Take your kids to meet Santa Claus or celebrate Día de los Muertos this weekend in Des Moines

Paris Barraza, Des Moines Register

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It may have just been Halloween, but Christmas is right around the corner, at least according to one event this weekend. Families can take the little ones to meet Santa Claus, who is flying all the way from the North Pole to Altoona on Saturday. If you’re not quite ready for a winter wonderland, Center Grove Orchard smashes some pumpkins and invites the community out to watch the destruction and have some fun there with hayrides and a pumpkin pie eating contest. On Friday, get your holiday shopping started at Mainframe Studios and treat yourself after and see the fabulous Shania Twain live at Wells Fargo Arena.

Get gifts for your loved ones from local artists

Friday night:Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, is hosting its monthly First Friday event with the theme “Made at Mainframe.” Guests can stop by from 5 to 8 p.m. to explore art exhibits and purchase gifts across mediums such as ceramics , oil paintings or jewelry. The event is free to attend.

Take the children to see the ultimate Dr. Seuss play

Blake Clyde is The Cat in the Hat and Nina Spahr is Jojo in "Seussical TYA," through Nov. 5 at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse.
Blake Clyde is The Cat in the Hat and Nina Spahr is Jojo in "Seussical TYA," through Nov. 5 at The Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at The Des Moines Playhouse.

Friday night: The musical “Seussical" is coming to the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St. in Des Moines. The musical, which is the Theatre for Young Adults version, takes the plots from classic Dr. Seuss books including “Horton Hears a Who!” and “Horton Hatches the Egg” for one fantastical and fun creation about friendship, family, and community. The performance starts at 7 p.m. Friday and continues with shows throughout the weekend. Tickets start at $14.

Celebrate 20 years of art

Friday night:Moberg Gallery, 2411 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, is debuting its 20th anniversary exhibit. See dozens of artists featured in the show and in attendance for the opening reception, which will also offer refreshments and live music. The reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend.

‘Let’s Go Girls!’ to see Shania Twain

Country star Shania Twain performs at Wells Fargo Arena on July 25, 2018.
Country star Shania Twain performs at Wells Fargo Arena on July 25, 2018.

Friday night: The pop-country superstar Shania Twain is coming to the Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St. in Des Moines. See the singer behind popular songs such as “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” and “You’re Still The One” live. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50.95.

Missed Emo Nite at Wooly’s? Go to Emo Orchestra at Hoyt Sherman Place

Friday night: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines, is hosting Emo Orchestra, featuring guest performers and the rockers that formed in Hawthorne Heights, Ohio. Hear My Chemical Romance to Taking Back Sunday with a live band and full orchestra in a historic theater. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35.

Honor your loved ones with Dia de los Muertos

Saturday morning: The Jester Park Nature Center hosts family-friendly activities, crafts and lessons all about Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday where families honor and remember their loved ones who’ve died. Día de los Muertos is celebrated Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. The event is from 10:30 a.m. to noon and is free to attend.

Destroy some pumpkins

Apple cider doughnuts rest on an apple base in Center Grove Orchard's doughnut tower. Center Grove Orchard is located in Cambridge.
Apple cider doughnuts rest on an apple base in Center Grove Orchard's doughnut tower. Center Grove Orchard is located in Cambridge.

Saturday afternoon: See a glorious display of pumpkins plummeting to their fate at Center Grove Orchard, 32835 610th Ave. in Cambridge. For the main event, a massive crane will drop pumpkins to the ground at 3 p.m. Visitors can stay for a pumpkin pie eating contest, take a hayride or smash their own pumpkins. The event is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with festivities continuing Sunday. Tickets are $18.95 online.

Meet Santa Claus in Altoona (yes, already)

Santa Claus will arrive at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona on Nov. 4.
Santa Claus will arrive at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona on Nov. 4.

Saturday night: Santa Claus is coming to Bass Pro Shops, 1000 Bass Pro Drive N.W. in Altoona. Starting at 5 p.m., families can visit and see Santa, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa and spend the evening in Santa’s Wonderland, which transforms Bass Pro Shops into a Christmas village with free games, activities and giveaways. Guests can come by for free photos with Santa on Sunday. Santa’s Wonderland is free to attend.

Experience a brand new live entertainment venue

The new Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy. in Waukee, features a fixed stage in its main hall, several bars on its two floors and lounges for artists and guests on Oct. 23. 2023.
The new Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy. in Waukee, features a fixed stage in its main hall, several bars on its two floors and lounges for artists and guests on Oct. 23. 2023.

Sunday night: See the Grammy-nominated rock band Needtobreathe at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway in Waukee. This is the first show at the new live entertainment venue owned by Live Nation. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Shania Twain

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