It’s time to gear up and hit the holiday market.
With Thanksgiving just weeks away and Christmas fast approaching, holiday shopping events, fundraisers, and tree lighting ceremonies begin. Here are nine events to get you in the holiday spirit.
festival of trees and lights
The Festival of Trees and Lights, held each year at the Iowa Event Center, benefits Blank Children’s Hospital and features dozens of decorated trees, entertainment and stories about children in the hospital’s care. Since its creation 40 years ago, the event has raised more than $13 million for Blank Children’s Hospital.
The Festival of Trees and Lights is Blank Children’s Hospital’s most important fundraiser and is on track to raise more than $1 million this year, said Janet Fisher, senior director of development for Blank Children’s Hospital.
Proceeds will benefit the hospital’s Advocacy and Outreach Center, which educates children through injury prevention programs and services. Blank Children’s Hospital treats children in all 99 counties.
“We’re really grateful for the community’s support for us,” Fisher said. “There are a lot of families who are affected in some way, whether you fall and need stitches or get a cancer diagnosis, and we wholeheartedly support that.”
Some of the trees were donated, and some decorators are keeping them and donating more than $1,000, said Liz Tesar, director of development and communications for the Des Moines Foundation at UnityPoint Health. Sponsors who do so can choose the tree.
“I think this is really great because so many people are choosing to donate their trees to Blank Floor Hospitals, Blank patient families, or nonprofit organizations throughout the region.” Tesar said. That’s why traveling through trees is so much fun.
Among other things, Blank Children’s Hospital supports pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can provide medical services to children born as early as 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Long before Fisher started work in May, she saw first-hand the benefits of donating to Blank Children’s Hospital. About 25 years ago, Fisher’s son spent 80 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Blank Children’s Hospital. He died at the age of 13.
Fisher said her son had a severe disability throughout his life, but the Blank community and staff made everything easier by supporting the family.
“This is a place where children are loved and cared for and families are fully supported,” Fisher said. “Will the outcome be what we want, or will it be a sadder story?”
The Festival of Trees & Lights will be held from November 24th to 26th at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. Tickets cost $5 per person (children 2 and under are free) and can be purchased online at this link. Business hours are 11am to 7pm on November 24th and November 25th, and 11am to 5pm on November 26th.
Des Moines Holiday Boutique
Des Moines Holiday Boutique, one of Central Iowa’s earliest holiday shopping shows, will open Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 12 Sunday at the Iowa event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. center.
Adult tickets are $12 at the door. Children 12 and under are free.
Des Moines Holiday Boutique features festive entertainment, a cafe, and a bar serving holiday-themed drinks. Craft vendors will be at the show selling Christmas-themed gifts and holiday displays. Further information is available online.
Junction jingle
Holiday Jubilee at Valley Junction in West Des Moines will return from mid-November to mid-December. The free event will be held on Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Many businesses in Valley Junction’s historic business district will have extended hours. Visitors can walk along her Fifth Avenue and Railroad Avenue and find all kinds of holiday happenings, from horse-drawn carriage rides to Christmas carols under her 125,000 holiday lights. Bars and restaurants will also be open to accommodate the crowds.
holiday promenade
Celebrate the holidays at the annual Holiday Promenade in the East Village every Friday night from November 17th to December 15th.
Horse-drawn carriage rides, treasure hunts and other events are a staple of this holiday market, with people rushing from store to store. Stores will extend their business hours into the evening and offer snacks and bargains. There are also many restaurants and bars where you can enjoy snacks and drinks.East Village retail stores encouraged to stay open until 9 p.m.
Shortly after Fontenelle Supply Co. opened its Grand Avenue store in 2016, co-owners Eric Bockman and Adam Tweedy said the Holiday Promenade helped owners get through their first holiday season. said. Bockman said the boardwalk is attracting attention to new businesses.
Bockman is currently helping organize the event, which she said gives people from outside the East Village an excuse to visit, enjoy the area and explore the area. ”
“It gives people a reason to come to this area,” Bockman said. “People who live in small pocket neighborhoods in the West or in places that have never been down here don’t know what’s here. Those people haven’t been here in years. If so, that’s great for everyone.”
fall makers market
The Polk County Conservancy’s Fall Makers Market is a free event that offers an opportunity to browse the offerings of more than 40 local makers, artists, and crafters.
Educational holiday exhibits are designed to provide families with added fun at an affordable price. The event will be held Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jester Nature Park, 12130 NW 128th St., Granger.
holiday hullabaloo
The Holiday Hullabaloo in support of Dorothy’s House will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 24th to December 31st at the Horizon Event Center, 2100 NW 100th St. in Clive.
Families can decorate cookies, make crafts in Santa Claus’ workshop, play mini golf, and shop in the Marketplace. There will also be an indoor arena for snowball fights and a toy land.
Business hours vary depending on the day. Tickets can be purchased online at holidayhullabaloo.com.
Dorothy’s House provides programs and resources for victims of human trafficking, exploitation, and persecution.
Christ Kindle Market Des Moines
Christkindlmarket is a German-originated holiday market held in cities around the world. Merchants set up shop in decorated wooden huts, and musical performers and food stalls add to the festive atmosphere. Don’t forget the mulled wine. Local vendors will sell “old-fashioned” handmade products. In addition to German flavors, craft Iowa beer is also available for purchase.
This year’s Christkindle Market Des Moines will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 in the Principal Park parking lot at 1 Line Drive in Des Moines. This year’s business hours are as follows:
- November 30th: 5pm to 9pm
- December 1st from 11am to 9pm
- December 2nd from 11am to 9pm
- December 3rd from 11am to 5pm
peppermint trail
Ingersoll & Grand Avenue at 42nd Street and the Roosevelt Cultural District will host a relatively new holiday event on Saturday, December 9th. The Peppermint Trail, created last year, features shops, restaurants and other businesses with special peppermint and holiday-themed menus and decorations. .
A collection of toys will be collected and a gingerbread house will be decorated from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa Claus will be visiting businesses along Ingersoll Street from noon to 2 p.m. Carolers from the Roosevelt High School Choir will serenade shoppers in the Roosevelt Cultural District and along the railroad tracks. Ingersoll Street all day.
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is a nonprofit organization that promotes economic development along Ingersoll Avenue. A list of businesses participating in the Roosevelt Cultural District and The Avenue of Ingersoll & Grand can be found on the Avenue of Ingersoll & Grand website.
Santa lights the Christmas tree at Jordan Creek
Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree at Jordan Creek Town Center. The tree lighting ceremony will be held at the amphitheater on Nov. 17 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Live music is featured at nearby Hope Lutheran Church. Trees will be lit and fireworks will go off during the holiday season as Santa throws a “ball of fire” across the shopping center’s lake.
Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at 515-284-8184, pjoens@registermedia.com or @Philip_Joens on Twitter.