Downtown Ames is always festive during the holidays! Join us for a night of fun holiday themed activities that are great for the whole family.

Snow Magic Kick-Off Activities

Snow Magic Kick-Off Ceremony
Join us in Tom Evans Plaza at 6:00 PM as we launch the Snow Magic season in Downtown Ames! Enjoy a special proclamation from Mayor John Haila to officially kick-off the holiday shopping season, festive performances by carolers, and a heartfelt recognition of the Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club for their year-round dedication to helping beautify our downtown. Kids can pick up free light-up glow wands, and we’ll wrap up the evening with the lighting of the Tom Evans Plaza winter tree. Come welcome the holidays with community, cheer, and a little magic!

Snow Magic Festiveware Contest – Inaugural Event!
Show off your most spirited, sparkly, or downright silly holiday attire at the first-ever Snow Magic Festiveware Contest at Torrent Brewing Co. Sign-ups open at 7:30 PM, with the contest kicking off at 8:00 PM sharp at Torrent. Enter solo or gather your friends, family, or both for a group entry! The most festive looks will take home goody baskets from Torrent, packed with swag and gift cards. Come for the fun, stay for the cheer, and let your holiday spirit shine!

Santa will be in town! You can visit Santa at Duck Worth Wearing from 5pm-8pm

Greene Goods Market & Greenhouses will be outside of 301 Main making and selling homemade balsam wreaths and swags. Fresh cut holiday greens and spruce tops!

Ready to write your letter to Santa? Visit Octagon Center for the Arts and you can write a letter to Santa! Fill out the envelope and who knows, Santa might just write you back!

Looking to spread some extra cheer? You can visit Buddy the Elf at Dog-Eared Books!

Downtown Ames is ready for some winter magic! Participating businesses will have their windows decorated for the season. Scan the QR code outside of their display and help the businesses win bragging rights for the winter season!

Want to sing a holiday song or two? Carolers will be strolling throughout Downtown Ames during the event. Feel free to join in!

Carriage rides are BACK! You can catch a ride through Downtown Ames at The Depot or outside of the Ames History Museum from 6pm-8pm.

Check out the Discover Ames Selfie Station at Ames 1864 and visit with Discover Ames team!

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Kid’s Activities

VisionBank of Iowa | 107 Main St. | Come find Poppy the Elf for a Prize. Will also have coloring sheets, popcorn, pop

The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co. | 129 Main St. | A coloring sheet

Little Woods Herbs & Teas | 136 Main St. | We will have holiday coloring sheets and crayons for the kids

Dog-Eared Books | 203 Main St. | Coloring sheet

Duck Worth Wearing | 232 Main St. | We will have Santa!

RAYGUN | 301 Main St. #106 | Our kids’ cave will be decorated for festive fun!

Piece & Freedom Bakery | 301 Main St. #107 | Coloring pages!

Life Distilled | 301 Main St. #109 | Decorate a wooden ornament and scent with an essential oil.

Homegrown | 301 Main St. #111 | Coloring contest for all ages! Take home a coloring page and return it back to the store by Dec 20th for a chance to win a $25 gift card.

PhotoSynthesis | 317 Main St. | An easy quick holiday craft

Ames British Foods | 328 Main St. | Coloring Pages — will have treat bags for kids as well

Everts Flowers Home & Gifts | 329 Main St. | Scavenger Hunt in the store!

Prairie Rose Needleworks | 500 Main St. #103 | Pixel Art Coloring Sheets

Back Alley House Plants | 501 Main St. | make and take botanical holiday ornaments

Ames History Museum | 416 Douglas Ave. | Take-home historical holiday crafts

Octagon Center for the Arts | 427 Douglas Ave. | Letters to Santa

Lott Music Studio | 401 Clark Ave. #220 | We’ll be hosting a Holiday Sing Along! Stop by the studio to sing some of your favorite holiday tunes!

Great Harvest Bakery and Café | 502 Burnett Ave. | Free Cooking Decorating for Kids

Shopping Promotions or Specials

Little Woods Herbs & Teas | 136 Main St. | Special Tea bar drinks and a stocking stuffer sale

Dog-Eared Books | 203 Main St. | 15% off store-wide and we will have cookies available for free and apple cider.

Marmalade Moon | 207 Main St. | Enter to win a Holiday Themed Gift Basket with Purchase — Drink Specials including Frosty the Snowman Dirty Soda!

Moorman Clothiers | 226 Main St. | Free Gift Wrapping!

Duck Worth Wearing | 232 Main St. | Specials Throughout the Store

The Loft Resale | 233 Main St. | Specials Throughout the Store

RAYGUN | 301 Main St. #106 | Hot chocolate bar and shopping specials

Piece & Freedom Bakery | 301 Main St. #107 | Winter menu – Christmas gift boxes will be on sale and so much more!

b.e. good | 301 Main St. #108 | Hot Chocolate and Treats In Store. Also enjoy a gift with purchase!

Life Distilled | 301 Main St. #109 | Free samples of our customizable bath and body line – you choose the essential oils!

Homegrown | 301 Main St. #111 | Our DIY gift wrapping station is free for this one night only!

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. | 306 Main St. | Every $100 spent, pull a gift card off the tree

Lindsey Loos | 312 Main St. | Enter to win a holiday gift basket full of goodies!

Cooks’ Emporium | 313 Main St. | In-store promotions and will be serving snacks

Moose on the Loose | 314 Main St. | Enter to win a holiday gift basket full of goodies!

PhotoSynthesis | 317 Main St. | 15% off anything ready to purchase & Order a free 4×6 print during snow magic and use it for an in-shop holiday craft!

The Shops at Clark & Main | 500 Main St. #101 | Gift Card Giveaway

Prairie Rose Needleworks | 500 Main St. #103 | Pixel Art Coloring Sheets and 20% off Kids Craft Kits & Books

Back Alley House Plants | 501 Main St. | Double rewards points on any purchase

Ames History Museum | 416 Douglas Ave. | Free admission and 15% off in the Museum Store

Octagon Center for the Arts | 427 Douglas Ave. | 10% all fiber items, including hats, mittens, scarves and bags. Also enjoy hot chocolate and holiday snacks!

The Recipe | 412 Burnett Ave. | Pre-register for Build-your-own Cookie Plate with Sift N Sprink;e – must pre-pay for ticket.

Great Harvest Bakery and Café | 502 Burnett Ave. | 12-oz. Cup of Coffee or Hot Chocolate for $1

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Thank you to our sponsors!.

*Downtown Ames often takes photographs & video during our events for use on social media or our website. By attending, you agree that Downtown Ames may use any image of you that might appear in photographs or video taken at a Downtown Ames event.*