From Halloween thrills to holiday traditions and a spectacular New Year’s Eve, the Des Moines Symphony has four unforgettable ways to celebrate the season. Whether you’re planning a date night, gathering friends and family, or looking for a new holiday tradition, there’s a concert to put on your calendar.
Halloween Weekend: Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique
SAT OCT 31 7:30 PM & SUN NOV 1 2:30 PM | Des Moines Civic Center
Ready for a little musical mischief? Celebrate Halloween weekend with a thrilling program filled with supernatural drama and larger-than-life sounds. John Williams’ Devil’s Dance crackles with energy, Mussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain conjures a world of dark fantasy, and pianist Derek Wang dazzles in Liszt’s virtuosic Totentanz. The evening culminates in Berlioz’s feverish Symphonie Fantastique. Costumes encouraged!
Get Tickets to Beautiful Monsters
Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend: Renewal – Four Seasons & Bolero
SAT NOV 21 7:30 PM & SUN NOV 22 2:30 PM | Des Moines Civic Center
Before the holiday hustle begins, take time to enjoy an afternoon or evening of extraordinary music. Vivaldi’s vibrant The Four Seasons, featuring violinist Maxwell Brown, brings the changing seasons to life. Iowa composer Michael Daugherty’s Last Dance at the Surf evokes the legendary Surf Ballroom with choreography by Ballet Des Moines' Eric Trope, and Ravel’s mesmerizing Bolero builds to an exhilarating finale. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones for a memorable night out.
Holiday Brass
SAT DEC 19 7:30 PM & SUN DEC 20 4:00 PM | Westminster Presbyterian Church
Make your season merry and bright with the brilliant sound of the Des Moines Symphony’s brass section! Beloved favorites like Joy to the World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Sleigh Ride fill the beautiful Westminster Presbyterian Church, joined by the magnificent Dobson Pipe Organ, timpani and percussion. This joyful, family-friendly concert is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and start a new holiday tradition.
New Year’s Eve Pops: Cirque – Symphonic Cinema
THU DEC 31 8:00 PM | Des Moines Civic Center
Give the year a spectacular send-off! The Des Moines Symphony joins forces with world-renowned cirque performers from Troupe Vertigo for a cinematic journey of music and motion. Experience unforgettable film scores alongside breathtaking aerial choreography, gravity-defying acrobatics and dazzling artistry. Whether you’re planning a glamorous date night or a memorable celebration with friends, this is a New Year’s Eve experience unlike any other.
Get Tickets to Cirque – Symphonic Cinema
Make the Season Sound Spectacular
Four holidays. Four extraordinary concerts. Countless opportunities to make memories with the Des Moines Symphony. Choose your favorite or experience them all, and celebrate the season with live music.
