What's Happening This Holiday Season in Downtown Des Moines
Are you ready for the 2025 holiday season?
With Thanksgiving just over a week away, business owners across Downtown Des Moines (DSM) are gearing up for this most wonderful time of year, and you can show your #shoplocal love by visiting your favorite shops, restaurants, bars and attractions in every one of Downtown DSM's neighborhoods. From the Historic East Village to Western Gateway, experience a range of holiday festiveness with family and friends in the upcoming weeks!
Downtown Des Moines Decorations
Seek out local Downtown DSM businesses as they take part in the 2025 Downtown Winter Holiday Spirit Initiative! When you visit participating businesses, you'll experience them in a new way through holiday decorations from lights to garlands to creative window displays. Stop by the following businesses in 2025 to see the décor:
Learn more about the 2025 Downtown Winter Holiday Spirit Initiative and how being a participating business helps enhance the holiday experience in Downtown DSM!
Downtown Des Moines Events
When it comes to holiday events, Downtown DSM has got you covered. Annual events are back in 2025 to wow and surprise you offering new ways to embrace this time of year. Whether you're hoping to find the perfect gift at a local shop, sip on a cocktail at a holiday popup or support a good cause for the holidays, these Downtown DSM events are sure to have what you're looking for.
Downtown Winter Farmers' Market presented by Prairie Meadows
Join Winter Market vendors for the 20th Season of the event! This is your chance to find holiday gifts from local small businesses. It's a seasonal staple that offers everything from jellies to winter décor as well as live entertainment and fun activities including coloring sheets, a scavenger hunt, a magician, a balloon twister and live music.
Downtown Winter Farmers' Market 20th Season Details
Friday, Nov. 21 – Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025
Iowa Events Center, Hall C of the EMC Expo Center: 730 Third St.
dsmpartnership.com/desmoinesfarmersmarket/winter-market
What's New in 2025: The Holiday Porch Planter Make-and Take Events will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Holiday Promenade
Fun for the entire family, the Holiday Promenade is full of that festive feeling you're looking for, and you won't want to miss all that's happening over five Fridays during the 2025 holiday season. From holiday shopping deals at local businesses to a tree-lighting ceremony at Brenton Skating Plaza to visits with Santa and a brand-new trolley route (map below!), the Holiday Promenade is a much-anticipated Downtown DSM event.
Holiday Promenade Details
Fridays Nov. 21 – Dec. 19, 2025
Historic East Village
eastvillagedesmoines.com
What's New in 2025: Trolleys will circle through the Historic East Village and Downtown DSM, extending to the Western Gateway neighborhood for the first time ever from 5 – 9 p.m. each Friday of the Holiday Promenade.
View the Trolley Map
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is now the second largest Christkindlmarket in the country. Those who attend can shop vendors, see holiday performances, take part in the Opening Ceremony or Breakfast with St. Nick and more.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Details
Thursday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 7 and Thursday, Dec. 11 – Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
Principal Park: 1 Line Dr.
christkindlmarketdsm.com
What's New in 2025: Christkindlmarket Des Moines is expanding to the first two weekends of December for its 10th anniversary.
Festival of Trees & Lights
Support Blank Children's Hospital when you buy tickets to the Festival of Trees & Lights. Ninety decorated and themed trees await all ages. There will be a Festival Express Train for kids, a sock skating rink, a Festival Gift Shop and more. Visit on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 during Sensory Day for a sensory-sensitive experience.
Festival of Trees & Lights Details
Friday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025
Iowa Events Center, Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center: 833 5th Ave.
unitypoint.org
What's New in 2025: The Festival of Trees & Lights will be cashless this year!
Downtown DSM Popups
Holiday-themed popup events are taking place in Downtown DSM, offering seasonal promotions, dining among festive holiday decorations and a memorable experience over the coming weeks. Check out the popup details below for events happening during the 2025-2026 holiday season:
Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options. Find event information and follow @downtownDSMUSA on Facebook and Instagram for other news, tips and events happening downtown.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
DSM USA is the regional identifier for Greater Des Moines (DSM). DSM USA is a bold statement to the world: This is a welcoming, diverse and vibrant community with affordable and accessible amenities for residents and businesses. This regional identifier is the result of significant quantitative and qualitative research.
The Partnership will champion the DSM USA message, and encourages its Investors, its more than 7,200 Regional Business Members to help share the region's story with One Voice.
Categories
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Attractions , Downtown , Festivals and Markets , Gray's Lake , Historic Court Avenue , Historic East Village , Market District , Music and Entertainment , Restaurants and Nightlife , Sherman Hill , Shopping , Things To Do , Western Gateway Park