Revamped Santa’s Shining Lights Display Coming to Charles City

Santa’s Shining Lights in Charles City is getting a makeover.

For the past few years, Central Park has been lit up in holiday spirit with displays by businesses and organizations, providing holiday viewing pleasure for the public and visitors to Charles City.

However, Chamber of Commerce Director Mark Wicks notes that last year’s displays fell short of expectations for various reasons. In an effort to revitalize the park lighting and the magic of the holidays in Charles City in general, Main Street Charles City and the Chamber have formed a new “Holiday Magic Committee” to turn up the holiday spirit in town.

Wicks says a new plan for the Santa’s Shining Lights Display in Central Park this year focuses on putting displays around the Santa House in the middle of the park, as well as along the walkway from the corners of North Main and Blunt, to North Jackson and Kelly. Once those spots are filled up, other parts of the park can be utilized in groupings moving forward in hopes of avoiding awkward gaps and having a concentrated area of displays.

Another change: display spots along the walkway will be FREE for businesses and organizations and will be assigned by Main Street Charles City on a first-come basis, with choice of available spots.

A limited number of prime locations around the Santa House, as well as along North Main Street, will also be available for $25 each, also available on a first-come basis. Registration for all spots are due by November 18th, with all displays to be set up in Central Park by November 25th. 

The Holiday Lighted Parade in downtown Charles City is set for 5:30 PM Friday, December 4th, with the lighting of Central Park about 6 PM and then the Santa House will also open for the first time. That night also features a Holiday Open House at the Charles City Art Center and a Soup Supper at the Columbus Club by the Foster Grandparents from 5-to-7 PM.