Oskaloosa to Light Up Downtown With More Than 300,000 Christmas Lights November 21st

OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Downtown Oskaloosa is kicking off the holiday season on Saturday, November 21st, with the annual “Turn on the Lights!” celebration. The event will feature more than 300,000 colorful Christmas lights, family-friendly activities, and a visit from Santa Claus.

The event is free and starts at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Oskaloosa City Band. At 6 p.m., Oskaloosa’s Citizen of the Year, Linda Fox, will turn on the lights to brighten the buildings around the downtown square.

The lighting ceremony kicks off the city’s annual Painting with Lights holiday display.

Free Activities and Holiday Fun

Families can enjoy free cookies, hot cocoa, popcorn, and take pictures with Santa and friends.

Mahaska Drug is offering horse-drawn wagon rides around the square. The rides are free, but donations are appreciated to help keep the holiday lights shining.

Food trucks will be set up on the east side of the square from 5 to 8 p.m.

Raffle Features 20 Prizes

The annual Painting with Lights raffle will be held right after the lighting ceremony, and there are 20 prizes to win.

You can buy raffle tickets at Mahaska Drug and the Mahaska Chamber & Development Group until Tuesday, November 17th.

The money raised helps pay to put up and maintain the holiday lights.

Lights Shine Through January 10th

The Painting with Lights display will be on every night from 4:45 to 11 p.m., starting November 21st and running through January 10th, 2027.

Oskaloosa Main Street, which is part of the Mahaska Chamber & Development Group, organizes the event.

For more details about holiday activities, visit www.mahaskachamber.org/calendar or call 641-672-2591.