Over-the-top decor
Holiday scenes and a nostalgic atmosphere around every corner.
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
Wednesday–Sunday · 5–9 p.m.
Hosted at Nightingale Cocktail · Historic East Village
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.
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.
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. Ticket information is coming soon.
What are the event hours?
Winter Wonderland runs Wednesday through Sunday, from 5 to 9 p.m., starting November 18, 2026. 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. Ticket prices, inclusions, and booking details for 2026 have not been announced yet.
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?
Introduced in 2025, the Snow Ball was a holiday dance party with live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. until close. Its return and schedule for 2026 have not been announced.
Winter Wonderland 2026
Your holiday nights start November 18.
Opening Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Wednesday–Sunday · 5–9 p.m.
Nightingale Cocktail · Des Moines
The closing date and ticket details will be announced soon. Keep an eye on this page and Nightingale Cocktail for updates.
Visit Nightingale Cocktail