Looking for things to do in Des Moines this weekend? Check out this list of all the events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, December 10-12.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
🎉Openings🎉
- Open November 17 – December 23
- Wednesdays and Thursdays are first come, first served (please check-in with our host at Marjorie), reservations are available on Fridays and Saturdays (open 12 days in advance).
- Good News Darling, 717 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
There’s not a whole lot that we love more than a good holiday cocktail pop-up. It’s big city vibes and we’re here for it. Take a look at the holiday-inspired cocktail menu at the link below.
Zhoosh opened in the East Village
- Fri. | 11-6 p.m. Sat. | 10-5 p.m. Sun. | 12-4 p.m.
- 1000 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
I’ll let the owners speak for themselves: “Hello, friends! We are a small, woman owned, gift shop located in the East Village of Des Moines, Iowa. Being a display of things we love, our shop offers home goods, curated furniture pieces, art, and so much more. Along with those aspects we also have a room dedicated to what we call “modern rituals”. A safe space where you can find high-end sexual wellness products, hand-crafted smoking accessories, informational reading material, and more.”
- 520 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA 50309
And this season isn’t cut short like last year! The skating plaza will be open until March 2022. This East Village resident is pretty happy about that.
Friday, December 10
- Friday, December 10 – Deals all night!
- East Village, Des Moines
If you’re not in the East Village on Friday night, you’re doing it wrong. The annual Holiday Promenade kicks off with special events all night around the Historic East Village. Check out all the deals and features at the link below, including 20% of all holiday candles at KIN, build your own hot cocoa bar at Nosh, and a Bread by Chelsea B pop-up at Velvet Coat!
- Showtimes all weekend, December 10-12
- Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309
Join Ballet Des Moines for the annual holiday tradition of The Nutcracker, Iowa’s only professional performance of this beloved ballet, including a new cast of characters and seven performances over two weekends two choose from. This weekend is a Hoyt Sherman! Ticket prices range from $30-80.
The Sound of Music at Des Moines Playhouse
- Showtimes all weekend!
- 831 42nd Street, Des Moines IA 50312
Tit’s Up at Teehee’s at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Shows all weekend!
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Get yo’ laughs on while supporting an independent comedy club. Every night is a good night to visit Teehee’s, and its on one of our favorite streets in Des Moines. Don’t miss Friday night’s “Past Your Bedtime” or Saturday’s “Comic’s First Christmas”.
Dome After Dark at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
- Friday, Dec. 10, 6-9 p.m.
Holiday Party at Preservation
- Friday, December 10, open past 6 p.m.
- 3619 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Saturday, December 11
Egg Day at the Hall with Egg King
- Saturday, December 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or sell out!)
- The Hall, 111 S 11th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Regardless of if you haven’t gotten your hands on an Egg King sandwich or if you go every week, things just got a whole lot easier! Come brunch with them at the Hall this Saturday. Find yourself a table, order on the app, grab yourself some drinks and enjoy the large TV screens. Pretty chill and delicious.
- Saturday, December 11, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- The Santa Run will begin and end in Des Moines’ East Village at the corner of E. Walnut and E. 6th.
This is either going to sound like the best idea ever or the worst idea ever. There is no in-between. Come join Fleet Feet Des Moines at the 2021 Santa Run 5K! All participants get a Santa suit, and $15 of their registration goes to the charity of their choice from our three charity partners (Team Run Free, Children and Families of Iowa, Variety the Children’s Charity).
by Design’s Annual Holiday Market
- Saturday, December 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- by Design furniture and design, 1490 NW 86th St., Clive, IA 50325
by Design in Clive is hosting their own holiday market on Saturday! Pop in to check out local vendors with a variety of homemade goods from jewelry, bath, body products, and baked goods.
Holiday Booze + Blooms at Smash Park
- Saturday, December 11, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
The perfect Winter Brunch with your favorite girls! A Stems expert florist will deliver step-by-step instructions for you to follow along and create a beautiful winter flower arrangement – perfect for a holiday host! While you craft, order from our specialty Sips menu OR get $2 breakfast cocktails until 2 PM and brunch from 10:30 AM – 2 PM. Registration required!
Holiday Dodgeball Tournament
- Saturday, December 11, Starts at 10 a.m. First match at 10:30 a.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
For $30 a team you can join a fun holiday dodgeball tournament at Smash Park. First place receives a $300 Smash Park gift card, second place is $200, and third place wins $100! Teams are not required to be co-ed, but they can be. Costumes and ugly sweaters are encouraged.
Royal Mile’s 20th Anniversary Party
- Saturday, December 11, 12 – 11 p.m.
- Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50321
20 freakin’ years! Stop by Royal Mile on Saturday to help them celebrate 20 years in business. The party will include guest bartenders, 20 year scotches, throwback menu items, and more. If you’ve been wanting to stop in and check it out, Saturday is your day.
- Saturday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. show
- 1800 Bell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Gateway Dance Theatre is a group purposing to use the Arts to engage, communicate, educate and collaborate with diverse communities to enrich lives in Des Moines. on Saturday night, they will be sharing the stage with Genesis Afrobeat dancers, City Voices, Tina Haase Findlay.
Sunday, December 12
Brunch at SnowGlobe DSM
- Sunday, December 12, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Exile Brewing Company, 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
3 more days and the beloved Santa is visiting SnowGlobe to collect letters, wish lists, and spread the Christmas spirit at Sunday brunch made just for him. Santa Brunch is from 9am – 2pm at Exile Brewing Co. with walk-ins available. Make your reservations if you don’t want to risk it!
Parent + Child Gingerbread House Class at Rose Farmstead
- Sunday, December 12, 1-4 p.m.
- Rose Farmstead, 7197 43rd Ave Norwalk, Iowa 50211
If you haven’t been out to Rose Farmstead yet this month, now is your chance! Usually their events are totally sold out, but there are still some openings for cute workshop. Sue with Real Food 4 Kids will guide each parent or guardian + their child to make their very own gingerbread house from scratch from start to finish! Each group will make a batch of gingerbread dough, roll and shape it into pieces of the house (with guidance!), make icing to use as the glue, and build and decorate the house! Participants will take home their creation to show off on their holiday table + recipes to recreate it in the future.
- Kinship Brewing Company, 255 NW Sunrise Dr., Waukee, IA 50263
- Sunday, December 12, Begins at 1 p.m.
The Rook Room‘s extremely popular jigsaw puzzle competition, Puzzlepalooza, is back for another round with a special holiday kick. Teams of up to 4 will face off to be the first to complete a 500-piece holiday puzzle. And for those who tend a little more toward the naughty list, you’ll have an opportunity to hinder the competition with one of our in-game sabotages!
- Gravitate Coworking, 500 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Sunday, December 12, 1- 5 p.m.
Secondhand is very in right now and we’re not mad about it at all. Check out this free clothing swap hosted at Gravitate Coworking on Sunday. Bring any clothes you no longer want and “shop” for “new to you“ clothing items, for free! All that they ask is that your items be cleaned and folded/hung and placed in the proper locations upon arrival. Clothing for all genders is encouraged! If you have any hangers that you would like to donate, bring them with! Even better? The event serves as a donation drive for I Support the Girls. Check out all the details at the link below.
Korean Fried Chicken + Sides at Harbinger with Basic Bird
- Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
- Sunday, December 12, 4-8 p.m.
One night only! Get incredible Korean friend chicken, kimchi fried rice, sticky ribs and more inside Harbinger on Sunday nights from 4-8 p.m. It makes for the perfect Sunday dinner. Dine in only!
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