Explore Mahaska County | 2021

Painting
WITH LIGHTS
A Dazzling Display in Historic Downtown Oskaloosa
Every holiday season, 250,000+ LED Christmas
lights illuminate the facades of buildings
surrounding Oskaloosa’s City Square Park.
Stroll through the Square with a cup of hot cocoa in one hand
and your shopping bags in the other. Listen to the Christmas
music playing over outdoor speakers. Climb up the stairs to
the historic bandstand, where you can take in a 360-degree
view of Painting with Lights. ...And you might just think you’re
the star of your very own made-for-TV Christmas movie.
Painting with Lights is the first display of its kind in Iowa, and is
the result of countless volunteer hours and generous donations
from individuals and businesses each year. The brilliant display
of lights covers all four sides of the town square and takes
several weeks to put up. Fundraising and planning for the
project happen year-round.
Thinking about a visit to see the lights? Plan to make a day
of it. Around and nearby the Square, you’ll find coffee shops
and cafes, restaurants, and retail including clothing boutiques,
a music store, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Oskaloosa True Value, and
the Book Vault, a unique book shop in a beautifully renovated
historic bank building. Support small businesses with your
Christmas shopping, then stick around to see the lights turn on!
For Painting with Lights news and
updates, follow Oskaloosa Main Street:
mahaskachamber.org/mainstreet
Follow on social media:
facebook.com/oskaloosamainstreet
Instagram: @oskaloosamainstreet
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