Christmas Pop-Up Bars & Holiday Restaurants in Des Moines (2026 Guide)

Quick answer: For 2026, the biggest Christmas pop-up bars in Des Moines are SnowGlobe DSM at Exile Brewing downtown (November 10 through January 10), Winter Wonderland at Nightingale Cocktail in the East Village (opens November 18) and Tinsel at Either/Or on Grand Avenue. Miracle on Ingersoll is the original. For kids, SnowGlobe and Tinsel have Santa and princess brunches, and Winter Wonderland’s Holiday Spectacular is all ages. In the suburbs, look for Elfed Up in Grimes, El Grinch in Ankeny and Santa’s Cellar in West Des Moines.

Grab your partner, a group of friends, and your ugly sweaters! Over the past few years, Des Moines has become home to SO many pop-up Christmas bars. What is a pop-up Christmas bar, you may ask? It’s when local restaurants and bars go all in on the Christmas spirit, covering every inch with holiday decor and pouring festive cocktails for the season.

We update this list as 2026 dates are announced, so bookmark it and check back!

Kid-Friendly Holiday Pop-Ups in Des Moines

A Very Merry Big Grove at Big Grove Brewery (Des Moines)

Address: 555 17th Street, Des Moines

2026 dates: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 through Tuesday, January 5, 2027

NEW for 2026! Iowa’s largest brewery is joining the holiday pop-up party. Big Grove is giving its Des Moines taproom a floor-to-ceiling holiday makeover with twinkling lights and over-the-top decor. Expect games, giveaways, holiday food, special craft brews and cocktails, and holiday events all season long. It’s the same pop-up running at Big Grove’s Cedar Rapids, Solon and Iowa City taprooms, so it’s a fun one to tell your Eastern Iowa friends about too!

Reservations are HIGHLY recommended at biggrove.com/pages/verymerrybiggrove.

Check out these kid-friendly events coming up:

• Live Reindeer: December 12. 1 – 3 p.m.
• Santa at the Grove: December 19, 11 – 2 p.m.

SnowGlobe DSM at Exile Brewing (Downtown Des Moines)

Address: 1514 Walnut Street, Des Moines

2026 dates: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 through Sunday, January 10, 2027 (closed Mondays)

SnowGlobe DSM is a pop-up Christmas extravaganza {kid-friendly!} that takes over the entire Exile brewpub with glowing lights, over-the-top decor and photo ops. Book the Princess Brunch (December 5–6) or Santa Brunch (December 13), both 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids’ meals are half off all day on opening day, November 10.

Reservations are HIGHLY recommended through Tock. Tables are held for 90 minutes, and your whole party needs to be there before you’re seated.

Tinsel at Either/Or (Grand Avenue, Des Moines)

Address: 6222 Grand Avenue, Des Moines

2026 dates: Nov 3, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027

If vintage Christmas is your thing, this one is for you! Tinsel is floor-to-ceiling vintage holiday decor with a holiday cocktail and food menu. The 2026 events are kid heaven:

• Santa Meet & Greet: November 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Grinch Brunch: December 5–6
• Princess Brunch: December 12–13
• Santa Brunch: December 19–20
• Holiday Pajama Brunch: December 26–27
• Holiday Trivia: December 8, 15 and 22, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Reservations are open now. They’re held for 90 minutes and capped at 12 guests (call 515-214-1831 for bigger groups). Walk-ins are welcome, and the heated patio is first come, first served.

Winter Wonderland at Nightingale Cocktail (East Village)

Address: 435 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines

2026 dates: Opens Wednesday, November 18, 2026; Wednesday–Sunday

Winter Wonderland turns Nightingale into a full-on Christmas show with lights, music, video and REAL snowfall. The all-ages Holiday Spectacular usually runs 5–9 p.m., with tickets starting at $12. On Friday and Saturday nights, the 21+ Snow Ball runs 9 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., with tickets from $5. Each date has its own ticket link at wonderlanddesmoines.com.

Santa Paws at Paws & Pints (Des Moines)

Address: 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines

2026 dates: Nov 13 – Dec 31, 2026

Our furry friends deserve to celebrate too! Paws & Pints transforms into a holiday wonderland with a holiday menu, photos with Santa, holiday movie night and a Paw-liday Market. Heads up: dogs can join you on the patio, in the park or in a day suite, but not inside the restaurant.

