THE WEEKENDER

Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium
December is here, and the holiday markets are popping up all over town! This weekend offers multiple opportunities to knock out your gift-shopping and support local artists. You’ll also find plenty of holiday music and theater to warm your heart. Top pick? Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of Iowa mainstays The Nadas’ Nada Silent Night: Bring your new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and get ready for a night of reminiscing and rock and roll!




Principal Park

Christkindlmarket

Dec 1 – Dec 4 –

Experience a German-inspired Christmas Market at December 1 – 4, 2022.


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Salisbury House and Gardens

Holly & Ivy

Dec 2 – 10:00am

Join us for the holidays during our annual Holly & Ivy home tour December 2 and 3 from 10 am – 4 pm.


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Des Moines Botanical Garden

Dome After Dark

Dec 2 – 6-10 p.m.

Experience the Botanical Garden in a new light!


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Historic East Village

Holiday Promenade

Dec 2 – 5:00pm

Holiday Promenade returns to the Historic East Village for five Fridays of holiday cheer in 2022.


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Mainframe Studios

First Friday: Annual Ceramics Invitational

Dec 2 – 5:00pm

Celebrate all things clay at Mainframe Studios’ 3rd annual ceramics invitational.


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Des Moines Community Playhouse

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Dec 2 – 7:00pm

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella


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Sheslow Auditorium

Cantus: Carols of Our Time

Dec 2 – 7:30pm

There is no time like the holidays to celebrate and unite with one another. Join with friends and family December 2 for “Cantus: Carols of Our Time.”


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Hoyt Sherman Place

The Nadas: Silent Night 20 Year Anniversary

Dec 2 – 8:00pm

Nada Silent Night 20 Year Anniversary


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xBk Live

Lady Revel w/ The Second Shift

Dec 2 – 8:00pm

Lady Revel w/ The Second Shift


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Cowles Montessori Elementary School

Holiday Market

Dec 3 – 9:00am

Cowles Holiday Market! Craft vendors, live music, bake sale and much more. Do your holiday shopping here.


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Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market

Downtown Winter Market

Dec 3 – 9:00am

The 2022 Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 3 outdoors along the streets of the Historic Court District.


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Des Moines Civic Center

The Nutcracker

Dec 3 – 2:00pm

Iowa Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker Ballet.


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Hoyt Sherman Place

Christmas w/Jim McDonough and His Orchestra

Dec 3 – 2:30pm

Celebrate the holiday season in style by attending Christmas with Jim McDonough and His Orchestra: The 20th Anniversary Tour!


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Noce

The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band

Dec 3 – 7:00pm

The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band at Noce


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Confluence Brewing

3K Winter Beer Run

Dec 4 – 12:00pm

Join us for a fun run course and great, local beer at Confluence Brewing Co on Sunday, December 4, 2022!


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Des Moines Public Library

Game Day @ Central

Dec 4 – 1:30pm

The Rook Room board game library meets the Des Moines Central Library as we hang out for a relaxing Sunday afternoon of playing games the first Sunday of the month.


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Hello, Marjorie

Holiday Book Fair

Dec 4 – 2:00pm

Join Raccoon River Press, Copy + Paste, Red Door Press, & Hello, Marjorie for an amazingly fun Holiday Book Fair!


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The Temple Theater

Irish Christmas in America

Dec 5 – 6:30pm

Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humour and boundless energy


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