Greater Des Moines Events
Food. Culture. Art. Catch a taste of the city at the World Food Festival. An eye-catching canvas at the Des Moines Arts Festival. Dancing with celebrities at the Latino Heritage Festival. Track and field athletes from across the country racing the blue oval each year at the Drake Relays. A growing Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival. An ever-growing IMT Des Moines Marathon. Greater Des Moines is a Saturday at the Farmers' Market. A Friday night watching the I-Cubs at Principal Park. Eating your favorite food-on-a-stick at the Iowa State Fair.
From artistic performances to live music concerts. Family-friendly festivals to community fitness races. There’s an event to suit everyone’s interests.
Talented national singing acts like Taylor Swift. Rascal Flatts. Carrie Underwood. Bruce Springsteen. And Britney Spears have rolled through town. The best of the best live shows are coming through Des Moines. It’s time you did too!
Catch ag shows. Art shows. Tech events. Free events. There’s so much to choose from.
So, extend your trip. Experience more. Catch more in Greater Des Moines. And enjoy it with your friends and family.
Know of an event that should be on this calendar, but isn't? Please ADD YOUR EVENT to our calendar with our submission form.
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06-17-2013
Special Events
Adult Summer Reading Challenge
June 10, 2013 to July 20, 2013 (Recurring daily)
Are you stuck in a reading rut? Looking for a different genre to read? Take the Summer Reading Challenge at the East Side Library starting June 10 through July 20. For each challenge you complete, you'll be entered in a drawing for prizes! Visit the East Side Library for more information and to pick up a list of challenges. Library location and hours posted at www.dmpl....
AViD Author Series: Mary Jane Clark
June 17, 2013
- Venue: Des Moines Public Libraries
- 1000 Grand Avenue
- Des Moines, IA 50309
- Times: 7 - 9 p.m. (adult)
- Admission: Free
- Website
Mary Jane Clark's media books have been published in twenty-three languages and have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and other national bestseller lists. Clark spent three decades at CBS News' New York City headquarter, where she began her career as a desk assistant after graduating with degrees in journalism and political science from the U...
Book Discussion: Little Women
June 17, 2013
Join us to discuss Louisa May Alcott's classic book, Little Women. Ask at the Information Desk for a copy.
Book Discussion: The Year We Left Home
June 17, 2013
Join us to discuss Jean Thompson's book, The Year We Left Home. Ask at the Information Desk for a copy.
Des Moines Menace Soccer Camp
June 17, 2013 to June 21, 2013 (Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
Menace Camp
Dishcrawl: A Second Helping Of Ingersoll Ave.
June 17, 2013
A road starting in the heart of Western Gateway stretching to the western edge of Des Moines, there are so many eating options we had to do it twice! Once again, we will be sampling dishes from four different restaurants on Ingersoll Avenue!We’re keeping the names of the restaurants a secret for now, but here & there we’ll give you some hints. Follow us on Twi...
FACE
June 06, 2013 to June 20, 2013 (Recurring daily)
Celebrate the artwork of Jill Wells, Des Moines, Iowa's premier mural artist! Witness a unique showing of her strong graphite drawings, which explore the animated FACES of truth and conversation. The opening reception starts at 6:00pm on June 6th with classic family friendly atmosphere, refreshments and finger food.
Food in the Gardens
June 17, 2013
- Venue: Reiman Gardens
- 1407 University Boulevard
- Ames, IA 50011
- Times: 6 - 8 p.m.
- Admission: $12 for members, $15 for general public, 15% off member price for Iowa State University students
- Website
A-maize-ing Raw Corn Recipes - Sheree Clark Have you ever tried eating corn the way it was born... fresh, natureal and raw? Join Sheree Clark for an earful of easy and delicious recipes for everything from soup to chips using raw corn.
Iowa Artist Kathranne Knight Exhibit
May 20, 2013 to July 28, 2013 (Recurring daily)
- Venue: Des Moines Art Center
- 4700 Grand Avenue
- Des Moines, IA 50312
- Times: Museum hours
- Admission: Free
- Phone: 515-277-4405
- Email | Website
For more information about the exhibit: www.desmoinesartcenter.org.
My Dinner With Andrew
June 13, 2013 to June 23, 2013 (Recurring daily)
- Venue: Des Moines Social Club
- 400 Walnut Street
- Des Moines, IA 50309
- Times: Thurs - Sat 7:30 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m.
- Admission: Thurs - Sat $20; Sunday Matinee $10
- Phone: n/a
- Website
Directed Matthew McIver. In 1997, Andrew Cunanan became the subject of one of the largest manhunts in U.S. history when he went on a cross-country killing spree that began in Minneapolis and ended with the broad-daylight slaying of iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace. For a period of ten months prior to the first murders, Iowa playwright Robert John Ford had nearly da...
