Is there any better place to celebrate America than smack dab in the middle of the heartland? We think not. Whether it’s live music, hitting up the pool, or watching fireworks, Greater Des Moines has a little slice of Americana for everyone. Check out these ideas that will ensure your Fourth of July holiday pops off!
Adventureland
Head out for a day of thrills and chills at Adventureland. Going to Adventureland is always a fun-filled day on its own, but the holiday weekend is full of other events as well. Enjoy rides, water slides, food, and more. We highly suggest their newly renovated water slide, Hyperlight, an immersive experience with light and sound. Don't miss out on their fireworks show on July 4 as well!
4th of July Foam Party at Paws & Pints
Give your pup the 4th of July celebration they deserve with a dog-only foam party at Paws & Pints from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on July 4th. The dog park will be filled with foam for them to run and play, while you enjoy festive drink specials. There will also be special promos on CBD products to help your dog stay calm during the evening fireworks.
Goodguys Car Show
It’s time for everyone’s favorite car show! Visit the Iowa State Fairgrounds to take in all your dream cars in one place. Featuring more than 4,000 rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, and trucks thru '97, you’re sure to see beautiful automobiles all over. Enjoy Goodguys July 3-5, with a special fireworks show and on July 4! Tickets start at $27 online.
Stars & Stripes July 3rd at Prairie Meadows
Kick off your July 4th with Prairie Meadows the day before. Starting at 3 p.m., get in on all the patriotic action in Altoona with free trackside entertainment. Stick around for live horse racing, free outdoor live music from the Punching Pandas, fireworks spectacular at dusk, and a show at the Finish Show Line Lounge to end the night.
Yankee Doodle Pops
Everyone’s favorite event returns for another year! On Friday, July 3, the Des Moines Symphony will be putting on their 30th annual Yankee Doodle Pops show! The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and a fireworks show will follow the concert. Food trucks will also be at the concert. Experience one of Greater Des Moines’ favorite Independence Day traditions with Yankee Doodle Pops!
Junction Street Party
Historic Valley Junction is celebrating liberty with its annual Junction Street Party on July 3. Enjoy food trucks, live music, shop at the farmers market, explore local stores, and have a drink in the beverage garden. This is also during the West Des Moines parade, so it’s a perfect way to celebrate the 4th!
Independence Day, Historic Baseball & America's Potluck Picnic
Head to Living History Farms to celebrate freedom the old-fashioned way on July 4th. Enjoy a parade, historic baseball game, reading and printing of the Declaration of Independence, pie eating contest, and more. Tickets start at $17 for kids and $21 for adults; advance tickets are not required but recommended!
4th of July Bingo at ARL Iowa
Support Iowa’s animal rescue league on July 1 with a special 4th of July-themed bingo from 6-8 p.m.! Beyond the adorable cats, dogs, and other animals at the ARL, their bingo events are the second most popular attraction. PLUS, to help cool you down on a summer evening, there will be red and blue slushies for sale (along with a cash bar and other snacks). Get your tickets in advance for $20, or upgrade with $30 VIP admission and get a goodie bag, free drink ticket, and an additional bingo free space.
Red, White & Blue Brunch Bingo
Join Smash Park for what they do best, brunch bingo. Only this time, it’s ‘Merica themed. Dress in your best red, white and blue on Sunday, July 5 from 10 a.m.-noon for a killer brunch menu, $3 breakfast cocktails, and free-to-play bingo with lots of prizes up for grabs.
4th of July City Celebrations in Greater Des Moines
Altoona's 4th of July Celebration
Start your day in Altoona with their 4th of July parade starting at 10 a.m., rain or shine! View the parade from Venbury Drive to Haines Park, with participants and community members celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Then, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., stick around at Haines Park for a free ice cream social, free inflatables, a foam party, open splash pad, and food trucks!
Ankeny Summerfest Fireworks
From July 10-12, the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Summerfest event with live music, rides, food, games, and more. On the final day, join Summerfest attendees and the Ankeny community for a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. to commemorate the end of the weekend celebrations.
Clive Festival Fireworks
And if you haven’t had enough of fireworks by the end of the 4th of July weekend or the weekend after, Clive’s annual 2-day long festival will include a teaser fireworks show at the end of the first night on July 17, and the full “Thunder Over Clive Fireworks” on July 18.
Grimes Home Base 4th of July Fireworks Show
For America’s Quarter Millennial (250th anniversary) celebrations, the Grimes Home Base 4th of July Fireworks Show invited spectators to come watch this spectacular show at Grimes South Sports Complex at 10 p.m.
Norwalk 4th of July Celebration
Independence Day just got a little more patriotic in Norwalk! You won’t want to miss their huge 4th of July parade, boasting over 1,000 participants as “The largest parade in Central Iowa”, starting at 9 a.m. Then, stick around for “Party in the Park” from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with live entertainment, food, and more. At dusk, bring out your lawn chairs or picnic blankets for a fireworks show to end the day.
Pleasant Hill Summerfest Fireworks
While not necessarily on 4th of July weekend, Pleasant Hill is still pulling out all the stops for their Summerfest on July 24 and 25. On the night of the 24, make your way to this burb for a family-friendly concert featuring “Suede” at 6 p.m., with fireworks to follow.
Urbandale 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day at Urbandale's annual 4th of July Celebration! From July 2-4, enjoy a carnival, parade, live music, and more. End the celebration with a fireworks show on July 4 at Walker Johnston Park.
Waukee 4th of July Celebration
The city of Waukee has two action-packed days to celebrate the 4th of July. On July 3 at Centennial Park, the day kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with a kid's market, yard games, food vendors, contests, and more. On July 4th, enjoy a block party of fun events and activities with the parade starting at 10:30 a.m. That evening, watch the Des Moines Skydivers at 8 p.m. with free fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
West Des Moines 4th of July Celebration
For our West Des Moines residents, this one is for you! Starting on July 3, West Des Moines festivities are kicking off with a parade at 6:30 p.m. from Valley High School to Historic Valley Junction. Afterwards, enjoy live music starting at 7 p.m. on the West Des Moines City Campus followed by a drone show. Then, on Saturday July 4th, enjoy a free concert and celebration at 5 p.m. at Jordan Creek Town Center with fireworks to follow at 9:45 p.m. to commemorate America 250.
Where to See Fireworks in Greater Des Moines
Friday, July 3
Stars & Stripes
Dusk
Prairie Meadows
Iowa Cubs
Post Game – 7:08 p.m.
Principal Park
Yankee Doodle Pops
Dusk
Iowa State Capitol grounds
Saturday, July 4
Adventureland
Dusk
Grimes
10 p.m.
South Sports Complex
Norwalk
Dusk
McAninch Park
Urbandale
10 p.m.
Walker Johnston Park, West Side
Waukee
9:30 p.m.
Centennial Park
West Des Moines
9:45 p.m.
Jordan Creek Town Center
