5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
A holiday pop-up in Des Moines, Iowa
The holiday spectacle returns November 18.
Winter Wonderland transforms Nightingale Cocktail into a full-sensory Christmas escape—complete with extravagant decor, custom cocktails, festive music, lights, video, and real snowfall.
Opening
Holiday Spectacular · Wednesday–Sunday · 5–9 p.m.
Snow Ball · Friday & Saturday nights · 21+
Hosted at Nightingale Cocktail · Historic East Village
Winter Wonderland 2026
Choose
your night.
Gather your favorite people.
We’ll bring the holiday spirit.
Holiday Spectacular · Opening November 18
Wednesday–Sunday · 5–9 p.m.
And after dark…
The Snow Ball.
Some of Des Moines’ best DJs. Holiday cocktails. Your festive best.
Friday & Saturday nights · 21+
Meet the Snow BallUpcoming dates Des Moines, Iowa
Holiday Spectacular
Holiday lights, cocktails & snowfall
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
See 9 more Holiday Spectacular dates
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Tickets available · From $12.00 USD
Snow Ball
Friday & Saturday nights · 21+
9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+
Tickets available · From $5.00 USD
More dates to come. The season’s closing date is still to be announced.
The experience
More than a room full of decorations.
Every 30 minutes, the holiday energy rises with an immersive audio, light, video, and sensory show set to holiday classics. It is a once-a-year night out designed to be seen, heard, and felt.
Over-the-top decor
Holiday scenes and a nostalgic atmosphere around every corner.
Sound, light & snow
A recurring immersive show with music, lights, lasers, video, and snowfall.
Made for a night out
Gather your people for a festive evening in the heart of the East Village.
The Winter Wonderland Snow Ball
Holiday spirit.
After dark.
The lights are up. The music’s on. This is your holiday night out, turned all the way up.
Dance into the season with some of Des Moines’ best DJs, handcrafted holiday cocktails, and a dance floor wrapped in Wonderland lights. The Snow Ball brings late-night energy to Nightingale Cocktail every Friday and Saturday during Winter Wonderland.
Dress the part.
Festive outfits encouraged. Bring the ugly sweater, the sparkle, or your favorite holiday look—our DJs will be dressed for the occasion, too.
Friday & Saturday nights 21+ with valid ID
Find your Snow Ball nightSee each listing for its start time and current ticket availability.
A look back
Step inside Wonderland.
Photos and video from previous seasons at Nightingale Cocktail. The 2026 experience and menu will be announced closer to opening.
Holiday spirits
A toast to the season.
Each season brings a menu of handcrafted holiday drinks, with returning favorites and fresh flavors created especially for Winter Wonderland.
The 2026 menu will be announced closer to the event.
Find the magic
Nightingale Cocktail
435 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
On the corner of East 5th and Grand Avenue in Des Moines’ Historic East Village.
Get directionsPlan your visit
Winter Wonderland, at a glance.
What is Winter Wonderland?
A seasonal Christmas pop-up at Nightingale Cocktail, featuring holiday decor, custom cocktails, festive music, immersive light and video, and snowfall.
Where is it held?
At Nightingale Cocktail, 435 E. Grand Avenue, in Des Moines’ Historic East Village.
When are the 2026 dates?
Winter Wonderland opens Wednesday, November 18, 2026. The final date has not been announced yet. See Dates & tickets for published listings and current availability.
What are the event hours?
The Holiday Spectacular runs Wednesday through Sunday, from 5 to 9 p.m., starting November 18, 2026. The Snow Ball is our late-night dance party on Fridays and Saturdays. Check each published listing for its exact times. All times are local to Des Moines, Iowa.
What happens during the Winter Wonderland show?
The experience has featured an immersive show every 30 minutes, combining holiday music, lights, lasers, video, and snowfall. The 2026 show details will be announced closer to opening.
Who creates Winter Wonderland?
Winter Wonderland is imagined, designed, built, and produced in-house by the Nightingale Cocktail team, right here in Des Moines.
Does a ticket include a drink?
In previous seasons, a Winter Wonderland ticket included the first drink. See the current event listing for ticket inclusions, prices, and booking details.
Can guests under 21 attend?
In previous seasons, guests under 21 could attend before 9 p.m. with a parent or guardian over 21, and could not remain on the premises after 9 p.m. Valid ID was required for guests consuming alcohol. Please check back for the confirmed 2026 admission policy before planning a visit with younger guests.
Are non-alcoholic drinks available?
Previous menus offered non-alcoholic versions of several holiday drinks, including Christmas Vacation, Gingerbread Lane, The Polar Expresso, and Winter Wonderland. The 2026 menu and non-alcoholic options will be announced closer to opening.
Is there an outdoor patio or a photo backdrop?
The 2025 experience expanded onto Nightingale Cocktail’s outdoor patio with a canopy of holiday lights, a Winter Wonderland photo wall, and an outdoor bar. You can see previous-season photos in the gallery above. The 2026 patio details are still to be announced.
What is the Snow Ball?
The Snow Ball is Winter Wonderland’s late-night holiday dance party at Nightingale Cocktail, featuring some of Des Moines’ best DJs and holiday cocktails. It runs Friday and Saturday nights during the season and is 21+ with valid government-issued ID. See the Snow Ball listings for published dates, times, and current ticket availability.
What should I wear to the Snow Ball?
Festive outfits are encouraged! Bring an ugly sweater, some sparkle, or your favorite holiday look. Our DJs will be dressed for the occasion, too.
Winter Wonderland 2026
Your holiday nights start November 18.
Opening Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Holiday Spectacular · Wednesday–Sunday · 5–9 p.m.
Snow Ball · Friday & Saturday nights · 21+
Nightingale Cocktail · Des Moines
The closing date is still to be announced. Explore the current listings above for published dates and ticket availability.
Explore dates & tickets