Holiday Shows in Des Moines 2024
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
A Motown Christmas
Hoyt Sherman Place
November 12 – Purchase tickets here.
It features former members of The Temptations, The Miracles, and The Contours. A Motown Christmas features a world-class vocal group, assembled from past and present members of Motown’s most legendary groups…Ali Woodson’s Temptations, The Miracles, and The Contours. The vocalists are backed up by a 6-piece band.
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 to dance, to sing, and to enjoy this special, holiday spectacular.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Wells Fargo Arena
November 14 at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
An ALL-NEW version of The Lost Christmas Eve – the final chapter of TSO’s Christmas trilogy.
Irish Christmas in America
Des Moines Civic Center
November 23 & 24. Purchase tickets here.
The hugely popular Holiday show Irish Christmas in America returns in 2024, bringing a fascinating performance of music, song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions.
Michael W. Smith Christmas
Hoyt Sherman Place
November 25; Two Showings – Purchase tickets here.
Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith is excited to be back on tour this Christmas season where he and his very special guest and friend, Michael Tait will bring you a night of his biggest Christmas hits and traditional favorites. We hope you’ll join us for a Christmas celebration that you will never forget.
Hip Hop Nutcracker
Des Moines Civic Center
November 26. Purchase tickets here.
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovksy’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.
Beauty and the Beast
Des Moines Playhouse
December 6-22. Purchase tickets here.
Belle longs for adventure and an escape from her provincial town. A cruel and arrogant prince is trapped in a beastly form in his castle. Fate brings these two together. Can the Beast find someone to love – and love him in return – or will he remain a beast forever? Be our guest for this classic fairy tale based on the Academy Award-nominated Disney film.
Chicago
Des Moines Civic Center
December 6-8. Purchase tickets here.
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.
Ballet Des Moines Presents The Nutcracker
Hoyt Sherman Place
December 12-15
Multiple showings. Check out dates, and 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.
Iowa Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker
Des Moines Civic Center
December 13-14. 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: A Christmas Carol
Stoner Theater
December 13-22. Purchase tickets here. Various days and times
This classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future has become a tradition for Iowa Stage Theatre Company and Des Moines! The vision of designer Jay Jagim, who was involved in the initial creation of this adaptation at the Alley Theater in Houston three decades ago, shines in the return of this heartwarming production. Bring the whole family to enjoy the timeless tale of Scrooge’s ghostly visitations and Yuletide change of heart.
Christmas with the Choral Society
St. Ambrose Cathedral
December 7 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.
Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour
Wells Fargo Arena
December 18 at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
As one of the most innovative, inventive, and inimitable vocal groups of all time, Pentatonix reimagine, reinvigorate, and redefine a cappella. Since emerging in 2011, the three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning and Daytime EMMY® Award-nominated vocal quintet—Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee—have reached unprecedented heights, topping charts, selling 10 million albums worldwide, generating billions of streams, and performing everywhere from The White House and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to The Hollywood Bowl.
Magical Cirque Christmas
Des Moines Civic Center
December 22 at 4 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
Embrace the holiday spirit with A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages.
