Community Corner

New Year's Eve 2013 Parties and Events In and Around Ankeny, Des Moines Metro

Patch has the 411 on some of the bigger parties around the Des Moines metro, Symphony's Pops offering and Science Center, ImaginEve! and an alcohol-free event at the Botanical Center.

There’s plenty to do to around the Des Moines metro area to welcome 2013 in grand style, from an annual pops concert that brings Des Moines Symphony audiences to their feet to the Des Moines Social Club’s tribute to the Big Band era to salsa dancing with a view of the city’s holiday skyline to side-splitting laughs from one the area’s favorite improv groups.

Patch offers a partial list of events, some of them appropriate for the family, below. If we’ve missed something, you can add it to the events calendar here.

Be sure to check your neighborhood bar’s schedule for events close to home.

In Ankeny

Benchwarmer's is throwing a big New Year's Eve bash starting at 9 p.m. Monday night. The event charges no cover, and will feature the band Time Well Spent. Adults 21 and older only.

Find out what's happening in Ankenywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Around the Metro

New Year’s Eve 2013 at the Val Air Ballroom: Music by Feat, DJ Lee and guest DJ; big cash drop at midnight; first 100 women get in free. Free champagne toast at midnight, free breakfast buffet.
Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Road
10 p.m.
Tickets.

Noon Year’s Eve: Bring the whole family to Science Center to celebrate the New Year 12 hours early. Activities include face painting, balloon twisting and a massive balloon drop to count down 2013 at noon.
Science Center of Iowa
401 W. Martin Luther King Parkway, downtown
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tickets with general admission.

GuideOne ImaginEve!: Des Moines premier, free, non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve celebration featuring inflatable rides and bounce houses, clowns, carnival games and giveaways, dancers, a toddler zone (ages 5 and younger) and fireworks finale. The space occupied by the event expanded 50,000 feet this year to accommodate the new Teen Zone (ages 10 and older) featuring mini-golf, laser tag, the Lite 104.1 Karaoke Stage and GameTruck, with room for 16 players and a selection of 200 age-appropriate video games. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Hy-Vee Hall, Iowa Events Center
730 Third St., downtown
4 - 8 p.m.
8:10 p.m.: Fireworks finale visible throughout downtown.
Free.

Sober Under the Stars: An alcohol and drug-free celebration of recovery, the party features music, dancing, food and supportive 12-step meetings. families are welcome, but parents and guardians are responsible for their children.
The Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center
909 Robert D. Ray Drive, downtown
7 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Tickets: 12 and older, $5; 5-11, $3; guests 4 and younger, free.

Des Moines Social Club’s New Year’s Eve Party: Music pays tribute the era during which the Des Moines Social Club’s new home – No. 1 Fire Station – was built. The Swinging Sirens and Max Wellman and His Big Band entertain, and
Capital Square
400 Locust St.
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Tickets ($18, early-bird, limited quantity; $20 in advance; $25 at the door; $100 VIP pass includes VIP seating, table and bottle service, free appetizers, drink ticket, one indoor parking space).

Des Moines Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Pops: The Classic Hits of the Beatles: Des Moines’ signature New Year’s Eve celebration brings people to their feet with standing ovations year after year. Expect chart toppers like “Yesterday,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Come Together,” “All You Need Is Love,” “Penny Lane,” “Here Comes the Sun” and some you didn’t expect.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut St., downtown
8 p.m.
Tickets.

Salsa with the Stars New Year’s Extravaganza: Take in the breathtaking view from the 34th floor of the Ruan Building at a dance and music party with the Latin beats of DJ Apolo and Orquesta Alto Maiz. Free introductory salsa dance lessons, champagne, desserts, cakes, fruits and other sweet treats accompanied by a mouth-watering chocolate fountain. Dress code enforced; no jeans, t-shirts or sneakers.
Des Moines Embassy Club at the Ruan Center
666 Grand Ave., downtown
8 p.m.
Tickets, $30.

Comedy XPeriment New Year’s Extravaganza: Des Moines' premiere long-form improvisation team gives the audience what it wants, based on their suggestions. Even the performers don’t know what could happen in a show.
Stoner Theater, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut St., downtown
9 p.m., dessert reception; 10 p.m., show; midnight, champagne toast.
Tickets, $25 per person, $40 per couple.

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