Council Bluffs will hold its 10th Annual Winterfest at Bayliss Park on Friday, November 21, 2025. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. and is organized to bring together families and community members for an evening of activities, live entertainment, and a holiday lighting ceremony. This year, food trucks and the Makers Market will open at 5 p.m., one hour earlier than previous years, to accommodate more visitors and provide additional shopping and dining options.
The lighting ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. Santa Claus and Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh will lead attendees in singing ‘Jingle Bells’ before the park is illuminated with over 60,000 lights. The City of Council Bluffs is hosting the event with support from local organizations, including The Council Bluffs Public Library, The Salvation Army, Union Pacific Museum, Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE), and the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce.
Winterfest will include activities for all ages. Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos or leave letters at the Letters to Santa station, which features a North Pole Mailbox. New attractions this year include face painting, balloon art, and holiday-themed photo cutouts to help reduce wait times. Families can also watch an outdoor screening of ‘Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Special’ and meet costumed characters, including a snowman and two mice…