Tannenbaum Forest

A Forest of Christmas Trees

Festhalle Barn • Amana, Iowa

Open Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
November 28 – December 21, 2025

Imagine stepping into a grand old barn filled wall-to-wall with glowing Christmas trees — more than 90 of them — each one unique and lovingly decorated by members of the community. Soft holiday music drifts through the air as lights glimmer off ornaments. A towering German Christmas pyramid slowly turns. The scent of evergreen fills the barn. Laughter and quiet conversations echo between the rows of trees.

Tannenbaum Forest is more than a holiday display — it is a shared seasonal tradition, bringing together families, friends, visitors, and neighbors to celebrate the magic of winter and the joy of giving.

A Look Back at Tannenbaum Forest 2025

The 2025 season was truly something special. Nearly 12,000 visitors walked through the forest, filling the barn with warmth, generosity, and holiday spirit. Thanks to the incredible support of the community, Tannenbaum Forest once again raised meaningful funds for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and several local non-profits.

We are deeply grateful to the businesses and organizations who sponsored and decorated trees — the creativity and care put into each one made this year’s forest unforgettable.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who helped bring the forest to life: our entertainers, Santa, St. Nick’s Café, Amana Forestry (who supplied 82 live Christmas trees), Amana Service Company, and KCRG, whose coverage helped share the magic far beyond Amana.

Seasonal activities added even more fun to the experience. The Hot Beverage Sample Walk welcomed nearly 70 participants, and two winners were drawn. The Pickle Hunt brought smiles to over 60 participants, with four winners receiving $25 Amana Colonies Gift Cards.

From snowy days to glowing winter nights, Tannenbaum Forest 2025 was a beautiful reminder of what happens when a community comes together.

Tannenbaum Forest 2025 — Community Impact

Tannenbaum Forest is one of Amana’s largest seasonal community and fundraising events.

In 2025, nearly 12,000 visitors came through the Festhalle Barn, creating a powerful show of local and regional support. Through free-will donations, the event raised funds that were returned directly to healthcare and community services across Eastern Iowa.

2025 Beneficiaries included:

• University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital

• CCA Foundation

• Compass Hope for All

• KCRG Coats for Kids

• Iowa County Safe Haven

• Amana Public Library

More than 80 live Christmas trees were supplied by Amana Forestry and decorated by local businesses, families, and organizations — transforming the Festhalle Barn into a shared celebration of creativity, tradition, and giving.

Alongside the forest, seasonal programming such as the Hot Beverage Sample Walk and the Pickle Hunt helped drive visitors into local shops and restaurants while creating interactive holiday experiences for families and tourists alike.

Tannenbaum Forest Dates and Times for 2025, including Santa Times:

Location: Festhalle Barn, 4707 220^th Trail, Amana, IA 52203

Cost: Free-will donation*
*Proceeds will benefit Stead Family Children’s Hospital and local non-profits.

What you’ll see & experience

• A “forest” of decorated trees: You’ll wander among rows of trees, each one unique — some elegant, some whimsical, some themed around characters or local organizations.
• A standout centerpiece: One highlight is a 17-foot tall German-style Christmas pyramid (a large, multi-tiered, rotating display often seen in German Christmas traditions) located prominently in the barn.
• A nativity scene and other photo opportunities: There’s a large nativity display, Santa visits on select days, and plenty of places to stop, admire the décor, take photos.
• Community and charity: Entry is free (or by free-will donation) and the event helps support charities (such as the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City).

What to bring/expect

• Dress warmly: The barn isn’t heated, so winter coats, hats, gloves, maybe a scarf will help.
• Sturdy shoes: You’ll likely be walking among rows of trees, potentially in a barn floor area that’s less formal than a showroom.
• A camera or phone for photos: There are many decorative elements, whimsical trees, the pyramid display and other holiday touches.
• Time to wander: Give yourself at least 20-30 minutes (or more) just to soak in the trees, stop for photos, perhaps visit Santa or browse any kids’ activities if available.
• Consider the schedule: It runs on weekends in the pre-Christmas period (Fri, Sat, Sun) through several weekends. Take note that the Forest will be VERY busy when Santa is visiting.

Bringing a charter bus or large group of visitors on a weekday and hope to see the Tannenbaum Forest? 

If your group is arriving in a charter bus or as a large group on a weekday (other than Friday) between December 1st and 19th and would like to experience the Tannenbaum Forest (outside of regular open hours of Friday – Sunday), please reach out to the ACFI Events Coordinator at events@amanacolonies.com to schedule.

Interested in Sponsoring a Tree in the 2026 Tannenbaum Forest?

If your group or business would like to sponsor a tree in the 2026 Tannenbaum Forest, we’d love to hear from you! Please email us your name, group/business name, email, and phone number at events@amanacolonies.com. We’ll follow up with more details and send you a sponsorship form in October 2026.

Purchase collectible event posters at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center!