Live Music This Week in DSM: Dec. 9 – 14, 2025

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Jim Dandy and the Kountry Rebels, Tyler Folkers, Luke Fox, Sister Sara, The Ripoffs and Stardusters. 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. 9, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Jim Dandy and the Kountry Rebels Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 11 a.m.
B. John Burns’ “John's Milestones” Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
FELICITY with Hot Kunch at xBk at 7 p.m.; $18 DOS + fees (seating options)
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.
DSM Irish Session at Magee's Irish Pub & Eatery in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
Mike Aceto at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Chris Powell at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
John Krantz Trio with Randy Ward and Jim Eklof at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Tanner Taylor Trio at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
Open Jam at Locals Bar & Stage at 7 p.m.
Soul Coughing Still Loves You at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.; $49.65
Tyler Folkers at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

“Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Elevate at 11 a.m.
Resurrection Mary / Motel Pheromones / Hear From Tomorrow – Farewell Lefty’s Tour at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $10
Joshua Sinclair at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
Jessie & The Medicine Men at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee at 6 p.m.
Luke Fox at Board & Batten Basement Speakeasy in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
Austin Brown Trio at xBk Annex at 7 p.m.
A Swingin’ Christmas with Carson Parker, featuring Aviana Gedlerat Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
The Soul Searchers at HiFi Brew Lounge in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Open Jam with house band at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
Live Music at In Confidence Speakeasy at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
Triple J’s at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
Anthony Koester at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Friday Work Release Party with Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Greenwood Lounge at 5 p.m.
Mosh For Tots – A Hardcore Toy Drive: ExiledA / Rotpile / 12 Guage autopay / Anchoress / Losing Dice at Lefty’s at 5:30 p.m.; $10 (bring a toy or winter clothing)
Joshua Sinclair at Glen Oaks CC 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.
Brian Congdon at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
Touch of Grey at Firetrucker Brewing in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
Dessa with Raine Stern at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $33.15
Brother Trucker at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
Neva Alden at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
CeCe Stewart at VFW Beaverdale at 7 p.m.
Sierra Griggs at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Casey Peasley at Kippy’s Place in Elkhart at 7 p.m.
Christmas Formal – All Star Band – Big Band at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $20/$25
NOLA Jazz Duo at The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar at 7:30 p.m.
Thunderscore / Sundance / Betty at the Helm at Locals Bar & Stage at 7:30 p.m.
Courtney Krause at xBk Annex at 8 p.m.; Donations accepted
Chris Falcon at 6th Ave. Listening Room (520 Euclid Ave., Suite 103) at 8 p.m.; $20
Igor Dimitrienko – Acoustic Solo at Sriking Sparrow Lounge at 8 p.m.
The Sons & Sara at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
Ty Ellis & the Flatlanders at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Sister Sara at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
GRIND at Back Roads Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
Drew Fry at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
Max Wellman’s 16th Anniversary Home for the Holidays at 9 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
Not Sisters at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
Mars Daniels at Sully’s Irish Pub in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.
Tim Zach at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
After Hours at Noce in Western Gateway at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Jana West & Retrospect at Customer Appreciation at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 3 p.m.
Open Mic Jam at 1833 Saloon at 4 p.m.
Joshua Sinclair at Revelton Distilling in Osceola at 4 p.m.
The Ripoffs at Captain Roy’s at 5 p.m.
BrainPhase with Abstract at Lefty’s at 6 p.m.; $10
The Crowfoot Rakes Celtic Christmas at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 5 p.m.
Crystal Blue at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 6 p.m.; $10
Andrew Hoyt at Temple Theater at 7 p.m.; $20 in risers, $25 at a table
Pickleback at Eagle’s Club #109 at 7 p.m.
Weather Head / Parabola / Glass Knuckles at Locals Bar & Stage at 7 p.m.
Salt Creek at Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
Brittany Sword Duo at Shirley’s Bar & Grill in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
Petrock: A Tribute To The Smooth Rock Of The 70’s at Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.
Alex Schroeder at The Cork in Johnston at 7:30 p.m.
Rural Route at Talk Shop Lounge in Saint Charles at 7:30 p.m.
Whiskey Hill at xBk Annex at 8 p.m.; Donations accepted
Casey Peasley at Walker’s Place at 8 p.m.
Adam Whitehead at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m.
Jesse & The Medicine Men at Ugly Sweater Party at Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid at 8 p.m.
Jimmy & The Weasel Christmas Show at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
Max Wellman’s 16th Anniversary Home for the Holidays at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $59, $49, $46, $42, $36 at table, $25 bar seat
Jeff Banks Band at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
Standing Hampton at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
Scott Kirkhart at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.; $5
Last Call with Max Wellman at Noce in Western Gateway at 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

A Crowfoot Rakes Celtic Christmas at Captain Roy’s at 2 p.m.
Max Wellman’s 16th Ann. Home for the Holidays at Noce in Western Gateway at 3 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $42, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Max Wellman’s 16th Anniversary Home for the Holidays at Noce at 5 p.m.; $68, $58, $54, $42, $36 at table, $36 bar seat
Steve Grismore / Rod Leaverton Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
Stardusters at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
Top Hat Carolers at Tour De Lights (about 2 miles) at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.; $20 ($10 ages 6-13)
Blues On Grand Rewind Christmas Show - Andrew Duncanson & Take A Ride featuring Michael Peloquin & Potluck at Lefty’s at 6 p.m.; $20 CIBS members, $25 non-members (bring a dish to share)

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.