Winter in Greater Des Moines

Cold? Sure. But around here, winter isn’t something to survive; it’s something to celebrate. When the air gets crisp and your breath turns to clouds, Greater Des Moines turns up the heat on all things fun, festive, and full of flavor.

Fun in the Sun (and Snow) 

Bundle up, grab your crew, and embrace the season like a local. Skating under the skyline at Brenton Skating Plaza is basically a rite of passage, but you can also hit the ice at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex in West Des Moines or the rink at Johnston Town Center. Feeling more slope than spin? Head to Seven Oaks Recreation in Boone for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing runs that make the drive totally worth it. And for a winter wonderland close to home, Jester Park delivers cross-country skiing, sledding hills, and cozy trails that make you forget your toes are numb.

Holidays Made Easy in Greater Des Moines 

The holidays hit different here. The East Village’s Holiday Promenade transforms downtown into a glittering celebration of lights, music, and merrymaking for five festive Fridays in November/December, while Thursday evenings belong to Jingle in the Junction, which makes Historic Valley Junction sparkle with Hallmark charm and holiday spirit (and extended store hours). And that’s just the start; our Nice List itinerary is packed with all the festive holiday shows, pop-up bars, light displays, and other ways to make your season merry and bright. 

Holiday gifts, new winter fits, or just an excuse to treat yourself—Des Moines shopping districts make it easy to spend a snow day indoors. Jordan Creek Town Center is the state’s largest mall and basically a retail amusement park (don’t miss our Des Best video for inspo). The Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona bring you all the shops you know and love, with even more inventory and special promotions throughout the holiday season. 

Historic Valley Junction brings the charm with locally owned boutiques, and the East Village keeps things cool with indie shops and design-forward finds. Or head out about 15 minutes from the metro to Ankeny, where the District at Prairie Trail boasts an indoor-outdoor entertainment venue with plenty of shops, boutiques, and experiences that make great gifts. Once you’ve hit the highlights, go explore even more hidden gems on our Shopping Page or plan your spree with The Shopping List: A 3-Day Itinerary. 

Warm Up Indoors 

When the frostbite risk gets a little too real, go somewhere that feels like spring. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden offers a lush, tropical escape in the middle of winter, complete with colorful blooms, balmy air and seasonal events like Dome for the Holidays. Across the river, the Science Center of Iowa keeps curious minds busy with hands-on exhibits, live demos, and a planetarium that’ll make you forget it’s gray outside. By day it’s the perfect place for stir crazy kids, and come evenings, stir crazy adults can imbibe in their monthly Mixology series.

Comfort Food & Cozy Cups Around Greater Des Moines 

If you’re going to hibernate, at least do it with good taste. Warm up with a latte and explore our Des Best Coffee list for local favorites and hidden gems you might not think of when you type “coffee near me” into Google. When hunger hits, go classic with hearty pasta from one of Des Moines’ iconic Italian establishments, or a perfectly seared Steak de Burgo that melts in your mouth. You can find even more stick-to-your-ribs goodness in our Des Best Comfort Food guide. And when you’re ready to live like a local (or talk to one, we’re Iowa Nice), pull up a barstool and keep warm at one of our Des Best dive bars.

Curtain Calls, Cold Nights & Non-Stop Action 

Nothing melts a winter chill like live entertainment, whether it be of the arts or sports kind. 

Catch a Broadway show or symphony performance at the Des Moines Civic Center, or see a big-name concert at the Casey’s Center, which attracts the biggest bands and funniest comedians. If you like your music loud and local, the Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee and Val-Air Ballroom in West Des Moines brings national acts and indie favorites to the stage in a general admission setting with wall-to-wall bars (thank you, no lines!). No matter where you end up, it’s the perfect excuse to swap snow boots for dancing shoes. 

Winter in Des Moines is prime sports season. Don’t believe us? We’ve got an action-packed lineup to prove otherwise. Cheer on the Des Moines Buccaneers as they heat up the ice, or catch Iowa Wild hockey (AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild) and Iowa Wolves basketball (G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves) at the Casey’s Center. And don’t miss Drake Bulldogs basketball at the Knapp Center; they’re “Des Moines’ Hometown Team” for good reason. Whether you’re courtside, rink-side, front row, or stool-side at one of our best sports bars, there’s no shortage of entertainment.

Visting Des Moines during the winter has never been easier with our three-day winter itinerary. No matter what the season may be, our city is always buzzing with energy. Make your winter vacation one you’ll come back to every year and plan it in Des Moines today!

INSIDERS GUIDE

Hear from locals about where to eat, drink, and spend your time while visiting Greater Des Moines. Catch an insider look at events, suggested itineraries, places to shop, and a few of the many delicious restaurants. These are just a few of our recommendations! Check out an entire list of blogs here.