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, November 19-21.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
Featured Image: Rihards Sergis
🎉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 above and you HAVE to check out the promo video of inside the space at the link below.
Zhoosh opens 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.” Pop in on Friday night from 5-9 p.m. to also check out Good Burt Shop‘s pop-up – a vintage and modern boutique – at the same time!
- Opening on Friday, November 19, 5-11 p.m.
- 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.
- Opened Friday, November 5
- 4041 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50310
At the site of the old Saints Pub + Patio comes another creation of Jason Simon (Alba, Eatery A, Motley School Tavern). One of our favorites, Karla Walsh, went to a preview meal there on Tuesday night. Check out what she says at the link below!
Friday, November 19
- Friday, November 19 – Events 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 Historical East Village. Everything from the lighting of the tree at Brenton Skating Plaza to pop up markets to after parties at Bellhop Tiki. See a few of those suggestions below.
818 Promenade Pop-Up Market
- Friday, November 19, 5-8 p.m.
- 520 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
818, “a tiny design empire”, is transforming its office into an artisanal market space as part of the Holiday Promenade In The East Village! They will be featuring a variety of local artists and makers: @alfarpottery @caroline_freese_designs @haplesshandmade @thepcpress @maddyfusco @gomayhemmade @rissewn @speckleandpiedpottery . Enjoy FREE beer and cider samples while you do your holiday shopping, courtesy of our special guests @brightsideales and @jeffcocider! So freakin’ cool.
- Friday, November 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Eden, 418 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Snow Queen from Ballet Des Moines’ Nutcracker will be in shop this Friday from 6pm-8pm welcoming all into this season of giving. 🩰 Prosecco sipping & shopping encouraged. This is the perfect shop for holiday gifts.
HoQ’s 9th Anniversary
- 303 E 5th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
- Friday and Saturday, November 19-20, 10-5 p.m.
- Friday, November 19, 5 p.m. meet up, 5:30 p.m. ride
- Des Moines Bike Collective, 506 E 5th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Des Moines Bike Collective is hosting a holiday City Ride through the East Village this Friday. Bundle up, charge your lights and ride through the city.
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. Go to The Cave for a happy hour wine, the Walnut for dinner, and then head to Teehee’s for the show.
Say Presents: Speak Your Peace
- Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Friday, November 19, 7-9 p.m.
- Friday, November 19, 7:00 p.m. / Sunday, November 21, 1:00 p.m.
- Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Iowa Wild is the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. It’s like the Iowa Cubs of hockey. They’re playing at home in Wells Fargo arena on Friday night. Ready for the hook? It’s $2 beer night! If you can’t make the Friday match, there’s a Sunday afternoon match as well.
Saturday, November 20
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, November 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Historic Court District Downtown DSM
Oh you think farmers’ market season is totally over? Not in Iowa. The Winter’s Farmers’ Market starts this Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a pretty impressive list of vendors who are willing to bundle up to give you the best of local products in the holiday season. Don’t let them stand in the cold for nothing!
Egg Day at the Hall with Egg King
- Saturday, November 20, 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! Egg King has a new ordering process so that you no longer have to wait in line! They’re popping up in West Des Moines on Saturday so get there before they sell out.
- Sat, November 20, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- The River Center, 340 SW 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Who knew that Des Moines had a whiskey festival? This looks like it’ll be an awesome day tasting new whiskeys, listening to endless music, and eating your way around The River Center. There will be 150+ whiskeys for tasting and a cigar truck outside.
Holiday on the Farm at Pepperharrow Farms
- Saturday, November 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Pepperharrow Farms, 1809 S 4th Ave, Winterset, IA 50273
They’ll have fresh greenery bundles, 75’ pine garland, fresh evergreen wreaths, tulip, daffodil bulbs, living lavender trees and all of our amazing on-farm grown and produced lavender products. Grab a cup of hot tea from @reddragonherbsandteas, or a cup of hot chocolate to enjoy during your visit.
Sunday, November 21
Gather and Grow Days at The Slow Down Coffee Co.
- Sunday, November 21, 1-3 p.m.
- The Slow Down Coffee Co, 3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Join the Supply Hive in gathering supplies for our community. This week, bring new or slightly used coats of all sizes. Local vendors will be selling their wares like @soyyouwantacandle and @stitchcraftbysophia with Des Moines’ own Jo Visuals will be taking photographic portraits. Plus, the Slow Down is one of our favorite coffee shops!
- Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
- Sunday, November 21, 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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