View trees, meet Santa at Tannenbaum Forest

AMANA — More than 80 decorated Christmas trees will be displayed in the Festhalle Barn in Amana each weekend through Dec. 22.

Children will have five more opportunities to meet Santa there this month.

The trees of the Tannenbaum Forest were decorated by local businesses, organizations, groups or families.

The entire barn will be decked out for the season, says the Amana Colonies website. In addition to decorated trees, visitors to the Festhalle Barn will see Santa’s Sleigh and a 17-foot German Christmas pyramid.

Family photo opportunities will abound.

Admission to the Tannenbaum Forest is free, but the Amanas welcome donations. All proceeds will support the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and local nonprofits.

The Festhalle Barn is located at 4707 220th Trail in Amana. The building is not heated; visitors should dress for the weather.

Music will entertain the crowd on the Festhalle Barn stage, and visitors are encouraged to take part in the Amana Pickle Hunt.

Inspired by the traditional German legend of the Christmas pickle, the hunt invites visitors to search for pickle ornaments in local shops.

According to legend, the pickle was hidden on the tree late on Christmas Eve, and the first child to find it Christmas morning would receive an extra gift.

Forest schedule

Friday, Dec. 6: noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 13: noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 20: noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa schedule

Saturday, Dec. 7: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 13: 1-6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15: noon to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.