• Main Street Washington received a Branding Grant from MSI earlier this year and we’ve just completed the process! You’ll be seeing all kinds of new and beautiful logos for our organization, events and the downtown as a destination!

• There are only FIVE Lights of Love Memorial Trees left! Get yours today by going here or emailing us - [email protected] , we expect to be able to put the trees up on Nov 21st, stay tuned for a hard date and let us know if you’d like to help us put them up! It takes about 20 people to get the trees on the stakes, the lights wrapped and the bows placed, we’d love to see you there!

• MSW received a $100,000 Challenge Grant from Main Street Iowa/IEDA! Read more about the project & the new business here!

• Trick or Treat on the Square saw over 600 kiddos! Thank you SO much to the 30+ businesses who made this Halloween a truly spook-tacular one! And HUGE thank you to Hy-Vee for helping make it all possible! (more pictures here)

• Hy-Vee also put on a Steak Night Fundraiser this week and sold almost 350 meals!!!!! THANK YOU to everyone who ate lunch or supper (or both!) during this special meal! MSW is excited to be able to add more holiday decor to our downtown festitivies with the funds raised!

Wonderland Holiday Events in Washington

• 🥞Breakfast with Santa

  Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast prepared by the Washington Lion’s Club. Bring your camera to capture precious moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they listen to Christmas music & make a holiday craft!

  Presented by Jessica Yoder & Sarah Bigley, Realtors

  📍 209 E. Main Street (UP Church)
  🕣 8a-10a
  📆Nov 30th
  🎫 $7 adults / $3 children 3 and over; available at the door or in advance – https://givebutter.com/santabfast2024

• ⛄Jingle Bell Fun Run
  Join us for a festive fun run through Downtown Washington! Bring your family & friends (with two legs OR four) and wear your best festive costumes! Prizes giveaway party afterwards at JP’s 207!

  📍Downtown Washington, start at JP’s 207
  🕣8a registration open, race start at 9a
  📆Nov 30th
  🎫 pre-register $25 + canned good (10+), $10+ canned good (under 10); deadline 11/25/24 https://washingtoniowa.gov/event/jingle-bell-5k-fun-run-2/

• 🎭 Reason for the Season | A variety show of dancing, singing, and of course, Santa Claus!

  📍 Washington High School Auditorium
  🕣 1p
  📆 Nov 30th
  🎫 $10 (proceeds donated to HACAP)

• 🎁 Shop Small Weekend!
  It’s the perfect weekend to Shop Small! 🛍️ Support your local businesses and keep your dollars in our community. Your purchases directly impact our schools, athletics, and essential services. Find unique gifts for everyone on your list and experience the charm of Downtown Washington.

  📍 Downtown Washington
  📆 Nov 29^th & 30th

• ✨Live Radio Play: Holiday Magic on Main

  Join us outside the Washington Public Library at 5 PM to experience a live radio play broadcast on KCII. Don’t miss this unique event!

  Holiday Magic on Main: A young girl, Shiloh, wanders the town square with her little brother, Tristan, in tow. It’s a night to celebrate the start of the Christmas season….tune in to KCII or come watch to see what happens!

  📍 Washington Public Library (bring chairs & view show from sidewalk!)
  🕣 5p
  📆 Nov 30th

• 🎄 Downtown Lighting Ceremony & Lighted Parade
  Join Main Street Washington at the Bandstand at 6 pm on Saturday, November 30th for the Annual Lights of Love Memory Trees ceremony. Following the ceremony at approximately 6:30 pm, the 29th Annual Lighted Holiday Parade kicks off and circles downtown, closed by a Special Guest 🎅🤶. The Lighting Ceremony is brought to by the Washington Chamber of Commerce & the Lights of Love Trees & Lighted Parade is brought to you by Main Street Washington.

  Would you like to enter a float into the Parade? Pre-register here!

  Horse-drawn carriage rides are BACK this year, thanks to Mama Llama’s Barn! Rides will be before & after the parade in Central Park!

  Want a Lights of Love Tree? Go here!

• 🎅 Santa’s House

  Visit Santa’s magical ‘house’, filled with Christmas cheer! Kids can deliver their wish lists, take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and receive a sweet treat.

  Presented by Washington State Bank.

  📍 Washington Public Library
  📆 Nov 30^th – after parade & Dec 1^st – 1p-4p

• 🏠 Candlelight Tour of Homes

  📆 Dec 7^th – 4p & Dec 8^th – 5p
  🎫 $12 in advance, $15 at the door

• 🩰 The Nutcracker Ballet

  Elizabeth’s Academy of Classical Ballet presents the Nutcracker! Come to the Washington Community Theater for TWO free performances of The Nutcracker with a free dessert reception to follow! (donations are welcome & appreciated)

  📍 Washington Community Theater
  📆 December 13^th –  6:30p & December 14^th – 1:30p
  🎫 Free (donations appreciated!)

• ⛄Window Wonderland – November 7^th – 30^th visit Downtown Washington and vote for your favorite window display! Participating shops will have QR codes in their windows for you to scan and vote!

• 🐪 LIVE Animal Christmas Show | Celebrate 50 Years of Magic!

  Join Marion Avenue Baptist Church for their incredible Live Animal Christmas Show!

  📍 Marion Avenue Baptist Church
  📅 December 10^th , 11^th , 13^th , 14^th , & 15^th

  Don’t miss this state-of-the-art production!

• Holiday Shopping Promo Weekends

  Nov 8 & 9 – Holiday Shop Hop – Get into the holiday spirit in Downtown Washington with specials, treats, and beautiful new inventory at our local boutiques! We’ll have some elves out and about with special shop local tokens to give you exclusive discounts!
  Nov 11 – Veteran’s Day – Special discounts for Veterans & their spouses
  Nov 22 – Pink Friday – Shop Local First! Support the local businesses that support our community all year long & find the perfect unique gifts before Black Friday!
  Nov 29 & 30 – Shop Small Weekend – Small Business Saturday but BIGGER! Come Downtown for drawings, drinks, activities and more! You can also enter to win a basket of goodies from our local merchants!
  Dec 19 – Ugly Sweater Crawl – Celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day! Get your ticket for $5 to shop, sip and stroll around the square in your Ugliest Sweater!

We can’t wait to see you in Washington this holiday season!