Live Music This Week in DSM: Dec. 30, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Austin Brown Trio, Jana West & RetroSpect, Ducharme-Jones Acoustic Duo, Scott Kirkhart and Courtney Krause. 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. 30, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Richie Lee & The Fabulous '50s at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
Young Talent Night at Kelly's Little Nipper at 5 p.m.
10 Watt Robot / Dipsos / Other Brothers / Soulcage Post-Thanksgiving Blowout at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; Proceeds to The B Well Foundation
10 Years of Noce: A Retrospective Hang with Max Wellman & Andrew Walesch at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68 to $36 at a table, $36 bar seat
Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7 p.m.
Austin Brown Trio at The Lift at 7:30 p.m.
Dan Jones & Friends at Greenwood Lounge at 7:30 p.m.
Open Mic N8ight with Mike Aceto at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Decoy at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Derry & The Dirty Dishes during the NYE Kids Party at xBk Live at 10:30 a.m.; $15 DOS + fees (family pack $35 + fees)
Tommy Browder & The Country River Band at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at Noon
Napoleon Douglas & His Jazz Orchestra at The Ingersoll at 2 p.m.; $150 to $160 (includes a meal that starts at Noon)
Pat & Kristin Rouse (Grain Powered Duo) at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 4:30 p.m. (RSVP)
NYE with Andrew Walesch & His Jazz Orchestra at Noce in Western Gateway at 5 p.m.; $77 to $60 at a table, $50 bar seat
The Crowfoot Rakes at Irish New Year’s Hooley! at Locals Bar & Stage at 5 p.m.
Bryan Schumaker at The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar at 5 p.m.
Brian Herrin at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Fiddler Dave Swenson & Full Course Gourmet Meal at Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery in Ankeny at 6 p.m.; $84.18
Jesse & The Medicine Men at 1850 Homestead in Cambridge at 6 p.m.; $50 includes dinner
Coyote at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
The Chaggaluggers at Maingate Bar & Grill at 7 p.m.
Jana West & RetroSpect at A Retro NYE Bash at Sherwood Forest Event Center in Windsor Heights at 7 p.m.; $36.72 to $230.33
Austin “OZ” Mattison at The Hills Bar & Grill in Pleasant Hill at 7 p.m.
The Get Down New Year’s Eve Party at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 7 p.m.; $10
Pickleback at Carlisle Watering Hole in Carlisle at 7 p.m.
Brian Jorgenson at Murph & Mary’s Pub in Newton at 7 p.m.
Todd Partridge & Whiskey Gospel at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 7 p.m.; $20
Des Moines Symphony performs New Year’s Eve Pops: at Des Moines Civic Center at 8 p.m.; $45 to $90
Whiskey Bizkit at Eagle’s Lodge 109 at 8 p.m.
Erf New Year’s Eve at Locals Bar & Stage at 8 p.m.
Beggers’ Bargain at Ducktail Lounge in Clive at 8 p.m.
Suede at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
The Sons of Gladys Kravitz at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Bob Pace & The Power at Za Ga Zig Shrine in Altoona at 8 p.m.
SPAM at Sam’s Bar & Grill in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Reload at 1833 Saloon at 8:30 p.m.
Serenade at The Cork in Johnston at 8:30 p.m.
Encore Legends at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
Dick Danger Band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
Grand Marshall at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8:30 p.m.
Gaylin Sudik Orchestra at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 8:30 p.m.; $40-$45
Tony Bohnenkamp with Pianopalooza featuring The Finesse at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 9 p.m.; $27.49
The Guilty Pleasures & Friends at xBk Live at 9 p.m.; $20 DOS + fees (table options)
Cover That at Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive at 9 p.m.
Count It Off at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.
Jordan Beem with Brody Hedrick & Cooper Terrill at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 9 p.m.
Claudia Coltrain at NYE Party at Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid at 9 p.m.
David Watson at Niteawk Bar & Grill in Slater at 9 p.m.
Keith Davis at Fore Seasons in Newton at 9 p.m.
The Sheet at Brick & Ivy Rooftop in Altoona at 9:30 p.m.
B. John Burns’ ”6th Annual All-Night New Year's Eve Extravaganza” Dinner Hour Livestream at 10 p.m.
The Grand Marquis at The Ingersoll at 10:30 p.m.; $225 - $235 includes dinner, dining starts at 8:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan. 2, 2026

Ducharme-Jones Acoustic Duo during First Friday at Mainframe Studios at 5 p.m.
Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
The Canary Collective Showcase - Tony Bohnenkamp, Elton & Billy, Pianopalooza Dueling Pianos/Orchestra, Tony B Outfit, Bravo! at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 6 p.m.
Wil Barnett at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
The Juan & Only at El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Corbett Reeves at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Casey Peasley at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
Davina & the Vagabonds at The Ingersoll at 7:30 p.m.; $60 includes dinner that starts at 5:30 (almost sold out)
Beggers’ Bargain during an Album Release Show with Luke Fox at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $15 DOS + fees
Songwriters Round with Quinn Trilk / Mia Prosperi / Kelsie James at xBk Annex at 8 p.m.
Jones & Owen’s Trio at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
The People’s Band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Taylor King at Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
Midnight Dogs at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
Red Dirt Renegade at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
Jordan Beem & Johnny G at Brick & Ivy Rooftop in Altoona at 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Davina & the Vagabonds at The Ingersoll at 2 p.m.; $60 includes dinner that starts at Noon
The Chuggaluggers Open Jam at 1833 Saloon at 4 p.m.
Unforgiven at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 6 p.m.; $10
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Adam Kulmatycki at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Scott Kirkhart at 36th St. Tavern in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
The Shaun Johnson Big Band at The Ingersoll at 7:30 p.m.; $60 includes meal that starts at 5:30 p.m.
Dogtown Rhythm Band at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
DiZclaimer at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
The Feel Right Band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Craig Swalwell Band at Mom’s Maxwell at 8 p.m.
Nick Ryan at Fore Seasons in Newton at 8 p.m.
Dirty Champagne Canadian Tuxedo Night at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 8:30 p.m.
Night Like This at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
Motley Scrue at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

Major Blues & The Mugshots during Botanical Blues at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in the Historic East Village at 1 p.m.; Members free, $12, seniors $11, Children 2-12 $9
Tighten Up All-Stars at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
Major Blues & The Mugshots during Botanical Blues at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in the Historic East Village at 3 p.m.; Members free, $12, seniors $11, Children 2-12 $9
Andy Classen / Tanner Taylor Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
Al Godfredsen at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 $13
Courtney Krause at Big Grove Brewery at 6 p.m.
Chad Elliott - Solo at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $20
The Tighten Up All-Stars featuring Gary Jackson at Yacht Club at 8:30 p.m.

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.