Holiday Events in Ames

Break out your pocket books and bells and prepare to take in the sights of the season. The area is exploding with holiday events. Ames residents can take in shows, music, shop and even run all before Sunday.

Snow Ball Drop

If you still have some Christmas shopping to do you might luck out and catch a deal from the sky. The Main Street Cultural District will hold its annual Snow Ball Drop event 1 p.m. Saturday at Tom Evans Plaza. Santa will throw out a dozen of ping pong balls out to a waiting crowd. Each one is marked with a shopping deal from participating retailers. Santa will also be available for visiting.

Festival of Trees

Octagon Center for the Arts' Festival of Trees is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Children who stop by can participate in free activities from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Sunday will be the last day of the display.

Iowa State University Forestry Club Tree Sales

ISU's Forestry Club will sell trees from the Reiman Gardens' parking lot from 3 to 8 p.m. (Fridays) Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturdays) on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 and from noon to 6 p.m. (Sundays) on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9.

Iowa State University Horticulture Club Poinsettia Sales

The ISU Horticulture Club will offer poinsettias for sale from 9 .m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Reiman Gardens. No admission is necessary to make a purchase and 15 varieties are available.

Butterfly Blizzard Release

There might not be any snow, but that won't stop Reiman Gardens from having a blizzard. The garden will host tow Butterfly blizzards in which registered participants will release butterflies in the tropical garden from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Dec. 15.

The event takes place before regular hours and hot cocoa will be served until 10 a.m.

Registration can be made by calling Reiman Gardens at 515-294-2710 or online at www.reimangardens.com. Cost is $5 for one butterfly, $8 for two butterflies, $12 for three butterflies, and $3 for each additional butterfly. There's a maximum limit of 12 butterflies per group.

Altrusa Holiday Home Tour

The 24^th Annual Altrusa Holiday Home Tour is from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tour tickets cost $15 at the door. Proceeds go to: Heartland Senior Services, Ames Free Medical Clinic, ACCESS, Scholarships/Service Awards

Buy tickets at Mary Kay’s, Everts, Coe’s, Ames/ISU Info. booth on University Boulevard.

Ames High School's Madrigal Dinner

This Renaissance era tradition still has tickets available for Thursday's performance. Students in the performance recently told Ames Patch why everyone should go.

3rd Annual Prairie Moon Winery Holiday Market

Prairie Moon Winery will hold it's third annual Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Items include ceramics, jewelry and food.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Kosama will be the start of this year's Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Wear a holiday themed costume and put some bells on your shoes to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. Registration is $35 and the run/walk starts at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Ames Community Theater will present the Best Christmas Pageant Ever 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 9. Tickets are $15 and can be picked up at Gallery 319 or by calling: (515) 232-2354.

Ames Children's Choirs Holiday Concert

 Ames Children's Choirs Holiday Concert is 3 p.m. Sunday at Bethesda Lutheran Church. Tickets are $8 and $5 and they are available at Rieman Music.

Gingy Scavenger Hunt

Local Main Street Cultural Arts businesses will also participate in a Gingy Scavenger Hunt through Dec. 16. Participants will be asked to look for the gingerbread character from the Shrek and Gingy movies for a chance to win four tickets to Shrek the Musical at the Iowa State Center.

Holiday Music at Reiman Gardens

The trees are trimmed, wreaths are hung, and music is filling the halls. Make sure to visit Reiman Gardens the first two weekends in December for the full holiday experience, with live music from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the Conservatory transformed into Santa’s Workshop.

Holiday Photos at Reiman Gardens

While some plan on posing with Santa this year anyone can have a holiday photo taken at Reiman Gardens from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.

Ngaire West Johnson of IMAGES by Ngaire will be at the Gardens on Saturday, for scheduled sessions. Groups may schedule a session with Ngaire by calling Reiman Gardens at 515-294-2710. Each 10-minute session is $45 for CoHort members and $55 for general public. Admission to Reiman Gardens’ holiday display is included in the fee. This is a sitting fee only and does not include purchasing of prints.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required by Friday.

Upcoming Events

Breakfast at the North Pole

Reiman Gardens annual breakfast brunch will take place at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 8. The breakfast includes participation in two activity stations where one can make a holiday treat and an ornament. Kids will also enjoy a story teller and face painting.

Tickets will be available for purchase until Dec. 5. Price is $10 for adult CoHorts members, and $6 for member children ages one to twelve. $12 for general public adults, and $8 for general public children ages one to twelve. Free for all children under one year.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Reiman Gardens at 515-294-2710 or register online at www.reimangardens.com.

Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet takes place 1:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Dec. 9 and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Stephens Auditorium. The 32^nd annual show includes more than 200 local performers.

ISU Alumni Center's Holiday Open House

Iowa State University Alumni Center's Holiday Open House will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at the ISU Alumni Center at 420 Beach Ave. The event includes shopping, refreshments and photos with the mascot Cy from 4 to 7 p.m.

Other Upcoming Events Follow Below:

Daily & Vincent Bluegrass Christmas Tue, Dec 11, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

Jim Brickman "On A Winter's Night" Thu, Dec 20, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

Living Nativity Scence Dec.14 & Dec. 15 6 p.m.

Winterfest at ISU

Is There a Santa? Exhibit Noon to 4 p.m. University Museums