Tannenbaum Forest opens in the Amana Colonies

AMANA -- More than 80 live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses welcome the winter season to the Amana Colonies beginning Nov. 24.

The Tannenbaum Forest, which includes a nativity and a 17-foot German style Christmas pyramid, fills the historic century-old Festhalle barn.

Organizers suggest a donation of $3 for admission. Proceeds benefit The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the Amana Playground Project and other local charities.

The Tannenbaum Forest is open, weather permitting, Friday, Saturday and Sunday each weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Amana Colonies will celebrate its 38th Prelude to Christmas Dec. 1-3, with visits from Santa from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Prelude to Christmas features the annual cookie walk, live music, food and specials in many of the shops along with decorated streets and a warm holiday atmosphere.

Children’s Weekend, Dec. 8-10 features another visit from Santa, Saturday only. A reindeer will be visit Sunday Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m., and the Amana Performing Arts Center will host a live theater performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”

The Cocoa and Hot Beverage Crawl is set for Dec. 15-17. Visitors pick up an official mug and passport at the Visitor’s Center and sample hot beverages throughout town.

Call the Amana Colonies Visitors Center at 319-622-7622 for more information and full scheduling for Tannenbaum Forest and Prelude to Christmas in the Amana Colonies, or visit amanacolonies.com.