Halloween in Des Moines, Iowa, is a city-wide celebration that spans multiple days, offering a variety of events for all ages. A standout experience is the “Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” concert at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. Performed by the Listeso String Quartet, the show immerses guests in a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, enhanced by hundreds of flickering candles. This unique event adds an elegant, spine-tingling twist to Des Moines’ vibrant Halloween lineup.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
From eerie classics to contemporary cult favorites, works like Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, the Stranger Things theme by S U R V I V E, and a medley from The Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman come together in a genre-blending trio. This chamber ensemble reimagines familiar sounds, turning each instrument into a distinct voice that merges memory with creativity.
Flickering light and ghostly melodies set the stage for a cross-generational evening. It’s a unique tribute to Halloween’s evolving spirit—where old-world charm meets modern storytelling in a seamless musical celebration.
Candlelight Halloween at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The soaring ceilings and ornate architecture of the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates are cast in a spectral glow as thousands of candles transform the venue into a shadowy sanctuary of sound. As the flickering light dances across marble columns and vaulted arches, the immersive atmosphere heightens every eerie note. Doors open 30–45 minutes before the 60-minute performance, allowing guests to fully absorb the magic before the music begins.
This October, the quartet’s haunting renditions of “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg, “Night on Bald Mountain” by Modest Mussorgsky, and “Der Erlkönig” by Franz Schubert bring spectral tension to life. Spooky but elegant, the evening offers a Halloween celebration like no other. It’s one of Des Moines’ most unforgettable seasonal experiences—don’t wait to plan or risk missing the enchantment.