It’s exciting times ahead for the Kalona Historical Village, as they plan events to coincide with Christmas in Kalona.

On Saturday, December 6th, the Kalona Historical Village will host its open house from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. During that time, the Visitor’s Center quilt rooms and displays, as well as its recently enhanced gem and mineral rooms, will be available for people to view for no charge. Hot chocolate, waffles, and cookies will be served. The village will also be the location for the Christmas Tree Walk. Businesses and other area residents will put up trees for people to view and enjoy.

In the evening, the village will host wagon rides and make s’mores over fire pits. They’ll also host live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Michelle’s Musical Keys will be the featured guest. Piano students will take turns playing Christmas music while the village is open.

The Kalona Historical Village, during this holiday season, is encouraging area residents who have not been or not been in awhile to come out and visit. Nancy Roth, Managing Director of the Kalona Historical Village, says “I’ve found out that there are more people that I’d like to say, that have driven by us every day and have never stopped. And then they finally come in that door and admit that they’ve never stopped. And then they go out and take the tour, and they come back in and are like, ‘Wow, I had no idea.’”

The village is planning more updates to their exhibits in 2026, including the finishing of the railcar exhibit that was put in last year. Roth says that the village remains the best place to learn about Kalona’s deep and rich history.