WEDNESDAY: Go for a special mid-week skate during Hanukkah on Ice. The evening includes ice skating, an ice menorah carving, Jewish music, hot latkes and doughnuts. 6-8 p.m. $5. Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D. Ray Drive.
FRIDAY: Enjoy the sounds of the orchestra during Chamber Music at Salisbury House. Friday’s musical presentation will feature Orchestra de Camerata, which will perform Bach’s Concertro in D Minor and Vivaldi’s “Winter” and Concerto in D Major. The performance will be followed by coffee and dessert. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $15-$25. Salisbury House and Gardens, 4025 Tonawanda Drive. Go to salisburyhouse.org.
FRIDAY: Celebrate the State Historical Building’s 25th anniversary. The gala features a display of historic state items, an appearance by Gov. Terry Branstad and first lady Chris Branstad, live entertainment from Simon Estes, Flying Pig Fiddle and Banjo and Decoy, and artwork from Gabriel Lueders and Van Holmgren. The event also will celebrate the 120th anniversary of the State Historical Museum. 7 p.m. $100, or $75 for young professionals 35 and younger. Holiday cocktail attire is requested. State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust St. See more at iowahistory.org.
FRIDAY THROUGH DEC. 23: The Repertory Theater of Iowa will tell the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey with the three spirits in the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.” Performance times vary: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and 19-22; 2 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 22-23. $12-$20. Grand View University’s Viking Theatre, 2811 E. 14th St. Go to rtiowa.org.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Stock up on winter produce, handmade and homemade goods, gifts and more during the Downtown Winter Farmers Market. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Capital Square and Nollen Plaza, Third and Locust streets. Go to des moinesfarmersmarket.com.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY:
Tonic Sol-Fa, the popular concert that has become a holiday tradition, features a cappella music and entertainment for all ages. $27-$32 adults, $22-$27 children. 7:30 p.m. Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Go to hoytsherman.org.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY:
The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates the winter solstice a week early this year with a program called “May Your Gays Be Merry and Bright.” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave. $16 in advance, $20 at the door. www.dmgmc.org.
SATURDAY: Don your winter whites for an evening which will pay tribute to the 1954 classic film, “White Christmas.” White Christmas: A Dance Party will raise money for local charities, while you dance the night away to DJ Eight Ten. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10. Americana, 1312 Locust St.
SATURDAY: Shop during the West Glen Town Center’s Cookie Walk and pick up cookies as you do your holiday shopping. For $15, shoppers will get a stylized bucket they can use to collect the cookies from various boutiques and businesses. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. West Glen Town Center, 5525 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines.
TUESDAY: Find out why they’ve been called “America’s best-kept secret” during The Blenders’ Holiday Soul Tour 2012 stop in Des Moines. $46. 7:30 p.m. Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St. Go to civiccenter.org.
DEC. 19-21: The Church Basement Ladies are ready to deliver the gift of laughter to all holiday audiences in “Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas.” $36-$41. 2 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Go to hoytsherman.org.
DEC. 21-22: Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis has created a holiday show featuring dazzling multimedia effects and the music of Mannheim Steamroller. $40-$88. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St. Go to civiccenter.org.
DEC. 22: The whole family will enjoy Meredith Willson’s heartwarming musical adaptation of “Miracle on 34th Street.” $43-$50 adults, $38-$45 children ages 12 and under. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Go to hoytsherman.org.
DEC. 27-31: Comedian Josh Sneed will perform at the Funny Bone. See his stand-up comedy Thursday through Sunday, or buy a ticket for one of the New Year’s Eve shows, which include the show only at 7:30 p.m. for $22, the show plus an appetizer buffet at 7:30 p.m. for $30, or the 9:45 p.m. show, which includes Champagne and dinner, for $40. Go to funnybonedm.com for all show times and prices. Funny Bone, 560 S. Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines.
DEC. 31: The Des Moines Symphony will host its signature New Year’s Eve celebration at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St. This year, the symphony will perform New Year’s Eve Pops: The Classic Hits of the Beatles with Classical Mystery Tour, an award- winning Beatles tribute band. $20-$80. 8 p.m. Go to civiccenter.org.
DEC. 31: The Des Moines Social Club’s annual New Year’s Eve party, The Bash, moves to Capital Square and features two stages of music, a human ball drop, live art, food, drinks and more. Open to all ages. 8 p.m.-1 a.m., 400 Locust St. $18 for early bird tickets, $20 advance, $25 day of the event. Go to desmoines socialclub.org/thebash.
DEC. 31: Count down to the new year at the New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown. The event will include a live broadcast from the Star 102.5 radio station; a dinner and dessert reception; live music from According to Andrew, Shy Violet and The Spazmatics; and a balloon drop at midnight. A full, cooked- to-order breakfast on New Year’s Day is also included. Party starts at 5:30 p.m. Overnight packages, which include a room and two tickets to the event, start at $309. Embassy Suites, 101 E. Locust St.
DEC. 31: Ring in the new year with Pianopalooza, featuring Tony Bohnenkamp and Megan Hill, at Wooly’s. 8 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Call 244-0550 to reserve a table for $40 (seats four). Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St.
DEC. 31: The Sixth Somewhat Annual Comedy XPeriment New Year’s Eve Extravaganza will be at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines’ Stoner Theater. The show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. civiccenter.org
