Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, Performing arts center in downtown Des Moines, United States.
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a performing arts center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, built around a large stage and a main hall that seats several thousand people. The building hosts theater productions, concerts, and other live events throughout the year.
The Civic Center opened in 1979 and was designed from the start to be the city's main stage for theater and music. It quickly became a fixed part of public life in Des Moines and has remained so ever since.
The Civic Center is home to the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and regularly welcomes Broadway productions on its stage. The surrounding area draws people before and after shows, giving the neighborhood a social energy tied to the performance calendar.
The Civic Center sits in downtown Des Moines and is easy to reach by car or public transit. Arriving a bit early is a good idea, as it gives you time to find parking and get settled before the show starts.
Right next to the Civic Center stands Cowles Commons, a public plaza featuring a giant steel umbrella sculpture by artist Claes Oldenburg. Many visitors only notice it when they step outside after a show and look around the surrounding square.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
