The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
November 16, 2025 - 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm at Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
The Des Moines Playhouse presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever November 7-29. The Herdman children appear to be the worst kids ever. They lie, they steal, and they curse. When the Herdmans hear the neighborhood church serves treats, they show up and volunteer for the lead roles in this year’s pageant. Ultimately everyone is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.
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.
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Love – Romeo & Juliet
February 14, 2026 - February 15, 2026 - All Day at Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut St
Miguel Harth-Bedoya leads the Orchestra! The tragic romance of Shakespeare takes center stage over Valentine’s Day weekend in Tchaikovsky’s beautiful Romeo and Juliet. Sibelius captures the resilience and independence of the Finnish people in his Second Symphony. Anna Geniushene makes her Des Moines debut performing Ravel’s jazz-infused Piano Concerto in G Major.
Two Shows:
Hope – Copland & Gershwin
April 18, 2026 - April 19, 2026 - All Day at Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut St
Two American musical icons meet on the sixth Masterworks program of the season. Copland’s Shaker-influenced Appalachian Spring and Gershwin’s jazz-infused An American in Paris bookend the concert. Heitzeg’s Symphony In Sculpture celebrates the Pappajohn Sculpture Park through its musical evocation of Des Moines’ favorite sculptures. Margaret Bonds’ Music from the Montgomery Variations reflects the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement.
Two Shows:
Courage – Alpine Symphony
May 9, 2026 - May 10, 2026 - All Day at Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut St
The Symphony’s Season Finale explodes with Richard Strauss and his monumental storytelling. The Symphony’s powerful brass section is on display, from the composer’s Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare to the cinematic grandeur of his Alpine Symphony featuring 34 brass players. Amaryn Olmeda returns to Des Moines for Mendelssohn’s beautifully melodic Violin Concerto
Two Shows:
