Holiday Shows in Des Moines 2025
The holiday season is truly a special time of year to catch a holiday musical or show in Des Moines, Iowa. You can make it a date night or you can include the entire family. Go to dinner at your favorite downtown Des Moines restaurant, catch your favorite holiday show filled with Christmas music, and then drive to look at holiday lights in Des Moines. You can definitely create a great holiday tradition! Whether it is listening to Christmas carols live or taking in the talented performing arts, there is a show for all ages. Take a look at this year’s list below and create a new Christmas tradition this season.
Check out these other fun holiday guides to help you plan this season:
- Santa in Des Moines
- Holiday Events in Des Moines
- Bass Pro Shops Santa Wonderland
- Holiday Markets in Des Moines
- 7 Events to Kick-Off the Holiday Season
- Des Moines Parent Event Calendar
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Des Moines Playhouse
November 7-29; Purchase tickets here.
The Herdman children appear to be the worst kids ever. They lie, they steal, and they curse. When the Herdmans hear the neighborhood church serves treats, they show up and volunteer for the lead roles in this year’s pageant. Ultimately, everyone is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.
A Motown Christmas
Hoyt Sherman
November 16 at 7 p.m.; Purchase tickets here.
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.
Christmas with The Celts
Hoyt Sherman
December 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Purchase tickets here.
Top Irish musicians have united with the finest Nashville players to create the new sound and energy of The Celts. The Celts (formerly known as The Nashville Celts) perform a fresh hybrid of Irish Americana, which combines their own rootsy originals and tight vocal harmonies with fiery Irish Trad instrumentals.
A Christmas Carol
Des Moines Civic Center; Stoner Theater
December 5-21; Buy tickets here.
Follow the transformative journey of Ebenezer Scrooge as he navigates past, present, and future, discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of this holiday classic, filled with festive cheer and heartfelt redemption. This timeless production captures the magic of the season, bringing Dickens’s characters to life on stage through an enchanting ensemble and daring designs.
Disney’s Frozen
Des Moines Playhouse
December 5-27; Purchase tickets here.
The story you love. The songs you can’t stop singing. For the first time in forever, Princess Anna is thrilled to welcome the people of Arendelle into the castle — but the joyous celebration takes a dramatic turn when her sister, Queen Elsa, accidentally reveals her icy powers and plunges the kingdom into an endless winter. Determined to save her sister and their home, Anna sets off on a daring adventure with a rugged ice seller, a loyal reindeer, and a hilarious talking snowman.
Disney’s Frozen comes to life on stage in a dazzling musical about the power of love, courage, and sisterhood. Share the magic with your kids or grandkids—and experience the wonder all over again. Some stories are meant to be shared.
Ballet Des Moines Presents The Nutcracker
Hoyt Sherman Place
December 11-14
Multiple showings. Check out dates, times, and purchase tickets.
Join Ballet Des Moines as they introduce a new cast of characters into the annual holiday tradition of The Nutcracker.
The mission of Ballet Des Moines is to enrich lives through inspiring dance performances, inclusive education and outreach programs, and innovative community partnerships.
The Nutcracker
Des Moines Civic Center
December 12-13; Purchase tickets here.
Iowa Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker Ballet. Experience the adventures of a girl named Clara as she journeys to a distant land where a prince battles mischievous mice, flowers waltz, and a Sugar Plum Fairy delights children of every age.
Iowa Dance Theatre has produced the ballet at the Des Moines Civic Center since 1997. The Nutcracker is choreographed and directed by a team of dance professionals from Central Iowa. Set to the timeless music of Tchaikovsky, Iowa Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet is a great holiday experience for the whole family.
Christmas with the Choral Society
St. Ambrose Cathedral
December 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Another grand tradition in Des Moines. Do not miss The Choral Society this Christmas season. The one you come back for, year after year. Attend an inspiring program of great works and seasonal favorites, all in celebration of the Christmas spirit. Together with a chamber orchestra, piano, and soloists, the Des Moines Choral Society will fill the cathedral with the joy of the season! Purchase tickets here.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Des Moines Civic Center
December 16-21; Purchase tickets here.
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage.
Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Celebrate the holidays with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story!”
Pop ‘n Jolly
Des Moines Civic Center
December 23 at 6:30 p.m.; Purchase tickets here.
A holiday show spanning music from the decades! This show will have something for all generations as we walk down memory lane.
After a highly successful debut last year, we are excited to bring back Pop N Jolly with a few fun new things! Join us for a special show highlighting music and memories through the decades as we try to summon Santa before he heads back to pack his sleigh for Christmas Eve! This show will feature some of the metro’s top talent and generational favorite memories. Share the joy of the holidays as a family and relax together before your traditional festivities begin. There might even be a few special surprises if we bring our true holiday spirit
Tonic Sol Fa “Wrap It Up” – Final Holiday Tour
Hoyt Sherman
December 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Purchase tickets here.
Due to the overwhelming demand for “one last holiday show,” Emmy-winning vocal quartet Tonic Sol-fa will take their final Christmastime bow with the “Wrap it Up” 2025 Holiday Tour. This farewell run marks the end of a legendary chapter, bringing audiences one last chance to experience the group’s signature blend of sharp harmonies, inventive arrangements, and heartfelt humor. Beloved for their fresh takes on seasonal classics and original holiday hits, Tonic Sol-fa’s yuletide farewell promises to be both a celebration and a send-off worthy of their storied career.
Opening for Tonic Sol-fa is the powerhouse Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience—a bold, genre-bending holiday show where Sinatra swagger collides with high-octane energy. Recently featured on HBO and boasting a Top 5 Billboard album, this dynamic octet takes the American Christmas classics and spins them into something wholly modern and unforgettable.
