Live Music This Week in DSM: Dec. 20 – 23, 2022

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Blues Jam at Carl’s Place on Tuesday, Dec. 20, Triple J’s at Greenwood Lounge on Wednesday, Dec. 21 and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Des Moines Civic Center on Friday, Dec. 23. 

Tuesday, Dec. 20   

• “Freight Train” Frank at La Mie Restaurant in the skywalk at 11 a.m. 
• B. John Burns "Holiday Special (not really) Livestream” at 5 p.m.
• Jordan Mayland’s Merry Synthmas at The Lift at 7 p.m. 
• Des Moines Irish Session at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m. 
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7:30 p.m. 
• Chris Falcon at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.   

Wednesday, Dec. 21 

• Justin Goodchild at Paws & Pints at 6 p.m.; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required) 
• Wade Kreig and Greg Valentine at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m. 
• Mike Aceto at The Republic on Grand in the Historice East Village at 6 p.m. 
• NOLA Jazz Trio at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.  
• A Java Jew Chanukah at The Cave at 6 p.m. 
• Open Mic Music Jam at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop at 6 p.m. 
• SPAM at Ugly Sweater Party at Sam’s Bar & Grill in Atoonaat 7 p.m. 
• Triple J’s at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m. 
• The Sheet at Bellhop at 8 p.m. 

Thursday, Dec. 22 

• “Freight Train” Frank at La Mie Restaurant in the skywalk at 11 a.m. 
• IA Playboys at Chuck’s Restaurant at 6 p.m. 
• Michael W. Smith Christmas with Michael Tait at Hoyt Sherman Place in Sherman Hill at 7 p.m.; $59 to $69 
• Mindrite with The Curse of Hail, Wreckage of the Modern City, Marcato at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $29 
• Screamin’ J/Danny Russell Wolf/Miann at Lefty’s at 7 p.m. (Doors); $10 
• Josh Sinclair at Confluence Brewery at 7 p.m. 
• Joshua Snuffin joined by Sara Nicklin, Wade Thompson, Paul Robert Thompson, Tony Buns, Steffen Poulsen, Marshall White, Tanner Wright, Eli Clark, Johnny Parrish, Mike Vallely, and the Dirty Blonde Band at Fundraiser at Maggie’s Rumble Room at 7 p.m. 
• Open Jam with Groove Review at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m. 
• All That Holiday Jazz! featuring Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite at Turner Jazz Center at Drake University at 7:30 p.m.; $30 
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m. 
• Geoffrey Jr. Solo at 300 Craft & Rooftop at 8 p.m. 
• A Birdie Pie Xmas at Gas Lamp at 8:30 p.m.; $10 
• Johnny Novacaine Xmas Party at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.   

Friday, Dec. 23 

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Des Moines Civic Center at 2 p.m.; $74 (A few seats left) 
• Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Gas Lamp at 5 p.m.; $5 
• Sing DMC – Carols and Cocktails at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m. 
• Bradford Johnson – Holiday Set at Paws & Pints at 6 p.m.; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required) 
• Charlson Trio at Chuck’s Restaurant at 6 p.m. 
• The Juan & Only at El Toreado in West Des Moines at 6 p.m. 
• David Watson at Ugly Xmas Sweater Party at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m. 
• A Nella Thomas Christmas VI featuring Tony Bohnenkamp & Friends at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $12 
• Michael Howland at Pura Social Club in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m. 
• Taylor and Jake at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m. 
• Casey Joe Collins at The Hall in West Des Moines at 7 p.m. 
• Dustin Farrow and Co at Pally’s in Clive at 7 p.m. 
• Trevor Rau at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona at 7 p.m. 
• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Des Moines Civic Center at 7:30 p.m.; $58 to $94 
• Joshua Sinclair at Ugly Sweater Party at West Hills Brewing in Indianola at 7:30 p.m. 
• Jesse Villalobos and Rob Ankum at The Cave at 8 p.m. 
• Gimikk at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m. 
• Def Electric – Ugly Sweater Party at Doc’s in Johnston at 8 p.m. 
• Danny Grause at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 8 p.m. 
• A Freddy Gazzo Christmas at Noce in Western Gateway at 9 p.m.; $30, VIP $45, Bar Seating $20
• Hip Hop Song Contest at Lefty’s at 9 p.m.; $25 
• A very Other Brothers Xmas Eve at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m. 
• The Crust at Down Under in Clive at 9 p.m. 
• Brad Seidenfeld at 300 Craft & Rooftop at 9 p.m. 
• Luke Bascom & the End Times, Devin Frank at Gas Lamp at 9:30 p.m. 
• Jordan Beem at Good Times in Ankeny at 10 p.m. 

Check for changes at each venue’s website, including cancellations and COVID protocols, and consider your generosity to your local waitstaff and musicians as we continue to welcome back live events in DSM. You can also support local restaurants by visiting nearby businesses before and after the show! Check out the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Restaurant Guide, featuring neighborhood options here. 

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.