One show wasn't enough! Direct from Sweden – The Music of ABBA takes the stage twice at the Arts Center at Iowa Western on Sunday, October 25.
Calling all dancing queens! Get ready to sing, dance, and take a trip through some of pop music's most unforgettable hits when Direct from Sweden – The Music of ABBA comes to Council Bluffs.
Originally scheduled for one performance as part of The Arts Center's National Performance Season, demand led to the addition of a second show. Fans now have two chances to experience the music on Sunday, October 25, with performances at 3 PM and 7:30 PM.
Coming straight from Sweden, the high-energy concert production celebrates the music and unmistakable style that made ABBA a worldwide phenomenon. Expect favorites like “Mamma Mia,” “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” and “Dancing Queen,” performed by experienced Swedish musicians and singers in a production complete with recreated costumes, hairstyles, vocals, and plenty of opportunities to sing along. The performers themselves say audiences should be ready to dance in the aisles—and for this show, sitting still might be the hardest part.
Sunday, October 25, 2026
3 PM & 7:30 PM
The Arts Center | Council Bluffs
3 PM SHOW – DETAILS & TICKETS
7:30 PM SHOW – DETAILS & TICKETS
From Sweden to Council Bluffs
Direct from Sweden isn't stopping in Council Bluffs by accident. The production's current U.S. tour takes the show to stages across the country, with stops in Iowa, South Dakota, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Washington, and more. On October 25, Council Bluffs gets its turn.
The performance is part of the 2026–2027 National Performance Season at the Arts Center at Iowa Western, which brings touring music, comedy, dance, and other nationally recognized entertainment to its 663-seat theater in Council Bluffs. Direct from Sweden joins a season that also features Jim Brickman, Skerryvore, Gravity, Live from Laurel Canyon, and Close to You: The Music of The Carpenters.
EXPLORE THE NATIONAL PERFORMANCE SEASON
Dinner. Dancing Queen. Stay the Night.
Why stop at the show? Turn your ABBA experience into a full Council Bluffs date night or weekend getaway.
Start—or finish—the evening nearby at 712 Eat + Drink, where scratch-made dishes and craft cocktails pair with an elevated-yet-approachable atmosphere that's right at home on date night. With two performances bringing additional visitors to the area, consider calling ahead to reserve your spot. Or explore even more Council Bluffs restaurants and find the perfect stop for dinner, drinks, or a post-show bite.
Coming from outside the metro? Stay overnight in Council Bluffs and trade the drive home for a relaxing end to the evening. With restaurants, attractions, entertainment, outdoor spaces, and seasonal experiences to discover, there's plenty of reason to make a weekend of it.
Find Your Council Bluffs Hotel
Whether you're reliving the soundtrack of a generation or discovering why ABBA's music continues to fill dance floors decades later, Direct from Sweden offers two chances to say “Thank You for the Music” in Council Bluffs.
