Frequently Asked Questions

Inclement weather, especially during the winter/spring season, is part of our Iowa lifestyle - it can sometimes cause a few challenges! As they say in show business, “The show must go on!” Generally, performances will not be canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions and ticket refunds will not be available. In rare instances when a show is canceled due to weather, information will be posted on our website and ticket holders for that specific performance will be notified.

Civic Center Ticket Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Civic Center Ticket Office closes at curtain time.

The Temple Theater Ticket Office opens two hours prior to the performance. Please note that the Temple Theater Ticket Office is not available by phone at any time. If there is a concurrent performance at the Civic Center you are welcome to call 515-246-2300 with any questions regarding Temple Theater shows. The Temple Theater Ticket Office closes at curtain time.

The lobby will open one hour before curtain and seating begins 30 minutes prior to curtain.

The ticket office is open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm and weekends beginning 2 hours before a performance. 

A photo ID matching the name of the account holder is required to pick up all will call tickets.

Children ages 5 and up are welcome to attend most performances in our venues. Children under the age of 5 are welcome to attend the Wellmark Family Series performances and some special presentations. Regardless of age, all children and infants require a ticket. We encourage guests to do research online, watch clips, etc. before deciding to purchase tickets for young children. If you have questions regarding the age policy for a specific show please call the Civic Center Ticket Office at 515-246-2300 or visit the event page online for more details.

As soon as the public on sale date is announced the event page on our website will be updated. If the page indicates does not have an on-sale date displayed then the date has not yet been announced. 

DMPA’s highest priority is our guests’ safety. Please allow extra time for arrival as each guest will be subject to security screenings and all bags will be checked. The following items will not be permitted in the venue:

• Alcohol, drugs, illegal substances or any paraphernalia associated with drug use
• Audio/Video recorders, professional cameras, tripods
• Cans, bottles (including water), coolers, or other similar containers
• Weapons of any type, including chains, knives, spiked jewelry and firearms (excluding law enforcement officers)
• Pepper spray/mace/other chemicals
• Duffel bags, backpacks or other oversized bags
• Noisemakers such as air horns
• Laser pens/pointers of any type
• Flags/signs/poles
• Fireworks
• Any other item deemed unacceptable by the event/building management team

Learn more about our policies

Yes, we offer free public Wi-Fi to all of our guests at the Des Moines Civic Center. The network name is "_Civic Center Free Public" 

Click here to learn more

A Civic Center Main Hall map is available here.

A Temple Theater map is available here.

No, all sales are final. Refunds are not available. To see a complete list of Ticket Policies click here.

Select tickets for Des Moines Performing Arts performances are exchangeable for tickets to another performance of the same title up to 24 hours in advance of the original tickets. If the new ticket is more expensive than the original, the guest is responsible for the difference. Refunds are not available if the new ticket is less expensive than the original. A $10 per ticket exchange fee will apply. Fee free exchanges are available to Des Moines Performing Arts Donors and Season Ticket Holders.

Exchanges are not available for discounted/promotional tickets, group tickets, corporate online e-tickets or tickets purchased during a presale.

There are no exchanges allowed on complimentary tickets.

Exchanges can be done over the phone at 515-246-2300 in person at our ticket office or online by logging into your account.

To see a complete list of Ticket Policies click here.

Yes, gift certificates are available in any amount online, over the phone at 515-246-2300 or in person at the Civic Center Ticket Office. Gift certificates can be redeemed for tickets to performances in any of our venues but cannot be used for concessions or merchandise.
Order DMPA Gift Certificates

You can check the balance of a gift certificate at any time at the link below.
Check Gift Certificate Balance

Yes! Select performances offer discounts for large groups. Group minimums vary by show. Visit our Group Tickets page for more information.

DMPA offers an option to split up your season ticket and/or donation orders into monthly payments or split your order into two payments with our convenient payment plans. Just select the payment option that’s right for you when placing your order. Learn More

In order for tickets to be distributed and valid, all payment plan payments must be timely made by the guest. For all payment plans, if a credit card payment is declined, our guest will be contacted once by telephone and once via email. Within five business days from the date the credit card payment is declined, the guest must provide updated credit card information to DMPA and pay the amount of the declined payment. If a payment is not received within five business days, the guest will be contacted once by telephone and once via email and be required to pay in full the remaining balance due under the payment plan. If full payment is not received by DMPA on or before the expiration of fifteen business days from the date the credit card payment is declined, the payment plan will be cancelled and a refund of the unused ticket amount will be issued to the guest and all remaining tickets will be voided. Should a guest have two declined payments in one season, the guest forfeits the option to utilize a payment plan for future ticket purchases. 

Yes, Des Moines Performing Arts has a limited number of tickets available for donation to non-profit organizations. A donation request application is available for download here. Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to your event/donation receipt deadline. Please note that tickets may be available for donation, however, we are not able to donate gift certificates.

Ticket donations are based on availability and due to the number of requests we receive we are unable to accept requests for specific performances.

You may cancel your auto renew by managing your subscription after logging into your account.

Click here to log into your account

Thank you for your interest in our venues. Please complete the form at the link below and a member of our team will get back to you within 2-3 business days. This form is only an inquiry about space use. Confirmation will be made by a DMPA staff member.

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