Holiday Shows & Performances This December in Downtown DSM 

_{Header image courtesy Ryan Morrison.}

Festive holiday shows and performances in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) are lighting up the season this December! From heartwarming productions to dazzling musical acts, Downtown DSM’s local venues are filled with unforgettable experiences for the whole family. Spend the month enjoying the magic of live entertainment while creating special memories and supporting the local businesses that make Downtown DSM such a vibrant destination year-round.

Holiday Shows & Performances in Downtown Des Moines

Under the Mistletoe with Lauren Vilmain

Monday, Dec. 1 & Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 | Varies | Noce Jazz Club
Kick off the holiday season with “Under the Mistletoe,” a festive night of jazz vocals from Lauren Vilmain — a Drake-trained vocalist celebrated for her blend of classical training, musical theatre influences and soulful American jazz.
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Max Wellman’s Home for the Holidays

Tuesday, Dec. 2, Thursday, Dec. 4, Saturday, Dec. 6, Friday, Dec. 12, Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 | Varies | Noce Jazz Club
For the 15th year, Max Wellman will create vocal magic on stage including favorite songs like “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “The Christmas Song,” “Sleigh Ride” and more.
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Christmas with the Celts

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Hoyt Sherman Place
Experience a high-energy blend of Irish Americana as The Celts bring fiery traditional instrumentals, tight harmonies and modern Celtic flair to the stage for a festive holiday performance.
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Sounds of the Season with the Des Moines Big Band

Wednesday, Dec. 3 & 17, 2025 | 7 p.m. | Noce Jazz Club
Celebrate the season with holiday classics reimagined with a Big Band twist, from Duke Ellington’s “Sugar Rum Cherry” to a Zydeco groove on “Joy to the World.”
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Christmas with Lorie Line

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 | 7 p.m. | Hoyt Sherman Place
An intimate evening of piano music, heartwarming stories and a celebration of the true spirit of Christmas.
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A Christmas Carol

Friday, Dec. 5 13 – Sunday, Dec. 212, 2025   | Varies | Des Moines Stoner Theater
The Iowa Stage Theater brings the holiday tradition of Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come (and Tiny Tim, too!) to the stage in Downtown DSM.
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All I Want for Christmas: Gina Gedler

Friday, Dec. 5, Sunday, Dec. 7 & Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 | Varies | Noce
Enjoy an evening of warm, cozy holiday classics performed by acclaimed singer and actress Gina Gedler, featuring favorites from Ella Fitzgerald, Karen Carpenter, Eartha Kitt, Diana Krall and more.
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Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus: Silver Bells 

Friday, Dec. 5 & Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 | 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. | Hoyt Sherman Place
Glitz, glitter and glam of the holiday season, the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus winter concert kicks off the holiday season with holiday tunes you’ll love.

A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Tanner Taylor Trio

Monday, Dec. 8, Wednesday, Dec. 10, Monday, Dec. 15 & 22, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 | Varies | Noce Jazz Club
Experience Vince Guaraldi’s classic score performed by the exceptional Tanner Taylor Trio, featuring piano, bass and drums.
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A NOLA Christmas

Tuesday, Dec. 9, Tuesday, Dec. 16 & Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 | Varies | Noce
Celebrate the season with A NOLA Christmas, featuring the NOLA Jazz Band’s gutsy, heartfelt blend of blues and jazz for a festive night inspired by the spirit of New Orleans.
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Ballet Des Moines Presents the Nutcracker

Thursday, Dec. 11 – Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 | Varies | Hoyt Sherman Place
DSM’s professional production of The Nutcracker features Ballet Des Moines dancers and local dancers in children’s roles this holiday season.

• Dec. 11: 7 p.m. Show
• Dec. 12: 7 p.m. Show
• Dec. 13: 2 p.m. Show
• Dec. 13: 7 p.m. Show
• Dec. 14: 1 p.m. Show
• Dec. 14: 5 p.m. Show

Photo Credit: Jami Milne

Iowa Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker

Friday, Dec. 12 – Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 | Varies | Des Moines Civic Center
This version of The Nutcracker casts local students in a show choreographed and directed by dance professionals from around DSM. 
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Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 | Varies | Des Moines Civic Center
Experience the whimsy and wonder of Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday tale as The Grinch, Max the Dog and the Whos of Whoville come to life on stage in this heartwarming, song-filled Christmas classic.
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Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 | 7 p.m. | Hoyt Sherman Place
Celebrate the season with a Creole Christmas concert blending New Orleans classics with festive holiday favorites — all delivered with a signature soulful twist.
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Tonic Sol-fa "Wrap It Up" - The Final Holiday Tour

Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Hoyt Sherman Place
Don’t miss this final holiday performance from Tonic Sol-fa, featuring their signature harmonies, inventive arrangements and crowd-favorite seasonal classics.
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Pop N’ Jolly: A Holiday Show for All Generations

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. | Temple Theater 
Celebrate the season at the second annual “Pop ‘n’ Jolly!” — a family-friendly event with timeless Christmas music and top local musicians.
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Des Moines Symphony: The Doo Wop Project New Year’s Eve Pops

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 | 8 p.m. | Des Moines Civic Center 
Ring in the New Year with a cosmic celebration as the Des Moines Symphony joins Troupe Vertigo for a dazzling night of aerial artistry and space-inspired symphonic favorites. 
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We think you might also be interested in these additional holiday shows and performances: A Swingin’ Christmas with Carson Parker, Des Moines Symphony Holiday Brass and Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O-National Act!

Looking for more? Check out this list holiday events and festivities, and also these free things to do in Downtown Des Moines during December.

For these upcoming shows, performances and more, find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation. For additional events and seasonal festivities coming up in Downtown DSM, visit the events calendar. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for even more things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.