Events

Bass Pro Shop's Santa’s Wonderland featuring Free Photos with Santa

Santa will be cruising into Council Bluffs this Saturday, November 6 to officially kick off Santa’s Wonderland, the ultimate free family Christmas event, at Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s plans to deliver free photos with Santa to more than two million kids and families this holiday season with a “Contactless Claus” experience. Photos with Santa will start on November 7 with free advance reservations, which can be made beginning November 1. To learn more and make a reservation, visit www.basspro.com/santa. Santa will arrive at Bass Pro on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Contactless visits with Santa will start on Nov. 7 and continue through Friday, Dec. 24, 2021.

Holiday Model Trains at the Union Pacific Museum

Carrying on a heart-warming tradition, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum will once again host the N-Trak model train club’s holiday model train display beginning Dec. 3, 2021. The museum will have a fully operational tabletop N-scale train and HO layout available through December 18, 2021. Visitors will even be encouraged to operate the HO layout themselves. The model trains will be available from 12 to 6 p.m. on the following Fridays and Saturdays:

• Dec. 3 and 4
• Dec. 10 and 11
• Dec. 17 and 18

Visitors will need to reserve their time to visit online at www.uprrmuseum.org. Appointments are plentiful but schedule ahead to avoid missing out. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible.

Breakfast With Santa

Bring your kids and your own inner child, and let Santa know what you want for Christmas. All will enjoy a tasty breakfast made by The General's Ladies of the Historic General Dodge House and Santa will read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. The children will delight in doing Christmas crafts and having their pictures taken with Santa! After breakfast, we invite all guests to the Dodge House to enjoy the tradition of the House all dressed up for Christmas. $15.00 per person. Children 2 and under are free. Pre-registration is required.

Santa & Mrs Claus at Ditmars Orchard

Take your own free photos with Santa and Mrs Claus at Ditmars on Saturdays in December from 10-2. Live Christmas music will follow from 2-4. Our retail and bar areas will be open to check off your lists for local gifts and drinks for your holiday parties. The cafe will be very limited, with soups and chili, while supplies last. Fresh doughnuts!

Year End Holiday Party - Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour

Celebrate the season and the closing of another year. We'll play some games, do a little trivia and talk holiday trains.

Christmas by Candlelight Tours

Experience Christmas as it was in the last quarter of the 19th century. Enjoy the General Dodge and Beresheim Houses with all the lights off illuminated only by (artificial) candlelight and over twenty beautifully decorated and lighted trees. Refreshments will be served in the Ballroom on the third floor.

Council Bluffs Community Band Holiday Concert

The Council Bluffs Community Band will perform a free concert at The Arts Center at Iowa Western at 2:30pm on December 12, 2021.

Photo by Joe Shearer/ The Daily Nonpareil

City of Council Bluffs Planning Commission Meeting

The City Planning Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month unless otherwise notified.

Santa & Mrs Claus at Ditmars Orchard

Take your own free photos with Santa and Mrs Claus at Ditmars on Saturdays in December from 10-2. Our retail and bar areas will be open to check off your lists for local gifts and drinks for your holiday parties. The cafe will be very limited, with soups and chili, while supplies last. Fresh doughnuts!

Gingerbread Bash!

Join us this year for the "Gingerbread Bash!" It's a fun, hands-on way for the whole family to celebrate Christmas together. We'll make a gingerbread nativity, play games together, snap a pic in the photo booth, hear the Christmas story from the Bible, munch on cookies and sip hot cocoa, and discover sometimes the greatest gift comes in the most ordinary box. You are not going to want to miss it! Gingerbread Bash happens Sunday, December 19th from 4-6 p.m. at Compass Christian Church, 2007 South 7th St., Council Bluffs. This event is for all ages and there is no cost to attend. For more details, visit our website at https://compasscb.org/events or call 712-366-9112.

City of Council Bluffs Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets the third Tuesday of every month unless otherwise notified.

CB Chamber Annual Meeting & Small Business Showcase

Join the CB Chamber at the Annual Meeting & Small Business Showcase on Thursday, January 27 from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at the Mid-America Center. Join us as we celebrate our accomplishments during 2021 and recognize our members. Hear from keynote speaker, to be announced! Dress Casual! Wear your favorite team apparel!

4:30-5:30 PM - Small Business Showcase & Tailgating
5:30-6:00 PM - Dinner
6:00-7:00 PM - Keynote & Program

$40/member $50/non-member (Registration is due by noon on Friday, January 21, 2022) Limited late registration may be available by calling the CB Chamber office at (712) 325-1000 and at a cost of $60/person.