Fridays-Sundays from November 26th – December 19th
Step into a winter wonderland when you visit us at the Tannenbaum Forest in the Amana Colonies! Join us in the Festhalle Barn to see over 40 unique Christmas Trees, each decorated by a different business, organization, group, or family. The entire barn will be decorated for the season, and we will have several areas for photo opportunities set up. Our 17 foot German Christmas Pyramid will be front and center!
For many families the Tannenbaum Forest has become a tradition. The Tannenbaum Forest is free to visit, however, we encourage a free will donation with proceeds benefitting the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital that’s just down the road in Iowa City.
Santa’s schedule will be coming soon! We’ll see him at the Tannenbaum Forest this year, so we will let you know as soon as we can what his schedule in the Amana Colonies will be.
St. Nick’s Café will return for Tannenbaum Forest 2021! As soon as our elves set a schedule, we will let you know when the café will be open with hot chocolate and treats.
2021 Tannenbaum Forest Schedule
Friday, November 26, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 27, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 28, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday, December 3, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 4, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 5, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, December 10, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 11, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Live Reindeer outside the Festhalle: 1pm – 4pm, Weather Dependent
Sunday, December 12, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday, December 17, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 18, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 19, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Amana Pickle Hunt
While visiting the Colonies during the time of Tannenbaum Forest you can also take part in the Amana Pickle Hunt. Based on legend of the German Pickle Ornament, it’s said that an old German Christmas custom was to hang a pickle ornament on the Christmas tree late on the evening of December 24th and the first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning would receive an extra gift.
The Amana version will have you looking for Pickle Ornaments in each shop and when you find the pickle in 10 shops you are entered into a weekly drawing for a $100 Amana Colonies Gift Certificate.
We will continue to monitor the state of the COVID-19 Pandemic throughout the year and we will update our COVID-19 information accordingly. This section was last edited on March 15th, 2021 according to precautions relevant in March. We will reassess soon.
Because of the pandemic, we have made a few adjustments to this festival, but our local businesses and organizations will still be decorating trees for our Tannenbaum Forest and proceeds of the event will benefit the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital! Please see the bottom of the page for COVID-19 information.
COVID-19 information:
To protect each other, we will be requiring the use of face masks that cover both your mouth and nose in the Festhalle Barn. While you’re viewing our forest, please practice social distancing as well. We will have markings on the floors and walls to demonstrate a 6 foot distance, and we will also have a backup supply of masks in case you’ve forgotten yours. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, we ask that you please stay home. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are awaiting COVID-19 test results, please stay home. Remember to wash hands frequently and refrain from touching your face.
Poster
Brochures + Forms
Our 2021 Prelude Brochure is not yet available
If you have any questions about Tannenbaum Forest or Prelude to Christmas, please contact Amana Colonies Festivals Inc. at:
319-622-7010 (Weekdays, 9am-4pm)
or 319-622-7622 (Weekends 10am-5pm, weekdays 10am-5pm)
You can also use our Contact Us form here on the website to email us!
This Year’s Event
Video
Thank you to our 2020 sponsors!
