Council Bluffs comes alive during the holiday season — community events, neighborhood light drives, downtown celebrations, and residential displays that make the city glow. Here's your guide to the 2026 holiday season in CB, plus how to make your home part of the celebration.
Community Events and Traditions
Note: Dates are approximate based on annual traditions. Check local listings for confirmed 2026 schedules.
Tree Lighting Ceremony: Downtown Council Bluffs hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony, typically in late November. Live music, hot cocoa, and community.
Holiday Parade: The annual holiday parade brings floats, marching bands, and community organizations through downtown.
Holiday Markets: Local craft and holiday markets pop up throughout the season at various venues.
Neighborhood Light Drives: Several CB neighborhoods organize informal light drive routes. Check Nextdoor and local Facebook groups for neighborhood-specific routes.
Making Your Home Part of the Celebration
The homes that stand out during Council Bluffs' holiday season share common traits:
- Professional-quality lighting — clean, even, consistent
- Early installation — lights up by Thanksgiving
- Warm, welcoming aesthetic — warm white roofline with tasteful accents
- Reliability — lights on every night, no dark sections
Whether you choose professional seasonal installation or permanent smart lighting, a well-lit home contributes to the community's holiday spirit.
See what permanent lighting looks like on your home
Free custom design. One firm price. No pressure.
Council Bluffs Lighting Services
Heartland Holiday Lights is locally owned and operated right here in Council Bluffs. We install permanent smart lighting in every neighborhood:
Permanent Smart Lighting: $3,000-$8,000 for most CB homes, one-time. Warm white every night, red and green for December, Hawkeye or Husker colors on Saturday, all from your phone. See what it costs by neighborhood.
We used to hang seasonal lights too. We don't anymore, and we're happy to explain why.
We live here. We work here. Our reputation in this community is everything to us.
Make your CB home shine this season, and every season after. Call (712) 227-5566.
Frequently Asked Questions
The areas around Broadway, Madison Avenue, and the historic neighborhoods typically have strong displays. The newer developments south and east of town are increasingly impressive as well.
Start a Nextdoor post or neighborhood Facebook group. Suggest a decorating timeline and a drive route. It usually takes just one motivated person to get a block participating.
We'd love to. Contact us about sponsoring or supporting community holiday events in Council Bluffs.
Written by Trey, Owner — Heartland Holiday Lights
Trey is a Council Bluffs local and hands-on installer who designs and installs every permanent smart-lighting system Heartland Holiday Lights puts on homes across Western Iowa and the Omaha metro. When he writes about rooflines, channel, and controllers, it's because he's on the roof doing the work.
See what permanent lighting looks like on your home
Free custom design. One firm price. No pressure.