KCCI’s Guide to 2023 Central Iowa Holiday Events
“It’s the season!” The holidays are here and Central Iowans and their families are looking to celebrate. For more holiday planning inspiration, check out KCCI’s Holiday Event Guide. Santa Chris Meets Her Kringle has a busy schedule in Iowa, with multiple stops planned. Santa’s Her Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona will run through Dec. 24 and include free photos with Santa. For more information, visit his website at Bass Pro Shops. Children can take photos with Santa at the Jolly She Holiday Lights to be held at the Des Moines Outlet in Altoona on December 16th from 4pm to 8pm. Learn more about. The 40th Annual Festival of Trees and Lights is more than just trees and lights. Tickets for the event, held Nov. 24-26 at the Iowa Event Center, are $5 and include a tree, music and dance performances, crafts and, of course, a visit from Santa. Children can take photos with Santa at her Jordan Creektown center from now until December 24th. You can make reservations on the Jordan Creek website. From Black Friday to Christmas Eve, you can visit Santa and take photos at Valley West Mall. West Des Moines. You can walk up, but organizers advise visitors to make a reservation. The special Santa event will be held at Her Journey Church, 4409 121st Street in Urbandale. This event allows children with special needs and their families to visit Santa. Families can register for her 5-minute time slot with Santa. Learn more about the event and register at specialsantaevent.com. Among many other fun and engaging holiday activities, Her Holiday Hullabaloo, located at 10320 Hickman Road in Clive, will host visits from Santa from November 24th through December. 31. Visit our website for schedule and details, including photo package pricing and how to purchase tickets for a special breakfast with Santa. Santa will be at the Brenton Skate Plaza in East Her Village in Des Moines for a tree lighting ceremony, games and more starting at 6pm on November 17th. She opens her skate in Brenton on November 22nd. Christmas Lights Looking for a fun family activity? Load up the van and take a drive to see the holiday lights. Here we present some of the most well-organized exhibits, but of course there are many opportunities to see the illuminations in each city. Valley Junction will be decorated with Christmas lights until January 1st. Jingle at the Junction has extended hours and holiday events. For more information, visit the Valley Junction website. Jolly Holiday Lights is opening at Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona. Viewing the light-up is free for hotel guests. However, tickets are available for other events hosted by Jolly Holiday Lights, including Friday night’s Kickoff His Ceremony and Breakfast with Santa at the Outlet. Santa’s Rock’n Lights Drive-Thru Winter Light Show will be held at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. You can purchase tickets here. Can you hear what I’m listening? Des Moines radio stations switch to Christmas music Toys for Tots You can donate new, unopened toys at your local Fairway store until December 13th. Or you can donate online at toysfortots.com. KCCI’s Stacey Horst, Ben Kaplan and Scott Leister will host “Toys for Tots.” Tots special on KCCI on Tuesday, December 12th. Multiple drop-off locations and a donation hotline will be established. Details regarding the event will be announced in the future. Holiday Market Christkindle Market Des Moines will be held from Thursday, November 30th to Sunday, December 3rd. This event will include shopping, entertainment, food and drinks. For more information, please visit the event website. The Des Moines Winter Market will be held from Friday, November 17th through Sunday, November 19th at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines. For more information, visit the Greater Des Moines Partnership website. Holiday Promenade East Village and Greater DSM Partnership’s annual Holiday Promenade includes family-friendly fun, activities, entertainment, and shopping on Fridays, November 17th through December, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM will be done. 15. Promenade Schedule: Friday, November 17 Music from the Roosevelt Marching Band 6 p.m.: Tree Lighting at Brenton Skate Plaza 6-8 p.m.: Visit Santa and play winter games at Brenton Skate Plaza 6 p.m. , 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m.: Friday, Nov. 24 with Mrs. Claus at Storytime Storyhouse Book Pub Window Judging Contest 5-8 p.m.: Play Winter Games at 148 E. Locust St. 6 p.m. ~8 p.m.: Free skate at Brenton Skate Plaza Friday, Dec. 1 5:00 p.m.-8 p.m.: Model train exhibit and crafts at Des Moines Heritage Center 6-8 p.m.: Des Moines Low Brass Quintet “Bettleken Messing” Salon Spa W Nearby Friday, December 8 Music by the Roosevelt Marching Band 5-8pm: Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt Throughout Historic East Village 6pm and 7pm: Grinch Storytime at Story House Book Pub 6-8 p.m.: Caroling around the East Village with the Des Moines Gay Men’s Choir Friday, Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m.: Visit with Santa at Winter Wonderland
“It’s the season!” The holiday season is here and Central Iowans and their families are looking to celebrate.
