When the snow starts to fall and the lights begin to twinkle, Greater Des Moines turns into a stage, and you’re invited to the front row. Whether you’re leaning in for a heart-warming holiday play, ready to tap your toes at a festive concert or hunting for the perfect “wow” moment with the whole crew, this list of shows has it all. Grab your mittens, snag your tickets and let the magic of live performances turn your winter into something unforgettable.
DES MOINES CIVIC CENTER
Iowa Stage Theater Company Presents: A Christmas Carol
Where: Stoner Theater
When: December 11-20
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol comes to life in a vibrant stage adaptation with nostalgic colorful characters like Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas Past, Present, Future, Tiny Tim, and more.
Iowa Dance Theatre Presents: The Nutcracker
When: December 11 & 12
Tickets: $32-$62
Join Clara’s magical journey through a dream-like winter wonderland where dancing mice, snow-falling forests, and the Sugar-Plum Fairy bring holiday enchantment to life.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
When: December 21
Tickets: $42-$95
Start Christmas week with a one-of-a-kind soundtrack. Mannheim Steamroller has innovated the neo-classical genre with electronic, rock, and orchestral sounds.
The Des Moines Symphony Presents “New Year’s Eve Pop: Cirque”
When: December 31
Tickets: $41.50-$93.50
Ring in the New Year with the Des Moines Symphony and Cirque aerialists from Troupe Vertigo, a soaring, gravity-defying celebration where acrobatics meet orchestral movie classics.
DES MOINES COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE
Adventure Clubhouse Presents: The Gingerbread Child
When: December 11
Tickets: $7
An interactive theatre show for kids ages 4-6 years old, The Gingerbread Child follows this cutout cookie on a grand adventure through the big city.
HOYT SHERMAN PLACE
A Drag Queen Christmas
When: December 1
Tickets: $35.10-$141
Hosted by Nina West, “A Drag Queen Christmas” is a holiday drag showcase with theatrics, over-the-top lip sync performances, comedy, costumes, and a whole lot of heart.
An Irish Christmas with Rend Collective
When: December 5
Tickets: $18.50
From the rugged coast of Northern Ireland, Rend Collective brings faith-based music to Hoyt Sherman with a performance dedicated to the spirit of Christmas.
Ballet Des Moines: The Nutcracker
When: December 10-13
Tickets: Starting at $50
Your favorite Christmas tradition is back at Hoyt Sherman Place. Ballet Des Moines is performing the iconic Tchaikovsky score, “The Nutcracker” in the historic grandeur of this performance venue.
Sara Evans: Holiday Road Tour
When: December 18
Tickets: Starts at $25
As the fifth most-played female artist in country radio in the past two decades, join Sara Evans for a night of holiday cheer.
TEMPLE THEATER
Pop N’ Jolly
When: December 23
Tickets: Starting at $42.50
A holiday show including generations of music, Pop N’ Jolly brings traditional Christmas classics and modern hits into a variety show of memories.
THE INGERSOLL
Run, Run Rudolph- Shaun Johnson Christmas
When: November 20 & 21
Tickets: Starting at $68
This Big Band holiday tour is coming to The Ingersoll for two days of holiday spirit with Emmy Award winner Shaun Johnson.
Domita’s Drag Brunch: The Queens of Christmas
When: November 22
Tickets: Starting at $68
Domita’s drag brunch brings a holiday twist with sparkle, lots of laughs, incredible drag, and a performance you’ll never forget.
The Michael Bublé Experience: “A Very Bublé Christmas”
When: November 28 & 29
Tickets: $138
Backed by an 18-piece orchestra, ring in the holidays with Michael Buble’s iconic repertoire of Christmas music.
The Finesse Holiday Special
When: December 3
Tickets: Starting at $68
Joy, soul, and holiday magic meet at The Ingersoll with surprise guests, classic Christmas songs, and festive energy. Sing, dance, and laugh the night away.
Satin Sashes — Patricia Holly
When: December 6
Tickets: Starting at $68
Patricia Holly is bringing cozy renditions of your Christmas favorites with all the warmth of a vintage holiday evening.
An Irving Berlin White Christmas Revue
When: December 11-13, 17 & 18
Tickets: Starting at $68
Spend the most wonderful time of the year at The Ingersoll with dancers, singers, and a jazz orchestra performing an entire Irving Berlin revue.
Marilyn Maye Christmas
When: December 19 & 20
Tickets: Starting at $68
Known as the “Super-Singer” by Johnny Carson (and having been on his show 76 times), come see longtime, legendary vocalist Marilyn Maye’s Christmas performance.
Anthony Shore Presents: Christmas with Elvis
When: December 21
Tickets: Starting at $68
Enjoy an evening of Elvis Presley’s Christmas Songbook of all his biggest Christmas hits by performer Anthony Shore. With a band of strings and brass, this tribute becomes a full-blown holiday spectacle.
NOCE JAZZ CLUB
Sounds of the Season with The Des Moines Big Band
When: December 1
Tickets: Start at $43
Kick off the holiday month of December with the first installment of “Sounds of the Season”, a series of your favorite holiday classics with a Big Band twist. This yearly tradition has become a Des Moines local favorite.
A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Tanner Taylor Trio
When: December 2, 6, 14, 15, 21, & 26
Tickets: Start at $43
Hear the classic Charlie Brown Christmas score with one of the best piano trios in the region.
A Noce Christmas with Max Wellman, ft. Napoleon Douglas
When: December 3, 9, 11, 12, 13, 20, & 23
Tickets: Start at $30
Vocalists Max Wellmann and Napoleon Douglas join a mashup of classic Christmas music alongside a jazz band for one of Noce’s annual Christmas productions.
A NOLA Christmas!
When: December 4 & 10
Tickets: Start at $43
The NOLA Jazz Band presents a Christmas blues and jazz spectacular you won’t want to miss.
All I Want for Christmas: Gina Gelder
When: December 5, 8, & 27
Tickets: Starts at $30
Join renowned singer and actress Gina Gedler and her combo of musicians for an evening of some of her favorite warm and toasty Holiday songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Karen Carpenter, Eartha Kitt, Diana Krall, and many more!
Under the Mistletoe with Lauren Vilmain
When: December 7, 19, & 30
Tickets: Starts at $43
Vocalist Lauren Vilmain blends classical training, jazz sophistication, and soulful blues in a captivating performance with her Quintet and the NOLA Jazz Band at Noce Jazz Club.
Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O-National Act!
When: December 16 & 17
Tickets: Starts at $53
Renowned drummer Matt Wilson brings his signature blend of joyous swing, playful improvisation, and masterful ensembles to a must-see modern jazz experience.
A Swingin’ Christmas with The Carson Parker Big Band, ft. Aviana Gedler
When: December 18 & 22
Tickets: Starts at $30
Join up-and-coming pianist & composer Carson Parker in a brand-new Christmas show with his full band, featuring Iowa native (now Chicago-based) singer & multi-instrumentalist Aviana Gedler.
A Noce New Year with Napoleon Douglas, Lauren Vilmain & the Noce Jazz Orchestra
When: December 31
Tickets: Starts at $60
Ring in the New Year with two of Noce’s great company artists and the Noce Jazz Orchestra as you celebrate the evening in this intimate music setting.
