Holiday Events in Des Moines 2024
Below is a list of some of my favorite holiday events that happen in Des Moines every holiday season. From promenades and Santa arrivals to seeing lights and more. Take a look at this list and plan your holiday season in Des Moines, Iowa. We continually update this post throughout the season. Have a holiday event or activity you would like to include? Contact us here.
** Please note: We are actively updating this guide. Make sure you have it bookmarked and check back regularly for updates!
Bookmark these other fun holiday guides to plan this season:
- Santa in Des Moines
- Holiday Shows in Des Moines
- Des Moines Holiday Markets 2024
- Bass Pro Shop Santa Wonderland – All the Details!
- Des Moines Parent Event Calendar – The best way to stay up to date with events and activities.
NOVEMBER
Jingle in the Junction
Historic Valley Junction
November 21; December 5, 12 & 19
5 to 8 p.m.
The holiday season is in Valley Junction as many businesses extend their hours on Thursday nights to give you more time to find the perfect holiday gift, enjoy dinner, and enjoy three blocks of free entertainment on 5th Street under the glow of over 100,000-holiday lights.
Brenton Skating Plaza Opening Night + Tree Lighting
Brenton Skating Plaza in Downtown Des Moines
November 22 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Opening night of Brenton Skating Plaza. The night will consist of a visit from Santa and a tree-lighting ceremony.
Holiday Promenade
East Village
Details coming soon!
Fall Makers Market
Jester Park Nature Center
November 24; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Polk County Conservation on Sunday, November 24, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger to shop for gifts or goods just in time for the holiday season! While there, explore the nature center’s exhibits, relax on the back patio in an Adirondack chair by the fireplace, and make sure to head over to the outdoor recreation center where more vendors will be located!
With over 60 local makers, artisans, and/or handcrafters you are bound to find something for everyone on your list. The Fall Makers Market is a FREE admission, family-friendly event. Pho Wheels, Miss Casey’s Donut Delights, and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck will be there as well, so come hungry and decaffeinated!
Mayor’s Lighting Celebration
Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park & Garden
November 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Join the Mayor and City Council as we flip the switch and light up the Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park for the holiday season! We’ll have hot cocoa and cookies for you to enjoy as you walk around the beautifully decorated park. This event is free.
Holiday Hullabaloo
10320 Hickman Road in Clive
November 29 to December 31 (Various days)
Are you ready to jingle all the way to a holiday adventure of epic proportions? Well, enjoy a day of sheer yuletide fun at Holiday Hullabaloo 2024! Holiday Hullabaloo is an indoor, immersive, family-friendly holiday experience that will surprise and delight guests of all ages. Featuring a wide range of activities and entertainment including photos with Santa! Your entire family will be mesmerized. Purchase tickets and learn more.
Christmas in Olde Town
Altoona, Iowa
November 30 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Christmas in Olde Town is one of the most anticipated events of the year. It’s a time when the entire community comes together to celebrate the holiday season. This year, they have an extra special guest joining them – Santa Claus himself!
Let’s not overlook the other exciting activities we have in store, such as our hot chocolate bar, smores station, coloring contest, crafts, entertainment, and so much more!
Santa Express
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
Various dates and times
Join the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad for what has become a tradition for families across the Midwest. Take a ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s Santa Express, a journey that will take you from Boone to the North Pole, and return. Santa will pass through the train, greeting children, and passing out a special gift.
On your journey, you will cross the 156-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge.
Purchase tickets here.
DECEMBER
Winter’s Eve
Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
December 2 at 5:30 p.m.
Join the City of West Des Moines at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater to kick off the winter season with refreshments, festive songs, and the lighting of the Mayor’s holiday tree. FREE!
Clive Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Clive Public Library
December 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Mark your calendars, Clive Parks & Recreation has set a date for its annual Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting that will be held in front of Clive Public Library. Enjoy kid-friendly activities. Special guest appearance from the North Pole!
