WINTER
WONDERLAND Opens Nov. 18

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+

Explore dates & tickets

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 Ball

Upcoming dates Des Moines, Iowa

Holiday Spectacular

Holiday lights, cocktails & snowfall

5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:30 PM–9:30 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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See 16 more Holiday Spectacular dates

4:30 PM–8:30 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:30 PM–9:30 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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5:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tickets available · From $12.00 USD

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Snow Ball

Friday & Saturday nights · 21+

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

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9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

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9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

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See 9 more Snow Ball dates

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

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9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

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9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

9:00 PM–1:45 AM (next day) 21+

Tickets available · From $5.00 USD

Get tickets

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.

01

Over-the-top decor

Holiday scenes and a nostalgic atmosphere around every corner.

02

Sound, light & snow

A recurring immersive show with music, lights, lasers, video, and snowfall.

03

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 night

See each listing for its start time and current ticket availability.

A festive crowd in holiday sweaters beneath hanging snowflakes and purple lights A DJ and dance-floor crowd surrounded by green holiday lights, ornaments, and paper snowflakes
Holiday spirits

A toast to
the season.

A little merry. A little bright. Handcrafted holiday cocktails to sip beneath the winter lights.

2026 cocktail menu coming soon

A creamy holiday highball garnished with mint and cranberries A holiday cocktail topped with a gingerbread cookie A pink holiday cocktail in a coupe glass with cranberry garnish A frothy cocktail topped with crushed peppermint candy
Find the magic

Nightingale Cocktail

Nightingale Cocktail’s entrance lit in purple beside the Winter Wonderland sidewalk sign on East Grand Avenue

435 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309

On the corner of East 5th and Grand Avenue in Des Moines’ Historic East Village.

Get directions
Plan 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 does Winter Wonderland open?

Winter Wonderland opens Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Explore Dates & tickets to choose your night.

What are the event hours?

The Holiday Spectacular runs Wednesday through Sunday, from 5 to 9 p.m. The Snow Ball takes over on Friday and Saturday nights. Find the start and end times for your night in Dates & tickets. All times are local to Des Moines, Iowa.

What happens during the Winter Wonderland show?

Every 30 minutes, an immersive show brings the room to life with holiday music, lights, lasers, video, and snowfall.

Who creates Winter Wonderland?

Winter Wonderland is imagined, designed, built, and produced in-house by the Nightingale Cocktail team, right here in Des Moines.

How do I get tickets?

Choose your night in Dates & tickets, then follow the ticket link to book. Each listing includes ticket prices and admission details.

Can guests under 21 attend?

Yes. The Holiday Spectacular welcomes all ages from 5 to 9 p.m. The late-night Snow Ball is 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID. Guests must be 21 or older to consume alcohol.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, so everyone can raise a glass.

Is there an outdoor patio or a photo backdrop?

Yes. Enjoy the patio beneath a canopy of holiday lights, and capture a festive photo at the Winter Wonderland photo wall.

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. Join us Friday and Saturday nights. The Snow Ball is 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID. Explore the Snow Ball listings to choose your night.

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