley McFall, Pao Houa Her, Areca Roe,” Jan. 23-May 18, Sioux City. In an era when everyone has a powerful smartphone camera in their pocket, this exhibition at the Sioux City Art Center showcases the work of professional art photographers, each with her own distinctive take on race, gender, family relationships and individual personalities.

Twyla Tharp Dance, Jan. 29, Iowa City. The company’s 60th anniversary tour visits Hancher Auditorium to reprise the pioneering choreographer’s “Diabelli,” which she set to Beethoven’s “Diabelli Variations” and premiered in 1999 on the original Hancher stage.

Block off some time to learn about the history of ice harvesting. (Photo: Cedar Falls Tourism)

Around Iowa

The art and science of ice in Cedar Falls

The Cedar Falls Ice Harvest Festival is back again this year after a brief pause in 2024. Hosted by the Cedar Falls Historical Society, the immersive event spotlights local history with activities, education and demonstrations Feb. 1 at Big Woods Lake. If the weather forecast looks too bleak, the festival’s backup date is Feb. 8.

Festivalgoers can see demonstrations of ice harvesting, ice fishing and blacksmithing, along with several interactive STEM activities. Food will be available, for a freewill donation, from Moment in Thyme. Check the historical society’s website as the date approaches for specific times for activities and demonstrations.

The festival also promotes the city’s historic Ice House Museum, which preserves the legacy of the once-essential ice industry. Ice harvesting was crucial before refrigeration and allowed people nationwide to store and transport food year-round. The round ice house was built in 1921 to house ice harvested from the Cedar River and was part of a network of ice houses used to keep food fresh during cross-country trade.

More Festivals

Art on the Prairie, Nov. 9-10, Perry. The annual festival includes art exhibitions, live music, poetry readings and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping.

Holiday Arts Festival, Nov. 9-10, Waterloo. See and shop a diverse showcase of original artwork and handmade gifts of photography, paintings, woodwork, glass, jewelry and ceramics and more at the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

Weihnachtsfest, Nov. 29, Manning. Celebrate German traditions in Old World style with a lighted parade, reindeer and horse-drawn carriage rides, plus some sweet activities like roasting marshmallows and decorating cookies.

Julefest, Nov. 29-30, Elk Horn and Kimballton. Nibble on Danish holiday treats and browse local shops for crafts, jewelry and antiques. Cultural landmarks and museums such as the Danish Windmill, Museum of Danish America and Bedstemor’s Hus will be decorated for the holidays and open for tours.

Kerstmarkt, Dec. 5-7 Pella. Explore a shopping experience inspired by outdoor markets in the Netherlands, with artisan vendors, Dutch foods and drinks, and live music. Head for Molengracht Plaza, in the middle of town.

Norwegian Christmas Celebration, Dec. 7, Decorah. At the Vesterheim museum, partake in Norwegian folk traditions like the Juletrefest, which involves singing and skipping in circles around a Christmas tree. You can also try your hand at traditional crafts and watch the Nordic Dancers and costumed Julebekker as they roam the museum to clear out any evil spirits.

Winter Solstice Market, Dec. 13-14, Winterset. The curated indoor market gathers 25 Iowa makers and shop owners in the historic Winterset Livery, where you’ll find vendors selling sweet treats, ceramics, candles, jewelry and other handmade items to stuff stockings.

Winterfest, Jan. 25, Amana. Embrace the cold with activities in and around the Market Barn, including various competitive events like a ham toss, wreath toss, best beard contest and the Freezer 5K fun run.

Color the Wind, Feb. 15, Clear Lake. Whales soar, pigs fly and other rainbow-colored kites in all shapes and enormous sizes glide above the frozen lake. The festival brings serious kite-flyers from across the country to dazzle spectators with skillful choreography and creative designs.

Across Iowa, winter farmers markets offer produce during the offseason. (Photo: Getty Images)

Food & Dining

Missing the farmers market? Here's your offseason fix.

When winter arrives, it’s hard to say goodbye to your favorite farmers market until spring. But fear not: Plenty of winter markets have their own appeal.

In Dubuque, for example, the annual Winter Farmers Market offers the lively feel of a farmers market that a traditional grocery store often lacks. Each Saturday morning from November through April, farmers and producers gather in the Kennedy Mall to sell their produce and chat with visitors. Since it started in 2007, the market has given folks a chance to escape the winter cold (and all those Hallmark movies at home on the couch), and warm up with coffee, hot chocolate and neighborly conversation.

More Food & Dining

Historic dinners at Living History Farms, Wednesday through Dec. 29, Urbandale. Take a trip back in time — and bring your appetite. During its offseason, the living history museum invites guests to gather around the table for a lamp-lit supper at the 1870s Tangen House or cozy 1900 Farm. Tickets are currently on sale for meals through the end of the year.

Bacontown, Nov. 9, Ottumwa. Bacon is prevalent in Ottumwa’s history, and the city shares its pork appreciation during Bacontown. Live entertainment sets the scene while visitors buy and try various bacon items.

Stromboli & Calzones Class, Nov. 16, Cedar Rapids. Tie on your favorite apron and become an Italian chef during “Culinary Class: Focaccia, Stromboli & Calzones, Oh My!” This culinary clinic teaches students to make classic Italian dishes with seasoned bread, sausage, cheese and more.

