Events
Concerts
New York Voices: The Sounds of the Season
December 5, 2025 - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Staplin Performing Arts Center
3650 Woodland Avenue
Get in the spirit of the season with New York Voices! Known for its rich harmonies and inventive arrangements, this quartet—Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan, and Kim Nazarian—has been captivating audiences around the world for nearly 40 years. Catch them on their final tour and celebrate the holiday season with the entire family! Learn more at https://civicmusic.org/new-york-voices-december-2025/.
Holiday Brass
December 20, 2025 - December 21, 2025 - All Day at Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut Street
Experience the Des Moines Symphony brass section like never before in our newest tradition! Celebrate the sounds of the season with favorites like Joy to the World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and more. Westminster Presbyterian’s beautiful Dobson Pipe Organ will be prominently featured alongside timpani, percussion, and our powerful brass section. Don’t miss your chance to experience this intimate, family-friendly holiday concert!
12/20/25 7:30PM-9:30PM
12/21/25 4:00PM-6:00PM
New Year’s Eve Pops: Cirque
December 31, 2025 - 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Des Moines Civic Center
221 Walnut Street
Be amazed this New Year’s Eve: World-renowned Cirque performers from Troupe Vertigo take the stage alongside the Orchestra! Beloved orchestral masterpieces soar to new heights, enhanced by gravity- defying aerialists, mesmerizing contortionists, lightning-fast quick-change artists, and awe-inspiring strongmen. Experience the thrill, the artistry, and the unexpected—all in one unforgettable evening. Ring in the New Year with the hottest ticket in town!
Emmanuel Ax: The Lauridsen Great Pianist Series
February 20, 2026 - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Sheslow Auditorium
2507 University Avenue
Emanuel Ax returns to Des Moines for the Lauridsen Great Pianists Series and CMA’s 100th season! One of the world’s most brilliant and versatile pianists, he has earned the respect and admiration of music lovers and critics around the world. Ax, a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, is an 8-time GRAMMY winner. Enjoy this rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s most renowned pianists in a solo recital! Learn more at https://civicmusic.org/emanuel-ax-february-2026/.
Dancing With the Stars LIVE
February 26, 2026 - 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm at Stephens Auditorium
2229 Lincoln Way
Straight from Hollywood, See Dancing with the Stars, Live!
See the glitz, glam and breathtaking performances of America?s favorite dance show in a city near you with this ALL-NEW SHOW starring your favorite pros Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Emma Slater, Ezra Sosa, Jenna Johnson, Pasha Pashkov, Val Chmerkovskiy, Hailey Bills and special guests to be announced!
Experience the excitement, athleticism, and the artistry of the ballroom, live, up-close and personal? For an unforgettable night that you won’t want to miss!
Get your tickets here!
Bria Skonberg Quintet: A Modern Take on Traditional Jazz
March 27, 2026 - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Sheslow Auditorium
2507 University Avenue
Bria Skonberg returns to the CMA stage! Hailed as “a millennial shaking up the jazz world” (Vanity Fair), this powerhouse trumpeter, vocalist, and songwriter blends fiery trumpet, smoky vocals, and bold storytelling. A three-time Juno Award nominee and Sony Masterworks artist, she has performed with Jon Batiste, U2, and more. Don’t miss this chance to hear her boundary-breaking artistry! Learn more at https://civicmusic.org/bria-skonberg-march-2026/.
JOURNEY: Final Frontier Tour 2026
April 8, 2026 - 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm at Casey’s Center
730 3rd Street
After decades of electrifying performances, chart-topping hits, and unforgettable moments, the iconic rock band JOURNEY is saying good-bye the only way they know how—with a thunderous, full-throttle Farewell Tour spanning cities across North America.
Tickets on sale 11/14/25. More info here.
Fred Hersch Trio: Legendary Jazz Pianist
April 17, 2026 - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Sheslow Auditorium
2507 University Avenue
Experience the artistry of jazz legend Fred Hersch! A 17-time GRAMMY nominee, composer, and bandleader, Hersch has shaped the voice of jazz for decades. With more than 60 albums, he has collaborated with artists like Esperanza Spalding and Enrico Rava, among many others. A passionate educator and activist, he continues to push the boundaries of jazz. Hear him live in April 2026! Learn more at https://civicmusic.org/fred-hersch-trio-april-2026/.
