Des Moines is an event city, and there’s no better time to visit (or explore your own backyard) than when summer events are in full swing. From festivals and farmers’ markets to concerts and sports, we’ve rounded up all the best highlights to help build out your summer itinerary in Greater Des Moines.

Recurring Events

Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market 
When: Saturday mornings from 7 a.m.-noon, May-October  
Where: Historic Court District  
What: Voted the No. 2 Best Farmers’ Market in America, the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market boasts nearly 275 local vendors with fresh produce, food, art, flowers, and more.  

Prairie Meadows Live Horse Racing
When: Friday-Monday, May-September   
Where: Prairie Meadows  
What: Place your bets and cheer on the winnings horses all summer long at Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel.

Valley Junction Farmers Market
When: Thursday evenings from 4-8 p.m., May-September   
Where: Historic Valley Junction  
What: Explore the stores and vendors throughout Historic Valley Junction. Shop produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, and more. 

Zoo Brew 
When: Wednesday evenings from 6-9:30 p.m., June-August   
Where: Blank Park Zoo  
What: Drink and explore the Blank Park Zoo after hours throughout the summer! This event features live music, as well as local brews. Proceeds from the event help support the care and conservation of the zoo.

June

World Pork Expo 
When: June 3-4 
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds  
What: World Pork Expo is the largest pork industry-specific trade show, educational seminars, and industry updates. It brings together pork producers and industry professionals from around the world for three days of education, innovation, and networking as well as over 1,000 exhibitors at the trade show, showcasing the latest pork production technologies, products, and services. 

Greek Food Fair 
When: June 5-7 
Where: St. George Greek Orthodox Church  
What: Enjoy Greek and Serbian Food at the Greek Food Fair. They will also have dancing, gifts, and more.  

Iowa Craft Brew Festival 
When: Saturday, June 6 
Where: Water Works Park  
What: Celebrate all things Iowa brewing with the Iowa Craft Brew Festival. With 70+ local craft breweries in attendance, the unlimited drink samples will be never ending. Pair that with numerous local food trucks, and your day is set. 

Principal Charity Classic 
When: June 10-14 
Where: Wakonda Club  
What: A mainstay on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule, the Principal Charity Classic is a summer must do in Greater Des Moines. Located at the newly renovated Wakonda Club, cheer on some of your favorite longtime golfers while exploring the course all weekend long.

North Central President’s Cup — US Youth Soccer
When: June 11-14
Where: Hy-Vee Multiplex
What: The North Central Youth Soccer President's Cup Qualifier event will determine the regional qualifiers that will compete in the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup. Regional winners in the 13U through 19U groups, both boys and girls, will vie for the national title! 

Capital City PrideFest 
When: June 12-14  
Where: Downtown Des Moines  
What: Celebrate Pride Month and pride in Des Moines with Capital City PrideFest. Spreading from the East Village to Western Gateway Park, enjoy live music, vendors, a parade, and so much more. 

Neighbor’s Day 
When: Saturday, June 20 
Where: Western Gateway park  
What: Iowa Juneteenth is hosting their annual Neighbor’s Day festival to help celebrate Juneteenth. Enjoy live music, food, activities, and more to celebrate the special day.  

Ironside Open 
When: June 26-28 
Where: Ironside Axe Club 
What: The World Axe Throwing League is hosting the Ironside Open at Ironside Axe Club this summer. Come see some of the world's best axe throwers right here in Greater Des Moines! 

Des Moines Arts Festival 
When: June 26-28  
Where: Western Gateway Park  
What: Celebrate the arts at one of the largest arts festivals in the country. Explore the streets of downtown Des Moines filled with nearly 200 of the nation’s top artists, as well as live music, food, and more. 

 

July 

Yankee Doodle Pops 
When: Friday, July 3  
Where: West Terrace, Iowa State Capitol  
What: Start your 4th of July celebrations early with the annual Yankee Doodle Pops show on Capitol Hill with the Des Moines Symphony. Enjoy a concert full of long-time patriotic favorites, fireworks, and more.  

Goodguys 35th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals 
When: July 3-5 
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds  
What: Goodguys features over 5,000 of the Midwest’s finest 1999 and older hot rods, trucks, customs, muscle cars, and classics. Enjoy vendors, live music, fireworks, and plenty of cars. 

AAU Junior Olympic Games
When: July 27-August 8
Where: Drake Stadium, Wellmark YMCA, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex
What: The AAU Junior Olympic Games is the largest multi-sport event for youth in the U.S. and will feature 12 sporting competitions hosted at Drake Stadium, Wellmark YMCA, and MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines! Sign up to volunteer during the Games or catch a sporting event.

 

National Balloon Classic 
When: July 31-August 8 
Where: Indianola   
What: Watch 100+ hot air balloons suspend over the horizon, along with food trucks and live music. 

