12 Days of Christmas in Marion County, Iowa

By: Nora Noonan

Cue Mariah Carey. It's tiiiiiimmmmmme!

We all deserve a sentimental, camcorder-quality Christmas. The kind where you're sipping hot chocolate while watching the snow fall, driving around looking at Christmas lights, buying one too many pastries, and making memories with your favorite people.

And guess what? You don't need a plane ticket or a big-city budget to make it happen.

Consider this your 12 Days of Christmas guide to Marion County, from yours truly. We're talking winter adventures, local shopping, holiday treats, and all the small-town magic that makes Christmas feel like it did in the '90s. Less scrolling, more living. I'm so here for it.

Day 1: One winter adventure at Lake Red Rock

I want a cabin stay, a porch covered in snow, and a hot chocolate in my hand. I mean, a Hallmark movie spinoff featuring you and your people? Sign me up.

Spend the day exploring Lake Red Rock, take a winter walk or snowshoe when conditions allow, and finish with a cozy night in. Want a little more adventure? Head downtown to shop local and explore.

Basically, I'm looking for everything that encompasses Christmas in the '90s. Is that too much to ask?

Day 2: Two holiday events for your calendar

Surrounded by your people, Christmas lights glowing, and Mariah Carey blaring in the background. Yup. We all need that.

• Merry-N-County Christmas Lights: Pile everyone into the car, bring the hot chocolate, and make an evening of admiring the lights.
• Pleasantville Tree Lighting: Enjoy a community tradition and a little small-town Christmas magic.

Check event schedules before heading out, then let the holiday playlist do its thing.

Day 3: Three small-shop experiences

Skip the generic gift card and give someone an experience instead.

1. Candle-making at Lakefront Living in Pleasantville: Get creative and make something you'll actually use.
2. A sourdough class at The Bread Board: For the friend whose entire personality is bread. Or the friend who wants it to be.
3. A floral arrangement class at Candi's Flowers: Make something beautiful while spending an afternoon together.

Three local experiences, three great gift ideas, and three excuses to support small businesses.

Day 4: Four sweet treats to pick up locally

Christmas calories don't count. I don't make the rules.

• Sweet Henry's in Pella: Grab a seasonal flavor.
• Kay's Cupcakes: One cupcake. Or a few. I'm not judging.
• Jaarsma or Vander Ploeg Bakery: Dutch pastries are practically a love language around here. Get the Dutch letter.
• Smoosh Pet Bakery and Spa: Because your furry friend deserves a Christmas treat, too!

Day 5: Five photo-worthy holiday spots

Charge your phone and grab your favorite people. We're making memories, even if half the pictures turn out blurry.

1. Downtown Pella: Charming streets and holiday storefronts.
2. Downtown Knoxville at night: Take in the lights and small-town atmosphere.
3. The Mile Long Bridge: A scenic drive across Lake Red Rock. Pro tip: Be the shotgun rider!
4. Merry-N-County Christmas Lights: Your holiday photo op, with bonus points for matching pajamas.
5. Pella's Tour of Homes: See spectacular homes dressed up for the season and get all the Christmas decorating inspiration.

Day 6: Six boutiques for holiday shopping

Shopping locally just hits differently at Christmas. The displays, the conversations, and finding a gift that's so perfectly them you can't believe you didn't think of it sooner.

1. Simple Hom in Pella: Christmas in one perfect storefront. Lights, trees, sparkle, and everything you need to get your home ready for the holidays.
2. Raiment in Knoxville: Boutique shopping without spending $60 on a sweater. We love a good deal.
3. Creative Inspriations in Pella: School-themed apparel and merch for the school-spirit person in your life.
4. Lakefront Living in Pleasantville: Home decor, knickknacks, clothing, and gifts. Again, it's too good.
5. Franklin St Clothing in Pella: There's something for everyone in here!
6. Ivory Soul in Knoxville: Perfect for spoiling the little ones in your life. So precious!

The mission? Find something thoughtful, shop small, and maybe grab one thing for yourself. It's called supporting small businesses. And self-care.

Day 7: Seven coffee shops to warm you up

A Christmas shopping day without a coffee stop is just running errands in a cute outfit.

1. Brew Coffee House: Add this local favorite to your coffee crawl.
2. Iris Coffee Company: Seasonal coffee flights that are an absolute dream.
3. Smokey Row Coffee: The pastries. That's it. That's the reason.
4. The Perk of Pella: A sweet little drive-thru for coffee on the go.
5. The Coffee Connection: A full drink menu and a convenient lunch-break stop.
6. Spire Drink Co.: Stylish enough to make you feel like you've stepped into New York instead of our sweet little town.
7. The Sanctuary of Pella: Coffee, books, and a boutique to browse. Cozy doesn't begin to cover it.
8. Latte-Licious Coffee Trailer: Okay, that's eight. Consider it a bonus. Support this growing local coffee trailer and start your day close to home!

Day 8: Eight unique places to stay in Marion County

Sometimes the best gift is a night away. No laundry, no errands, just a change of scenery and time with your favorite people.

