PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Today’s newsletter is a little lighter than usual. Kick back, enjoy some good food, spend time with the people you love, watch some football, and take a moment to soak it all in.

I’m thankful you’re here each week. It truly means more than you know.

Quick Note: The Hy-Vee Holiday Parade — which we talked about last week — has been postponed due to weather. There won’t be a makeup date, but the plan is for it to officially launch in 2026.

In todays issue:

• 🛍️ Small Business Saturday

• 🎁 Cheer Boxes

• 🎫 Weekend Events

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🛍️ Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is this weekend, and it’s one of the biggest days of the year for the mom-and-pop shops that make the metro what it is. From boutiques and bookstores to bakeries and barbers, these local spots rely heavily on days like this to carry them through the holidays.

If you’re out and about on Saturday, consider picking up a gift, grabbing a coffee, or checking out a shop you’ve never been to. A little support goes a long way — especially for the folks who pour their heart into keeping small businesses alive here in Des Moines.

Participating Businesses →

PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team

Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.

If you’re in the market to buy, the Springer Brothers work hard to find that house that just feels like home. Whether it’s the first home we see or the 30^th , we encourage our homebuyers to always trust their gut. There’s no greater feeling in what we do than that feeling of finding “the one”.

If you’re the market to sell, our team will work with you to put together a plan that maximizes your homes value. We tailor every situation, using our suite of services, so that homeowners can feel confident when they list their home that they’ll get maximum exposure for their greatest, most-tangible asset.

No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.

Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.

Community Spotlight ❤️ 

🎁 EveryStep Cheer Boxes

EveryStep is in the middle of delivering more than 700 Cheer Boxes to individuals and families across Iowa — each one filled with thoughtful, family-friendly gifts for those facing their first holiday season after losing a loved one. It’s one of the most meaningful traditions happening in our community this time of year.

While this year’s boxes are already being distributed, the work behind them continues year-round. If you’re looking for a way to give back this season (or anytime), EveryStep offers plenty of ways to support — from volunteering to making a donation that directly helps families in our community.

A simple act can go a long way, and EveryStep proves that every single year.

👉 Learn More

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.

⏺️ RSD Black Friday (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 8 AM
📍Vinyl Cup Beaverdale
Kick off Black Friday with exclusive releases, good food, and a fun local vinyl hunt.

🎄 Winterset Festival of Lights (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 5 PM
📍Winterset
Lighted parade, festive window displays, music, cocoa, and Santa on the square — a perfect small-town holiday kickoff.

🛍️ Ankeny Holiday Craft, Vendors, Boutiques & More (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday | ⏰ Fri 3–8 PM, Sat 9 AM–3 PM
📍Prairie Trail Sports Complex
Over 150 vendors, tons of prizes, boutiques, handmade goods — an easy place to knock out a ton of holiday shopping.

🎅 Santa Magic at Rose Farm (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9 AM
📍Rose Farm
A dreamy greenhouse Santa session with pro photos, cocoa, crafts, and reindeer treats. Ticketed event with limited capacity.

🧥 Kids Winter Clothing Swap (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 7 AM–3 PM
📍Barista’s Boutique (Urbandale)
Bring winter gear, take winter gear — simple as that. Free, family-friendly, and leftover items go to the Johnston Partnership.

🎄 Christmas in Olde Town (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 2 PM
📍Downtown Altoona
Hot chocolate, marshmallows, carriage rides, reindeer, Santa, and festive fun for the whole family.

🍺 Holiday Pop-Up Market (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 12 PM
📍515 Brewing
Shop local makers, sip a craft brew, and grab Street Sweets’ soup menu. A cozy Small Business Saturday stop.

🕺 Val Air Holiday Fair (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 11 AM–6 PM
📍Val Air Ballroom
A quirky, creative holiday market with 70+ vendors, disco beats, vintage finds, and a 9-foot Disco Santa. Free entry.

