Sensory Friendly and Inclusive Holiday Events in Des Moines 2024

Enjoy this list of inclusive and sensory-friendly holiday events for families. From meeting Santa, enjoying fun crafts engaging in holiday-themed activities, and more. We continually update this post throughout the season.

Bookmark these other fun holiday guides to plan this season:

Sensory Day at Festival of Trees & Lights 

Community Choice Convention Center

833 5th Avenue, Des Moines

November 27th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $5 per person ages 3 and older. Purchase online or at the door.

Sensory Day is a special day designed for sensory-sensitive individuals of all ages. The event is open to the public for individuals and their immediate families who would benefit from this specially modified Festival day. Festival of Trees & Lights is a fundraiser for Blank Children’s Hospital, supporting programs and services for patients and families.

Breakfast with Santa

Gigi’s Playhouse 

6507 University Avenue, Windsor Heights

December 7th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

Gigi’s Playhouse provides free educational and therapeutic programs for those with Down Syndrome from birth to adulthood and their families. Join them for breakfast with Santa and their annual holiday party. Register online.

Special Santa Event

Journey Church 

4409 121st Street, Urbandale

December 7th from 1 to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free. Register online here.

The 2024 Special Santa Event for children is coming back to Santa’s Workshop a Journey Church in Urbandale! You can register for a personal visit for your family with Santa between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 7th. Santa and his elves will spend time with each child and family in a quiet environment. Download a letter to Santa.

Meet Autism Friendly Santa

Fi & Friends 

2729 86th Street, Urbandale

December 8th from 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Cost: $25. Register online.

Meet Santa in a calm, autism and sensory-friendly environment. Receive 10 minutes of uninterrupted child-led time with Santa. Register for a time and receive up to 5 professional photos emailed directly to you. Accommodations are available upon request. Note: This event tends to fill up quickly.

Sensory Santa

Valley West Mall 

1551 Valley W Drive, West Des Moines

December 8th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Photo package purchase is optional.

Santa will be at Valley West Mall before the mall opens, offering a sensory-friendly photo experience. This special event allows families and children of all ages and abilities to take magical holiday photos in a serene atmosphere

FUSE Ho Ho Ho Holiday Gathering

Prairie Ridge Church, 825 NW 36th Street, Ankeny

December 10th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $3 per person 

FUSE is a ministry for special needs individuals ages 14 and older. This is a chance to build and foster relationships in a safe and positive environment. Check online for registration and more information as the event gets closer.

Sensory Friendly Showing of Frozen

The Varsity Cinema

1207 25th Street, Des Moines

December 14th at 10 a.m.

Cost: Free. Register online.

Join us for a FREE sensory-friendly showing of ‘Frozen’! Thanks to the generous support of the BWA Foundation, each attendee will also receive a free small popcorn and medium drink.

Lights at the Museum: Sensory Sensitive Playdate

Des Moines Children’s Museum

1551 Valley W Drive, Suite 108, West Des Moines

December 20th from 5 to 6 p.m.

Play under the lights and learn about light festivals around the world in the Des Moines Children’s Museum annual special holiday event. This sensory-friendly play time is for children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities and their families to connect and explore. All regular exhibits will be open. They will have sensory bins, and communication boards, and the holiday lights create a low-light calming space throughout the entire museum.

Check out other events happening around the state.

Deck The Stalls: Sensory Friendly

Menagerie Stables 

3237 NE 108th Street, Mitchellville

December 7 & 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Cost: $20 per child at the door

Come experience the joy of the holidays at the barn, on December 7th and December 8th (sensory-friendly hours)! Children can ride a horse through a winter wonderland, play games on horseback, visit Santa and get a photo, play games, make a craft, and enjoy treats and snacks!

Cost is $20 per child. No pre-pay tickets are available; please pay admission at the front door when you arrive. A signed release form will be available to sign if children wish to ride. Riding helmets are provided and will be fit by one of their instructors. All are welcome – you do not need to be a rider in our lesson program to participate! Part of the barn is heated, but the riding area is not. Please dress accordingly. 

Sensory Friendly Showing: The Polar Express

Putnam Museum and Science Center 

1717 W 12th St, Davenport

December 15th at 1 PM 

Cost: $5 per person

In collaboration with the Autism Society of Quad Cities, enjoy a sensory-friendly showing of The Polar Express. This includes dimmed theater lights, lower volume, movies in 2D, no trailers, handicap-accessible seating, freedom to move around and make noise in the theater, and a “chill out zone” outside of the theater. Reserve tickets by calling 563-324-1933.

Christmas of Hope

Cultivating Hope Farms 

5500 240th, Ames

December 15th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Cost: Free

Merry Christmas from Cultivating Hope Farms! This is a FREE exclusive Christmas event celebration for neurodivergent and varied-ability families in the community barn.