Des Moines New Year's Eve: Where To Ring In 2018 (UPDATED)

DES MOINES, IA — Downtown Des Moines will come alive on New Year's Eve with celebrations for all moods, whether you enjoy comedy, symphony music or themed parties. Additional celebrations, from special meals to a night of bowling to music and drinks, are being announced all around the metro. But don't wait until the day of the festivities to plan your night of fun, because tickets to many events are on sale now and space is limited.

Here are some events to get started with your "almost 2018" celebrations on Sunday night:

Downtown Des Moines

This year marks your first opportunity to see how the new venue The Tea Room does holiday parties. With architectural detail reminiscent of the 1920's and '30s, the sixth-floor Willkins Building space that used to be the Younkers Tea Room features 16-foot ceilings and sweeping views of the city, making the location the right backdrop for a '20s-themed party, a la The Great Gatsby. Organizers not only want to see guests arrive in 1920's Hollywood glam and tuxedos, but there's a costume contest as part of the fun, complete with luxury prize packages. The evening, of course, includes food and drinks, live music (Final Mix will be on hand) and a champagne toast at midnight. There will also be a photographer taking souvenir Polaroid photos as well as roaming actors portraying characters from the classic “The Great Gatsby.” Tickets are only offered in advance and the venue expects a sellout. Plus, 10 percent of the price of each ticket sold will be donated to Variety, the Children’s Charity. General admission is $175 per person; a VIP special of $2,000 for eight people includes a secured room with VIP wristband-entrance only, a bottle of champagne for your table, private cash bar, five complimentary top-shelf drinks per ticket and more. Guests must be 21 or older. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Tea Room is located at 713 Walnut St., Suite 600.

If your wardrobe doesn't contain anything quite that old, maybe you have some '90s attire lingering in the back. If that's the case, the Des Moines Social Club says to style your big hair with scrunchies and break out your slap bracelets for "Saved by the Bash." The 1990's-themed New Year's Eve party will relive what organizers call the best decade (feel free to challenge that claim!) with live performances and art experiences in tribute to the ’90s. There will be Silent Disco headsets, live music, a human ball drop, a photo booth and other ’90s-themed activities. Wear your fly fashions (think Fresh Prince and Spice Girls) and come for a night of fun. Guests must be at least 18. The cost is $25 — or upgrade to a VIP experience for $100 and get access to a private lounge with exclusive performances, private bar, coat check, drink tickets, swag bags, food and more. Regular prices will be $35 and $125. The social club is at 900 Mulberry St.

The Des Moines Symphony will host a less rambunctious event with "New Year's Eve Pops: The Classic Hits of Motown" at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Des Moines Civic Center. Under the direction of conductor Joseph Giunta, the symphony will bring the Motown sound to the stage with the award-winning vocal group Spectrum. The symphonic spectacular has tickets available now. Tickets range from $35 to $90 in advance and will be $5 higher the day of the show, if any remain. Get tickets from Des Moines Performing Arts or at the Civic Center box office.

While the symphony is under way, comedy lovers will try to keep the laughter to a minimum in the Civic Center's Stoner Theater, where the Comedy XPeriment New Year’s Eve Bash will get underway at 9 p.m. with a dessert reception attended by the comedians. The unique comedy improv starts at 10 p.m. and will feature a fan-favorite mix of short-form and long-form improvisation devised by making up scenes based on suggestions from the audience. A champagne toast will follow the show. ComedyXP says to plan for a 105-minute show — and an 11-minute, 14-second intermission. Tickets cost $25 and are available through Des Moines Performing Arts and on show night at the Civic Center box office, plus there is a discount ($40 for two) when you ask for the “Couple Special."

Everyone will be a VIP at the Lime Lounge, 435 E. Grand Ave., for its VIP NYE party beginning at 9 p.m. New Year's Eve. Three DJ's will spin the dance tunes and all guests get the customary champagne toast at midnight, a late-night appetizer and dessert buffet, and party favors. The party is open to those 21 and older with valid photo ID. VIP Ultimate Open Bar guests will receive a commemorative glass good for unlimited drinks all night (including top-shelf liquors, bottled beers, house champagne and the full martini menu) for $119.99 per person or $10 extra for two- or four-person table reservations or six-person booth reservations. General admission is $29.99 in advance or, depending on capacity, at the door. Get tickets online.

Noce, 1326 Walnut St., will have its third annual The Wild Party, based on the poem of the same name, about an artistic triumph that ushered in the Jazz Age in the 1920's. Features performances by Chicago jazz vocalist Rose Colella, Max Wellman, Des Moines Big Band, Tina Haase Findlay and Gina Gedler. Roaring '20s-themed cocktails served. Guests will be guaranteed a seat at a table and access to a deluxe list of appetizer, entree and dessert options offered throughout the evening by Christiani's catering group as part of the $100 general admission ticket. Doors open at 7 p.m. Get tickets here.

West Des Moines

The grand opening celebration of SALT of the Hearth, 5513 Mills Civic Parkway, will include a New Year's Eve Bash with James Bond-style attire requested. The first beer or glass of wine is complimentary with admission and everyone receives a swag bag and appetizer buffet. Live music, a photo booth, a ball drop countdown and midnight champagne toast are included. The fun begins at 8:30 p.m. and the cost is $60 per person or $50 for WineStyles Club members. Call 515-457-7258 or get tickets online.

515 Alive will present "Light up the Night" at the Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road. Multiple DJ's will provide music for all genres, a light show, dancing and a cash balloon drop are planned. Doors open at 7 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

Elsewhere in Des Moines

Celebrate the new year with a special meal at Le Jardin, 2815 Beaver Ave., Suite 101, Chef’s Tag and Ashton will have a five-course culinary adventure to ring in the New Year. Menu selections include a complimentary "Beaverdale Fizz" starter drink, followed by the amuse bouche of sauteed pear muffin with fourme d'Ambert butter and arugula with honey balsamic dressing. Main entree selections include acorn squash with gnocchi, Peacetree Red Rambler beer braised beef short ribs, shrimp and sausage ziti and truffle chicken. Dinner is $65 per person. Seatings are available from 5 to 9 p.m. with reservations. Call 515-255-5787.

Hello, Marjorie in the R&T Lofts Building at Seventh and Locust streets, will have specials throughout the night. There is no cover and seating is first come, first served.

The Garden Nightclub, 112 S.E. Fourth St., will have drag shows at 7, 9 and 10 p.m. and midnight, plus a midnight balloon drop with $3,000 in cash and prizes in balloons. Doors open at 5 p.m. and there is no cover before 8 p.m.

Fun for younger celebrants

Don't let the kids miss out on the fun of ringing in the new year just because they have an earlier bedtime. The Science Center of Iowa, 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, will host "Noon Year's Eve" from 9 a.m. to noon. ACTS Entertainment clowns will provide balloon animals and face painting.

The Iowa Events Center will host ImaginEve by GuideOne Insurance, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hy-Vee Hall, 730 Third St. It's free and includes inflatables, obstacles courses, slides, shows, carnival games, toddler and tween zones, music, dancing, food and fun, plus a confetti drop at 8 p.m. to welcome the new year.

Main image via annca/Pixabay