Holidays at the Town Center
Johnston Town Center
December 7 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The annual event will feature free ice skating, a visit with Santa and his reindeer, samples from local businesses, tree lighting, and a new holiday light show! Take a look at the full schedule and details here.
Windsor Wonderland
Colby Park
December 7 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Colby Park comes alive with the spirit of the holidays during Windsor Wonderland with FREE family fun! Bring the family out for crafts, hot chocolate, ice sculpting, carriage ride, and MORE including a visit from Santa!
Register for the ugly sweater fun run, buy Windsor Heights merchandise, and register for a free gingerbread house kit (Windsor Heights residents only) at www.windsorwonderland.com!
Waukee WinterFest
Waukee Downtown Triangle
December 6; 6 to 8 p.m.
Bring on the holiday cheer with your friends, family, and neighbors at Waukee’s free, annual WinterFest celebration held in the Downtown Triangle! Santa makes his big appearance at 6 p.m. at the tree lighting. After the tree lighting, visit with the jolly man in person at the Community Center over hot chocolate and cookies and participate in open houses and activities with the Waukee Downtown Businesses.
Christkindlmarket
Principal Park
Thursday, December 5: 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday, December 6: 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday, December 7: 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday, December 8: 11 am – 5 pm
Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 700-year-old traditional German-inspired Christmas market.
Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance, and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children’s activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European-style Iowa craft beer.
Merry & Bright Celebration in Bondurant
Downtown/Main Street in Bondurant
December 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2024 Merry & Bright Celebration is a day full of holiday events for adults and families. Join Bondurant for one or all of the day’s events! The schedule will be updated as more events are finalized.
- 10 am-3 pm: Winter Market & Vendor Fair at the Bondurant Junior High School.
- 1-4 pm: Enjoy the magic of the season with the Bondurant-Farrar Choirs at KaleidoHope! The Bondurant-Farrar Fine Arts Booster will also be offering hot chocolate! Come for the music, stay for the holiday spirit.
- 1-4 pm: The Bondurant Historical Society will be having a s’more station at The Depot!
- 1-4 pm: Stop into Founders Irish Pub for a hot cocoa bar and a Chili & Chicken Noodle bar (the soup bar special is available from 12-8 pm). They will also be hosting a free kids’ craft activity!
- 3 pm-5 pm: Santa’s Workshop & Cocoa Stop at the Bondurant Library. Santa will be waiting to hear what you want for Christmas, and Photos by Ben will be on-site to document that magical moment!
- 4:30 pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony on the lawn of the Bondurant Community Library
- 5 pm: Lighted Parade
Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show
Reiman Gardens
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in December. Including December 23.
5 to 9 p.m.
Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show is back for its third year and better than ever with our outdoor walk-through holiday light show featuring a variety of immersive light displays throughout the entire 17-acre site. Don’t miss our new and improved features and elements including motion and music. Walkthrough brightly lit tunnels, meander through fantasy lights falling like stars, view massive disco balls twirling to laser lights and enjoy a twenty-foot-wide fountain of lights and a wide array of other sparkling wonders. The kids will enjoy lighted sculptural forms including Peter Rabbit, the metamorphosis of the luna moth, penguins cavorting on skis, sleds, and ice skates, and a giant lighted snowflake.
On your way out through the main building, don’t miss the RG Express Holiday Train display in the Hughes Conservatory! Visitors young and old will be enchanted by this custom-built garden-scale train, which was created by Applied Imagination, an internationally recognized company whose train displays meld botanical design and architecture.
Tickets are on sale starting November 1. Buy your tickets early, as popular time slots sell out quickly.
Ticket pricing:
- $16 Adult General Public
- $14 Adult Members & ISU Students
- $7 Youth (ages 2-12)
- Free for Youth under 2
Holly & Ivy
Salisbury House
December 7 & 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Holly & Ivy is Salisbury House’s signature holiday fundraising event! Each room of the grand 1920s estate will be adorned in creative, festive holiday décor by some of the most talented local interior designers, florists, home stagers, and individuals in the Des Moines area. Enjoy live holiday music on the Steinway piano and more.
