Holiday Magic in Greater Des Moines
The holiday season in Greater Des Moines (DSM) arrives with all the warmth, sparkle and small-town charm you could hope for. Across the region, our communities transform into festive destinations filled with twinkling lights, local shopping, winter markets, tree lightings and family-friendly celebrations. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure, seeking annual traditions or looking for new celebrations to explore, every corner of the DSM region offers something special.
These events highlight the heart of the holidays by supporting local businesses, connecting with neighbors and creating memories that last long after the season ends. Below you’ll find a curated guide to festive happenings across the Greater DSM region. Use it as a go-to resource for planning your winter outings and discovering new traditions.
Visit the event websites for updates and any changes to dates, times and activities.
2025 November Holiday Events
Norwalk — Jolly Holiday Bingo
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 (Starts Nov. 15 and runs through December)
Kick off the season with Norwalk’s Jolly Holiday Bingo, a fun shop-local activity where participants visit local businesses to fill their Bingo cards for a chance to win prizes. It’s a festive way to explore the community and support small businesses throughout the holiday season.
West Des Moines — Jingle in the Junction
Thursdays, Nov. 20 – Dec. 18, 2025 | 5-8 p.m.
Experience the holiday glow in Historic Valley Junction with extended shopping hours, special deals, live entertainment and more than 100,000 lights along 5th Street. Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley rides, live ice carvings, rotating carolers and a visit from Santa each Thursday night.
Grinnell — Jingle Bell Holiday
Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 | 5-8 p.m.
Downtown Grinnell kicks off the season with Jingle Bell Holiday, featuring festive activities, local shopping, treats and winter fun for all ages.
Des Moines — Historic East Village Holiday Promenade
Fridays, Nov. 21 – Dec. 19, 2025 | 5-8 p.m.
Celebrate five festive Fridays in the Historic East Village with twinkling lights, extended shop hours, special deals, live music, carolers, free trolley rides and weekly themed activities throughout the season.
Indianola — Home for the Holidays
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 | 4-8 p.m.
Indianola’s downtown square becomes a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, festive décor, vendor stalls, holiday treats and family activities. Enjoy carriage rides, train rides, carolers and visits from holiday characters. The evening features a community tree lighting and ends with a beautiful lighted parade.
Pella — Annual Tree Lighting & Tour of Stores
Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 | 5-8 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season in downtown Pella with the Annual Tree Lighting, festive décor, carriage rides, hot cocoa, extended shopping hours and performances from local school choirs. Enjoy special promotions, holiday events and the festive charm of the Pella Opera House’s Festival of Trees.
Urbandale — Flip the Switch! Miracle on 86th Street Tree Lighting
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
Join the Mayor and City Council as they “Flip the Switch” to illuminate Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park with more than 80,000 lights. Enjoy cocoa, cookies and a festive stroll through the decorated park during this free community event.
Can’t make it for the tree lighting? Miracle on 86th Street is open until early January.
Waukee — A Night Under the Lights
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 | 4-9 p.m.
Kick off the season with Waukee’s A Night Under the Lights, featuring food trucks, local vendors, family activities and a high-energy DJ. Events begin at 4 p.m., with the lighted parade starting at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation to support local families.
Newton — Annual Lighted Parade & Festival
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 | 5:30-8 p.m.
Kick off the season in Newton with the annual lighting of the Jasper County Courthouse, followed by a festive evening downtown. Enjoy a lighted parade, holiday market, carriage rides, hot chocolate, Santa visits and plenty of community cheer.
Perry — Lighted Holiday Parade
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Kick off the season in Downtown Perry with the annual Lighted Holiday Parade, a beloved post-Thanksgiving tradition featuring glowing floats from local businesses and community groups. After the parade, head to Hotel Pattee to visit Santa, and enjoy late-night shopping at local stores.
2025 December Holiday Events
Des Moines — Christkindlmarket
Thursday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 & Thursday, Dec. 11 – Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
One of DSM’s most beloved holiday traditions, Christkindlmarket in Downtown Des Moines, brings European charm to Downtown with handcrafted gifts, traditional treats, mulled wine, artisan vendors and festive entertainment. Presented by the Iowa European Cultural Connection, this market fills the first two weekends of December with old-world elegance, holiday ornaments, wreaths, sweets and plenty of seasonal cheer.
Clive — Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 | 5:30–7 p.m.
Celebrate the season at Clive’s annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting at the City Hall/Public Library complex. Enjoy photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, cookie decorating, hayrack rides, hot cocoa, live music and festive performances throughout the evening before the tree lighting ceremony.
Adel — Hometown Holiday Celebration
Friday, Dec. 5 – Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
Enjoy a festive weekend in Adel with a holiday celebration and activities. Shop, dine and enjoy the festivities throughout the community as local businesses offer seasonal treats, events and plenty of small-town holiday charm.
Altoona — Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Browse local craft vendors, makers and bakers offering handmade gifts, décor and holiday treats. Enjoy hot cider, sugar cookies and the festive spirit of shopping local this season.
Johnston — Holidays at the Town Center
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 | 4-6 p.m.
Ring in the season at Johnston’s Holidays at the Town Center with Santa’s arrival, a 5 p.m. tree lighting, carriage rides with food pantry donations, reindeer visits, kids’ crafts, cookie decorating, ice skating, live ice sculpting and food trucks. A festive, family-friendly evening for the whole community.
Grimes — Holiday Celebration
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 | 5-7 p.m.
Head to Heritage Park for the Grimes Holiday Celebration, a family-friendly walk-through event featuring Santa, holiday characters, lights, music, activities, hot cocoa and treats. Before the event, Santa will make his way through the community on a fire truck courtesy of the Johnston-Grimes Municipal Fire Department. Bring the kids and their letters for Santa!
Bondurant — Indoor Market & Vendor Fair
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Shop seasonal goods from your favorite farmers’ market vendors along with holiday gifts, décor, treats and more. The Indoor Market & Vendor Fair is the perfect place to browse local foods and handcrafted items all in one warm, festive setting.
Marshalltown — Jingle & Mingle Holiday Pop-Up
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 | 5:30-8 p.m.
Celebrate the season in downtown Marshalltown with Jingle & Mingle, a festive evening featuring pop-up vendors, seasonal treats, live music and holiday specials throughout local businesses. Families can enjoy kids’ activities, meet Santa and capture photos, all while browsing handmade gifts and soaking in the cheerful atmosphere.
Ankeny — Miracle on 3rd Street
Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 | 5-8 p.m.
Experience holiday magic in Uptown Ankeny with more than 50 animated Wonderlights displays, visits with Santa and his reindeer, holiday crafts, a live nativity, warm cocoa stops, late-night shopping and a magical snowfall around the show tree to end the night.
Madison County — Winter Solstice Market
Friday, Dec. 12 – Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
Shop 40 local makers at this festive indoor holiday market, now hosted across two Winterset venues — the Winterset Livery and Warehouse on 2nd. It’s a cozy, creative way to celebrate the season.
Carlisle — Light Up Carlisle
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 | 5-8 p.m.
Enjoy the season in downtown Carlisle with a festive parade at 5 p.m., followed by holiday activities including ornament and cookie decorating, reindeer visits, s’mores, hot chocolate, a farmers market, photo booths and more. Meet Santa at the Carlisle Chamber Office and end the evening with the community tree lighting at 7:45 p.m.
Celebrate the Season in Greater Des Moines
Whether you’re gathering with loved ones, exploring a new community or revisiting a favorite holiday tradition, we invite you to experience the magic of the season across DSM.
Ready to learn more about living in DSM? Request a free relocation guide to learn more about the region or reach out to a MVP with questions.