Last-Minute Ticket Tips: How to Score a Spot at the Templeton VIP Package

The countdown is on, whiskey lovers! 🥃

The Des Moines Whiskey Festival is almost here — and that means your chance to experience the legendary Templeton VIP experience, with access to the hidden in plain sight Cedar Ridge Speakeasy and exclusive sponsor events is running out. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, don’t panic — there’s still time to join the party.

Here’s your quick guide to snagging last-minute tickets, skipping the lines, and making the most of your day at Iowa’s premier whiskey celebration.

1. Get Your Tickets Online — Before They’re Gone

The fastest (and safest) way to guarantee your spot is to purchase directly through Eventbrite.

🎫 Grab Tickets Here: Des Moines Whiskey Festival 2025 »

Choose from General Admission or upgrade to VIP for early access, bonus tastings, and first dibs inside the Templeton VIP Package.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 🕛 Time: 12–5 PM 📍 Location: Horizon Events Center, Clive, Iowa

2. Don’t Miss the Cedar Ridge Speakeasy— It’s the Ultimate Insider Experience

If you love a good pour and a good story, the Cedar Ridge Speakeasy is your must-see destination inside the festival. Step into a moody 1920s hidden gem, where Iowa's reigning favorite bourbon is following. Inside, you'll find:

• Prohibition trivia games to quiz your friends over a glass of Cedar Ridge specialty cocktails.

• Whiskey memories or hidden thoughts and confessions on the Wall of Secrets

• Brand experts sharing stories behind "The Good Stuff".

This exclusive area fills up fast, and access is limited - another reason to get your tickets early and arrive when doors open.

3. Check Out the Sponsor Experiences

The whiskey lineup is stacked with Iowa’s best — including Cedar Ridge, Lonely Oak Spirits, and more. Each brand brings its own flair to the festival, from tasting stations and masterclasses to hands-on cocktail demos.

Many of these sponsor experiences are time-slotted or limited to certain ticket tiers, so planning ahead ensures you don’t miss a pour.

4. Arrive Early for Smooth Entry

Lines move quickly, but savvy festival-goers know: arriving early means better parking, shorter lines, and extra time to explore before peak crowds.

Doors open at 12 PM sharp — and the first hour is prime time for photo ops and bonus tastings from distilleries like Templeton Rye and Cedar Ridge.

5. Bonus: Enter the Festival Photo Contest!

While you're at the event, don't forget to enter our Photo Contest - snap your best shot inside the Templeton VIP Lounge and/or Cedar Ridge Speakeasy with your favorite pours for a chance to win exclusive whiskey swag.

Just tag @DesMoinesWhiskeyFestival and use #DMWhiskeyFest2025 on Instagram or Facebook to enter.

Final Call: This is Your Last Chance

Tickets are going fast — and once they’re gone, they’re gone. The Templeton VIP Lounge, Cedar Ridge Speakeasy, and tasting experiences are exclusive to this year's festival, so don't miss out on Iowa's premier whiskey weekend. 

🎫 Get Your Tickets Now: Click Here to Secure Your Spot »

📅 Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 

🕛 Time: 12–5 PM 

📍 Location: Horizon Events Center, Clive, Iowa

Raise your glass, join the fun, and celebrate the spirit of Iowa — one sip at a time.