Svatý Mikuláš poses with members of the Czech Heritage Foundation’s Royal Court during the Old World Christmas Market, Dec. 8, 2024, at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Holiday events throughout New Bohemia and Czech Village offered an abundance of activities throughout the weekend.

The annual Very Cherry Holiday, a holiday tradition since 2000, included studio and gallery tours, refreshments, a book sale, rides on the freight elevator with “Ella Vader” and “Luke Skylifter,” Christmas music by the Vintage Jammers and more, on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Cherry Building in New Bohemia.

Built in 1919 as a dairy equipment manufacturing company, the Cherry Building has evolved into an arts and small business center.

See photos from the Cherry Building’s centennial celebration.

Greg Young and Dawn Stephens, aka Luke Skylifter and Ella Vader, are shown in the freight elevator during the 2024 Very Cherry Holiday. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Across the Cedar River, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library hosted its annual Old World Christmas Market both Dec. 7 and 8 at 1400 Inspiration Place SW, in Czech Village.

The market featured local handcrafted items, baked goods, a wreath raffle by the Czech Heritage Foundation, a performance by the dance troupe Svetlusky, and other entertainment and activities.

Inspired by traditional European markets, the event celebrates culture, community and holiday cheer, and offered free admission to all museum galleries. Culinary Tastes with Chef Tom sold favorite Czech and Slovak dishes, desserts and appetizers.

Elves in Santa’s Workshop, from the former Killians Department Store, are displayed in the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

In addition to Czech traditions, the museum carries on a Cedar Rapids mainstay, with the Santa’s Workshop display from the former Killians Department Store, which was donated to the museum more than a decade ago.

Generations of visitors to downtown Cedar Rapids enjoyed seeing Santa’s Workshop during the Christmas season before Killians closed in 1982.

Czech Village celebrated another Czech tradition, called Svatý Mikuláš, on Dec. 6.

See photos of the Svatý Mikuláš celebration here and more photos from the weekend, below: