Places for Holiday Cheer in DSM 

As organizations around Greater Des Moines (DSM) plan holiday gatherings and events, business owners are on the hunt for the perfect space. Host your employees at a local party room or reserve a historic site, like those suggested below.    

The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s complete directory contains small businesses, boutiques and neighborhood favorites across Greater Des Moines (DSM). Shop at any of the 6,500 businesses and Regional Chamber Members to help the money you spend stay in the local community this holiday season.    

Places to Host Get-Togethers  

Blue Bean  

Ankeny  
Host a holiday party at Blue Bean that includes a coffee shop open for your guests.  

Bricker-Price Block  

Madison County  
After a restoration that has transformed Bricker-Price Block, the space now offers a 3,000 square-foot facility with historic charm.  

Coa Cantina  

Des Moines (Fuse DSM)  
Private parties accommodate up to 150 people at “Des Moines’ Finest Tequila Bar” Coa Cantina.   

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants  

Clive (West Des Moines)  
Connect through food and handcrafted wine during a Cooper’s Hawk event that can offer holiday partygoers up to three courses.  

Destination Grille  

Grimes  
Destination Grill is the place to plan your next holiday party and order Christmas Meal To-Go bundles.  

Food Depot  

Grimes  
An event space at Food Depot allows for seating for up to 100 people. Book the party room with buffet-style food options.   

Founders Banquet Hall 

Bondurant 
The Banquet Hall, located at Founders Irish Pub, seats up to 200 people and includes a full bar and event catering menu, an unlimited time frame and servers and bartenders on site at no additional charge. 

Grimes Community Center  

Grimes  
Reserve the banquet room, gym, kitchen/cafeteria or other meeting room at the Grimes Community Center.  

Liberty Street Kitchen  

Pella  
Whether you need to accommodate 10 or 70, Liberty Street Kitchen offers event space with contemporary cuisine.  

Monsterama Arcade  

Des Moines (Fuse DSM)  
For smaller group parties and team building, visit Monsterama Arcade in South Des Moines. Reservations include 12 arcade passes, three one-topping pizzas and fountain drinks.  

Paws & Pints  

Des Moines (Fuse DSM)  
Reserve space on-site at Paws & Pints or order pickup catering. Tip: Receive deals during the 12 Days of Woofmas, including 50% off 2023 event rentals, free for members on Monday, Dec. 19!  

Sherwood Forest Event Center 

Windsor Heights 
Hold your next event at Sherwood Forest Event Center, where nonprofit events receive special pricing.  

Sol Agave  

Grimes  
Hold a holiday party for up to 40 people at Sol Agave Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar.  

The Delirium Gallery  

Madison County  
Rent Room 112 in the basement of Delirium Gallery for a smaller space featuring a bar.  

Toast  

Ankeny  
At Toast, gatherings can be small and intimate or larger scale and include on-site venue coordinators and an array of amenities like A/V access and tables with linens.  

Winterset Livery  

Madison County  
Located on Winterset’s Courthouse Square, Winterset Livery is a historic space that hosts weddings, live music and events — like your next holiday party.    

Must-Attend Events 

Not looking to host? There are also several fun events going on around the region during the holiday season that are perfect for a night of festive fun!

Adel 
Adel will celebrate the city’s local businesses during its Hometown Celebration and the Bells, Bows & Boutiques holiday shopping road trip. Celebrate Adel’s Hometown Grant, too, on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Adel Public Library (outside) at 303 S. 10th St. in Adel, where there will be free goodies and opportunities for photos, including:  

• Breakfast with Santa at the Adel Fire Station at 8 a.m.  

• Lite Brite Display at Adel Public Library (thanks to T-Mobile) from 8:30 – 10:15 a.m.  
• Official Presentation by Adel Rotary and T-Mobile at Adel Public Library at 10:15 a.m.    

On Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, shoppers can buy local in several Greater Des Moines (DSM) communities during Bells, Bows & Boutiques. Shop participating businesses or visit restaurants in Adel, Winterset, Earlham and Indianola between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Learn more about Bells, Bows & Boutiques here.    

Clive  
Holiday Hullabaloo is a holiday event that’s fun for the whole family. Stop in at Horizon Events Center through Saturday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or 7 – 11 p.m. for adults only) to see festive entertainment, take part in activities like building a toy at Santa’s workshop or decorating cookies and more! Ticket proceeds benefit Dorothy’s House.   

Urbandale 
Attend a holiday concert at the Urbandale Library where the Urbandale Adult Bands will play and you can check out the lights at Miracle on 86th Street.   

West Des Moines 
Don’t miss West Des Moines’ annual Jingle in the Junction where free entertainment, 125,000 holiday lights and opportunities to find the perfect gift await in Historic Valley Junction. On Thursday, Dec. 15 and 22, visit from 5 – 9 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too! On the 22nd, Cirque Wonderland fire dancers will be there, too, at 5th and Maple. 

Finally, in and around Downtown DSM, you’ll want to find your way to the final Holiday Promenade events Friday, Dec. 9 and 16. Or attend Christmas at Terrace Hill on Sunday, Dec. 18 or Santa at Blank Park Zoo on Saturday, Dec. 10 and 17. 

The original #DSMlocal Buying Guide offers gift ideas for a variety of recipients from bookworms to pet lovers and more. Throughout the year, The Partnership will continue to add even more buying guides to encourage buying local, curated with DSM shops, restaurants and service providers in mind for shoppers like you!    

If you're a business owner and Member of The Partnership interested in being featured in one of the buying guides, sign up here.