Check out KCCI’s Holiday Event Guide for inspiration for your vacation plans.
Meeting with Santa
Kris Kringle has a busy schedule in Iowa, with multiple stops planned. Some of those stops are listed below.
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona runs through Dec. 24 and includes free photos with Santa. For more information, visit his website at Bass Pro Shops.
- Children can take photos with Santa at Jolly Holiday Lights at Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona on Dec. 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Learn more about.
- The 40th annual Festival of Trees and Lights is about more than just trees and lights. Tickets for the event, held Nov. 24-26 at the Iowa Event Center, cost $5 and include a tree, music and dance performances, crafts and, of course, a visit from Santa.
- Children can take photos with Santa at Jordan Creek Town Center from now until Dec. 24. You can make reservations on the Jordan Creek website.
- From Black Friday to Christmas Eve, you can visit and take photos with Santa at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines. You can walk up, but organizers advise visitors to make a reservation.
- The special Santa event will be held at Journey Church, 4409 121st Street in Urbandale. This event allows children with special needs and their families to visit Santa. Families can register for her 5-minute time slot with Santa. Learn more about the event and register at specialsantaevent.com.
- Among many other fun and engaging holiday activities, Holiday Hullabaloo, located at 10320 Hickman Road in Clive, will host visits from Santa from Nov. 24 through December. 31. Visit our website for schedule and details, including photo package pricing and how to purchase tickets for a special breakfast with Santa.
- Santa will be at the Brenton Skating Plaza in Des Moines’ East Village for a tree lighting ceremony, games and more starting at 6pm on November 17th. The skate in Brenton begins Nov. 22.
christmas lights
If you’re looking for a fun family activity, load up the van and take a drive to see the Christmas lights. Here we present some of the most well-organized exhibits, but of course there are many opportunities to see the illuminations in each city.
- Valley Junction will be decorated with Christmas lights until January 1st. Jingle at the Junction has extended hours and holiday events. For more information, visit his website in Valley Junction.
- Jolly Holiday Lights will be held at Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona. Viewing the light-up is free for hotel guests. However, you can also purchase tickets for other events hosted by Jolly Holiday Lights, such as Friday Night’s Kickoff His Ceremony and Breakfast with Santa at the Outlet.
- Santa’s Rock ‘n Lights Drive Thru Winter Light Show is held at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. You can purchase tickets here.
Are you hearing what I’m hearing? Des Moines radio stations switch to Christmas music
toys for toddlers
Until December 13th, you can donate new, unopened toys at your local Fairway store. Or you can donate online at toysfortots.com.
KCCI’s Stacey Horst, Ben Kaplan and Scott Leister will host a Toys for Tots special on Tuesday, December 12th on KCCI. Multiple drop-off locations and a donation hotline will be established. Details regarding the event will be announced in the future.
holiday market
- Christkindle Market Des Moines runs from Thursday, November 30th to Sunday, December 3rd. The event features shopping, entertainment, food and drinks. For more information, please visit his website for the event.
- The Des Moines Winter Market will be held from Friday, November 17th through Sunday, November 19th at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines. For more information, visit the Greater Des Moines Partnership website.
holiday promenade
The East Village and Greater DSM Partnership’s annual Holiday Promenade includes family-friendly fun, activities, entertainment and shopping, running Fridays from November 17th through December from 5pm to 9pm . 15. Promenade schedule:
Friday, November 17th
- roosevelt marching band music
- 6 p.m.: Tree Lighting at Brenton Skate Plaza.
- 6-8 p.m.: Visit Santa and play winter games at Brenton Skate Plaza
- 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm: Storytime with Mrs. Claus at Storyhouse Book Pub
Friday, November 24th
- window judging contest
- 5-8 p.m.: Play Winter Games at 148 E. Locust St.
- 6-8 p.m.: Free skating at Brenton Skate Plaza.
Friday, December 1st
- 5-8 p.m.: Model train exhibit and crafts at the Des Moines Heritage Center.
- 6:00pm to 8:00pm: Des Moines Low Brass Quintet “Bettleken Messing” near Salon Spa W
Friday, December 8th
- roosevelt marching band music
- 5-8 p.m.: Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt throughout Historic East Village
- 6pm and 7pm: Grinch Storytime at Storyhouse Bookpub
- 6-8 p.m.: Des Moines Gay Men’s Choir carols the East Village
Friday, December 15th
- 6-8 p.m.: Visit Santa in his winter wonderland.