Last Updated on November 18, 2022

A great way to get excited about Christmas, is to visit ‘Reflections in the Park’. It’s like Christmas being thrown up on you and I thought it was AWESOME. ‘Reflections in the Park’ is a drive thru Christmas Light display held in Louis Murphy Park in Dubuque, Iowa. The event raises money for Hillcrest Family Services.

Dubuque Iowa Christmas Lights Display

Reflections In The Park

Open: November 24th 2022 – January 1st 2023

The driveway to the park is COVERED with Christmas lights. You stop at a little entrance booth to pay the $12 fee per vehicle ($10 if booked in advance from DB&T locations). The volunteers hand you a ‘program’ booklet and candy canes for each passenger. You turn your radio station onto a certain channel that plays Christmas music and then you turn your headlights off while you drive through the park. An all round sensory experience!

There are over 80 light shapes on display which are donated by various local companies. For example there are lawn mowing Santas, concrete mixer trucks, chevy pick ups and the Dubuque Town Clock, along with all the usual festive shapes!  My favourite was a 200ft drive thru tunnel of lights, it was hypnotising!

Taking Photos

I visited on a drizzly November week day evening and we had the park to ourselves.  I made my other half drive, while I sat in the back seat of my car. By putting both windows down, I could ping pong between each window to take photos and videos!  Having it to ourselves meant we were free to go along at our own speed.  We could stop as often as we liked…and I even made him reverse at one point because I wanted to go back to one of the displays for a photo!  It took us around 15 minutes to drive round the park, this included my photo stops.  Without these, we would have been done a lot faster.

If the money wasn’t going to charity, it would be expensive for how quick the experience is.  Apparently it’s even better if you visit during the snow as the lights reflect on the white ground, so there may be a return visit on the cards! 2019 was the 25th year of Reflections in the park. In 2020 over 17,000 vehicles enjoyed Reflections in the Park and had a recording setting net profile of $200,000!

On Tuesdays up until Christmas, Santa will be at Reflections In The Park.

Information about 2022 Reflections In The Park Dubuque

Location: Louis Murphy Park, Dubuque, Iowa

Cost: $12 per car ($10 in advance)

Open: November 24th 2022 – January 1st 2023

Times: 5pm – 10pm

Walk-thru Event

If you don’t fancy driving through the Christmas lights, the very first night of Reflections in the Park (Wednesday November 23rd) is a walk through experience.  This would probably be your best bet for taking photos as it’s a little awkward in the car (plus you are expected to keep moving…).  I think the tunnel of lights would offer a great photo opportunity if walking!

It runs from 6pm – 8pm and costs $10 per person (3yrs and under are free).

I remember when I was a kid my parents would drive us around town to go and look at Christmas lights on houses.  ‘Reflections in the Park’ is definitely something we would have gone to if there was something similar in my hometown in the UK!  If I loved it as an adult, I think children would find this magical!

For other Dubuque Christmas events check out my post packed full of things going on during November and December! Dubuque Christmas Events To Get You In The Christmas Spirit: Iowa

In 2022 the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train passes through Dubuque!

Have you visited this Dubuque Christmas lights display?

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