Holiday Events in Des Moines 2026

Below is a list of some of my favorite holiday events that happen in Des Moines every holiday season, from promenades and Santa arrivals to seeing lights and more. Take a look at this list and plan your holiday season in Des Moines, Iowa. We continually update this post throughout the season. Have a holiday event or activity you would like to include? Contact us here.

** Please note: We are actively updating this guide. Make sure you have it bookmarked and check back regularly for updates!

Bookmark these other fun holiday guides to plan this season:

NOVEMBER

Dome for the Holidays

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Various dates beginning November 14. View dates, times and purchase tickets here.

Family Nights: Wednesdays, Nov. 18 & 25 | Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 30 | 5–8:30 PM

Enjoy all the glow, without the snow, at Dome for the Holidays. Step into the warmth of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for a dazzling holiday tradition filled with thousands of twinkling lights. Explore artful displays throughout the transformed tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House, discover playful interactive elements, join the annual gnome hunt, and enjoy seasonal concessions from Flora. Designed for all ages, Dome for the Holidays is a festive way to gather, explore, and celebrate the season together.

Jingle in the Junction

Historic Valley Junction 

November 19; December 3, 10 & 17

5 to 8 p.m. 

The holiday season is in Valley Junction as many businesses extend their hours on Thursday nights to give you more time to find the perfect holiday gift, enjoy dinner, and enjoy three blocks of free entertainment on 5th Street under the glow of over 100,000 holiday lights.

Brenton Skating Plaza Opening Night + Tree Lighting

Brenton Skating Plaza in Downtown Des Moines

November 20 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Opening night of Brenton Skating Plaza. The night will consist of a visit from Santa and a tree-lighting ceremony.

Holiday Promenade

East Village

Fridays, November 20 – December 18; 5 to 8 p.m.

The Holiday Promenade is one of Des Moines’ most beloved holiday traditions! For five festive Fridays, the Historic East Village comes alive with twinkling lights, music, shopping, dining, and seasonal activities for the whole family.

Stroll through our locally owned shops, enjoy festive treats, and take in the magic of the season in one of Des Moines’ most historic neighborhoods.

Fall Makers Market

Jester Park Nature Center, Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center, and Jester Park Lodge

November 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join Polk County Conservation on Sunday, November 22, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jester Park Nature Center in Granger to shop for gifts or goods just in time for the holiday season! While there, explore the nature center’s exhibits, relax on the back patio in an Adirondack chair by the fireplace, and make sure to head over to the outdoor recreation center where more vendors will be located!

They have ensured a diverse representation of local makers, artisans, and/or handcrafters to bring you a variety of goods. Vendors will be added as they are confirmed. The Fall Makers Market is a FREE admission, family-friendly event. 

Mayor’s Lighting Celebration

Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park & Garden

November 24 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Join the Mayor and City Council as we flip the switch and light up the Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park for the holiday season! They will have hot cocoa and cookies for you to enjoy as you walk around the beautifully decorated park. This event is free.

Christmas in Olde Town

Altoona, Iowa

November 28 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

It’s time for Christmas in Olde Town, and it’s completely FREE for the whole family!

One of the most beloved events of the year is almost here, and the entire community is coming together to kick off the holiday season in the most magical way possible! This year is extra special because Santa Claus himself is joining us!

So bring the kids, bring the grandparents, and bring your wish lists! The festive fun doesn’t stop there, either. You can treat yourself to our dreamy hot chocolate bar, a cozy s’mores station, cookie decorating for all ages, live entertainment, and plenty of surprises we can’t wait to share with you!

Santa Express

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad

Various dates and times

Join the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad for what has become a tradition for families across the Midwest. Take a ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s Santa Express, a journey that will take you from Boone to the North Pole and return. Santa will pass through the train, greeting children, and passing out a special gift.

On your journey, you will cross the 156-tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge.

Purchase tickets here.

Winter’s Eve

Jamie Hurd Amphitheater

November 30 at 5 p.m.

Celebrate the start of winter at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater with refreshments, festive songs, and the lighting of the Mayor’s holiday tree. Winter’s Eve is a fun way to celebrate the light of the season together as a community!

Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show

Reiman Gardens

November 27 & 29

December 4-6; 11-13; 18-23; 26 & 27

5 to 9 p.m.