1. Marion County Conservation cabins: Get outside and enjoy a stay near Lake Red Rock.
2. A downtown Pella Airbnb: Stay close to the shops, restaurants, and charming streets.
3. A downtown Knoxville Airbnb: Make a weekend of exploring Knoxville.
4. Winter camping in Knoxville: For the camper-loving adventurer. Check seasonal availability and conditions first!
5. The Amsterdam Hotel: Stay in Pella with Liberty Street Kitchen downstairs. One less reason to get back in the car? Sold.
6. Strawtown Inn in Pella: History, a recent renovation, and events that give you a reason to stay awhile.
7. Horns Ferry Hideaway: Stay right along the Des Moines river, with beautiful eagle-watching views! 
8. Geodesic Dome: A very unique glaming experience - but bundle up for this one! 

Choose your pace. Fill the weekend with adventures or spend most of it doing absolutely nothing. Both are excellent uses of a vacation day.

Day 9: Nine locally minded stocking stuffers

Stocking stuffers are where the fun begins. Small, thoughtful, and a whole lot better than another last-minute online order.

1. Dutch letters from Jaarsma or Vander Ploeg Bakery. Duh!
2. Cheese from Frisian Farms for the person who takes their cheese board seriously.
3. A bouquet from Thistles. Flowers are always a good idea.
4. A meaningful find from The Work of Our Hands. Not everything has to be locally made to be thoughtful.
5. A handmade mug from Ellie Makes Mugs at The Cottage Candle. Pair it with coffee or hot chocolate!
6. Local goods from Mint N More to support local farmers and producers.
7. Anything from Northcote Meats in Melcher-Dallas for the meat lover.
8. Beef sticks from Ulrich Meat Market. Practical? Yes. Appreciated? Also yes.
9. A locally made wooden gift: Think ornaments, cutting boards, or keepsakes from a local woodworker.

You're not just filling a stocking. You're supporting the people who make Marion County special.

Day 10: Ten stops for a winter weekend getaway

You have two days and a group chat that's been saying "we need to get together" since March. This is your sign.

1. Check in to a cabin, downtown rental, or cozy hotel.
2. Grab coffee from a local shop to kick off the day.
3. Explore downtown Pella and shop local.
4. Pick up a Dutch pastry from Jaarsma or Vander Ploeg. Nonnegotiable.
5. Head to Lake Red Rock for winter views and a walk when conditions allow.
6. Browse Lakefront Living in Pleasantville and look for a unique gift.
7. Explore downtown Knoxville and its local businesses.
8. Make dinner the main event at one of Marion County's local restaurants.
9. Find the holiday lights at Merry-N-County Christmas Lights or another seasonal event.
10. End the night with your people. Hot chocolate, board games, a Christmas movie, and absolutely no plans for the morning.

Ten stops, two days, and plenty of room for the best memories to happen in between.

Day 11: Eleven local restaurants to try

Cold weather calls for good food and a cozy place to linger. Lucky for us, Marion County delivers.

1. Checkerboard in Pleasantville: Best onion rings around. I said what I said.
2. Liberty Street Kitchen in Pella: An elevated dining experience for a special night out.
3. Butcher's Brewhuis in Pella: A three-level restaurant and bar with a deli worth checking out.
4. West Side Social: Interactive games, pickleball courts, and an arcade. Dinner just became an entire outing.
5. Main Street Markt in Pella: Sandwiches, soup, and cozy conversations beside the windows on a snowy day.
6. Nederlanders in Pella: Hot dogs, wings, appetizers, sports on the big screen, and golf simulators.
7. Halftime Bar & Grill in Knoxville: A must-try for burger fans, especially after its 2025 Iowa burger recognition.
8. Downtown Diner in Knoxville: Breakfast and lunch, without making things complicated.
9. One Eleven Public House in Knoxville: Unique bites when you want something beyond your usual dinner rotation.
10. The Bread Board in Pella: The smell of fresh bread gets me every time. Love bread as much as I do? This is your place.
11. De Kelder Speakeasy in Pella: Seasonal drinks, appetizers, and a moody downtown vibe. Perfect for date night.

Day 12: A dozen eagles spotted in a tree

That's it. That's what I want! 

Winter is a fantastic time to look for bald eagles around Lake Red Rock. Bring your binoculars or simply look up. You might spot one perched in a tree, soaring overhead, or keeping an eye on the water for its next meal.

Start around Howell Station, Fifield Recreation Area, or Cordova. Eagles can be spotted year-round, with numbers typically highest in late January and February.

And if you spot one with a fish in its talons? Congratulations. You've officially won winter in Marion County.

You can spend the morning shopping downtown, grab lunch at a local favorite, and finish the afternoon watching wildlife. It's a little adventure without a big production, and sometimes that's exactly what the holidays should be.

And a partridge in a pear treeeeee!

Twelve days, countless ways to make memories, and a whole lot of reasons to shop, eat, and explore Marion County.

Book the cabin. Buy the Dutch letter. Take the slightly blurry picture. Support the local businesses that make our communities special.

Here's to a Christmas that feels a little more like the '90s: less scrolling, more living, and Mariah Carey playing absolutely everywhere.

Merry Christmas from Marion County. Now go make some memories!