Season of Lights Home Tour
Celebrate the season inside River Bend’s historic homes!
About the Tour
For nearly thirty years, River Bend has opened its historic homes for a walking tour each September. This year, we’re doing something new: for the first time, the tour moves to December, with the neighborhood decorated for the holidays.
Spend a weekend afternoon exploring River Bend and stepping inside some of the oldest homes in Des Moines — many built in the 1870s — fully trimmed and decorated for the season. You’ll see grand historic houses up close, restorations in progress, and the kind of holiday details that make each home feel warm and welcoming, with festive touches around the neighborhood to match.
The Home Tour is the River Bend Neighborhood Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and every ticket supports the community events and neighborhood improvements we put on all year round.
This year’s tour is scheduled for December 5 & 6, 2026. Purchase your ticket today!
Volunteer
The Home Tour is run entirely by volunteers. Help make this community event a success by signing up for a shift. Volunteers receive one free ticket for each shift worked.
When volunteer signups open for the upcoming tour, we’ll post the link here and share it in our newsletter.
Our Sponsors
We are grateful to our sponsors for making the Home Tour possible each year. If you or your business would like to sponsor the tour, we’d love to hear from you.
2026 Information
Tour details:
- Dates: Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th
- Time: 10 AM – 4 PM on both days
- Self-guided tours will take place rain, snow, or shine
Tickets and tour booklets:
- $20* on the day of the event (available online or at the ticket booth)
- $15* in advance (deadline for advance purchase: November 30)
- *An automatic payment processing fee is added to all online ticket purchases
- Route maps and tour booklets can be picked up during tour hours at the ticket booth (location to be announced). No early pickup.
Parking, transportation, and accessibility:
- Visit the homes in any order, at your own pace — on foot or by car
- Park anywhere in the neighborhood, or along the street near each home
- A limited-capacity courtesy shuttle service will be available during the tour
- Many homes are historic and may have stairs or other features that limit accessibility. Contact the River Bend Neighborhood Association for specific questions or concerns
Etiquette and guidelines:
- Host homes are private residences; respectful conduct is required at all times
- Ask permission before taking photos inside the homes
- Wear provided booties or remove shoes when entering homes
- Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times
Amenities and experience:
- Complimentary water will be available along the tour route (limited supplies)
- Some homes will be in varying states of restoration, showcasing progress year after year
- Take your time, ask questions, and visit local businesses for a complete River Bend experience
Enjoy the tour! Discover the rich history and charm of the River Bend Neighborhood during your visit.