The Holiday Promenade heats up the East Village every Friday through Dec. 19. (Photo: Greater Des Moines Partnership) |
Four primo spots at the Holiday Promenade |
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By Libby Nichols
The walkable streets, eclectic storefronts and festive energy of the historic East Village make a perfect backdrop for the holidays. From 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday through Dec. 19, the weekly Holiday Promenade kicks things up a notch with twinkling lights, free trolley rides and extended shop hours. Here’s what to each week: This Friday: A window display contest and carolers.
Dec. 5: Vino at the Promenade, a collaboration with Winefest.
Dec. 12: Ugly Sweater Night.
Dec. 19: A drone light show, plus a visit from Santa at Molly’s Frozen. Amid the festivities, here are four area shops that offer some excellent gifts:
Aimee is a chic women’s boutique offering European-inspired clothing and accessories. Stop by for a glass of Champagne, Promenade deals and new surprises each week. Gift ideas: cozy cashmere sweaters, chic PJ sets, stylish jewelry or an Aimee gift card for your fashion-forward friend.
Fontenelle Supply Co. is a haven for all who appreciate rugged style and enduring craftsmanship. It specializes in durable menswear, premium leather goods and outdoor essentials. “Our philosophy is simple: Buy nice, not twice,” staffer Angel Biehl-Lemke said. “We curate only the brands and products that share our commitment to quality and sustainability.”
During the Promenade, expect a lively atmosphere with a pop-up vendor market and a well-stocked cooler of refreshments. Gift ideas: Handcrafted leather wallets, cozy flannels, men’s denim and accessories.
AllSpice Culinarium is the place for home chefs. It’s a culinary treasure trove of premium spices, oils and vinegars, perfect for gifts or for elevating holiday meals. Be sure to sample the Promenade gingersnap cookies and apple cider. Gift ideas: Infused olive oils, rich balsamic vinegars and Des Moines-inspired spice blends.
Indie House, the design-forward home boutique, offers expert interior design services alongside curated decor and furniture that add timeless style to any space. During the Promenade, sign up for the furniture giveaway and enjoy a few refreshments. Gift ideas: Fluffy throw blankets, luxurious candles and unique coffee-table books.
So why shop local? Supporting small businesses is a year-round way to invest in our community. Every purchase sustains local jobs, sparks creativity and keeps Des Moines unique. These shops welcome you in every season, and events like the Promenade and Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29) are just the beginning.
“We hope this event helps our metro neighbors discover the charm of the East Village not just during the Promenade but all year long,” East Village Association President Ryan Jones said. Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM. She also writes about local businesses and events for dsm magazine. |
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WEEKEND SECTION PRESENTED BY CATCH DES MOINES |
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In "The Notebook"'s national tour, three pairs of actors portray Allie and Noah, including Sharon Catherine Brown and Beau Gravitte. (Photo: Roger Mastroianni) |
Have a bawl at 'The Notebook' |
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Will you enjoy the musical version of “The Notebook”? That depends on how much you want to cry.
The national tour that visits the Des Moines Civic Center next week, Dec. 2-7 seems deliberately engineered to open the emotional floodgates, with songs by Ingrid Michaelson that breathe new life into the 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks. The love story focuses on Noah and Allie, whose summer romance is interrupted by class differences and family pressures, only to be rekindled decades later, when a certain notebook resurfaces to remind them of what they shared.
And now, with even more paper: You can buy the novel, blank notebooks and even branded tissues at the online merch store. |
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Des Moines Turkey Trot, 9 a.m. Thursday, downtown Des Moines. Celebrate Turkey Day with a brisk 5-mile or 5-kilometer run around the streets of Des Moines. There’s also a Tot Trot for the little ones.
“Disney On Ice: Frozen & Encanto,” various showtimes, Thursday through Sunday, Casey’s Center. From the silver screen to the glassy ice, the iconic Disney films come to life this week in nine brrrrrilliant performances.
Festival of Trees & Lights, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Iowa Events Center. The 42nd annual pop-up forest takes temporary root to raise funds for Blank Children’s Hospital.
Winterset Festival of Lights, 5-8 p.m. Friday, Winterset Square. The charming Madison County seat offers live music, a lighted parade and a free screening of “Elf” at the historic Iowa Theater.
Hy-Vee Holiday Parade, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Downtown Des Moines. Head downtown to watch floats, bands and more wintry spectacles at the inaugural Hy-Vee Holiday Parade, presented by WHO 13. |
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Timely art: Have you seen the big digital clock that Oyoram Visual Composer designed for the west end of downtown? Check it out in this cool video from the Greater Des Moines Partnership and on the latest cover of dsm. A century of song: The Civic Music Association shared this 8-minute video to sum up its 100-year history. Our contributing writer Kyle Munson expanded on the impact of that century in a feature story from our March/April issue.
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Wise up: Ready to learn from the best? Through 6 p.m. Friday, you can bid online to win a mentoring session with some of Central Iowa’s brightest leaders: Emily Abbas, Connie Boesen, Suzanna de Baca, Miriam De Dios Woodward, Katherine Harrington, one of the Iowa Wolves, Dan Keough, Mike McCoy, Suku Radia, David Stark, Tiffany Tauscheck, Angela Walker Franklin and dsm’s very own Connie Wimer. The Icons of Impact Mentorship Showcase raises funds for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Iowa. (P.S. This would make a cool holiday gift!)
