EXPLORE: Holiday pop-ups
The leaves are changing, the snow is falling, and the holiday spirit is growing. Check out one of these holiday-themed pop-ups to get your seasonal fun fix.
By Cyote Williams
THE PEPPERMINT TRAIL
Along Grand and Ingersoll Avenue
www.theavenuesdsm.com/peppermint-trail
Shop and dine holiday specials all day and evening on Dec. 14. Ingersoll and Grand Avenue see several of its businesses transform to take you along The Peppermint Trail. Stop in to see what they’re offering, take a free trolley ride and enjoy the holiday festivities.
THE HAUNTING AT EXILE
1514 Walnut St., Des Moines
www.exilebrewing.com
Exile Brewing Company is hosting a range of Halloween-style events throughout October this year. Enjoy a four-course beer dinner on Oct. 2, a pumpkin carving contest Oct. 2-25, pumpkin painting Oct. 19-20 and a Beggars Brunch on Oct. 27.
RUDOLPH’S ROOFTOP
401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.therepublicongrand.com
The Republic on Grand has its holiday-themed pop-up tentatively scheduled for Nov. 13 through Dec. 31. Not only will you get an excellent view of the downtown skyline, you’ll also get to see the winter wonderland that happens on the inside. Mix in some holiday-themed drinks, and you’re in for a great time.
MIRACLE ON INGERSOLL
3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
www.facebook.com/miracleoningersoll
For part of November and most of December, Dugan’s Hideaway, which is attached to The Station on Ingersoll Avenue, transforms into a winter wonderland for the holiday season. Holiday-themed drinks are served while “Christmas Vacation” is played on repeat.
THE NICE LIST
110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines
www.secretadmirerdm.com
The Nice List is not only the list you want to end up on, but also a clever name for when the Secret Admirer dons its Christmas-themed pop-up garbs. The hidden away spot and sister bar to Good News, Darling is transformed with holiday lights, perfect for a night of drinks while watching the snowfall.
THE NAUGHTY LIST
717 Locust St., Des Moines
www.exploretock.com/good-news-darling
Known for its pop-ups, Good News, Darling hosts a pop-up for the list you don’t want to end up on. The menu and theme of this bar are always changing, but during the holidays, it becomes a great spot for raising the season’s spirits with a drink, photo-op or date night.
SNOWGLOBE DSM
1514 Walnut St., Des Moines
www.facebook.com/snowglobedsm
Once the spooky season has subsided, Exile pivots from The Haunting to SnowGlobe DSM. Described as a Christmas explosion, the inside of Exile Brewing is transformed into a winter wonderland that has to be seen to be believed. The event is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 12 to Jan. 5.
ELFED UP
2491 E. First St., Grimes
www.destinationgrille.com
Destination Grille makes for a great dining experience for those who are gluten-free — or not — on a normal basis, but when the holiday season rolls around, not just the weather outside changes. The decor inside DG changes with the season, and holiday-themed drinks hit the menu.
WINTER SOLSTICE MARKET
Winterset Livery, 116 S. First Ave., Winterset
www.madisoncounty.com
From Dec. 13-14, enjoy a two-day indoor shopping experience. Take some time out of your weekend to find the perfect gift for a loved one from one of the 26 curated arts, crafts and food vendors in the Winterset Livery building, all while you savor the sights, sounds and scents of the holiday season.
WINTER WONDERLAND
435 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.wonderlanddesmoines.com
This pop-up, located at Nightingale Cocktail, is self-described as an “immersive auditory and visual delight amidst festive flair.” The inside of this bar changes completely as the bar creates a one-of-a-kind experience for all who experience it, all while serving up cocktails to match the theme.
CHRISTKINDLMARKET
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
www.christkindlmarketdsm.com
The German-inspired Christkindlmarket pops up all over the world, and Des Moines residents and travelers are treated to one each year. From Dec. 5-8 this year, merchants, musical performers and food vendors help create the festive atmosphere in the Principal Park parking lot.
THE PEPPERMINT TRAIL
Along Grand and Ingersoll Avenue
www.theavenuesdsm.com/peppermint-trail
Shop and dine holiday specials all day and evening on Dec. 14. Ingersoll and Grand Avenue see several of its businesses transform to take you along The Peppermint Trail. Stop in to see what they’re offering, take a free trolley ride and enjoy the holiday festivities.
THE HAUNTING AT EXILE
1514 Walnut St., Des Moines
www.exilebrewing.com
Exile Brewing Company is hosting a range of Halloween-style events throughout October this year. Enjoy a four-course beer dinner on Oct. 2, a pumpkin carving contest Oct. 2-25, pumpkin painting Oct. 19-20 and a Beggars Brunch on Oct. 27.
RUDOLPH’S ROOFTOP
401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.therepublicongrand.com
The Republic on Grand has its holiday-themed pop-up tentatively scheduled for Nov. 13 through Dec. 31. Not only will you get an excellent view of the downtown skyline, you’ll also get to see the winter wonderland that happens on the inside. Mix in some holiday-themed drinks, and you’re in for a great time.
MIRACLE ON INGERSOLL
3124 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
www.facebook.com/miracleoningersoll
For part of November and most of December, Dugan’s Hideaway, which is attached to The Station on Ingersoll Avenue, transforms into a winter wonderland for the holiday season. Holiday-themed drinks are served while “Christmas Vacation” is played on repeat.
THE NICE LIST
110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines
www.secretadmirerdm.com
The Nice List is not only the list you want to end up on, but also a clever name for when the Secret Admirer dons its Christmas-themed pop-up garbs. The hidden away spot and sister bar to Good News, Darling is transformed with holiday lights, perfect for a night of drinks while watching the snowfall.
THE NAUGHTY LIST
717 Locust St., Des Moines
www.exploretock.com/good-news-darling
Known for its pop-ups, Good News, Darling hosts a pop-up for the list you don’t want to end up on. The menu and theme of this bar are always changing, but during the holidays, it becomes a great spot for raising the season’s spirits with a drink, photo-op or date night.
SNOWGLOBE DSM
1514 Walnut St., Des Moines
www.facebook.com/snowglobedsm
Once the spooky season has subsided, Exile pivots from The Haunting to SnowGlobe DSM. Described as a Christmas explosion, the inside of Exile Brewing is transformed into a winter wonderland that has to be seen to be believed. The event is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 12 to Jan. 5.
ELFED UP
2491 E. First St., Grimes
www.destinationgrille.com
Destination Grille makes for a great dining experience for those who are gluten-free — or not — on a normal basis, but when the holiday season rolls around, not just the weather outside changes. The decor inside DG changes with the season, and holiday-themed drinks hit the menu.
WINTER SOLSTICE MARKET
Winterset Livery, 116 S. First Ave., Winterset
www.madisoncounty.com
From Dec. 13-14, enjoy a two-day indoor shopping experience. Take some time out of your weekend to find the perfect gift for a loved one from one of the 26 curated arts, crafts and food vendors in the Winterset Livery building, all while you savor the sights, sounds and scents of the holiday season.
WINTER WONDERLAND
435 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.wonderlanddesmoines.com
This pop-up, located at Nightingale Cocktail, is self-described as an “immersive auditory and visual delight amidst festive flair.” The inside of this bar changes completely as the bar creates a one-of-a-kind experience for all who experience it, all while serving up cocktails to match the theme.
CHRISTKINDLMARKET
Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
www.christkindlmarketdsm.com
The German-inspired Christkindlmarket pops up all over the world, and Des Moines residents and travelers are treated to one each year. From Dec. 5-8 this year, merchants, musical performers and food vendors help create the festive atmosphere in the Principal Park parking lot.