Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market
November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025 - All Day at Iowa Events Center
73 Third Street
The Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market in Downtown Des Moines is a premiere shopping event for holiday food and gifts and serves as an extension of the Saturday Market, which runs from May through October. Winter Market attendees can stock up on all the holiday goodies needed to create beautiful gifts or prepare delicious meals for friends and family, as well as fresh-cut trees, poinsettias, holiday wreaths and ornaments. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment and treat themselves to breakfast or lunch from a variety of local vendors, all while supporting small businesses and celebrating the best of the holiday season.
Times: Friday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 22: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Strength – Scottish Highlands & Eroica
November 22, 2025 - November 23, 2025 - All Day at Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut St
Vivid and emotional, the third program on our Masterworks series features the lively rhythms of Scottish folk music. Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances leads into Bruch’s virtuosic Scottish Fantasy, performed by American violinist Stefan Jackiw in his Des Moines debut. The concert closes with Beethoven’s triumphant masterpiece, the Eroica Symphony.
Get your tickets here:
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
November 28, 2025 - 12:00 am at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th Street
Enjoy a fun, family journey from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot in Boone, Iowa to the North Pole!
Rides on the Santa Express typically last between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to make his way through the train. On the way to the North Pole, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, take part in games, sing some holiday classics, cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children.
Don’t forget, your Santa Express tickets include admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.
Arrive early, visit the museum, browse the gift shop, then it’s off to the North Pole!
Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or by calling 515.432.4249 (phones answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm).
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society.
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
November 29, 2025 - 12:00 am at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th Street
Enjoy a fun, family journey from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot in Boone, Iowa to the North Pole!
Rides on the Santa Express typically last between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to make his way through the train. On the way to the North Pole, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, take part in games, sing some holiday classics, cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children.
Don’t forget, your Santa Express tickets include admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.
Arrive early, visit the museum, browse the gift shop, then it’s off to the North Pole!
Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or by calling 515.432.4249 (phones answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm).
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society.
Hy-Vee Holiday Parade
November 29, 2025 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at
Get ready for the Hy-Vee Holiday Parade presented by WHO 13!
Join the fun Saturday, Nov. 29 at 10 am in downtown Des Moines as the holiday season officially kicks off. Enjoy over 40 floats, dancers, balloons, reindeer, the Clydesdales, and plenty of festive fun.
Don’t forget to drop your letter to Santa at the Court Avenue Hy-Vee — he’ll write you back!
Five On The Fly Comed Presents: Ben O’Connell and Friends
November 29, 2025 - 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm at The Proletariat
1213 2nd St, Perry, IA 50220
Chicago comedians Ben O’Connell, Kat Diaz, and Theo Auge are back in their home state to celebrate the holiday and bring the funny. Come out to see some of our own who are making waves in the big city.
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
November 30, 2025 - 12:00 am at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th Street
Enjoy a fun, family journey from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot in Boone, Iowa to the North Pole!
Rides on the Santa Express typically last between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to make his way through the train. On the way to the North Pole, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, take part in games, sing some holiday classics, cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children.
Don’t forget, your Santa Express tickets include admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.
Arrive early, visit the museum, browse the gift shop, then it’s off to the North Pole!
Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or by calling 515.432.4249 (phones answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm).
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society.
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
December 5, 2025 - 12:00 am at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th Street
Enjoy a fun, family journey from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot in Boone, Iowa to the North Pole!
Rides on the Santa Express typically last between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to make his way through the train. On the way to the North Pole, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, take part in games, sing some holiday classics, cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children.
Don’t forget, your Santa Express tickets include admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.
Arrive early, visit the museum, browse the gift shop, then it’s off to the North Pole!
Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or by calling 515.432.4249 (phones answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm).
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society.
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
December 6, 2025 - 12:00 am at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th Street
Enjoy a fun, family journey from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot in Boone, Iowa to the North Pole!
Rides on the Santa Express typically last between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to make his way through the train. On the way to the North Pole, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, take part in games, sing some holiday classics, cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children.
Don’t forget, your Santa Express tickets include admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.
Arrive early, visit the museum, browse the gift shop, then it’s off to the North Pole!
Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or by calling 515.432.4249 (phones answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm).
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society.
Santa Express at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
December 7, 2025 - 12:00 am at Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
225 10th Street
Enjoy a fun, family journey from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s depot in Boone, Iowa to the North Pole!
Rides on the Santa Express typically last between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to make his way through the train. On the way to the North Pole, you will hear the story of Santa’s Scenic Valley Ride, take part in games, sing some holiday classics, cross the 156’ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and enjoy a sweet treat. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children.
Don’t forget, your Santa Express tickets include admission to the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum.
Arrive early, visit the museum, browse the gift shop, then it’s off to the North Pole!
Get your tickets at bsvrr.com, or by calling 515.432.4249 (phones answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm).
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society.