Eat, Drink and be Merry, Dec. 12-14, Cedar Falls. Play a weekendlong bingo game and see how many restaurants, bars and other hot spots you can visit. Pro tip: Start with an empty stomach.

Downtown Southend Food Tour, Dec. 28, Sioux City. The food tour takes visitors on a flavorful adventure to numerous local restaurants and breweries — a great way to cap off the year.

BrrrFest, Jan. 25, Coralville. Lean into the winter spirit and sample an ice-cold beer from 60-some brewers from the Midwest. They’ll offer unique beers for sampling and a souvenir glass to take home.

Nearly 50 people showed up for Iowa City's first Cranksgiving, in 2019. (Photo: Cranksgiving Iowa City)

Around Iowa

Bike for a good cause at Cranksgiving

Enjoy a bike ride for charity during Cranksgiving on Nov. 17 in Iowa City. During the event, bikers will race around town to gather specific food items for donation.

You can approach it two ways. Lean into the competition and try to clock the fastest time. Or take your sweet time and enjoy a blissful fall ride around the city. Either way, you can pitch in to support a good cause. Last year’s riders gathered more than 500 pounds, which was donated to local organizations that help folks in need.

Cranksgiving originated in New York City in 1999, started in Iowa City in 2019 and has become an annual tradition. If you want to join, all you need is a bike, helmet, lock and some money to buy food. Find all the details online.

More Outdoor Recreation

Winter Tubing, every Friday through Sunday, Sioux City. Cone Park’s 700-foot tubing hill offers an outdoor thrill with unlimited tube rides during three-hour sessions. Afterward, treat yourself to food in the lodge.

Early Morning Harvest open house, Nov. 9, Panora. Early Morning Harvest holds its annual open house with farm tours and food. The farm uses hydroponics and aquaponics to raise its crops, and anyone is welcome to learn first-hand how the operation works.

Atlantic’s Grand Lighting, Nov. 21, Atlantic. More than 2,000 lights will illuminate six blocks along Main Street with the flip of a switch. See the big moment, with Santa Claus and — and! — free hot dogs.

Skiing and Snowboarding, opening Nov. 29, Boone. Hit the hills this winter for skiing and snowboarding at Seven Oaks. Courses range in levels for beginners to experts, and you can enjoy a meal with a scenic view of the slopes.

First Day Hike, Jan. 1. Start off the new year with a hike in an Iowa state park, like Backbone State Park near Dundee or the Ledges near Boone. Find a park near you.

Triple D Winter Race, Jan. 18, Dubuque. Looking for a challenge? Dubuque’s Triple D Winter Race offers the ultimate biking adventure, with routes of 17, 35 or 70 miles.

Okoboji Winter Games, Jan. 23-26, Okoboji. Get ready to compete for glory in the University of Okoboji Winter Games. Events include flag football, softball, bags, a chili cook-off and more.

Sundown Mountain Resort just west of Dubuque celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. (Photo: Travel Dubuque)

Destinations

This winter, why not do Dubuque?

You can find winter fun all over Iowa, but consider the river town of Dubuque for a mix of culture, history, top-notch eateries and an award-winning museum.

STAY: Treat yourself to a stay at the Hotel Julien Dubuque. A $33 million renovation, completed in 2009 restored the lobby to its circa-1915 grandeur, including original marble floors, soaring arched windows and plush atrium seating. Equally important, enjoy all the modern conveniences in the guest rooms, including luxury linens, spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers, and elegant dark-wood furnishings with richly colored fabrics. This winter, the hotel is hosting a number of special events if you’re looking for some holiday spirit, including Christmas dinner and brunch, and a party on New Year’s Eve.

EAT: At Brazen Open Kitchen, chef-owner Kevin Scharpf’s ambitious cuisine is refreshingly uncomplicated yet boldly flavored. Seasonally focused dishes, such as beef short ribs with sweet potatoes or handmade pastas like mushroom bucatini and cacio e pepe, fit with the restaurant’s refined rustic decor of exposed brick and well-worn wood. The spot opens for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and offers brunch bright and early Sunday mornings until 1 p.m.

For something more casual, stop by 7 Hills Brewing Co. in the Millwork District for pizza, sandwiches, barbecue and craft beer.

DO: If you’d like to hit the ski slopes without a big trip out west, try Sundown Mountain Resort. Most of the 21 trail runs are easy to intermediate, and lessons are available, but a 475-foot drop challenges more advanced skiers and snowboarders, too. Unlike most resorts out west, Sundown Mountain keeps its slopes open after dark. Plus, you can count on plenty of powder since the resort makes its own snow.

If you visit in February, bundle up for the 2025 Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Festival outside the Dubuque Museum of Art. Participating artists from across the state converge to carve massive blocks of snow during the city’s annual competition. The artists compete for cash prizes, bragging rights and a chance to rep Iowa at the national competition.

For indoor fun, motor on over to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, where extensive exhibits show the history and wildlife of the legendary waterway. Check out the more eerie and lumbering fish species in the Mississippi River Main Channel exhibit as well as the snakes, toads, turtles and birds of the Backwater Marsh exhibit, plus learn about water conservation and habitat restoration efforts all along the river.

This article has been updated from its original version, written by Wini Moranville in 2019.