Hinterland Music Festival 
When: July 30-August 2 
Where: Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, St. Charles  
What: Experience three days of live music and performances from top-charting artists including Katseye, Lorde, Mumford & Sons, Kali Uchis, and more. 

August 

NASCAR Cup Series
When: August 7-9 
Where: Iowa Speedway 
What: The NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Iowa Speedway will feature multiple races on the "Fastest Short Track on the Planet". Enjoy a full weekend of racing in Newton! 

Iowa State Fair 
When: August 13-23  
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds  
What: The single largest event in the state of Iowa kicks off in August. Enjoy 11 days of fried food, live music, farm animals, and so much more. 

World Food & Music Festival 
When: August 28-30  
Where: Western Gateway Park  
What: Experience flavors and cuisine from all over the world right in Des Moines. The festival will include numerous dishes to try, transporting you to different places around the world through unique cuisines.  

Ingersoll Live 
When: August 29  
Where: Ingersoll Avenue  
What: Explore the block party on Ingersoll Avenue with Ingersoll Live. This family-friendly party features live music, art, food, and more, all celebrating the businesses and residents of Ingersoll Avenue. 

September 

GalaxyCon Des Moines 
When: September 11 – 13 
Where: Iowa Events Center  
What: Explore GalaxyCon Des Moines, which features entertainment, Q&As, video and tabletop gaming, panels, costume contests, cosplay wrestling, and so much more fandom for you to explore. 

Des Moines Streetstyle Open 
When: September 24-26 
Where: Lauridsen Skatepark  
What: The streetstyle open is a multi-day open street contest throughout Des Moines, including the world-class Lauridsen Skatepark.   

Iowa Latino Heritage Festival 
When: September 26-27 
Where: Western Gateway Park  
What: Experience Iowa’s only two-day Latino festival in the state. The exclusive Sabor Latino event features food, live music, dancing, and more. 

Oktoberfest 
When: September 25-26   
Where: Lauridsen Ampitheater, Water Works Park  
What: Transport yourself to Germany with Des Moines Oktoberfest. The festival features German beers, seasonal and craft beers in the craft beer village, a party plaza, traditional German dance troupes, Bier Maiden contest, stein holding competition, German carnival games, and of course food.  

Suburb Events  

Grimes Governors Days 
When: June 4-6 
Where: Grimes South Sports Complex  
What: Celebrate Grimes Governor Days with concerts, a parade, carnivals, and more.  

Johnston Green Days 
When: June 11-13  
Where: Terra Park  
What: Head to Johnston Green days to experience a packed schedule of exciting activities, such as Jammin’ in Johnston Business Expo, parade, carnival, bags tournament, Johnston Alumni night, fireworks, and live entertainment in the beer garden. 

Four Seasons Festival 
When: June 26-27 
Where: Polk City Town Square  
What: Head over to the Four Seasons Festival featuring familiar favorites and new activities, including live music, Friday night bike night, a beer garden, kids fun run, a parade, Bill Riley Talent Show, classic car show, free children's activities, and food vendors.  

Bondu Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival 
When: July 11 
Where: City of Bondurant 
What: Where blues music, brewed bevs, and BBQ food come together! This annual fest takes place in the heart of Bondurant with plenty of kids' activities and community events like the Hillbilly Bike Ride and Sidewalk Chalk Fest. 

Clive Festival 
When: July 17-18  
Where: Greenbelt Landing  
What: Check out the Clive Festival for bounce houses, a beverage garden, food trunks, Touch a Truck, live music, fireworks, swimming and cardboard boats at the Clive Aquatic Center, and much more.  

Waukee Arts Festival 
When: July 17-18 
Where: Centennial Park  
What: Explore the wonderful world of art as the city pops with vibrant color at the Waukee Arts Festival with plenty of vendors, food trucks, and live music. Be sure to check out their headlining concert on Saturday night, “Born to Run: The Music of Bruce Springsteen”, performed by The Monday Night Live Band. 

Ankeny Chamber SummerFest 
When: July 10-12 
Where: The District at Prairie Trail – 1500 SW Main Street  
What: Summerfest is a three-day festival, with music, carnival rides, great local food, amazing fireworks, and fun for everyone!  

Pleasant Hill Summer Fest 
When: July 24-26 
Where: Copper Creek Park  
What: Celebrate Pleasant Hill with their Summer Fest. The event begins with a concert, followed by fireworks. Then, enjoy family-friendly activities with bounce houses, a concert, car show, and more the next day!

Norwalk Music Fest 
When: September 6 
Where: Norwalk City Park 
What: Enjoy a day full of local music during the Norwalk Music Fest. Along with the music, there will also be food vendors, games, a beer tent, and more! 

 

There’s Always Something to Do in Greater Des Moines 

As you can see, our metro area is no stranger to a plethora of events throughout the summertime. To catch even more of the action, be sure to give our Summer Concert Series and Setlist a look over for all the best live music happenings. And of course, always check our events calendar as new events are added every single day.