Live Music This Week in DSM: Dec. 16 – 21, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Locker & Co., Al Sinatra, Luke Thomas, Velvet Trio, Casey Peasley and Tonic Sol-Fa. Cheer on a sports team, shop local or visit your favorite attraction or event before or after enjoying the best live music in DSM.

This list is curated week-to-week by local music fan Bryan Farland. Visit The List – Live Music in DSM Area's Facebook page for more information.

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Jerry Beauchamp Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
Stan Dudley / Randy Ward Acoustic Duo Happy Hour at Chamblain Pub at Wesley on Grand at 5 p.m.
Young Talent Night at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 5 p.m.
A NOLA Christmas! at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
Locker & Co. at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

Jake Shrodt at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
Two Guys Named Dave + Steve O’Brien at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
Chris Powell at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Al Sinatra at Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Ducktail Lounge and Clive at 6 p.m.
Triple J’s at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage at 7 p.m.
Danny Russell Wolf ’s Birthday Boy Bye-Bye & Alex Kintzle at Lefty’s at 9 p.m. (doors)
Drew Fry at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 18

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Longbottom Leaf & Dead Cats at Lefty’s at 6 p.m.; $10
Chris English at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
Robert Deitch at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill at 7 p.m.; $40 to $78
Pons / Problems / Jess V at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $15 DOS + fees
Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O at 7 p.m.; $72, $62, $54 at table, $36 bar seat
Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
DSM Irish Session at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m.
All That Holiday Jazz! at Turner Jazz Center at 7:30 p.m.; $32
Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Luke Thomas at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Johnny Novacaine – Holiday Party at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
Kevin Gordon with Matt Woods at Lefty’s at 6 p.m. (doors); $25 (CIBS Members $20)
The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Kelsie James at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Josh Sinclair at Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Lauren Igou at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
Unpolished Jams at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
A Swinging Christmas with Carson Parker featuring Aviana Gedler at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
The Soul Searchers at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Jake & TK at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
The Soulful Two at VFW Beaverdale at 7 p.m.
Jordan Beem at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Velvet Trio at Ugly Sweater Party at Pal Joey’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Johnny Laws & Vince Cline with special guest Tim Cooper at Ducktail Lounge in Clive at 7 p.m.
Luke Fox at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
The Schoon Brothers at Sister’s Place in Carlisle at 7 p.m.
5 Below at Reclaimed Rails in Bondurant at 7 p.m.
NOLA Jazz Duo at The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar in the Historic East Village at 7:30 p.m.
Alayna Ringsby Trio at The Cave at 8 p.m.
The Get Down at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Randy Burk at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Kick at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Jordan Beem with Johnny G at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
The Sheet at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Chris Powell at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
Cody Hicksat Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8:30 p.m.
A Swinging Christmas with Carson Parker featuring Aviana Gedler at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $59, $49, $42, $36 at table, $2 bar seat
Beast at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
After Hours at Noce in Western Gateway at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Dukes of Haggard at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
Punk Rock Saves Christmas: MORE CHEESE / LAMP / Americature / On Hiatus / Triple Elvis / The Sleepover at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $15 or comparably priced toy
Ducharme-Jones Band at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
Funhouse Band at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 6 p.m.
Bob Pace at The Hills Bar & Grill in Pleasant Hill at 6 p.m.
Goodie Night at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 6:30 p.m.; $10
Eli Thiessen at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 6:30 p.m.
Euforquestra with The Finesse at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $38.83
A Nellaq Thomas Christmas at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $25 DOS + fees
Christmas with The Nate Sparks Big Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Cedar County Cobras at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Guitars Under the Stars at Drake Municipal Observatory at Waveland Golf Course at 7 p.m.
Unforgiven at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7-nonmembers
Velvet Trio at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Royce Johns Duo at Uptown Garage Brewing in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Joshua Sinclair at West Hill Brewing in Indianola at 7 p.m.
Tonic Sol-Fa at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill at 7:30 p.m.; $51 to $83
Symphony Holiday Brass at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m.; $31-$61
Jake Stringer and Better than Nothin at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 7:30 p.m.; $10
Other Brothers at Maggie’s Rumble Room at 8 p.m.
Heath Alan at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
Hannah Marks Group (NYC) at The Cave at 8 p.m.
Toast3r at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Final Mix Show Band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Joseph Donnelly Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
SPAM at Ugly Sweater Party at Sam’s Bar & Grill in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Casey Peasley at Fore Seasons in Newton at 8 p.m.
Redemption at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
Christmas with The Nate Sparks Big Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $59, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
Goodbye to Lefty’s - Brother Trucker / Todd Partridge & The Whiskey Gospel / Jacob County & The Damaged Goods at Lefty’s at 9 p.m.; $20
Pre XMAS Bash - Bandas: Banda La Conquistadora Del Terre, Los Magos, Los Chavaloz de Zacatecos at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.; $52.23
Cody Hicks at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.
Last Call with Max Wellman at 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

A Charlie Brown Christmas ft Peter Roberts Band at xBk LIve at 3 p.m. Under The Mistletoe with Lauren Vilmain at Noce in West Des Moines at 3 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $42, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Symphony Holiday Brass at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m.; $31-$61
A Merry Metal Christmas: Absolute Power / Nyhilist / Crucifilth / Wastegate at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $10/$15 DOS
Aviana Gedler / Carson Parker Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
Goodie Night – Al Welsh at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
Tonic Sol-Fa at Hoyt Sherman Place at 7:30 p.m.; $51 to $83

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.

Amelia Klatt

Amelia Klatt is the Director of Events for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Her background working with nonprofit organizations has led to skills as a relationship builder and events professional. Klatt received her MPA from Drake University in 2019.