Updated November 2026 by Erin Huiatt, Des Moines Parent.
Quick answer: Dome for the Holidays is an indoor holiday light show inside the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s tropical conservatory dome in the East Village. In 2026 it runs select evenings from Nov. 14 to Jan. 2, 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for ages 1–13 and free under age 1, and buying ahead online is strongly encouraged.
The holiday season in Des Moines is always magical, and one of the most enchanting events in the city is back! Dome for the Holidays turns the Botanical Garden’s iconic dome into a glittering winter wonderland, with thousands of twinkling lights and a warm tropical garden to escape the Iowa cold. All the glow, none of the snow!
Dome for the Holidays 2026: Dates, Hours and Tickets
| Dates | Select evenings, Nov. 14, 2026 – Jan. 2, 2027 |
| Hours | 5–9 p.m. (pick a 30-minute entry window, then stay until close) |
| Closed | Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day |
| Adults | $18 |
| Youth (ages 1–13) | $13 |
| Under 1 | Free |
| Members | $3 off per ticket |
| Tickets | Buy online in advance; tickets at the door aren’t guaranteed and all tickets are non-refundable |
| Location | 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines (East Village) |
Heads up: Museums for All, library Adventure Passes, reciprocal memberships and free or BOGO passes don’t apply to Dome for the Holidays, since it’s a special evening event. Get your Dome for the Holidays tickets here.
What to Expect at Dome for the Holidays
Thousands of Twinkling Lights
Artful light displays fill the tropical conservatory and the Gardeners Show House, with playful interactive pieces, holiday amaryllis and plenty of photo spots. Local volunteers help build the display each year, which makes it extra special.
A Warm Tropical Escape
Take off your coat and wander through lush greenery, blooms and the waterfall. It’s an oasis that feels like stepping into another world, right in downtown Des Moines!
Holiday Trains and the Gnome Hunt
Kids LOVE searching for the hidden gnomes! This year there are also two holiday train displays, including a prehistoric theme complete with an active volcano.
Wednesday Family Nights with Glow Games
On Wednesday Family Nights, kids can play glow-in-the-dark games and hands-on activities designed for ages 2–8, with plenty of fun for the whole family. They’re included with your Wednesday ticket (while supplies last).
Family Nights 2026: Nov. 18 and 25; Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 30, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Private Igloo Experience
Cozy up in a private, heated igloo with pillows and blankets for up to six guests. Each one-hour reservation includes Dome for the Holidays tickets for your group and a dedicated server from Flora. Reservations are available every Dome night at 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m.
- Standard igloo: $130
- Cookies & Cocoa: $155
- Charcuterie and cheese board: $170
- Members save $15 on one igloo reservation
Dinner at Flora
Make it a night out with dinner at Flora, the Garden’s restaurant, then step into the glow. Dinners are $75 per person on Fridays (Nov. 20 and 27; Dec. 4, 11 and 18), with special New Year’s Eve and Jan. 2 dinners. Every dinner includes your Dome tickets plus tax and gratuity.
Holiday Classes
Add a hands-on class like Holiday Cactus, Seasonal Simmer Pot, Winter Wreath Making, DIY Botanical Gift Wrap or Botanical Cards. Each class includes a Dome for the Holidays ticket.
The Gift Shop
Don’t skip the gift shop for unique gifts for kids, nature lovers and the hard-to-shop-for people on your list. A Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden membership makes a great gift, too, and members save on Dome tickets!
Tips for Visiting Dome for the Holidays with Kids
- Buy tickets early. Popular nights near Christmas fill up fast, and tickets at the door aren’t guaranteed.
- Arrive in your window. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show up any time during your 30-minute entry slot, then stay as long as you like until 9 p.m.
- Plan your parking. The Garden’s free lot fills quickly, so carpool or use a rideshare. Free overflow parking is along Robert D. Ray Drive.
- Plan your route. The Garden can’t be reached directly from University Avenue. Take Pennsylvania Avenue south to Des Moines Street, turn right, then turn right on Robert D. Ray Drive.
- Dress in layers. It’s toasty inside the dome, so you’ll want to shed coats.
- Go on a Wednesday if you have little ones, so they can join the Glow Games.
Make a Night of It in the East Village
After the Dome, take a spin at Brenton Skating Plaza or explore the East Village. On Friday evenings during the Holiday Promenade, a free trolley loops around the Historic East Village.
Dome for the Holidays FAQ
Dome for the Holidays runs select evenings from Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. It’s closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for youth ages 1–13 and free for babies under 1. Botanical Garden members get $3 off each ticket.
Maybe, but it isn’t guaranteed. The Garden strongly encourages buying timed tickets online in advance, and tickets are non-refundable.
Yes! It’s indoors and warm, kids can hunt for hidden gnomes and see two holiday train displays, and Wednesday Family Nights add glow games for ages 2–8 at no extra cost.
The Botanical Garden at 909 Robert D. Ray Dr. has a limited free lot, plus free overflow parking along Robert D. Ray Drive. Carpooling or rideshare is a good idea on busy nights.
No. Museums for All, Adventure Passes, reciprocal memberships and free or BOGO passes don’t apply to this special evening event.
More Holiday Fun from Des Moines Parent
Looking for more? Check out our guide to the holiday season in Des Moines, Miracle on 86th Street and Winter Wonderscape at Reiman Gardens. And subscribe to DSM Weekly for weekend ideas every Monday morning!