Things to do in Iowa City this weekend include a Diwali celebration and a holiday pop-up market

Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen
·2 min read

Get an early start to the holiday season this weekend in Iowa City with a variety of celebrations and events.

Here are four things to check out during the second weekend of November:

The holiday shopping season kicks off from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 9.
The holiday shopping season kicks off from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 9.

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‘Tis the Season Holiday Kickoff

The holiday shopping season kicks off from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in the heat of downtown. Iowa City’s favorite retailers will have festive goodies available for purchase and an abundance of holiday-themed activities like the trolley taking shoppers from the downtown district to the Northside Neighborhood, suitable for all ages. The holiday lights will be turned on for the season at the Holiday Kickoff.

The Holiday Pop-Up Market starts on Nov. 9 and runs till Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Black Hawk Mini Park.
The Holiday Pop-Up Market starts on Nov. 9 and runs till Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Black Hawk Mini Park.

Holiday Pop-Up Market sponsored by Greenstate Credit Union

The downtown Holiday Pop-Up Market, sponsored by GreenState Credit Union, returns to provide a festive and unique shopping experience. The market will see a rotating list of businesses throughout November and December, with three different shops each time. The Holiday Pop-Up Market starts Thursday, Nov. 9 and runs through Dec. 22, open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Black Hawk Mini Park.

From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Iowa City Public Library learn about Diwali.
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Iowa City Public Library learn about Diwali.

Diwali Family Night with Iowa Andhi

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with several variations held in other Indian religions. Adults, kids, and families are invited to a celebration of Diwali at the Iowa City Public Library to learn about Diwali with crafts, food, stories, and more. The event runs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday,k Nov. 10. The Iowa Andhi, a competitive South Asian fusion dance team representing the University of Iowa, will host a short performance at 5 p.m. followed by a quick tutorial for guests to try out their own moves.

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From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 11, the City of Iowa City’s Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Holiday Market will be hosted at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center.
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 11, the City of Iowa City’s Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Holiday Market will be hosted at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center.

Holiday Market at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center

The City of Iowa City’s Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual Holiday Markets from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. The event provides an opportunity to purchase handmade gifts while supporting local farmers and artisans. Vendors will offer various products, including homemade, handcrafted, seasonal gifts and food available for purchase.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@presscitizen.com.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Things to do in Iowa City this weekend include a variety of holiday activities