Take the little ones to meet Santa Claus or dine with a blindfold on this weekend in Des Moines
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Santa Claus is making some stops in the Des Moines metro even before Thanksgiving. Families will want to catch Saint Nicholas at Valley Junction’s Jingle in the Junction Thursday evening and stay for the community's first-ever tree lighting. Or, meet Santa’s reindeer during Make-A-Wish Iowa’s Jolly Holiday Lights event at the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona. That’s on top of several holiday-themed festivities this weekend, including East Village’s Holiday Promenade returning this Friday. You can also skip the seasonal festivities this weekend and experience a three-course meal without your eyesight on Thursday night, or sample whiskey at a festival on Saturday and Sunday.
Dine with a blindfold on
Thursday night: Winefest Des Moines and The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement are bringing the communal food experience Dining in the Dark to the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, 2800 University Ave. in Des Moines. Participants will enjoy a three-course meal crafted by Purveyor Catering and will wear a blindfold for one course. This will enhance participants’ senses beyond sight to experience their meal and guests will learn about how universal design addresses challenges people with disabilities face. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $110.
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Take the little ones to see Santa and Mrs. Claus
Thursday night: Valley Junction’s Jingle in the Junction welcomes all to get in the holiday spirit at the shops located at the intersection of Fifth Street and Railroad Park in West Des Moines. See the community's first Christmas tree lighting ceremony, get photos with reindeer and Santa’s sleigh, take a horse-drawn ride with loved ones and see Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Historic Valley Junction Foundation office. That’s in addition to other family-friendly activities and extended store hours. Jingle in the Junction starts at 5 p.m. and is free to attend.
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See art from Des Moines area artists
Thursday night: The annual juried show, DSM Exhibited, returns to the Polk County Heritage Art Gallery, 111 Court Ave. in Des Moines. See the work of more than three dozen artists in the greater Des Moines area on display through January. The opening ceremony is at 6:30 p.m.
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Shop at an indoor farmers market
Friday afternoon: Experience the Downtown Winter Farmers' Market at Hy-Vee Hall, 730 Third St. in Des Moines. Experience dozens of vendors and find holiday gifts, baked goods and more for three days starting Friday. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s free to attend.
Get your kids into the holiday spirit
Friday night: Jordan Creek Town Center, 101 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, is celebrating the start of the holiday season with a tree lighting and the arrival of Saint Nicholas. Visit the amphitheater at the mall to see Santa arrive, a holiday tree lighting, fireworks and listen to holiday music. The event is from 6 to 7 p.m. and is free to attend.
See an improv burlesque show
Friday night: Burlesque performers test their talent for improv at Taste Test: Improv Burlesque, held at Pots & Shots, 9500 University Ave., Suite 1101 in West Des Moines. Audience members who submitted a song in advance will get to watch performers make up a performance on the spot. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.
Experience holiday cheer in the East Village
Friday night: The Holiday Promenade returns to the East Village in Des Moines. Visit this Friday for the inaugural tree lighting and stay for shopping. The Holiday Promenade will continue each Friday through Dec. 15 with special holiday activities and is free to attend. The event starts at 5 p.m.
Swifties, go let loose
Friday night: Taylor Swift fans are hosting a dance party for fellow Swifties at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. Dance to all of Swift’s eras in one night. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.t
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Meet Santa’s reindeer
Friday night: Make-A-Wish Iowa’s Jolly Holiday Lights kicks off its 2023 season at the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona, 801 Bass Pro Drive N.W. See a tree lighting, holiday displays, meet Santa’s reindeer and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Spend the afternoon sampling whiskey
Saturday afternoon: The sixth annual Des Moines Whiskey Festival returns Saturday and Sunday at the River Center, 340 SW Third St. in Des Moines. More than 200 types of whiskey will be available for fans to pick from for their tastings, plus experience live music, food, contests, games and more. The Des Moines Whiskey Festival starts at noon. Tickets start at $68.
Hear a Grammy-nominated pianist
Saturday night: The Des Moines Symphony presents Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang, who will captivate audiences with “Discover Freedom” at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines. Yang will perform several pieces, including Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with a performance on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15.
Have brunch with Women N Whiskey
Sunday morning: Cap off the weekend with Women N Whiskey, a four-course brunch paired with whiskeys at the Des Moines Whiskey Festival at the River Center, 340 SW Third St. in Des Moines. Chefs Sydney Henricks and Jaida Dix from Proudfoot & Bird, Anna Tipling from Big Grove Brewery, Matti Sutter of Trellis Cafe, and Katie Wiklund at Fresko conjure up the menu, while Hannah Ellis performs. Tickets start at $145 with optional bottomless mimosas and bloody Marys.
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 Jolly Holiday Lights
