Kick off the holiday season in LeClaire, Iowa!
December 6-8, 2024
The holiday season is finally here and there’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than the 40th Annual Christmas in LeClaire, a three-day event full of shopping, fun, and activities for all ages! Downtown LeClaire, Iowa, comes alive with crafts, baked goods, and silent auctions throughout the city. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for your little ones to meet Santa Claus himself—and other favorite holiday characters—with our Strolling Santas!
Christmas in LeClaire Business Specials
Many businesses are open extended hours during Christmas in LeClaire weekend. Be sure to check out all the great holiday shopping specials throughout town during your visit!
Need a lift while you’re in town?
Our free trolley rides will help get you where you need to be! Catch a ride to see all the sites — decorated shops, ugly Christmas sweaters, and Strolling Santas!
The trolley runs on Saturday from 11 am-5 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm-4 pm. The stops include:
- Mindfire’s Parking Lot – 126 S. Cody Road
- Cody Mart – 1220 N. Cody Road
- Mississippi Cottage Antiques – 606 N. Cody Road
- Dwellings – 414 N. Cody Road
- Fareway Grocery Store – 1301 Eagle Ridge Road
Don we now our running apparel
Lace up your running shoes and throw on the most horrendous sweater you can find — the 9th Annual Ugly Sweater 5K and Kids’ Fun Run returns Saturday, December 7, starting at the LeClaire Civic Center! Whether you run, walk, or crawl, you won’t want to miss this exciting event for all ages beginning with the Half-Mile Kids Reindeer Dash Fun Run at 9:30 am, followed by the Ugly Sweater 5K at 10 am.
The 5K will be followed by post-race walking tacos, a live DJ, and an ugly sweater contest. Be sure to take advantage of the pull-tab deals on your race bib for drink specials at LeClaire businesses. Registration is $40 for the 5K and $25 for the kids’ fun run through December 7 — register by November 21 to receive our famous hoodie!
Starting November 22, you can register for $25 for the 5k; hoodie not included. If there are extra hoodies, they will be for sale during the packet pick-up on Friday night at the LeClaire Rec Center.
Let’s Light Up LeClaire!
The 3rd Annual Light Up LeClaire Parade will take place on Saturday, December 7 at 5:30 pm. Participants get to light up their cars, trucks, and even golf carts and UTVs for a chance to win the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place award! The parade will travel down Wisconsin Street from 15th Street to 3rd Street. Entry is free but you must be registered to participate. Join us for this festive event and help us celebrate the season!
Christmas in LeClaire Schedule of Events
Friday, December 6
10 am-8 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Crafts, silent auction, and baked goods
Grasshoppers Gatherings located at 208 N. Cody Road — Holiday Craft Show with 30 vendors
10 am-5 pm
Masonic Lodge located at 113 S. Cody Road — Cookie sale, lunch, and crafters
10 am-4 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Watch Master Carver Luke Travers create wooden shoes
Buffalo Bill Museum — Free admission for children, which includes a Children’s Christmas Scavenger Hunt throughout the museum and a Children’s Coloring Contest
11 am-8 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Santa’s Gift Shop where kids can use “Christmas in LeClaire Dollars” to shop for family and friends
5-7 pm
Strolling Santas and other holiday characters throughout the downtown
The Rec Center in LeClaire located at 429 N. 3rd Street — Ugly Sweater 5K Race Packet Pickup
5-8 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Entertainment by Balloon Artist Jason Hamilton
6 pm
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the south end of the Levee. Join us for music and a tree-lighting ceremony!
Saturday, December 7
8-10 am
Happy Joe’s — Breakfast with Santa sponsored by LeClaire Happy Joe’s with goody bags for attendees provided by Blackhawk Bank & Trust
9:30-10 am
LeClaire Civic Center Parking Lot — Reindeer Dash Kid’s ½ Mile Fun Run (ages 12 and under)
10 am-12 pm
LeClaire Civic Center Parking Lot — Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run
10 am-12 pm & 1-3 pm
Strolling Santas and other holiday characters throughout the downtown
10 am-2 pm
Masonic Lodge (2nd Floor) located at 113 S. Cody Road — Kid’s Craft Workshop
10 am-4 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Watch Master Carver Luke Travers create wooden shoes
10 am-4 pm
Buffalo Bill Museum — Free admission for children, which includes a Children’s Christmas Scavenger Hunt throughout the museum and a Children’s Coloring Contest
10 am-5 pm
Masonic Lodge located at 113 S. Cody Road — Cookie sale, lunch, and crafters
10 am-8 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Crafts, silent auction, and baked goods
Grasshoppers Gatherings located at 208 N. Cody Road — Holiday Craft Show with 30 vendors
11 am-4 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Santa’s Gift Shop where kids can use “Christmas in LeClaire Dollars” to shop for family and friends
11 am-5 pm
Free trolley rides with 5 designated stops throughout the downtown:
• Mindfire Parking Lot – 126 S. Cody Road
• Cody Mart – 1220 N. Cody Road
• Mississippi Cottage Antiques – 606 N. Cody Road
• Dwellings – 414 N. Cody Road
• Fareway Grocery Store – 1301 Eagle Ridge Road
1-3 pm
Photos with Santa on the Levee near the Freedom Rock
1-4 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Entertainment by Balloon Artist Jason Hamilton
5:30 pm
3rd Annual Light Up LeClaire Christmas Parade presented by LeClaire Parks & Rec (the parade will travel along Wisconsin Street)
Sunday, December 8
10 am-4 pm
Masonic Lodge located at 113 S. Cody Road — Crafters
12-3 pm
NEW – Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Originating on the LeClaire Riverfront near the pavilion
12-4 pm
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Crafts, baked goods, and silent auction (bidding closes at 2 pm)
Free trolley rides with 5 designated stops throughout the downtown:
• Mindfire Parking Lot – 126 S. Cody Road
• Cody Mart – 1220 N. Cody Road
• Mississippi Cottage Antiques – 606 N. Cody Road
• Dwellings – 414 N. Cody Road
• Fareway Grocery Store – 1301 Eagle Ridge Road
LeClaire Civic Center located at 127 S. Cody Road — Santa’s Gift Shop where kids can use “Christmas in LeClaire Dollars” to shop for family and friends
12-5 pm
Buffalo Bill Museum — Free admission for children, which includes a Children’s Christmas Scavenger Hunt throughout the museum and a Children’s Coloring Contest
Grasshoppers Gatherings located at 208 N. Cody Road — Holiday Craft Show with 30 vendors
1-3 pm
Strolling Santas and other holiday characters throughout the downtown
Need more info?
For event updates or more information, follow Christmas in LeClaire on Facebook or contact us!