Winter Wonderscape Holiday Light Show is back for its third year and better than ever, with our outdoor walk-through holiday light show featuring a variety of immersive light displays throughout the entire 17-acre site. Don’t miss our new and improved features and elements, including motion and music. Walk through brightly lit tunnels, meander through fantasy lights falling like stars, view massive disco balls twirling to laser lights, and enjoy a twenty-foot-wide fountain of lights and a wide array of other sparkling wonders. The kids will enjoy lighted sculptural forms, including Peter Rabbit, the metamorphosis of the luna moth, penguins cavorting on skis, sleds, and ice skates, and a giant lighted snowflake.

On your way out through the main building, don’t miss the RG Express Holiday Train display in the Hughes Conservatory! Visitors, young and old, will be enchanted by this custom-built garden-scale train, which was created by Applied Imagination, an internationally recognized company whose train displays a meld of botanical design and architecture.

Tickets are on sale starting November 1. Buy your tickets early, as popular time slots sell out quickly.

Ticket pricing:    

  • $16 Adult General Public
  • $14 Adult Members & ISU Students
  • $7 Youth (ages 2-12)                                                              
  •  Free for Youth under 2

DECEMBER

Clive Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting

Clive Public Library

December 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Mark your calendars, Clive Parks & Recreation has set a date for its annual Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting that will be held in front of Clive Public Library. Enjoy kid-friendly activities. Special guest appearance from the North Pole!

Waukee WinterFest

Waukee Downtown Triangle

December 4; 6 to 8 p.m. 

Bring on the holiday cheer with your friends, family, and neighbors at Waukee’s free, annual WinterFest celebration held in the Downtown Triangle! Santa makes his big appearance at 6 p.m. at the tree lighting. After the tree lighting, visit with the jolly man in person at the Community Center over hot chocolate and cookies and participate in open houses and activities with the Waukee Downtown Businesses.

Family Christmas

Living History Farms

December 5; Noon to 3 p.m.

Join Living History Farms for old-fashioned holiday fun! Hear the sounds, see the sights, and smell the smells of a 19th-century Christmas: Crafts Carols Stories Cookie decorating Parlor games Visits to the historic Flynn Mansion, Print Shop, Drug Store, Church of the Land, Implement Dealer, and Tangen Home Jingle bell toss and “snowball” fight in the Flynn Barn Horse-drawn wagon rides* And take your photo with Santa! Buildings are heated. Bundle up for wagon rides!

Holidays at the Town Center

Johnston Town Center

December 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The annual event will feature free ice skating, a visit with Santa and his reindeer, samples from local businesses, tree lighting, and a new holiday light show! Take a look at the full schedule and details here.

Windsor Wonderland

Colby Park

December 5

Colby Park comes alive with the spirit of the holidays during Windsor Wonderland with FREE family fun! Bring the family out for crafts, hot chocolate, ice sculpting, carriage ride, and MORE, including a visit from Santa!

Register for the ugly sweater fun run, buy Windsor Heights merchandise, and register for a free gingerbread house kit (Windsor Heights residents only) at www.windsorwonderland.com!

Christkindlmarket

Principal Park

Thursday, December 3 & 10: 5 pm – 9 pm

Friday, December 4 & 11: 11 am – 9 pm

Saturday, December 5 & 12: 11 am – 9 pm

Sunday, December 6 & 13: 11 am – 5 pm

Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 700-year-old traditional German-inspired Christmas market.

Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance, and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children’s activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European-style Iowa craft beer.

Holly & Ivy

Salisbury House 

December 5 & 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holly & Ivy is Salisbury House‘s signature holiday fundraising event! Each room of the grand 1920s estate will be adorned in creative, festive holiday décor by some of the most talented local interior designers, florists, home stagers, and individuals in the Des Moines area. Enjoy live holiday music on the Steinway piano and more.

The Peppermint Trail

The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and Roosevelt Cultural District

December 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate the season with your favorite local businesses on The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and the Roosevelt Cultural District. The Peppermint Trail, presented by Veridian Credit Union, returns on Saturday, December 12, with shopping and dining specials happening all day at local shops and restaurants, plus a line-up of holiday festivities, including trolley rides, ice carving, photos with Santa, carolers, and more!