Wilson’s Winter Wonderland (Cumming)

Address: Wilson’s Orchard, 3201 15th Avenue, Cumming

2026 dates: TBA

About 25 minutes south of downtown, Wilson’s turns its orchard space into a winter wonderland pop-up. It pairs perfectly with a festive afternoon outside the city.

The Jolly Elf Pop-Up (Ankeny)

Address: Main Street Cafe & Bakery, 2510 SW White Birch Drive, Ankeny

2026 dates: TBA

Create a new tradition with family and friends at this sweet bakery pop-up with elaborate decorations. Watch their Facebook page for 2026 dates.

Downtown & East Village Christmas Bars

The Poconos at Lua Brewing: A Sherman Hill Chalet (Des Moines)

Address: 1525 High Street, Des Moines (Sherman Hill)

2026 dates: Nov 10, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027

NEW for 2026! Lua Brewing, voted USA Today’s #1 brewpub in the country for 2025, is turning its taproom into a cozy mountain chalet for the holidays. Grab a seasonal beer and a Smushburger, or come for weekend brunch.

Make it a Sherman Hill pop-up crawl: Lua sits right across from Big Grove’s taproom, so you can hit The Poconos and A Very Merry Big Grove in one night! luabeer.com

Rudolph’s Rooftop at The Republic on Grand (East Village)

Address: 401 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines (sixth floor of the AC Hotel)

2026 dates: Nov 6 – Dec 31, 2026

Sip holiday cocktails with views over the East Village. Pair it with an evening at the Holiday Promenade for the ultimate festive night out. therepublicongrand.com

The Nice List at Secret Admirer (Downtown)

Address: 110 SW 5th Street, Des Moines

2026 dates: Nov 11 – Dec 30, 2026

Small, intimate, fun decor and cocktails, and beautiful views of Des Moines. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic holiday drinks are on the menu.

The Naughty List at Good News, Darling (Downtown)

Address: 717 Locust Street, Des Moines (check in at the Hello, Marjorie host stand)

2026 dates: Nov 11 – Dec 30, 2026

The Nice List’s sister bar is tiny and fills up fast, so arrive early, especially on weekends.

A Kramp-ish Christmas at Hessen Haus (Downtown)

Address: 101 SW 4th Street, Des Moines

2026 dates: TBA (2025 ran December 1 through December 29)

NEW to our list! This German beer hall leans into Krampus, the mischievous side of Christmas folklore, for a holiday pop-up with a twist.

Ingersoll & Grand Avenue

Miracle on Ingersoll

Address: 3124 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines

2026 dates: Nov 20 – Dec 31, 2026

This is definitely everyone’s favorite holiday pop-up bar in Des Moines! Dugan’s Hideaway (on the back half of its sister bar, The Station on Ingersoll) is transformed into a magical Christmas bar. It’s part of the global Miracle pop-up family. Cocktails come in festive glassware, and if you get there early enough you may snag a collectible mug. Popular drinks include The Bad Santa and a Snowball Old Fashioned.

Reservations are strongly encouraged at miracledsm.com, and walk-ins are seated when there’s room. Expect a wait on weekends.

Bartender’s Handshake

Address: 3615 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines

This is one of my favorite cocktail bars in Des Moines. It isn’t an official holiday pop-up, but every season it offers a creative menu with seasonal favorites. It’s right across the street from Miracle on Ingersoll, so add it to your list! thebartendershandshake.com

West Des Moines, Waukee & Grimes

Christmas at Central Standard (Waukee)

Address: 1222 SE University Avenue, Waukee

2026 dates: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 through January 10, 2027

NEW to our list! Central Standard in Waukee is decking the halls for the holiday season. Pair a holiday pint with one of their craft burgers, and yes, there’s a kids’ menu for the little elves. [ERIN: add the pop-up’s name and highlights from Central Standard’s Facebook post.]

Reservations are HIGHLY encouraged. Book online through Toast for parties of up to 10, or call 515-987-0095 for bigger groups. Tables are held for 90 minutes; there’s a 48-hour cancellation policy, and walk-ins are welcome but may wait.

