Enjoy the holidays in Des Moines with our ultimate guide to festive fun. Whether you call Des Moines home or are just passing through, this guide ensures a memorable holiday experience.
Popular events include the enchanting Holiday Promenade, where local shops and vendors come together to create a festive atmosphere featuring unique gifts and seasonal treats. Jingle in the Junction transforms the area into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights and joyous activities for the whole family. And the beloved Disney on Ice brings your favourite characters to life on ice, making it a spectacle that you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Des Moines
- Holiday Promenade
- Jingle in the Junction (West Des Moines)
- Disney on Ice
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Santa Express (Cambridge)
- Holly & Ivy
- Santa’s Rock N Lights (Urbandale)
- Mannheim Steamroller
- A Motown Christmas
See these and even more events listed below!
Des Moines Holiday Light Displays
Jingle in the Junction
What to Expect:
Extended business hours with festive lighting and free entertainment.
Description:
Valley Junction transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with extended business hours, free entertainment, and over 100,000 holiday lights illuminating 5th Street.
Where: West Des Moines | More Info: Jingle in the Junction
Santa’s Rock N Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with over 100,000 animated lights.
Description:
Santa's Rock N Lights is a drive-through Christmas light show featuring over 700 feet of dancing light tunnels, giant 3D sculptures, and thousands of programmable lights synchronized to music.
Where: Urbandale | More Info: Santa’s Rock N Lights
Festival of Trees & Lights
What to Expect:
Central Iowa's largest fundraiser supporting Child Life and Center for Advocacy & Outreach programs.
Description:
The Festival of Trees & Lights at the Iowa Events Center features beautifully decorated trees, special performances, visits with Santa, a scavenger hunt, fun crafts, and activities. Visitors can also shop the Holiday Gift Shop for gifts and more, supporting valuable programs at Blank Children's Hospital.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Festival of Trees & Lights
Des Moines Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Disney on Ice
What to Expect:
Interactive character experiences and dynamic ice performances.
Description:
Disney on Ice: Mickey's Search Party is an immersive adventure featuring world-class skating, acrobatics, and compelling storytelling. Join Mickey Mouse and friends as they search for Tinker Bell through various immersive worlds, including Coco, Moana, and Frozen.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Disney on Ice
A Charlie Brown Christmas
What to Expect:
Faithful stage adaptation of a beloved animated special.
Description:
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a faithful stage adaptation of the classic animated television special, where Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. The show features a talented cast and is presented in the John Viars Theatre.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
What to Expect:
Visually dazzling live event with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings an ALL-NEW version of "The Lost Christmas Eve," the final chapter of their Christmas trilogy, featuring a blend of classical, heavy metal, and rock music, with stunning visuals including lasers, pyrotechnics, and giant video screens.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Santa Express
What to Expect:
Commemorative silver sleigh bells for all passengers.
Description:
Embark on a festive journey with your family aboard the Polar Express Train Ride, where characters from the beloved holiday story come to life. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and music from the motion picture soundtrack as you journey to the North Pole. All passengers receive a special commemorative silver sleigh bell, and premium tickets include exclusive souvenirs.
Where: Cambridge | More Info: Santa Express
Mannheim Steamroller
What to Expect:
Dazzling multimedia effects and classic holiday tunes.
Description:
Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas concert at the Des Moines Civic Center features classic holiday tunes in the distinctive Mannheim sound, celebrating the group's 35-year anniversary with dazzling multimedia effects.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Mannheim Steamroller
A Motown Christmas
What to Expect:
World-class vocal group performing Motown classics and holiday hits.
Description:
A Motown Christmas features a world-class vocal group, combining Motown's greatest hits with holiday classics. The show includes dazzling choreography and unforgettable harmonies, performed in the soulful Motown style.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: A Motown Christmas
Michael W. Smith: Every Christmas
What to Expect:
Multi-platinum artist performing popular Christmas classics with special guest Riley Clemmons.
Description:
Join multi-platinum singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith and special guest Riley Clemmons for a night of beloved Christmas classics. This concert features a blend of timeless carols and critically acclaimed holiday music, ensuring a joyful and meaningful holiday experience for the whole family.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Michael W. Smith: Every Christmas
A Magical Cirque Christmas
What to Expect:
World-class circus acts and live holiday music performances.
Description:
A Magical Cirque Christmas is a variety show filled with nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music, celebrating the magic of the season with the entire family.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: A Magical Cirque Christmas
Des Moines Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Promenade
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities in Historic East Village.
Description:
The Holiday Promenade is an exciting, free celebration in Downtown Des Moines featuring holiday-themed activities, entertainment, and shopping. It includes a tree lighting ceremony, window display judging, gingerbread house displays, an Elf on a Shelf scavenger hunt, and visits with Santa.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Holiday Promenade
Holly & Ivy
What to Expect:
Holiday home tour with live music and local decorations.
Description:
Holly & Ivy is a holiday fundraiser at Salisbury House, featuring guided tours of the grand 1920s estate decorated by local interior designers and florists. Enjoy live holiday music, holiday workshops, and more.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Holly & Ivy
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- SeaTac (4 miles)
- Kent (4 miles)
- Burien (5 miles)
- Federal Way (6 miles)
- Tukwila (6 miles)
- East Hill-Meridian (7 miles)
- Renton (8 miles)
- Auburn (8 miles)
- Tacoma (12 miles)
- Mercer Island (13 miles)
- Maple Valley (13 miles)
- Seattle (14 miles)
- Puyallup (15 miles)
- Bellevue (16 miles)
- University Place (16 miles)
- West Lake Sammamish (16 miles)
- Issaquah (16 miles)
- Parkland (18 miles)
- Bainbridge Island (18 miles)
- South Hill (18 miles)
- Lakewood (18 miles)
- Bremerton (18 miles)
- City of Sammamish (19 miles)
- Kirkland (20 miles)
- Sammamish (20 miles)
- Redmond (21 miles)
- Spanaway (21 miles)
- Inglewood-Finn Hill (22 miles)
- Graham (24 miles)
- Shoreline (24 miles)
- Kenmore (25 miles)
- Bothell (26 miles)
- Cottage Lake (26 miles)
- Mountlake Terrace (27 miles)
- Edmonds (28 miles)
- Lynnwood (29 miles)
- North Creek (30 miles)
- Picnic Point-North Lynnwood (32 miles)
- Mill Creek (32 miles)
- Silver Firs (33 miles)
- Lacey (35 miles)
- Eastmont (35 miles)
- Olympia (37 miles)
- Mukilteo (38 miles)
- Everett (40 miles)
- West Lake Stevens (42 miles)
- Lake Stevens (44 miles)