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!
Oktoberfest Events
Don’t let the name confuse you; though it may be September, Oktoberfest is back in full force this month. (Fun fact: The original festival in Germany was moved from October to September in the late 1800s because the weather was better.) We’ve gathered all the Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the region here, so you have all your stops in one place. Grab those lederhosen and dirndl dresses and get ready to hoist a heavy glass in the air. Prost!
DSMHBA HomeShowExpo
Have you always dreamed of building your own home? Do you just want to explore new builds? Or are you one of those people that count looking at houses on Zillow as a favorite hobby? Either way, the Des Moines Home Builders Association HomeShowExpo is the perfect way to keep up on the latest home trends. Head to Clive to tour nine brand-new builds full of the latest and greatest house stuff. General admission tickets are $15, and kids ages 6 – 10 are $5. The homes are open the last three weekends in September, starting Saturday, September 14. See the dates and buy tickets here.
Latino Heritage Festival
School may have started, but that doesn’t mean festival season is over quite yet. On September 21 and 22, get the fiesta started and come explore Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival at Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines. This is the only two-day Latino Heritage Festival in the state, filled with art exhibits, cultural booths, authentic food, music and dance performances, and kid activities. Adults are $5, kids 12 and under are FREE, and parking is FREE at the Nationwide Parking Ramp.
Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire
Take in Fall Faire the first three weekends in September at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Iowa’s only permanent Renaissance Village. The Renaissance Faire brings guests back to a time when Kings and Queens ruled the land. Embrace the theme and come dressed in your Renaissance best; whether that’s as a Knight or even a Viking (or you know, shorts and a T-shirt). Experience entertainment all weekend long including jousting, street dancing, juggling, and so much more. Plus, after hours is 21+ with a special show and beverages from the bar. Tickets are $23, or you can get a season pass for $50.
Des Moines Community Classic
While the Iowa Wild don’t return to competition until October, hockey fans can experience a preseason NHL game at Wells Fargo Arena on September 22. This exciting event is the first-ever competitive game for the Utah Hockey Club as they take on the St. Louis Blues. Tickets for the preseason game start at $25, find them here.
Des Moines Streetstyle Open
Experience the Des Moines Streetstyle Open, September 19 – 21. This skateboarding contest takes place all around downtown Des Moines, with three days featuring skaters from across the globe. Thursday and Friday are full of street style contests, including the Red Bull Manny Mania Contest, and a performance from the Des Moines Breakerz. Saturday’s competition will take place at Lauridsen Skatepark all day long, with both street and park contests. It’s going to be a weekend full of celebrating the Des Moines skateboarding scene. Learn more about the competition here.
Arcadia
Said to be Polk City’s first “upscale” restaurant, Arcadia is an American- and Vietnamese-inspired eatery specializing in farm-to-table menu items. Working to bring more cultural food options to Polk City, Arcadia will serve lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends. With seasonal offerings like sticky ribs covered in a sweet soy glaze, a classic smash burger, Vietnamese egg rolls, and a kimchi quinoa burger, Arcadia’s selection is sure to cure every craving.
Savannah Bananas
Banana Ball is back in Des Moines September 6 – 8! The wildly popular TikTok sensations are bringing their show to Principal Park for a three-game series against their rivals, The Party Animals. If you weren’t lucky enough to score tickets to a game, TruTV will be broadcasting the Friday night game live. Perfect for hosting your own watch party to cheer on the Bananas (or the Party Animals, perhaps?). Learn more about the weekend of games here.
