Nothing makes the holiday season brighter than music.
As we approach December, venues in and around Des Moines have lined up several acts to close out 2025.
Here’s a look at the acts bringing holiday shows to central Iowa.
Friends of the Iowa Library
The Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will hold its annual holiday benefit concert.
The concert will feature the Antique Harmony Barbershop Quartet. Board members Dave Hammel and Cindy Ray are also scheduled to perform with the quartet.
Christmas with the Celts
Formerly known as The Nashville Celts, the quartet is bringing Irish Christmas carols and dance to the Hoyt Sherman Place.
The show also includes some comedy and a few Christmas songs you’ll be familiar with.
Lorie Line
Join pianist Lorie Line as she returns to Des Moines to ring in the holiday cheer with holiday arrangements and eloquent storytelling. This concert is for patrons ages 10 and older.
Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus Winter Concert
The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus returns with its winter concert to kick off the holiday events. As part of its 25th anniversary, the group will perform three shows in its “Silver Bells” concert on the first weekend in December.
The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus will host a preview of its “Silver Bells” concert on Nov. 21 at the Des Moines Art Center. Admission is free.
Christmas with the Choral Society
Join the Des Moines Choral Society for a night filled with your favorite Christmas songs.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band presents Creole Christmas
The Grammy-nominated Preservation Hall Jazz Band brings its New Orleans holiday sound to Des Moines this December as part of its Creole Christmas tour.
Candlelight Holiday Concert
Join a live string quartet as they perform a few holiday favorites. There will be two candlelight concerts in December.
The Naughty List: A Musical Comedy Revue
Enjoy a good laugh and a few Christmas hits with this musical revue.
The 70-minute show will be filled with jokes, Christmas classics, and more.
This production is recommended for ages 17 and up.
The Finesse Holiday Special
The Finesse Holiday Special returns for two nights at the Temple Theatre.
The first night will be hosted by drag royalty Robin Graves and Loretta Stone. Morgana Moon & The Dang Saints are set to perform along with Adam Bohanan from NBC’s “The Voice.”
Emmett Phillips is slated to perform on Night 2. Avey Grouws and stand-up comedian Clifton Antoine are also set to take the stage.
The pajama party will be filled with holiday classics, sing-alongs, and a chance to give back to the community.
Children ages 5 and up with tickets will be allowed in the theater for this production.
Mannheim Steamroller
Mannheim Steamroller, created by Omaha resident Chip Davis, has been a Christmas tradition for decades.
The group’s 2025 holiday tour’s only central Iowa stop will be in Ames this year. It will make stops earlier in the month in Sioux City, Ottumwa and Cedar Rapids.
Emery Glover is an audience engagement specialist for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at eglover@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hear some of your favorite holiday music at these Christmas concerts in Des Moines
Reporting by Emery Glover, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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