DES MOINES, Iowa — It's the most wonderful time of the year in central Iowa.
Whether you're channeling Buddy the Elf or Ebenezer Scrooge this holiday season, these events happening across the Des Moines metro are sure to raise your spirits.
Have an event we're missing? Text us at 515-457-1026 or email us at news@weareiowa.com
Holiday lights displays and tree lightings
- When: Friday, Nov. 22, 6-7 p.m.
- Where: Jordan Creek Amphitheater (101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines)
- Price: Free
- When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 4:30-8 p.m.
- Tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m.
- Where: Outlets of Des Moines (801 Bass Pro Dr. NW, Altoona)
- Price: Free
- When: Select dates, 5-9 p.m.
- Dec. 5-7
- Dec. 12-14
- Dec. 19-21
- Dec. 23
- Dec. 26-28
- Where: Reiman Gardens (1407 University Blvd., Ames)
- Price: $16 for adults, $7 for kids 2-12
- When: Select dates, Nov. 29-Jan. 4
- Friday and Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
- Sunday through Thursday, 5-9 p.m.
- Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds (3000 East Grand Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: $20 per car, $50 per bus/limo/RV
- When: Wednesdays through Fridays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays through Sundays, 5-9 p.m.
- Excludes Nov. 22, Nov. 28, Dec. 24-25
- Additional dates: Monday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens (909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines)
- Price: $15 for adults, $9 for kids 13 and under (Free for kids 1 and under)
- When: Evenings, Nov. 29-Dec. 31
- Where: Living History Farms (11121 Hickman Rd., Urbandale)
- Price: $30-$35 per vehicle, up to six passengers
Kids' activities and Santa sightings
- When: Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 29
- Fridays 12-7 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m.
- Additional dates: Monday, Dec. 23, 12-6 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Where: Horizon Event Center (2100 NW 100th St., Clive)
- Price: $30 for adults, $20 for seniors 63+ and kids 4-12
- When: Weekends, Nov. 29-Dec. 22
- Times vary
- Where: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad (225 10th St., Boone)
- Price: Tickets start at $25
- When: Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 30-Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.
- Additional date: Monday, Dec. 23
- Where: Center Grove Orchard (32835 610th Ave., Cambridge)
- Price: $7.95-$12.95
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 12-3 p.m.
- Where: Living History Farms (11121 Hickman Rd., Urbandale)
- Price: $9
- When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Where: Willow on Grand (6011 Grand Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: $30 for adults, $15 for kids
- When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.
- Where: Jester Park Nature Center (12130 NW 128th St., Granger)
- Price: Free
- When: Sunday, Dec. 15, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Where: Terrace Hill (2300 Grand Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: $10 for adults, $5 for kids or $25 for a family of four
- When: Monday, Dec. 16, 5-7 p.m.
- Where: Backpocket Pin & Pixel (6221 Merle Hay Rd., Johnston)
- Price: Free to attend
Shopping
- When: Thursdays, Nov. 21-Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m.
- Excludes Thanksgiving, Nov. 28
- Where: Historic Valley Junction
- Price: Free to attend
- When: Friday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Where: Hall B, Iowa Events Center (730 3rd St., Des Moines)
- Price: Free to attend
- When: Fridays, Nov. 22-Dec. 20, 6-8 p.m.
- Where: Historic East Village
- Price: Free to attend
- When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Where: Middlebrook Mercantile (4125 Cumming Ave., Cumming)
- Price: Free to attend
- When: Saturday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 14, 12-4 p.m.
- Where: Mainframe Studios (900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines)
- Price: Free to attend
- When: Thursday, Dec. 5, 5-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Where: Principal Park (1 Line Dr., Des Moines)
- Price: Free to attend
- When: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Where: The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and Roosevelt Cultural District
- Price: Free to attend
Concerts and performances
- When: Monday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m.
- Where: Hoyt Sherman Place (1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Tickets start at $62
- When: Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
- Where: Tallgrass Theatre Company (2019 Grand Ave. Suite 100, West Des Moines)
- Price: $33
- When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m.
- Where: Various locations
- Dec. 7: Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Indianola
- Dec. 13: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale
- Dec. 14: Plymouth United Church of Christ, Des Moines
- Price: Free will offering
- When: Sunday, Dec. 8, 7-9:30 p.m.
- Where: Salisbury House & Gardens (4025 Tonawanda Dr., Des Moines)
- Price: $65
- When: Dec. 12-15
- Thursday, Dec. 12: 7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13: 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 15: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Where: Hoyt Sherman Place (1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Tickets start at $32
- When: Dec. 13-22, various times
- Excludes Monday, Dec. 16 and Tuesday, Dec. 17
- Where: Stoner Theater (221 Walnut St., Des Moines)
- Price: $40
- When: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
- Where: Wells Fargo Arena (233 Center St., Des Moines)
- Price: Tickets start at $37
- When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 22, 4 p.m.
- Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church (4114 Allison Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Tickets start at $30
Pop-up bars and restaurants
- When: Nov. 11-Dec. 30
- Make reservations here
- Where: Paws & Pints (6218 Willowmere Dr., Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary
- When: Nov. 12-Jan. 5
- Make reservations here
- Where: Exile Brewing Company (1514 Walnut St., Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary
- When: Nov. 15-Dec. 31
- Sunday through Thursday: 3-10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 2 p.m.-12 a.m.
- Where: The Republic on Grand (401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary
- When: Nov. 18-Dec. 31
- Make reservations here
- Where: Jordan Creek Mall (101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary
- When: Begins Nov. 21
- Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Where: Either/Or (6222 Grand Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary
- When: Nov. 25-Dec. 31
- Make reservations here
- Where: The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary
- When: Nov. 27-Dec. 31
- Monday through Wednesday: 4 p.m.-12 a.m.
- Thursday and Friday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
- Saturday: 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
- Sunday: 3 p.m.-12 a.m.
- Where: Bellhop Tiki (440 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines)
- Price: Cost of drinks and/or meal vary