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!
Catch the Circus in Greater Des Moines
You read that right; the circus is in town! Venardos Circus isn’t any ordinary circus. It’s animal-free and Broadway-style, producing a spectacle unlike anything you’ve seen before. Located at the Outlets of Des Moines, this circus is performing for only eight days between May 29 and June 7. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, audiences will see a world come to life in gravity-defying feats. Learn more and grab your tickets here.
Three Buzzy New Openings This Month
We love seeing new businesses pop up around our metro! Starting us off is the highly anticipated brick and mortar of Happy Home Coffee, set to open on Saturday, June 20 in Downtown Des Moines. With more details to come soon, this coffee shop has wowed farmers marketgoers with their unique blends of roasts. Over in Polk City, catch The Soggy Frog, a new rooftop restaurant opening to the public on Saylorville Marina just in time for summer. Serving up seafood and American favs (think burgers, wraps, salads, etc.) you can get all the lake views, live music, and full-blown vacation vibes right here in the Greater Des Moines area.
Eden Coffee has opened in Waukee, bringing even more to our caffeine-addicted metro. They serve matcha, lemonade, and handcrafted espressos along with the ability to book their coffee cart for special events. For convenience, they also bottle their drinks so you can take them on the go and open them when you’re ready to enjoy!
Greater Des Moines Scores Big with the U.S Youth Soccer Presidents Cup
The North Central Presidents Cup is coming to the Hy-Vee MultiPlex Powered by the City of Grimes on June 11-14, bringing 96 youth soccer teams from across the Midwest to compete for a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup. The tournament will showcase top boys and girls teams ages 13U-19U and deliver four days of exciting soccer games. Check it out here!
Celebrate Diversity with the Juneteenth Jubilee
The Iowa State Historical Society is hosting a Juneteenth Jubilee, a celebration honoring freedom and African American history on June 18. This event will be attended by community leaders and partners, as well as those who have a passion for the diverse culture of Des Moines. Watch live music and cultural performances and attend an awards ceremony for community recognition. Throughout the night, meet with organizations and help support programs promoting education and unity. Learn more and purchase your admission here.
Attend the Principal Charity Classic
The 2026 Principal Charity Classic returns to Wakonda Club June 12-14, bringing world-class golf to Greater Des Moines. Watch PGA Tour Champions, including Iowa native Zach Johnson, compete across three days of championship play. Off the course, enjoy fan zones with food, drinks, a kid's area, and plenty of ways to take in the action. This beloved event supports local youth charities, with tickets starting at $27 and free admission for kids 15 and under! Get your Principal Charity Classic tickets here.
Your Greater Des Moines Summer Setlist is Ready
Luke Bryan, The Last Dinner Party, Tyler Childers, Lil’ Wayne, Lord Huron, and other big names are making their mark in Des Moines this summer. In what is definitely our biggest setlist yet, we’ve rounded up all the hottest acts performing across the Des Moines metro area in venues both inside and out. Check it out here.
Festival Season in Greater Des Moines is Here
Good weather is here to stay (at least for a little while) as summer ramps up the Greater Des Moines festival season! Capital City Pride returns to the Historic East Village with Pridefest June 12-14 for a vibrant, three-day celebration of community and inclusivity. Enjoy live music from headliners like Brooke Eden and David Archuleta, plus performances and activities all weekend long. Then, on June 26-28, attend the Des Moines Arts Festival in downtown Des Moines, featuring nearly 200 artists, live music on two stages, more than 25 free art activities, a film festival, and a wide range of local food vendors.
Watch the FIFA World Cup in Des Moines
If you weren’t able to snag tickets to a world cup game, no worries! Many Greater Des Moines metro businesses are offering watch parties during the series. Big Grove Brewery is hosting three USA watch parties on June 12, June 19, and June 25. Catch the matches on a giant LED screen outdoors and watch as Big Grove becomes a big block party with flags, inflatables, and more. The Court Ave District is also hosting their own USA watch parties on June 12 and June 19 on 3rd and 4th street, featuring a full-scale fan zone with a massive screen, seating, and an approved open-container area for you to grab a drink from your fav Court Ave spot.
And for our East Village residents and crab rangoon pizza fans, Fong’s Pizza is also hosting two FIFA watch parties on June 12 at 7 p.m. and June 19 at 1 p.m. They’re closing down the parking lot and getting a big screen out to catch all the action in one place including soccer bingo, giveaways, yard games, and more. Featuring soccer-themed cocktail specials all night long, guests are highly encouraged to wear their red, white, and blue to cheer on Team USA!
Give Back to the Community This Summer
Nothing feels better than doing something for someone else. That's why we’ve got some great opportunities coming up for you to volunteer and help your community. The AAU Junior Olympic Games are back in Des Moines this summer! Volunteers are needed at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, Wellmark YMCA, and Drake Stadium to fulfill a variety of roles in events. This is a great way to help cheer on talented youth athletes, as well as help our mission in making Des Moines a top tourist destination! Check out all the positions here.
Looking for another way to give back? LifeServe is hosting “Blood Donor Days” for the entire month of June, helping to offset the critical supply and demand issues that occur during the summertime while making World Blood Donor Day on June 14 a month long affair. At any LifeServe donor center or mobile drive, donors will receive an exclusive tee that gives Miami-vice energy with their donation.
