Tannenbaum Forest

a forest of christmas trees

Fridays-Sundays from November 24th – December 17th, 2023

Step into a winter wonderland at the Amana Colonies’ Tannenbaum Forest! See over 60 unique Christmas Trees in the Festhalle Barn, each decorated by a different business, organization, group, or family. The entire barn will be decorated for the season with Santa’s Sleigh, photo opportunities and our 17 foot German Christmas Pyramid front and center!

Let Tannenbaum Forest become a tradition for your family on Prelude to Christmas weekend Dec 1-3 with Santa Claus. Or come on Children’s Weekend Dec. 8-10 for a visit with Santa, his reindeer, or a fun movie event. Check our Facebook or brochure for times

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

FOREST TIMES ARE VARIED. SEE OUR BROCHURE OR CALL THE VISITOR CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Holiday Fun & Games Weekend – November 24-26

Prelude to Christmas – December 1-3

Children’s Weekend – December 8-10

Holiday Traditions Weekend – December 15-17

Santa:
12/1 10-3:30
12/2 10-3:30
12/3 11-3
12/8 4-7
12/9 10-3:30 First 50 families will receive a gift from Santa!
Live Reindeer (12/10 1-4 weather permitting)
Compass Memorial Santa visit at the clinic in Amana at 5:30 12/7
Amana Heritage Museum Caroling (12/1 6pm) Starting at museum and ending in Tannenbaum forest
Kids area in the Tannenbaum Forest includes:
~Letters to nursing home (during all forest hours)
~Letters to Santa (during all forest hours)
~Make & Take craft provided by the Arts Guild (12/8-12/9 while supplies last) Free will donation
~Ornament station to decorate the Stead Family Children’s hospital Tree (during all forest hours)
St. Nick’s Cafe: Provided by Edelweiss Coffee & Tea Co, Colony Cottage Bakery
Open during forest hours & for private bookings
Hot Cocoa Bar
Spiced Chai
Cappuccino
Hot apple cider
Coffee
Tannenbaum punch
Bottled Water
Assortment of baked goods
Cocoa & Hot Beverage Crawl (12/16 10-5 $10) Stope by the Visitor Center for more details.
Music:
12/1 Kennedy Jazz band 11am
12/1 Iowa Brass Quintet 5-7:30
12/2 Iowa Brass Quintet 2,4 & 6
12/9 Ryne Doughty 12/9 11:30-1:30

 

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 Amana Colonies Gift Certificate.

Click the image below to download an 8.5×14 inch brochure

Planning ahead? Tannenbaum Forest will be Fridays-Sundays in 2024 from November 29-December 22!

Poster

Purchase collectible event posters at the Amana Colonies Visitor’s Center!

Brochures + Forms

2023 Final Tannenbaum Brochure

This Year’s Event

Video

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

Compass Memorial Healthcare logo
WhirlpoolCorporation_2C_B
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US Bank Logo
Bankhaus_Logo_Color
For sponsorship opportunities please contact the Event Coordinator at events@amanacolonies.com