Quarter Club: Earlier this year, international grocery chain ALDI put out a call to its biggest fans for a chance to join the exclusive “ALDI Quarter Club.” Among the 25 new members of the inaugural Quarter Club is local resident Konnor Gifford, whose love for the grocery store has taken him around the world: He’s visited a dozen ALDI stores across three continents. Gifford was selected from more than 11,000 entrants, and his club membership includes perks like free groceries for a year and a branded varsity jacket.
dsm Home Design Awards finalists: Last week we announced the finalists in four categories: Exterior Transformation, Landscaping, New Construction and Outdoor Living & Entertainment. Congratulations to the 10 chosen 2026 HDA Exteriors finalists: Alair Des Moines, ALT Design Studio, Destination Homes, Dickinson Design Build, Jenny Gardens LLC, Johnson Construction, Knop Killeen Architects, Stone Cross Lawn and Landscape and Concrete Collaborative, Studio MELEE/Hal Davis Interior Designer, and a big team effort from Trieste/Diane Young Interiors/Kate Arnest Architecture/Ironwood Homes/Jon Sieck. See their projects online, and join us at our awards ceremony on Feb. 26, when we’ll reveal the winners.
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For style and durability, July luggage is worth the splurge. (Photo: July) |
This season, switch to airplane mode |
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By Karla Walsh
Flip open TikTok or Instagram and you might feel like you’ve stumbled into some sort of flight-focused Festivus. Travelers have taken to social media to explain “airplane rules” or to air their grievances about what should and shouldn’t be done in transit.
Airport beers at 8 a.m.? Totally reasonable. Mini skirts? You’re out. Matching athleisure sets? In. Also in: any kind of food once you’re past security, where calories don’t count. But fragrant food like tuna salad: never ever.
With 63 flights checked off for 2025, I’ve certainly seen my share of airport etiquette dos and don’ts. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few tips of my own, which I’m happy to share. And I have to say: They’re more useful than most of the hot takes on TikTok.
Roll out. After putting July brand luggage through the paces for more than 100 flights, I can confirm it’s worth the splurge. Sturdy yet chic, and stackable so you can wheel your way through any concourse with ease, my favorite combo for short trips is the Carry On ($295, july.com) hard case roller bag with the Carry All Split Weekender ($245). To ensure your bag never gets lost in the shuffle, add a monogram for $50.
Raise a glass. Science suggests that air travel is dehydrating, so it’s wise to bring a reusable water bottle. For something more flavorful, try a Sayso steepable drink mix ($15 for 8, drinksayso.com). The low-sugar sachets come in flavors like Spicy Margarita, Espresso Martini and Honey-Rosemary Moscow Mule. Place one in a glass of still or sparkling water or, if you’d prefer, spike it with a mini bottle of booze from a flight attendant. Prepare your throne. Let’s face it: Using the airplane bathroom is less than pleasant, but it is possible to improve it. Snag a bottle of Poo-Pouri Royal Flush Pocket Sprayer ($7, pourri.com) before you walk down the aisle, then give the toilet bowl a few spritzes. The essential oils trap any “off” odors below the surface so you can pee in peace and wash up without having to rush quite so much.
Refuel wisely. Emergency snacks are like a safety blanket on flights, which occasionally take much longer than originally scheduled. To ward off the hangries when I fly out of Des Moines, I often swing by Hudson News to stock up on snacks, like pistachios, chicken bites and Fairlife ultra-filtered milk. I prioritize protein because it keeps me full the longest (and science backs that up).
Listen up. Two in three Americans feel more nervous about flying this year than in the past, according to a survey by the Harris Poll and the Points Guy. A soothing soundtrack won’t calm all your frayed nerves, but it certainly can’t hurt. My current favorite chill-out album is the original score to “Hidden Figures,” which you can find on Spotify or a similar streaming service. (You may want to download it before you board.) Otherwise, download an app like Insight Timer, Calm or Headspace for some mid-air meditation.
Snooze soundly. A chic face mask blocks light when you’re ready to snooze and politely signals to others that you’re powering down. The 100% silk Slip Rose Contour Sleep Mask ($75, slip.com) initially landed on my radar thanks to my friends at Travel + Leisure. I’m now a fan, too, due to the smooth, soothing fabric, soft foam padding and eye inserts that allow enough room to preserve curled eyelashes.
Contributing writer Karla Walsh has written health, travel, food and dining stories for dozens of local and national publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, Allrecipes and more. You can find her on Substack, What's Good. |
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Kick off the new year with dsm |
- Jan. 13: Unveiling party. Start the new year with a copy of the next edition of dsm magazine, which we'll release at Soma Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetics in Clive.
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Introducing the dsmWealth Podcast, presented by Revol One Financial® — a new space designed to help you rethink and strengthen your relationship with wealth.
Hosted by former BPC CEO Suzanna de Baca, each episode delivers story-driven conversations with financial leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists who share practical insights for growing wealth, finding meaning and creating a lasting legacy. Tune in monthly for conversations that help you grow prosperity with purpose — and put your money to work in ways that matter. Learn more
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Ready to support Small Business Saturday and local journalism?
Give a dsm subscription to your kids and persuade them to move back.
As always, please send your questions and story ideas to editors@bpcdm.com. |
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