Each month, we highlight the most buzzworthy places and events in Greater Des Moines in a feature we call Des Buzz. It's your “in the know” list of places to go!
Midnight Coffee
An Iowa City-based coffee shop is coming to Clive in August. Midnight Coffee is taking over St. Kilda Café & Bakery. The Des Moines location will be the fifth location in Iowa, but the first in Greater Des Moines. Pastries and milk will be sourced locally, and owner Alex Nelson describes the coffee as “craft coffee.” Wanting to be known as your “local caffeine dealer,” Midnight Coffee is sure to cure all your caffeine cravings.
Iowa State Fair
Nothing compares to August in Des Moines, especially because of the Iowa State Fair. 11 days full of fried food, furry animals, and fast thrill rides. From August 7 – 17, enjoy one of the 67 new foods debuting this year like the bacon chicken ranch eggroll and scotcharoo shake or stick to the classic corn dog and cheese curds. No matter what, they’re all sure to be delicious. Enjoy a concert or two, including headlining acts like Megan Moroney and Pitbull, or head to the free stage to see The Nadas and other acts. Baby animals, parades, and anything you can imagine on a stick. There’s nothing like the Fair Sweet Fair!
Ingersoll Live
Celebrate all things Ingersoll Avenue on August 23 with Ingersoll Live! This festival celebrates the iconic street with music, entertainment, art, food, local vendors, and so much more. Enjoy performances from the Isiserettes, explore stores and restaurants, and play mini golf. Head to the 2300 block of Ingersoll Avenue from 3 – 10 p.m. for a day full of free activities. Discover more here.
World Food and Music Festival
Immerse yourself in the food and music of dozens of countries at the World and Music Festival, August 22 – 24 in Western Gateway Park. Catch a program like a cooking challenge or festival adventures where you can explore exotic fruits like jackfruit. Expand your love for food and grab a bite from one of the 55 food vendors representing 30 countries. Don’t forget to check out one of the many musical acts on the stage throughout the entire weekend. The festival is free to attend, learn more here!
NASCAR
Start your engines, race fans! NASCAR race weekend is coming to the Iowa Speedway, August 1 – 3. It kicks off on August 1 with the ARCA Menards Series Atlas Roofing 150 at 6 p.m. Then on August 2, it’s the XFINITY Series Hy-Vee Perks 250 at 3:30 p.m., followed by the NASCAR Cup Series on August 3 at 2:30 p.m. There will also be Q&As with drivers, live music from Corey Kent, and other fan experiences to enjoy. While Sunday tickets are sold out, there are still tickets available for qualifying events. Grab them here.
Home Run Derby X
MLB legends and iconic softball stars are coming to Principal Park on Saturday, August 30 for Home Run Derby X, an exciting 3-on-3 co-ed competition. In this fast-paced format, teams go head-to-head with the offense scoring points by hitting home runs and the defense earning points with catches. Extra points are awarded for home runs hit through a centerfield target. Two games will take place in Des Moines: Cubs vs. Cardinals and Yankees vs. Red Sox, featuring former stars like Ben Zobrist, Adam Wainwright, Nick Swisher, Manny Ramirez, and more. Tickets start at just $25 and are available here.
PGI 2025: Fire Flies in the Sky
Need one more fireworks show before the summer comes to an end? We’ll do you one better, enjoy two when the Pyrotechnics Guild International comes to town. Head to Boone on August 3 or 8 to experience Pyromusical Fireworks Shows. These are some of the largest fireworks shows you can see. These jaw-dropping displays are choreographed and scripted to tenths of a second creating the most memorable fireworks show you can think of. Gates for the shows open at 6 p.m. and tickets are still available.
Palms DSM
A Farmers’ Market favorite just leveled up. Palms DSM now has a permanent home on Ingersoll! This vibrant new spot serves up bold, flavorful dishes inspired by Caribbean and West African cuisines. Think jerk chicken, braised oxtail, coconut curry wings, and more. Pair your plate with one of their creative cocktails or refreshing mocktails, perfect for a laid-back lunch or lively dinner out. They're open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., so come hungry!
