Due to the State of Iowa’s COVID-19 protocols, this is a DRIVE IN event. We ask that all attendees please stay in your cars. There will be a live stream available on Facebook as well. For full details, CLICK HERE
November 28, 2020 will mark Burlington Riverfront Entertainment’s (BRE) 2nd year bringing Christmas to the Burlington riverfront. Attendees are invited to park in the Memorial Auditorium parking lot for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The countdown and lighting of the tree will be at 6:00pm. Due to the pandemic and the Governor’s orders, all who attend must stay in their vehicles.
The REAL tree will stand 25 ft tall directly in front of the Memorial Auditorium on the apron and with over 5,000 lights donated by Standard of Beaverdale, will be visible from Jefferson St. and the Great River Bridge.
Lighted snowflakes designed and created by Flint Cliffs Manufacturing Corporation will illuminate the riverfront along the walkway, each sponsored by a local business/organization. Flint Cliffs will be named on the giant 10ft tall snowflakes that will hang from the speaker bays just south of the Port of Burlington.
Executive director of BRE, Mike O’Neil says “It’s been a tough year for everyone. This pandemic is the reason for many holiday cancellations but with our big parking lot, we still wanted to invite as many people as we can to come down and experience the magic of our huge Christmas tree.”
BRE assistant director, David Kroll adds “We had such an overwhelming response from the community last year and we promised we’d do it again this year. It’s going to be different this year but at the end of the day, that tree is going to shine bright and look great on our riverfront!”
They encourage everyone to come early to be guaranteed a spot as limited spots are available in the parking lot. Everyone must stay in their vehicles.
The Christmas tree and snowflakes will be lit every night from November 28th through January 2nd for everyone in Burlington to enjoy.
Mayor Jon Billups will have the honors of lighting the tree followed by Santa Clause. Santa will be arriving in a horse drawn carriage and welcoming all of the children to the start of the Christmas season.
A mailbox for children to drop off letters to Santa will be located near the tree. To receive a response from Santa, all letters must be in the mailbox by December 15th. The mailbox will also be used as the drop off location for the Casebine Community Credit Union Holiday Lights Trail voting ballots brought to by Burlington Riverfront Entertainment and your holiday music station 93.5 KKMI. Ballots can be dropped off between November 28th and December 21st. Voting can take place online or in the mailbox. If people vote by dropping their ballot in the mailbox, they will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 visa gift card provided by Casebine Community Credit Union and other gifts from local businesses. The winner will be announced on Wednesday December 23rd on KKMI-93.5. To register your house for the competition, visit 935kkmi.com or at the KKMI studio 610 N 4th Street, Suite 300, Burlington.
Proud sponsors of the BRE Christmas on the Riverfront include: Drake Hardware & Software, The Hawk Eye, Menke & Company CPA, Casebine Community Credit Union, Tim Lundgren-Farm Bureau Financial Services, Farmers Savings Bank, Carlos Capdevila Agency Inc.– American Family Insurance, Standard of Beaverdale, Walker Outdoor Services, Fye Excavating Inc., Myers Tree Farm & Brockway Company.
Are you a local business interested in sponsoring our tree? Fill out this form and we’ll be in touch!