Take a carriage ride or go on a run at Living History Farms this weekend in Des Moines

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Start working your way down your holiday shopping list with the help of the Des Moines Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center on Friday or by visiting Uptown Ankeny businesses during the Champagne & Mistletoe event. On Saturday, the whole family can get in costume and participate in Living History Farms Race and take in the beauty of Iowa's landscape. Live music lovers will want to catch a free concert in honor of Veterans Day on Sunday or listen to a new season of jazz that kicks off at a Waukee venue.

Continue your holiday shopping

Tiffany Ehler of West Des Moines peruses craft items at the Louie booth during the Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Des Moines.
Tiffany Ehler of West Des Moines peruses craft items at the Louie booth during the Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Des Moines.

Friday morning: The Des Moines Holiday Boutique returns through Sunday evening at the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street in Des Moines. Shop from 200 exhibitors selling home décor, fashion, gourmet food and more and enjoy live music performances as you do all weekend. The Des Moines Holiday Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Admission at the door is $12 and free for children ages 12 and under.

Take a carriage ride in Ankeny

Friday night: Visit businesses in Uptown Ankeny, near southwest Third Street and in the surrounding area, for Champagne & Mistletoe. Nearly two dozen businesses are kicking off the holiday season with holiday drinks and treats until late. Plus, enjoy carriage rides through wintery-themed light displays from 5 to 7 p.m. Champagne & Mistletoe is from 5 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend

Show some love to Midwest musicians

Friday night: Twin Cities rockers Kiss the Tiger are coming to xBk Live, 1159 24th St. in Des Moines. The “Motel Room” and “Hold On to Love” singers have opened for Lake Street Dive and Daughtry. Friday, they’ll be joined by Des Moines pop-rock band Ramona and the Sometimes, who played at Iowa City’s Mission Creek Festival last year. The show is 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 day of show.

Get the heart pumping at Living History Farms

Best friends Adam Barber (21) and Chad Rinehart (430) make their way along the trail during the Living History Farms Race in 2022.
Best friends Adam Barber (21) and Chad Rinehart (430) make their way along the trail during the Living History Farms Race in 2022.

Saturday morning: Run over five miles across rural land with the Living History Farms Race. The course starts and ends in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road in Urbandale. Go in costume, or bring the little ones to the kids’ race, which depending on age, ranges from one-10th to one-third of a mile. The race is at 9 a.m. Registration is $55 online.

K-pop fans, don’t miss this celebration for Twice

South Korean K-pop group TWICE poses for a photo after an interview in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. TWICE, the nine-member K-pop band with over nine million Twitter followers, says they feel the growing popularity of the band and K-pop overseas. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
South Korean K-pop group TWICE poses for a photo after an interview in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. TWICE, the nine-member K-pop band with over nine million Twitter followers, says they feel the growing popularity of the band and K-pop overseas. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Saturday afternoon: Calling all Onces. Zenko Tea, 7450 Bridgewood Blvd., Suite 235, in West Des Moines, is hosting a Twiceland Cupsleeve event in honor of K-pop girl group Twice and Pepero Day, a celebration similar to Valentine’s Day in South Korea. Get Twice-themed drinks, merch and experience other K-pop vendors. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Create art with your little ones

Sunday afternoon: Children with autism and their families are invited to make art at the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Kids ages 5 to 12 can participate in the program, Art Spectrums, and will visit and discuss a work of art in the Art Center’s collection for inspiration. Art Spectrums is from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is required for the free program.

Experience an intimate performance at Jazz at Caspe Terrace

Sunday afternoon: Bassist William Parker, pianist Eri Yamamoto, drummer Steve Hirsh and saxophonist Chad Fowler are Sparks, the ensemble that will perform at Jazz at Caspe Terrace as part of the 2023-2024 season. Jazz at Caspe Terrace is located at 33158 Ute Ave. in Waukee. The show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be ordered by calling 515-279-6452.

Honor Veterans Day with live music

The Iowa Military Veterans Band played a concert at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater at the Iowa State Fair on the fair's Veterans Day.
The Iowa Military Veterans Band played a concert at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater at the Iowa State Fair on the fair's Veterans Day.

Sunday afternoon: Visit the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines, for the Star-Spangled Salute. The Iowa Military Veterans Band invites the community to a traditional Veterans Day Concert. The concert is free and starts at 2 p.m.

Hear the band that will appeal to all

Rachel Price of Lake Street Dive heads to Hoyt Sherman Place this weekend.
Rachel Price of Lake Street Dive heads to Hoyt Sherman Place this weekend.

Sunday night: Lake Street Dive, the band that can’t be defined to one genre, is coming to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines. Since 2004, Lake Street Dive has captivated audiences with their catchy music, playful approach and praised musicianship and artistry. Last year, the band released their cover album, “Fun Machine: The Sequel.” The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Veterans Day concert