2024 Reflections in the Park Dubuque Iowa: Drive Through Christmas Light Display!
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.
Disclosure: I do my best to try and keep information up-to-date but please check direct with businesses for current opening times and prices
Dubuque Iowa Christmas Lights Display
Reflections In The Park
Open: November 27th 2024 – January 1st 2025
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. 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. 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 2024 Reflections In The Park Dubuque
- 🗺️Location: Louis Murphy Park, Dubuque, Iowa
- 💰Cost: $12 per car ($10 in advance)
- 📅Open: November 27th 2024 – January 1st 2025
- 🕖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 27th) 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 passed through Dubuque!
Have you visited this Dubuque Christmas lights display?
About the Author – Kylie
My travels have taken me to over 40 countries worldwide (& I lived in USA for 4yrs). I hold a BTEC National Diploma in Travel & Tourism (triple distinction) and have been writing on Between England & Everywhere since 2015.
Expert in: Adventure travel🎢, beach destinations🏖️, and packing light (mid-budget backpacker)🎒
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Last Updated on April 18, 2024
Cool we don’t have that here closest we have is a drive around the council estate in witham
Haha brilliant!
I wish we still had something like this here in the Mason City/Clear Lake area. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I am loving all your Clear Lake posts, definitely added to the bucket list, sounds like a lovely place!
i live in dyersville and go every year it is very fun and i recommend it
So pretty! Wish we’d sought out more lights this year!
I wish there were more around here! I love looking at all the lights!
This looks so fun! We have something similar in Des Moines called Jolly Holiday Lights, which benefits the Make a Wish Foundation. Thanks for sharing!
That’s awesome! Maybe I’ll try and visit one day!