When you see those autumn leaves dropping to the ground and you begin to crave that pumpkin spice you’ve been waiting for all year, you know the holiday season is approaching. And that means it’s time to start thinking about holiday shows and shopping, too! Not to mention all the cozy food choices that go along with the holiday season! So where should you spend your hard-earned money in Downtown Des Moines (DSM)? This list of new shops and old favorites, wintry stage shows and cozy places to grab a sweet treat will have you celebrating the season in no time!
Grab a Holiday Treat
Wondering where to enjoy a warm cinnamon roll? What about a pumpkin spice latte? Maybe a peppermint hot chocolate is more your speed? Well, Downtown DSM holiday treats are around every corner! Taste the yummy goodness this holiday season as you shop in the Historic East Village or walk a neighborhood full of colorful leaves in Sherman Hill .
Candied Yam Crème Brûlée at Fresko
- Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Located at 909 Locust St., Suite 103 in Des Moines
Charcuterie Appetizer at Clyde’s Fine Diner
- Tuesday – Saturday, various times
- Located at 111 E. Grand Ave. in Des Moines
Peppermint Hot Chocolate at Big Acai Bowl
- Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday – Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Located at 801 Grand Ave., Suite 310 in Des Moines
Order online at bigacaibowl.com
Pumpkin Spice Latte at Smokey Row
- Monday – Sunday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Located at 1910 Cottage Grove Ave. in Des Moines
S’more What House Cocktail from Hello, Marjorie
- Tuesday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – Midnight; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. – 1 a.m.; Sunday and Monday, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Located at 717 Locust St.
Shop Until You Drop to Support Your Favorite Shop Owners
Whether you visit a storefront or attend an annual shopping event, spending dollars in the city where you live feels good. So where can you find holiday deals this year? Well, there’s shopping at local businesses in the Historic East Village or visiting vendors at the Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, to name a few. Check out all of the ideas below:
Attend a Holiday Shopping Event in Downtown Des Moines
- Des Moines Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center
- Friday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Located at 730 3rd St. in Des Moines
Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Principal Park
- Thursday, Nov. 30, 5 – 9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Located at Principal Park, 1 Line Dr. in Des Moines
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
- Friday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Located at Hy-Vee Hall in the Iowa Events Center
Pick Out Kitchen Gadgets + Stocking Stuffers at Kitchen Collage
- Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 3 p.m.
- Located at 430 E. Locust St. in Des Moines
View the gadgets and tools online
Send Holiday Cheer with the Perfect Holiday Cards from Ephemera
- Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Located at 505 E. Locust St. in Des Moines
Order your own personalized stationery to send out to family and friends
Purchase Tickets to a Show or Holiday Event at a Beloved Local Venue
While Ballet Des Moines is busy helping to expand the art scene in Downtown DSM with a new arts and education campus, the organization is also known for their annual Nutcracker performances. And what about the offerings at Des Moines Civic Center, Hoyt Sherman Place or even the restored historic building, World Food Prize Hall of Laureates? These shows are the perfect way to round out a day of shopping this holiday season!
Candlelight Concerts at World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
- Candlelight Concerts: Nov. 10 (A Tribute to Taylor Swift), Nov. 17 – 25 (Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More), Nov. 25 (The Best of Hans Zimmer) and Dec. 9 (Holiday Special), various times
- Located at World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust St. in Des Moines
Champagne & Chocolate at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Friday, Nov. 17, time TBD
- Located at 909 Robert D. Ray Dr. in Des Moines
Learn more at dmbotanicalgarden.com as the event approaches
Disney on Ice Presents Magic in the Stars at Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center
- Nov. 23 – 26, various times
- Located at 730 3rd St. In Des Moines
Nutcracker with Ballet Des Moines at Hoyt Sherman Place
- Performances: Dec. 7 – 10, various times
- Located at 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines
Irish Christmas in America with Des Moines Performing Arts at Temple Theater
- Irish Christmas in America Performances: Dec. 7 – 8, both shows at 7:30 p.m.
- Located at 1011 Locust St. in Des Moines
Iowa Stage Theatre Company: A Christmas Carol with Des Moines Performing Arts at Stoner Theatre
- Iowa Stage Theatre Company: A Christmas Carol Performances: Dec. 8 – 17, various times
- Located at 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines
Break a Sweat in a Downtown Race
Before you head out for some holiday shopping, how about lacing up your running shoes and racing towards a finish line? Throughout the holiday season, there are plenty of fun runs around the region, but here’s a few downtown you’ll want to take part in!
Des Moines Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning
- Des Moines Turkey Trot: Nov. 23, 9 a.m.
Looking for even more ways to support local businesses in Downtown Des Moines and across the region?
Check out the Buy Local resources on the Greater Des Moines Partnership website, or follow @downtownDSMUSA on Facebook and Instagram for more ways to support local downtown businesses. A special thanks to the Downtown Des Moines team for authoring and sponsoring this guide.
