Straight No Chaser Holiday Show
November 5, 2025 - 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm at Des Moines Performing Arts Civic Center
221 Walnut Street
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
November 7, 2025 - November 9, 2025 - All Day at EMC Expo Center
730 4th Street
The 8th annual Des Moines Holiday Boutique returns to the EMC Expo Center this November!
Adults (at the door) $14.00
Adults (Online only) $12.00 *Online Advance Adult Admission will be at the $12 discounted rate through 11/14/24. Starting opening day of the show the price will increase to $14 online, same as box office pricing.
Children Ages 12 & Under FREE
Get your tickets here!
Living History Farms Race
November 8, 2025 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm at Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Road
Run 5 miles through 300 years of history!
Saturday, November 8 • 9 a.m.
Registration opens August 1
Immerse yourself in rural Iowa landscapes for this one-of-a-kind off-road race. You’ll splash through streams, plow through fields, and enjoy post-race treats from the Machine Shed. The course starts and ends in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill and runs through our three historic farm sites. Be sure to wave to the horses, cows, sheep, and pigs!
Awards given for overall winners, age division winners, and best costumes. Must be 14 to register.
All finishers receive a shirt and a cowbell medal.
Any participants who have not reached the halfway point in 1 hour may be asked to hop on the “sag wagon.”
+ FREE KIDS’ RUN
Saturday, November 8, 10:30 a.m.
Chicago
November 15, 2025 - 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm at Stephens Auditorium
Scheman Building, 400 Beach Ave Iowa State Center
A Motown Christmas
November 16, 2025 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Avenue
A Motown Christmas features a world-class vocal group, assembled from past and present members of Motown’s most legendary groups…The Miracles and The Contours and features the music and memories of Motown’s most legendary artists.
A Motown Christmas is a powerful family-oriented show combining Motown’s greatest hits with everyone’s favorite holiday classics. This show features those famous Motown trademarks…dazzling choreography and unforgettable harmonies all performed in that memorable, soulful Motown style. This is an evening not to be missed, bring the family, dance, sing and enjoy this special, holiday spectacular.
Get your tickets here!
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market
November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025 - All Day at Iowa Events Center
730 3rd st
The Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market in Downtown Des Moines is a premiere shopping event for holiday food and gifts and serves as an extension of the Saturday Market, which runs from May through October. Winter Market attendees can stock up on all the holiday goodies needed to create beautiful gifts or prepare delicious meals for friends and family, as well as fresh-cut trees, poinsettias, holiday wreaths and ornaments. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment and treat themselves to breakfast or lunch from a variety of local vendors, all while supporting small businesses and celebrating the best of the holiday season.
Times: Friday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 22: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Strength – Scottish Highlands & Eroica
November 22, 2025 - November 23, 2025 - All Day at Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut St
Vivid and emotional, the third program on our Masterworks series features the lively rhythms of Scottish folk music. Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances leads into Bruch’s virtuosic Scottish Fantasy, performed by American violinist Stefan Jackiw in his Des Moines debut. The concert closes with Beethoven’s triumphant masterpiece, the Eroica Symphony.
Get your tickets here:
Family Christmas
December 6, 2025 - 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Road
Join us for old-fashioned holiday fun!
Saturday, December 6 • Noon-3 p.m.
Advance admission: $11 for ages 2+ ($10 for members), <2 free
Admission at the door: $12 for all visitors ages 2+, <2 free
Hear the sounds, see the sights, and smell the smells of a 19th-century Christmas:
- Cookie decorating
- Crafts
- Caroling
- Stories
- Parlor games
- Demonstrations at the Millinery, Print Shop, Drug Store, and Tangen Home
- Tours of the Historic Flynn Mansion
- Horse-drawn wagon rides*
- And take your photo with Santa!
Buildings are heated. Bundle up for wagon rides!
The Holidays Are Sweeter in Van Meter
December 6, 2025 - 12:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Van Meter Fire Station
506 Grant St
We are wondering if you have a truck or vehicle that you can play continuous holiday music from on Sat,Dec 6th. We hold an annual holiday event the first Saturday of each December, which begins with a 1:00 PM ugly sweater 5K run, followed by activities in the park with Santa and the Grinch, a tree lighting ceremony, hayrack rides and our Sips and Snacks event with our local businesses. There will be food and beverage trucks on site. We’re now looking for music. Thanks!
Rhonda Baldwin
515-229-8219
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
December 16, 2025 - December 21, 2025 - All Day at Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut Street
