Lights, Reindeer and Santa! Phelps County will be shining bright this holiday season with favorite holiday traditions of the past along with new magical holiday traditions. Here are 10 ways to celebrate the season:
See What’s New at McInturf's Light Display
The Brad and Kathy McInturf home at 110 Nobes in Holdrege will be the brightest spot in Phelps County with their elaborate Christmas light display. They light up their property with more than 80,000 lights and scenes featuring gingerbread house villages, snowmen, Santa, boxer dogs and the Christmas nativity.
The McInturfs have been sharing this special gift with the community since the 1970s. Local families and visitors enjoy driving through the display to spy what’s new each year.
The McInturfs will power up their lights just before Thanksgiving and will keep them on each evening through the second week of January.
Enjoy Christmas Lights with the Chamber's "Let it Glow" Competition
The Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its Let It Glow Competition again this year. Area homeowners and businesses will compete for the best light display based on public votes. To see a map and vote for your favorite lights, download the Discover 37 app. Voting begins Nov. 30 and ends Dec. 31. Visit holdregechamber.com for details.
To register a business or home in the “Let It Glow” competition, sign up here.
Walk Through the YMCA Winter Wonderland & Chamber Enchanted Winterland
Step into a holiday wonderland as the Don Sjogren Community YMCA lawn will be transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland, complete with giant inflatable snowmen, reindeer, and more. Bring the family, stroll through the displays, and soak up the holiday spirit! Wonderland is open December 1-31.
Stroll through the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce’s new Enchanted Winterland on the Phelps County Courthouse lawn from Dec. 14 (evening lighting ceremony) until Dec. 31. The chamber and Phelps County will deck the space with dazzling holiday lights, more inflatables, and fun new holiday selfie stations. Capture the joy of the season and make memories to last all year long!
Experience a Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with warmth and cheer at the annual Christmas on Commercial in downtown Loomis! On Wednesday, December 4, from 5-7 p.m. bring the family to downtown Loomis to enjoy cozy horse-drawn wagon rides and Christmas activities hosted by local businesses. Santa will be there to capture magical holiday moments with photos! Warm up with a delicious meal for purchase, and treat yourself to festive flavors from The Cup N’ Cork Smoothie trailer. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the joy of the season
Watch FREE Holiday Movies on the Big Screen
Celebrate the holiday season with free festive films at the Holdrege Sun Theater and Event Venue — perfect for family fun and cozy holiday cheer!
Here’s the lineup:
Dec. 7 – Polar Express, 2 p.m.
Dec. 17 – Fred Claus, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Rise of the Guardians, 2 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Christmas Vacation, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 – Jack Frost, 2 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Elf, 2 p.m.
Dec. 21 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2 p.m.
Dec. 23 – Star, 2 p.m.
Dec. 23 – Risen, 10 a.m.
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Be Inspired at the Christmas Holiday Home Tour
Experience the magic of the season as you tour beautifully decorated local homes, each filled with holiday warmth and charm at The Phelps Memorial Service League’s Christmas Tour of Homes fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1-4 p.m.! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at several convenient locations, including the Phelps Memorial Hospital front desk, the 308 Boutique, Bruning Bank, My Fair Lady’s Fashions and Frills, and First State Bank. Don’t miss this special holiday tradition—bring your friends and family to enjoy a joyful day for a great cause!
Live Reindeer at Holdrege Winter Fest, Dec. 14
Live reindeer will be the newest attraction at the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Annual Winter Festival on Saturday, Dec. 14.
The day will start with the YMCA’s annual Gingerbread House family decorating event and the Lions Club Breakfast with Santa at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA from 9-10:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required for the FREE gingerbread house event by Dec. 8. A free-will donation will be accepted for the Lions Pancake Feed. Kids can visit Santa and The Grinch and ride on the Ambassador’s Old-Fashioned Fire Truck.
The Santa Sleigh 5K (organized by the YMCA) and 1-mile fun run/walk will start at 11 a.m. at the YMCA. Pre-register for this event by Nov. 26 to ensure a special race hoodie.
From 1-4 p.m., Santa will be at the Phelps County Community Foundation (424 Garfield, Holdrege) to take photos and hear Christmas wishes. Kimberly Powers Photography will be available to take professional photos. The Dairy Queen kids coloring contest will also take place at this time, and the Ambassador’s Fire Truck will be giving rides downtown.
Live reindeer viewing and The Enchanted Winter Wonderland Lighting Ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Phelps County Courthouse with the Holdrege for the Holidays Parade of Lights starting at 7 p.m. downtown. The Holdrege Duster High School Band and Choir will spread holiday cheer at the parade. The public is invited to enjoy refreshments at downtown Jingle Mingle sponsoring businesses from 6-9 p.m.
For a full schedule of Winter Fest Activities, visit the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Fest Event page.
Find the Perfect Gifts in Phelps County
Craft shows, special events and local stores and boutiques provide many chances to find that perfect gift for someone on your list. Plus, various retailers are participating in the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Stamping Program. Ask for a stamping card and receive stamps each time you shop. Fill your cards up and be entered into a drawing for cash prizes! Stamping ends Dec. 18. Winners will be announced on Dec. 20.
Nov. 22 – Bertrand Hollidazzle Ladies Night Out, 5-8 p.m.
Nov. 23 – Holdrege Craft Show, Phelps County Ag Center
Nov. 30 – Stocking Stuffer Event at the Balcony in Loomis
Nov. 30 – Small Business Saturday
Dec. 7 – YMCA Christmas Blitzen Craft Show
Celebrate the Arts with Christmas Music, Performances and Creative Events
Celebrate the season with a lineup of festive performances that are sure to fill you with holiday spirit!
Nov. 23 – Momentum Dance Academy’s Nutcracker Ballet at the Tassel Performing Arts Center
Dec. 12 – Montreal Guitar Trio at the Tassel Performing Arts Center
Dec. 15 – Phelps County Singing Group Christmas Concert at the Nebraska Prairie Museum, 4 p.m.
Take a Ride on the YMCA Polar Express
This fun family event is back for 2024. Families don their Christmas sweaters or cozy jammies and board the YMCA’s Train (school bus) to view Christmas Lights around town while listening to the “Polar Express” story. Back at the Y, families enjoy fire pits, hot cocoa and the winter wonderland.
Dec. 21-22 – YMCA Polar Express, 6 p.m., 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. each night. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the YMCA
While in town enjoying the lights, don’t forget to enjoy a meal at a local restaurant for a special taste of Phelps County, including the newest restaurant/coffee shop Coal & Feed Coffee & Vittle (opening soon!).
