- Event Overview
About
Des Moines, IA
Christmas Bar Crawls
Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl 2026: Date, Check-In, Tickets & What’s Included
The Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl 2026 by PubCrawls.com is on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, open to everyone 21+ with a valid government-issued photo ID. Check-in runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Tipsy Crow Tavern, 102 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. Tipsy Crow Tavern is at the corner of Court Avenue and 3rd Street in the Court Avenue District downtown.
What’s included with your ticket
- Free entry to every participating bar (no cover)
- Holiday drink specials at every participating bar
- Free after party at a participating venue
- Food specials at select venues
- Live DJ at select venues
- Professional photographer at the event
- PubCrawls.com branded 2026 wristband
- Scan & Go digital bar map with every participating Des Moines bar
How the night works
Show your ticket (on your phone or printed) and your ID to the check-in staff at Tipsy Crow Tavern between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and you’ll get your wristband and the Scan & Go digital bar map. Scan your wristband, select Des Moines and visit the participating bars in any order, at your own pace, then finish the night at the free after party. Drinks are not included in the ticket; your wristband unlocks the holiday drink specials at every participating bar.
Tickets and prices
Des Moines tickets are sold on Eventbrite. FREE tickets for the first 100 crawlers (one per order) are on sale until December 12 or until they run out. From December 13, the Group Rate for 4 or more is $14.99 per person, General Admission is $19.99 and Day of Event tickets are $24.99. Eventbrite adds fees. All sales are final, and tickets are transferable.
Where the Des Moines crawl goes
Check-in is in the Court Avenue District, the brick warehouse blocks near the Des Moines River that make up the city’s classic Saturday-night bar strip. Across the river, the East Village sits at the foot of the Iowa State Capitol with cocktail bars, breweries and boutiques, and Ingersoll Avenue to the west has its own run of neighborhood bars. The full list of participating bars is posted closer to the date, and every one of them is on the digital map you get at check-in.
Getting there and what to wear
Downtown Des Moines has plenty of public parking ramps, and street parking is generally easier than in larger cities. The skywalk connects many downtown buildings, though not every bar is on it, and DART evening bus service is limited, so rideshare or a designated driver is the smart way home. December evenings are often in the 20s, and wind chill can make it feel much colder. Wear your ugly sweater over a thermal or flannel layer, and bring a heavy coat, hat and gloves you can hang on a chair once you’re inside.
Event Details
Holiday Crawls in 100+ Cities
40,000+ Attendees Nationwide
Participating Bars
Organized Event
- What's Included
What You Get With a Pub Crawl Ticket
Pub crawls for the biggest party holidays. Choose your event and join the party in 100+ cities across the USA.
Holiday Drink Specials
Free Entry, No Cover
Free After Party
Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl Check-In
Check in 4–7 PM at Tipsy Crow Tavern, 102 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, with your ticket and a valid photo ID. Downtown parking ramps are close by, and a heavy coat is a must in December.
Check in at Tipsy Crow Tavern, 102 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Every participating bar is on the Scan & Go digital bar map you get at check-in, and the full bar route is posted closer to the date.
Tipsy Crow Tavern
102 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
How the Pub Crawl Works
Buy online at pubcrawls.com before the event.
Check in at Tipsy Crow Tavern between 4:00 and 7:00 PM. Bring your ticket and photo ID.
Collect your 2026 wristband. The crawl runs until 10:00 PM, then the free after party.
Scan your wristband, select your city and follow the digital map to the participating bars in any order.
Event Agendas
Check-In Opens at Tipsy Crow Tavern
Show your ticket and photo ID to get your 2026 wristband and the Scan & Go digital map.
Scan & Go Bar Crawl Starts
Visit the participating bars in any order, at your own pace. No cover, holiday drink specials at every bar.
Check-In Closes
Last chance to pick up your wristband.
Crawl Ends, Free After Party
Head to the free after party at a participating venue. Plan a safe ride home.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl 2026?
The Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl 2026 is on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Check-in runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Tipsy Crow Tavern. After that, you visit the participating bars in any order, at your own pace, and finish at the free after party at a participating venue.
Where and when is check-in for the Des Moines crawl?
Check-in is at Tipsy Crow Tavern, 102 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Show your ticket on your phone or printed, plus a valid photo ID, and the check-in staff will give you your 2026 wristband and the Scan & Go digital bar map. Check-in closes at 7:00 PM, so arrive before then.
What's included with a Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl ticket?
Every ticket includes free entry to every participating bar with no cover, holiday drink specials at every participating bar, a free after party, food specials and a live DJ at select venues, a professional photographer, a PubCrawls.com branded 2026 wristband and the Scan & Go digital bar map. Drinks are not included; your wristband unlocks the specials.
How much are Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl tickets?
FREE tickets for the first 100 crawlers (one per order) are on sale on Eventbrite until December 12 or until they run out. From December 13, the Group Rate for 4 or more is $14.99 per person, General Admission is $19.99 and Day of Event tickets are $24.99. Eventbrite adds fees, all sales are final and tickets are transferable.
What should I wear to the Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl?
Ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa outfits and Christmas costumes are all strongly encouraged. Des Moines evenings in December are often in the 20s, so wear a warm layer under your sweater and bring a heavy coat, a hat and gloves for the walks between bars.
Is the Des Moines Christmas Bar Crawl 21+?
Yes. The crawl is 21+, and you must show a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in at Tipsy Crow Tavern and at the participating bars. An Iowa driver's license, any current state ID or a passport is fine, as long as it is not expired.
Where should I park for the Des Moines crawl?
Downtown Des Moines has several public parking ramps near Court Avenue plus street parking, and it's usually easier to find a spot than in bigger cities. Because DART bus service is limited at night, plan on rideshare or a designated driver for the trip home, and leave time to park before check-in closes at 7:00 PM.
Can I use the skywalk during the crawl?
The Des Moines skywalk connects many downtown buildings and can help you avoid the cold, but not every bar connects to it and skywalk hours vary on weekends. Plan on some outdoor walking between stops, dress for the cold and use the Scan & Go digital bar map to find each participating bar.