Jingle Bell Junction at Gilroy’s Kitchen

Address: 1238 8th Street, West Des Moines

2026 dates: Nov 4 – Jan 24, 2027

Enjoy festive holiday decor, lights, photo ops, specialty menus, igloos, and so much more!

Miracle at Jordan Creek (West Des Moines)

Address: Jordan Creek Town Center, 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 12520, West Des Moines (near the food court)

2026 dates: Nov 20 – Dec 31, 2026

This is the last year they will be at Jordan Creek! Make sure you plan a stop. All the fun of Miracle on Ingersoll, right in the mall! Stop by after a day of holiday shopping. Reserve at miracledsm.com.

Santa’s Cellar at Urban Cellar (West Des Moines)

Address: 640 S. 50th Street, Suite 2110, West Des Moines

2026 dates: TBA (2025 ran November 17 through January 4)

Specialty holiday cocktails and holiday tastings at this wine bar. Watch their Facebook page for 2026 details.

Miracle at Merll’s Pub & Patio (Waukee)

Address: 788 W. Hickman Road, Waukee

Look for the upside-down Christmas tree! Holiday cocktails plus plenty of TVs if someone in your group wants to catch the game. merlls.com

Elfed Up at Destination Grille (Grimes)

Address: 2491 E. 1st Street, Grimes

2026 dates: TBA (2025 ran Wednesday–Saturday from late November through late December)

Celebrate at Elfed Up, the ultimate holiday pop-up bar in Grimes! Expect festive cocktails, gluten-free food options and an enclosed, heated terrace. The space holds up to 60 for private holiday parties, so check their events calendar before you go. Call 515-355-1153 to reserve. destinationgrille.com/elfedup

The Jingle Bar at Pour Choices (Grimes)

Address: 1895 SE Grimes Blvd #101 in Grimes

2026 dates: Opens Nov 4th!

NEW to our list! Pour Choices (home of the famous fried pickle balls) adds holiday cheer with its Jingle Bar pop-up. pourchoicesbar.com

Ankeny & Pleasant Hill

El Grinch at El Presidenté (Ankeny)

Address: 1465 SW Park Square Drive, Suite 102, Ankeny 2026 dates: TBA (2025 ran through December 31)

Craft tequila cocktails AND non-alcoholic mocktails in a Grinchy holiday hideaway. elpresidentebar.com

Trailside Tap (Ankeny)

Address: 710 SW 3rd Street, Ankeny

Dinner, holiday cocktails and photo spots, and it’s family-friendly.

Elfed Up at Whiskey River (Ankeny)

Address: 1350 SW Vintage Parkway, Ankeny (The District at Prairie Trail)

Holiday decor and festive drinks at Whiskey River in The District.

Flight Before Christmas at Toad Valley Golf Course (Pleasant Hill)

Address: 237 NE 80th Street, Pleasant Hill

2026 dates: TBA (2025 ran through January 10)

A holiday pop-up at the golf course’s clubhouse. Great for a group outing on the east side.

More Spots Decked Out for the Season

These don’t have catchy pop-up names, but they go all out on holiday decor: Bubba Southern Comforts (200 10th Street, downtown), Fiesta Mexican Restaurant (West Des Moines), Striking Sparrow (Des Moines) Mullets (Norwalk location) and 1833 Saloon (Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines).

Tips for Visiting Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Des Moines

• Reserve early. SnowGlobe, Tinsel and Miracle use 90-minute or limited reservations, and December weekends book up fast.
• Go early or midweek. The smaller bars (Naughty List, Nice List, Miracle on Ingersoll) often have a wait after 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Bringing kids? Go for brunch or before 5 p.m., and check age rules before you go; some spaces turn 21+ at night.
• Wear the ugly sweater. Every pop-up is a photo op!
• Plan your ride. Downtown and the East Village are walkable between stops, so park once and pop-up hop.

More from Des Moines Parent

Make it a full holiday season! See our Santa in Des Moines guide, holiday shows, Des Moines holiday markets, Holiday Hullabaloo and Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland. Everything lives in our Holidays in Des Moines guide and event calendar. Want new pop-up dates as soon as they drop? Subscribe to DSM Weekly!

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