West Des Moines and Metro Weekend Events: Great Cookie Walk, Festival of Trees, Disney on Ice, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert

There’s plenty going on in West Des Moines and across the metro this weekend. We’ve got some suggestions, but more entertainment picks are found here.

The pick event in West Des Moines is the Ninth Annual Great Cookie Walk of West Des Moines, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at West Des Moines Christian Church. Proceeds benefit the respected Youth Justice Initiative of West Des Moines, a restorative justice program with a success rate around 90 percent.

Around the Metro

Festival of Trees & Lights 2012: In 1984 the Festival of Trees & Lights made its debut in Des Moines, and since that time families and friends of all ages have eagerly awaited this fun-filled event to kick-off the holiday season. With beautifully decorated trees, a fun-filled children's area, great shopping, food, entertainment and special events, "Festival" has become a central Iowa tradition.
Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, 233 Center Street, Des Moines
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m, Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost:$5 at the event; children 2 and under free

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic: Join the celebration as more than 60 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life. A skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever!
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Nov. 23: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m, Nov. 24, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Nov. 25: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Cost: $15-$52 : Buy Tickets

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: The smash hit Broadway musical is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film. Dazzling production numbers include "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Nov. 23, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 24, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 25, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $20-$70

Comedy Xperiment: Comedy XPeriment is Des Moines' premiere long-form improvisation team. Each show is unique to itself as the genesis for the show is based on suggestions from the audience. Even the performers themselves don't know what could happen in a show.
The Civic Center, Des Moines,
Nov. 23-24, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $10. Tickets.

Kenny Rogers Hits and Christmas Show: Blending sets of timeless hits and Christmas favorites, the man known as "The Gambler" has sold over 120 million albums, Kenny Rogers offers a memorable, warm and fun Christmas event for the entire family.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $46-$76 Tickets.

Upcoming

Iowa State Dance/Drill Team Association High School and College Dance Championships: The ISDTA Dance Championships involve 270 High School dance teams and 25 college teams.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Nov. 29-30, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $10 for 1 day pass, $18 for 2 day pass. Tickets available at the door.

Triple Espresso - A Highly Caffeinated Comedy: Tells the rags-to-rags story of Hugh Butternut, Buzz Maxwell and Bobby Bean, an aspiring comedy trio whose bid for showbiz fame and fortune ended in four minutes of magnificent failure on national television.
Temple Theater, Des Moines
7:30 pm. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays Nov. 27 through Jan. 6
Tickets

Evening with Kathy Griffin: Two-time Emmy winner, New York Times bestselling author, four-time Grammy nominee, Broadway darling, 2009’s GLAAD Vanguard recipient and 2011 Trevor Project Life Award honoree, Kathy Griffin is a multi-faceted performer with rapid fire wit. She has been making audiences laugh for years discussing Hollywood gossip and celebrity blunders.
Stephens Auditorium, Ames
Nov. 29, 7:30 pm.
Cost:$55-$65 Find Tickets

ISU Theatre Presents Alice In Wonderland: A girl falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of the White Rabbit, The Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and The Queen of Hearts. Alice finds it all so curious that she finally concludes “It would be so nice if something made sense for a change.” This is a new script that takes a fresh look at Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece.
Stephens Auditorium, Ames
Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, 7:30 pm.
Cost:$16 Find Tickets

War Horse: As World War I begins, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France, where he's soon caught up in enemy fire. But Albert cannot forget Joey and he embarks on a treacherous mission to bring him home.
Civic Center of Des Moines
Dec. 11-17
Tickets.

Carrie Underwood: In concert with a stop in Des Moines.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
7:30 p.m. Dec. 14
Tickets.

Miranda Lambert: "Locked and Re-Loaded" tour stops in Ames with Dierks Bentley and Lee Brice.
Hilton Coliseum in Ames
7:30 p.m.  Feb. 21
Tickets.

Taylor Swift: Country star Taylor Swift returns to Wells Fargo Arena on May 6. No word yet on ticket prices or an on-sale date.