Wellmark Family Series in Des Moines
Des Moines Performing Arts is bringing the Wellmark Family Series back for its 16th year and another amazing season. This series of live shows is perfect for introducing the littlest members of your family to the theater and live performances. The 2025-26 series, sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, will offer three shows that are one-hour performances. Perfect for the youngest attention span and fun for the whole family. The Wellmark Family Series is not your typical live theater show. Each performance will encourage your family to use their imaginations, get young minds moving, and have fun!
In addition, before each performance, families can participate in a FREE Discovery Party with educational opportunities that correlate with the performance. Discovery Parties are held 1 hour before the start of the show and consist of FREE demonstrations, music, activities, and more. This is a great way to introduce the show you are about to see to your children.
3-Show Package Pricing Starts at $24
Des Moines Performing Arts is offering a super affordable way for the entire family to enjoy the Wellmark Family Series. You can purchase season tickets for all three productions being held at the Des Moines Civic Center starting at $24. Purchase season ticket packages on the Des Moines Performing Arts website or at the Des Moines Civic Center ticket office.
Purchasing a package brings benefits that include:
- Convenient payment plans
- Save up to 15% on package add-on shows
- Best seats at the best prices
- Flexible ticket exchanges
- Easy show substitution
2025-26 Wellmark Family Series Shows:
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
November 8, 2025, on the Civic Center Stage
11 a.m.
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. Why throw a party for the dead? But when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Meet Sugar Skull, a charismatic skeleton with a secret or two. With her skeletal new friend, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster Chaneques, and even meets the famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth gather the missing pieces needed for her family ofrenda before it’s too late?
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards
January 25, 2026, on the Civic Center Stage
4 p.m..
Enjoy New Orleans Jazz for the whole family with Jazzy Ash and her band the Leaping Lizards. Ash is a talented and prolific songwriter as well as a musical treasure hunter, highlighting traditional songs, rhythms and rhymes that have been handed down by African-American children, adults and musicians for generations.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Billy Goats Gruff and Other Tales
March 6, 2026, on the Civic Center Stage
6 p.m.
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s newest production, Billy Goats Gruff and Other Tales, presents a fresh and engaging reimagining of three cherished children’s stories—Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Filled with adventure, humor, and heroism, the story follows a brave raccoon and clever mouse who are on a journey to collect treasure. Along the way, they unknowingly help the goats, bears, and pigs, preventing disaster—without any of the animals ever encountering a true villain. This imaginative retelling seamlessly interweaves three classic tales into a heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship and courage.
This performance will be sensory-friendly.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.\
Wellmark Family Series Package Add-Ons
The following two shows are shows you can add to your 3-show package. Such a great deal! There are two add-ons available this year.
Doodle Pop
April 18, 2026, at the Temple Theater
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
A mischievous duo, Woogie & Boogie starts to doodle, and ends up creating a whole imaginative world! They invite us along on their sea adventure with a tiny little turtle. Will they return the turtle to the sea safely?
A touching and playful non-verbal show uses live musicians who perform the scores and the sound effects, along with the stunning interactive screen projections with live whiteboard drawings, and an abundance of theatrical imagination.
The 2 PM performance will be sensory-friendly.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Aesop Bops!
May 9, 2026, at the Temple Theater
11 a.m.
Fast-paced, funny, and packed with audience participation, Aesop Bops! features a potpourri of Aesop’s classic stories including The Lion and the Mouse, The Fisherman and His Wife, and The Turtle’s Shell.
This feast of funky, physical storytelling leaves young audiences feeling like they had just performed the show too!
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Visit dmpa.org for an entire list of shows and performances such as the National Geographic Live Speaker Series, Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series (great date night idea), and more!
