Christmas In the Park & Peppermint Walk
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Marion’s Christmas in the Park & Peppermint Walk returns Friday, Dec. 5, from 4–8 p.m., bringing festive traditions – and several exciting new features – to Uptown Marion.. With the completion of the Central Plaza and the debut of Marion’s new Ice Loop, this year’s event will take place on 7th Avenue between 10th St and 12th St, and in City Square Park. The road will be closed to traffic from 2 – 9 p.m.
One of the biggest changes is the opportunity to schedule a time to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 4-5 p.m. inside the newly refurbished Depot. Reserved times will be available for sign-up beginning Friday, Nov. 28, at noon, offering a more predictable way for families to begin their holiday celebration. Regular Santa visits on a first-come, first-served basis will resume from 5:30-8 p.m. New for 2025, families will experience a festive twist with Operation Santa Rescue. After Santa steps away from his first visit hour, a playful surprise will unfold as the Marion Fire Department rescues Santa from the library roof and returns him to safety. Parents are invited to share in the fun - and help keep the surprise under wraps for the kids. |
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Schedule of Events
Reserved Santa Visits | 4 - 5 p.m. NEW! Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in The Depot during this special scheduled sign-up time. Sign up opens Friday, November 28 at Noon. Sign ups are full. Santa will resume visits at 5:30 p.m. following Operation Santa Rescue for those waiting in line.
Operation Santa Rescue | ~5:10 p.m. Psst….parents, consider yourselves honorary elves—help us keep the surprise under wraps as Santa is rescued from the library roof during this Very Marion Operation Santa Rescue!
Visit Santa | 5:30 – 8 p.m. Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus will resume in the Depot for those waiting in line.
Letters to Santa | Nov. 29 – Dec. 24 - Drop off your letter in Santa’s mailbox next to the tree. Letters with a return address dropped by December 17 will receive a response from Santa.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides | 4 – 8 p.m. Create a special memory by taking a horse-drawn ride around Uptown Marion. 7th Avenue on the north of City Square Park. Freewill donation of $5 per person encouraged.
Caroling | 4:30 p.m. Enjoy caroling by students from Montessori School of Marion in the North Plaza.
Adorable Princess Visit | 5 – 7 p.m. Visit the princesses in person and pose for a photo.
Caroling | 5:30 p.m. Join the Heart of Marion Community Choir for a sing-a-long in the North Plaza and look for the Trinity Presbyterian Carolers throughout City Square Park.
Peace Tree Lighting | 6 p.m. Join us for lighting of Marion’s Peace Tree in City Square Park.
Ice Skating Demonstration | 6:15 p.m. Following the tree lighting stay for an ice skating demonstration by the Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club.
Open Skate | 6:45 - 10 p.m. Ice Loop
Library | 4 – 8 p.m. Grab your family and friends and kick off the holiday season with the Marion Public Library during this year’s Peppermint Walk! The library’s main level will be open until 8 p.m. with a festive, take-home craft available while supplies last.
Family Fun Activities | 4 – 8 p.m. Enjoy traditional event activities including holiday music, popcorn from El Kahir Shrine. Look for all our festive photo ops throughout the event for the perfect picture! Join the food drive for MISD Holiday Giving Project. Donations can be dropped at the Chamber office.
Arctic Alley | 4 – 8 p.m. Step into this winter wonderland at the Uptown Artway! More than 40,000 lights transform the artway into a frosty fairytale – where every sparkle feels like a snowflake’s kiss. Wander through the glittering tunnels, sparkling waterfalls, and radiant displays. Enjoy a complimentary cup of hot cocoa (while supplies last) as you take in the wonder and beauty of the season. Hot chocolate compliments of Antioch Christian Church.
Peppermint Walk | 4 – 8 p.m. Visit over 40 participating Uptown Marion merchants, restaurants and businesses during this special holiday open house. Stores will be decked with holiday lights, decorations and music making this a great compliment to the event activities. Present a receipt from a purchase made during the event at any Uptown Marion business and be registered to win a $50 Uptown Dollars certificate valid at participating Uptown businesses. Receipts can be presented at the Marion Chamber & Uptown Marion office, 1070 7th Avenue.
Reserved Santa Visits | 4 - 5 p.m. NEW! Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in The Depot during this special scheduled sign-up time. Sign up opens Friday, November 28 at Noon. Sign ups are full. Santa will resume visits at 5:30 p.m. following Operation Santa Rescue for those waiting in line.
Operation Santa Rescue | ~5:10 p.m. Psst….parents, consider yourselves honorary elves—help us keep the surprise under wraps as Santa is rescued from the library roof during this Very Marion Operation Santa Rescue!
Visit Santa | 5:30 – 8 p.m. Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus will resume in the Depot for those waiting in line.
Letters to Santa | Nov. 29 – Dec. 24 - Drop off your letter in Santa’s mailbox next to the tree. Letters with a return address dropped by December 17 will receive a response from Santa.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides | 4 – 8 p.m. Create a special memory by taking a horse-drawn ride around Uptown Marion. 7th Avenue on the north of City Square Park. Freewill donation of $5 per person encouraged.
Caroling | 4:30 p.m. Enjoy caroling by students from Montessori School of Marion in the North Plaza.
Adorable Princess Visit | 5 – 7 p.m. Visit the princesses in person and pose for a photo.
Caroling | 5:30 p.m. Join the Heart of Marion Community Choir for a sing-a-long in the North Plaza and look for the Trinity Presbyterian Carolers throughout City Square Park.
Peace Tree Lighting | 6 p.m. Join us for lighting of Marion’s Peace Tree in City Square Park.
Ice Skating Demonstration | 6:15 p.m. Following the tree lighting stay for an ice skating demonstration by the Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club.
Open Skate | 6:45 - 10 p.m. Ice Loop
Library | 4 – 8 p.m. Grab your family and friends and kick off the holiday season with the Marion Public Library during this year’s Peppermint Walk! The library’s main level will be open until 8 p.m. with a festive, take-home craft available while supplies last.
Family Fun Activities | 4 – 8 p.m. Enjoy traditional event activities including holiday music, popcorn from El Kahir Shrine. Look for all our festive photo ops throughout the event for the perfect picture! Join the food drive for MISD Holiday Giving Project. Donations can be dropped at the Chamber office.
Arctic Alley | 4 – 8 p.m. Step into this winter wonderland at the Uptown Artway! More than 40,000 lights transform the artway into a frosty fairytale – where every sparkle feels like a snowflake’s kiss. Wander through the glittering tunnels, sparkling waterfalls, and radiant displays. Enjoy a complimentary cup of hot cocoa (while supplies last) as you take in the wonder and beauty of the season. Hot chocolate compliments of Antioch Christian Church.
Peppermint Walk | 4 – 8 p.m. Visit over 40 participating Uptown Marion merchants, restaurants and businesses during this special holiday open house. Stores will be decked with holiday lights, decorations and music making this a great compliment to the event activities. Present a receipt from a purchase made during the event at any Uptown Marion business and be registered to win a $50 Uptown Dollars certificate valid at participating Uptown businesses. Receipts can be presented at the Marion Chamber & Uptown Marion office, 1070 7th Avenue.
This is event is sponsored by Marion Chamber Platinum Community Partners and supported in part by the Marion Hotel/Motel Grant Program
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This event is also supported in part by the Marion Hotel/Motel Grant Program.
