Holiday Events in Des Moines 2026: Dates, Times & Free Family Fun
Quick answer: The biggest holiday events in Des Moines for 2026 start with Dome for the Holidays at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (opens Nov. 14), Jingle in the Junction in West Des Moines (Thursdays starting Nov. 19) and the East Village Holiday Promenade (Fridays starting Nov. 20). December brings Christkindlmarket at Principal Park (Dec. 3–6 and 10–13), plus free tree lightings in Waukee, Clive, Urbandale and West Des Moines. Every event below is listed in date order, with times, towns, cost and links.
The holidays in Des Moines are SO much fun! From twinkling light shows to tree lightings with Santa, our metro packs a LOT of holiday magic into a few short weeks.
I keep this guide updated all season long, so bookmark it and check back often! Know of an event we missed? Contact us here and we’ll add it.
November 2026 holiday events in Des Moines
Dome for the Holidays – Des Moines (starts Nov. 14)
Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
When: Various dates beginning Saturday, Nov. 14. Wednesday Family Nights are Nov. 18 and 25 and Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 30, 5–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Timed tickets must be bought in advance. No tickets are sold at the door.
All the glow, none of the snow! Thousands of lights fill the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House, so this is the perfect pick for little ones on a cold Iowa night. Read our full Dome for the Holidays guide or get tickets here.
Jingle in the Junction – West Des Moines (Thursdays, Nov. 19–Dec. 17)
Where: Historic Valley Junction, 5th Street, West Des Moines
When: Thursday, Nov. 19 and Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 5–8 p.m.
Cost: Free entertainment
Valley Junction businesses stay open late on Thursdays, with free family entertainment along 5th Street under thousands of twinkling lights. It’s one of my favorite ways to knock out holiday shopping! See the schedule.
Brenton Skating Plaza Opening Night + Tree Lighting – Downtown Des Moines (Nov. 20)
Where: Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
When: Friday, Nov. 20, 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Skating admission and skate rental apply
Downtown’s outdoor rink opens for the season with a tree lighting and a visit from Santa. It lines up with the first night of the East Village Holiday Promenade, so plan to do both! Visit Brenton Skating Plaza.
Holiday Promenade – East Village, Des Moines (Fridays, Nov. 20–Dec. 18)
Where: Historic East Village, Des Moines
When: Fridays, Nov. 20–Dec. 18, 5–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Five festive Fridays of late shopping, live music and holiday fun in the East Village. Shops stay open until 8 p.m., and each week brings something a little different. Get details.
Fall Makers Market – Granger (Nov. 22)
Where: Jester Park Nature Center, Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center and Jester Park Lodge, Granger
When: Sunday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Shop local makers across three buildings at Jester Park, then stop by the bison and elk on your way out! Learn more here.
Mayor’s Lighting Celebration – Urbandale (Nov. 24)
Where: Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park & Garden, Urbandale
When: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free, with cocoa and cookies
Urbandale kicks off the season by lighting up the park. Learn more about the lights in our Miracle on 86th Street guide.
Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show – Ames (select nights, Nov. 27–Dec. 27)
Where: Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., Ames (about 35 minutes north of Des Moines)
When: Nov. 27 and 29; Dec. 4–6, 11–13, 18–23, 26 and 27; 5–9 p.m.
Cost: $16 adults; $14 members and ISU students; $7 youth ages 2–12; free under 2
Walk through light tunnels and glowing gardens at one of central Iowa’s biggest outdoor light shows. Tickets went on sale Nov. 1. Read our Winter Wonderscape guide or buy tickets.
Christmas in Olde Town – Altoona (Nov. 28)
Where: Olde Town Altoona
When: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2–4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Small-town holiday fun with Santa in attendance, right on Small Business Saturday. See the event.
Santa Express – Boone (select dates, late November–December)
Where: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, 225 10th St., Boone (about 45 minutes northwest of Des Moines)
When: Various dates and times
Cost: Tickets required for ages 2 and up
Ride the train from Boone to the North Pole and back while Santa visits each car. Dates sell out FAST, so book early! Get tickets.
Winter’s Eve – West Des Moines (Nov. 30)
Where: Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
When: Monday, Nov. 30, 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
West Des Moines lights the mayor’s holiday tree at the city campus amphitheater.