Southridge Mall Farmers' Market
June 17, 2013
- Location: Southridge Mall, Northeast parking lot
- 1111 East Army Post Road
- Des Moines, IA 50315
- Times: 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Phone: 515-287-3881
- Website
This is a wonderful place to find treasures from local gardeners, farmers and crafters. You can follow the seasons by watching the local produce that appears in the market. Fresh lettuce and onions lead the way to tomatoes, corn and eventually, pumpkins, with so many other fruits, berries and vegetables represented they can't all be mentioned. Our market boasts ONLY HOME MADE, ...
The Revolver Comedy Revue
May 06, 2013 to August 26, 2013 (Every Monday)
Anything Improv and the Des Moines Social Club present a high caliber comedy show featuring a rotation of Des Moines best stand-up and improv comedians performing an eclectic evening for fans of all types of comedy. Guaranteed to blow you away... with laughs. Every Monday at 7:30pm at the Gas Lamp (1501 Grand Ave.)
Tips for Tyler
June 17, 2013
- Location: All 4 Jethro's Locations
- Drake, Waukee, Ankeny & Altoona locations
- , IA
- Times: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Admission: Tips (freewill donation)
Tyler is a 15-year old who was born with Epdermolysis Bullosa (EB). EB is a rare skin disease that causes the skin to blister. Patients with EB lack the protein necessary to hold the 2 layers of skin together. Children with the disease are called Butterfly Children, since their skin is said to be as fragile as a butterfly's wings. It is extremely painful & requires freque...
Yankee Doodle Drive Against Hunger
June 10, 2013 to July 04, 2013 (Recurring daily)
Join us our fifth annual Yankee Doodle Drive Against hunger! Donate non-perishable food items at any Des Moines metro-area Bank of the West and Dahl’s location June 10-July 4. Or, drop off your items at the Des Moines Symphony’s 20th annual Yankee Doodle Pops on Wed July 3 and receive a 30 percent off coupon for any 2013-2014 Masterworks concert!
On-Going Events
Bison, Bison, Bison Exhibit
June 07, 2013 to July 31, 2013
- Venue: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
- 9981 Pacific Street
- Prairie City, IA 50228
- Times: Mon - Sat 9 - 4 p.m.; Sun Noon - 5 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Phone: 515-994-2918
- Website
The "Bison, Bison, Bison" exhibition remains on display 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through July 31.
Literacy in a Different Way
March 18, 2013 to August 19, 2013 (Recurring monthly on the 3rd Monday)
Talk about library books you have read or listened to or viewed on DVD. Join us in Study Room One on the third Monday of each month. Preregister online or call 515-283-4957.
Menace Youth Academy Tryouts
June 06, 2013 to June 24, 2013 (Recurring daily)
Youth Academy Tryouts. For more information: www.menacesoccer.com/academy.
Menace Youth Academy Tryouts
June 06, 2013 to June 24, 2013 (Recurring daily)
Youth Academy Tryouts. For more information: www.menacesoccer.com/academy.
Monday Night Rides on the Summerset Trail
May 20, 2013 to September 02, 2013 (Every Monday)
Meet at CanoeSport Outfitters in Indianola at 6:00 p.m. on Monday nights every week May 20 through Labor Day (except July 22nd for RAGBRAI week). We will ride all or part of the Summerset Trail. Sometimes we'll make it to Banner Lake State Park and other times we'll ride all the way to Carlisle and back. Any level of cyclist welcome. Led by Canoesport Outfitters and sponsored b...
Online Swimming Lesson Registration
May 10, 2013 to July 16, 2013 (Recurring daily)
Register online, not in line! Des Moines Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce that this year's sign up for swimming lessons will be online! Just as in previous years, class sizes are restricted. In order to get your preferred dates and/or times, go online and sign up starting Friday, May 10 at 8:00 am. Visit our website to view dates and times: www.dmparks.org. &...
Summer Craft-and-a-Tour Activities
May 28, 2013 to June 28, 2013 (Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
- Venue: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- 909 Robert D. Ray Drive
- Des Moines, IA 50316
- Times: All Day
- Admission: $3 per child (daycare groups, camps, others) MUST PRE-REGISTER
- Website
For daycare groups, camps and others. School-age groups of 10 or more $3 per child, staff free. DATES: May 28, 30 & 31 (no May 27 or May 29 this month) June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28
Time Stands Still
June 07, 2013 to June 23, 2013 (Recurring daily)
- Venue: Des Moines Civic Center
- Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut Street
- Des Moines, IA 50309
- Times: Wed - Sat 7:30 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m.
- Admission: Wed - Thurs $22; Fri - Sun $25
- Phone: 515-309-0251
- Website
by Donald Marguiles; Iowa Premiere. Time Stands Still is a moving and often hilarious story of relationships, mid-life crisis and the ties of friendship. James and Sarah, a journalist and photographer, cope with changes in life and their relationship when Sarah's injuries abroad force them to return home to New York. This surprisingly funny play prompts poignant questions about...
