Each month, we highlight the most buzzworthy places and events in Greater Des Moines in a feature we call Des Buzz. It's your “in the know” list of places to go!
RRACKSS Fine BBQ and Bistro
A brand-new BBQ restaurant is officially open in downtown Des Moines. Located on East Court Avenue and East Fourth Street, RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro is serving up delicious barbecue including smoked baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and so much more. Not in the barbecue mood? They also have delicious steaks to choose from. Feeling brave? Try the RRACKSS Extreme Food Challenge, featuring seven pounds of meat. We’re full just thinking about it. They are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Holiday Hullabaloo
The holidays come to life at Holiday Hullabaloo! As soon as you step inside, you’ll see nothing but holiday décor including a toyland, candyland, Holiday Hullabaloo-villie, life-size snow globe, life-size gingerbread house, and so much more filling dozens of square feet. Make your trip even more exciting with a snowball fight or by visiting the sock ice skating rink. You can also get your photo with Santa and decorate cookies in Mrs. Claus’s kitchen. The fun doesn’t stop there, check out the different events you can attend throughout Holiday Hullabaloo. Get your tickets and see hours here.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
It’s time for some Glühwein, bratwurst, and shopping at Christkindlmarket Des Moines, November 30 – December 3. Immerse yourself in the European culture at the Christmas market. Located a Principal Park, you can shop from vendors set up in wooden stalls, nosh on German foods, listen to diverse entertainment, and sip on warm mulled wine. Grab the coats and the kids and enjoy the free outdoor Christmas market.
Jethro’s BBQ All Stars
After nearly a yearlong wait, the downtown Jethro’s BBQ is finally open, coining the restaurant, Jethro’s BBQ All Stars. The menu will feature Jethro’s All Stars BBQ favorites like a juicy filet, Jessie Bob’s creole pasta with smoked chicken and jalapeno sausage smothered in creole cream sauce, and smokehouse jambalaya. The menu item that really sticks out – the State Fair Pork Chop. Now you can get your pork chop on a stick year-round! Of course, they offer their original menu with all your favorites as well. This is your new spot to grab dinner before hitting up a game or concert at Wells Fargo Arena.
Jolly Holiday Lights
Jolly Holiday Lights returns for another year – in a new location – Outlets of Des Moines. Attendees will now be able to walk through all of the lighted displays and enjoy Lights to Music Shows every evening. It will be free for you to walk through the lights. There will be five different ticketed events throughout the holiday season, some starting at $5. Jolly Holiday Lights opens on November 17 and runs through January 7, and will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery
Longtime Highland Park favorite, Hiland Bakery, is getting a new look. Now under the name Cha Cha’s Hiland Bakery, local bakery ChaCha’s Confections has combined with Hiland Bakery to keep the traditions (and recipes) of both alive! You can continue to get your longtime favorites of the bakery including donuts and champagne cake, but you can now get your hands on new items such as cheesecake and cookies. They are open Tuesday – Saturday until 1 p.m. See all hours and delicious items up for grabs here!
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
The Des Moines Holiday Boutique returns to the Iowa Events Center, November 10 – 12. Spend the weekend exploring dozens of vendors for all your holiday gift needs. Tickets are $12, but if you buy your tickets online before the show, you can save $2. They have special outings like Girls Night Out on Friday night, as well as Mother Daughter Night on Saturday night. Enjoy holiday music performances, shop for anything from home décor to toys to food, and enjoy plenty of food and drink as well. There’s something for everyone on your list at the Des Moines Holiday Boutique, get tickets here!
Iowa Wolves
It’s time for tip off for the Iowa Wolves, Des Moines’ NBA G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves. This season, things will be exciting with the return of some familiar faces on the floor, Luka Garza and Jordan Bohannon. The former Hawkeye legends will be lacing up for the Wolves, but get your tickets early, before Minnesota comes calling. They open their season on Friday, November 10 at Wells Fargo Arena against the Windy City Bulls (first 2,000 fans will receive a Luka Garza bobblehead), and November 11 is Hoops for Troops night. Learn more and buy tickets here!