December 2026 holiday events in Des Moines
Christkindlmarket Des Moines – Principal Park (Dec. 3–6 and 10–13)
Where: Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
When: Thursdays, Dec. 3 and 10, 5–9 p.m.; Fridays, Dec. 4 and 11, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sundays, Dec. 6 and 13, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
A German-inspired Christmas market with handmade gifts, European food and holiday performances. It’s now one of the largest Christkindlmarkets in the country! Plan your visit.
Clive Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting – Clive (Dec. 4)
Where: Clive Public Library
When: Friday, Dec. 4, 5:30–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Activities, treats and music as Clive lights its tree. Get details.
Waukee WinterFest – Waukee (Dec. 4)
Where: Waukee Downtown Triangle
When: Friday, Dec. 4, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Santa helps light the tree in Triangle Park, followed by hot cocoa and local business open houses. Bring a food or toy donation if you can! See the schedule.
Holly & Ivy – Salisbury House, Des Moines (Dec. 5–6)
Where: Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines
When: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Tickets required
Local designers deck out each room of this historic house, and you get to vote for your favorite. Proceeds support Salisbury House Foundation. Get tickets.
Family Christmas – Living History Farms, Urbandale (Dec. 5)
Where: Living History Farms, Urbandale
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, noon–3 p.m.
Step back in time and see how Iowans celebrated Christmas long ago. Learn more.
Holidays at the Town Center – Johnston (Dec. 5)
Where: Johnston Town Center
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 4–6 p.m.
Cost: Free, including ice skating
Free ice skating plus a visit with Santa and his reindeer! Get details.
Windsor Wonderland – Windsor Heights (Dec. 5)
Where: Colby Park, 6900 School St., Windsor Heights
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: Free
Free family activities, an ugly sweater fun run and a gingerbread house contest. Free kits are for Windsor Heights residents only. See the schedule.
The Peppermint Trail – Des Moines (Dec. 12)
Where: The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and Roosevelt Cultural District, Des Moines
When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free to stroll
Shop and sip your way along Ingersoll and Grand on this festive walking trail, presented by Veridian Credit Union. Get details.
Tips for holiday events in Des Moines
- Buy timed tickets early. Dome for the Holidays, Winter Wonderscape and the Santa Express all sell out on popular nights.
- Pair events by neighborhood. Brenton Skating Plaza and the Holiday Promenade share a night on Nov. 20. Dec. 5 is the busiest day, with six events across the metro and Ames.
- Dress for Iowa weather. Most tree lightings are outdoors after dark, so bundle up and check event pages for weather updates.
- Look for free nights. More than half of the events on this list are free!
More from Des Moines Parent
Looking for even more holiday fun? Find out where to see Santa in Des Moines, plan a night out with our holiday shows in Des Moines guide, and shop our list of Des Moines holiday markets. Little ones will love Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland, and grown-ups can check out Christmas pop-up bars. For everything happening this week, see the Des Moines Parent Event Calendar and our full Holidays in DSM Guide. Want it all in your inbox? Sign up for DSM Weekly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Top picks include Dome for the Holidays at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (from Nov. 14), Jingle in the Junction in West Des Moines (Thursdays from Nov. 19), the East Village Holiday Promenade (Fridays from Nov. 20) and Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Principal Park (Dec. 3–6 and 10–13).
Christkindlmarket runs Dec. 3–6 and Dec. 10–13, 2026, at Principal Park in downtown Des Moines. Admission is free.
Free events include Jingle in the Junction, the Holiday Promenade, Christkindlmarket, Waukee WinterFest, Holidays at the Town Center in Johnston, Windsor Wonderland and the tree lightings in Urbandale, Clive and West Des Moines.
Dome for the Holidays lights up the Botanical Garden conservatory indoors. Winter Wonderscape at Reiman Gardens in Ames, about 35 minutes north, is a large outdoor walk-through light show on select nights Nov. 27–Dec. 27.
Urbandale lights its tree Nov. 24, West Des Moines holds Winter’s Eve Nov. 30, and Clive and Waukee both light their trees Friday, Dec. 4. Brenton Skating Plaza downtown lights its tree Nov. 20.
Yes. The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad runs the Santa Express from Boone, about 45 minutes from Des Moines, on select dates in late November and December. Tickets are required for ages 2 and up.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, has the most events, including Christkindlmarket, Holly & Ivy at Salisbury House, Family Christmas at Living History Farms, Holidays at the Town Center in Johnston and Windsor Wonderland.