🛒 Mayhem DSM Market Day (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 11 AM–3 PM
📍Mayhem Collectibles
A fun buy-sell-swap day with vendor tables, collectibles, and haggle-friendly deals. Earn your sales as a Mayhem gift card.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 34 🌡️ Low 16 | ☀️ | ❄️ 5%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight

Friday

High 31 🌡️ Low 25 | ☁️ | ❄️ 24%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 32 🌡️ Low 16 | 🌨️ | ❄️ 98%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Sunday

High 18 🌡️ Low 2 | 🌥️ | ❄️ 17%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
The Feast of Flows | 9 | Lefty’s

Friday

Nikolai and the Dirty Guys | 5 | Lefty’s
Brian Congdon | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
Matt Woods | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Neva Alden | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Better Lovers For Us Tour | 7 | Wooly’s
Naethan Apollo | 7 | xBk LIve
Joshua Sinclair | 7 | Urban Taproom & Grill
Jake Schrodt | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
El Cowboy Band | 7 | The Cave
Keith Davis | 7 | Shotgun Betty’s
Jordan Beem | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
ERF | 8 | Locals Bar & Stage
JJ and The Boys | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Bad Friends | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Keith Wells & the Tonky Stompers | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Sierra Griggs | 8 | Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille
The Ripoffs | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Brian Herrin | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Shut Up and Rap V2 | 5 | Lefty’s
Ducharme-Jones Band | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Alice Unchained | 7 | Wooly’s
DIPSOS Post-Turkey Day Blowout | 7 | xBk Live
The Nate Sparks Band | 7 | Noce
Ryne Doughty | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Jake Schrodt Duo | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Chris Falcon and The Space Time Continuum | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Joshua Sinclair | 8 | Lakeside Casino
Silver & Spice | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Michael Charles | 8 | Down Under
Driving Blind | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Jordan Beem | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Blanket Fort | 8:30 | Mickey’s Irish Pub
CeCe Stewart | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern

Sunday

Bonne Finken | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Lauren Vilmain-Nick Rueckert Duo | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Wishbone Ash | 7 | xBk Live
Sevendust | 8 | Val Air Ballroom

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Football 🏈

The FCS playoffs get underway for Drake.

• Iowa 🦅 @ Nebraska | Record: 7-4 (5-3)
  📆 11/28 | 🕛️ 11

• ISU 🌪️ @ Oklahoma St | Record: 7-4 (4-4)
  📆 11/29 | 🕛️ 11

• Drake 🐶 @ S Dakota | Record: 8-3 (7-1)
  📆 11/29 | 🕛️ 12

• UNI 🐆 | Record: 3-9 (1-7)

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season is in full swing and our local teams are playing in some holiday tournaments this week.

Men

• Drake 🐶 @ LSU | Record: 4-2
  📆 11/28 | 🕛️ 8:30

• Iowa 🦅 @ Michigan St | Record: 7-0
  📆 12/2 | 🕛️ 6

• #15 ISU 🌪️ vs Alcorn St | Record: 7-0
  📆 12/3 | 🕛️ 7

• UNI 🐆 vs Coe | Record: 6-0
  📆 12/1 | 🕛️ 7

Women

• Drake 🐶 vs Lindenwood | Record: 1-5
  📆 12/3 | 🕛️ 11 AM

• #11 Iowa 🦅 vs Fairfield | Record: 7-0
  📆 11/30 | 🕛️ 12

• #10 ISU 🌪️ vs Marquette | Record: 7-0
  📆 11/28 | 🕛️ 10 AM

• UNI 🐆 @ UNLV | Record: 1-4
  📆 11/28 | 🕛️ 4:30

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs
8-7-2-3 | 4th place | Western Conference

• vs Lincoln Stars
  📆 11/28 | 🕛️ 7:05

• @ Sioux Falls Stampede
  📆 12/2 | 🕛️ 7:05

Iowa Wild
5-11-0-1 | 7th place | Central Division

• @ Grand Rapids Griffins
  📆 11/28 | 🕛️ 6

• @ Grand Rapids Griffins
  📆 11/30 | 🕛️ 3

• @ Milwaukee Admirals
  📆 12/3 | 🕛️ 7

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves
5-2 | 3rd place | Central Division

• @ Motor City Cruise
  📆 11/29 | 🕛️ 5

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! Reply here or email me anytime!

Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].