How did the ghost get hurt while golfing? He fell on his boo-tee. Brace yourself for the punniest dad jokes told by costumed kiddos looking to score a coveted full-size candy bar on Halloween. Here’s a round-up of all the frightfully fun Halloween events going on in Greater Des Moines.
Where and when to Trick or Treat in Greater Des Moines:
Friday, October 31, from 6 – 8 p.m.
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Altoona
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Ankeny
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Clive
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Des Moines
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Grimes
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Indianola
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Johnston
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Norwalk
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Pleasant Hill
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Polk City
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Urbandale
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Waukee
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West Des Moines
Saturday, October 25, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Bondurant
- Windsor Heights
Looking for other chances to have the kids workshop their jokes and get another use out of that costume? Check out these community trick or treat and Halloween events!
Halloween Trick or Treat at Outlets of Des Moines
Shop the Outlets of Des Moines and trick or treat at businesses with orange bows from 5 – 7 p.m. on October 25. Enjoy live music from School of Rock, treats, and more.
BOOtanical Halloween/Trick or Trees
Trick or Trees is back at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on October 25. Get ready for trick or treating, face painting, a professional pumpkin carver, learning about spooky botanicals, and more.
Trick or Treat at Treehouse Village
Trick or Treat at Treehouse Village offers a family-friendly Halloween experience at the Iowa Arboretum in Madrid. Explore whimsical treehouses, enjoy trick-or-treating, and participate in themed activities on October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is free and open to all ages.
Kid’s Beggars Brunch
Kid’s Beggars Brunch at Exile on October 26 offers families a chance to test out costumes and practice jokes for Halloween, all while enjoying brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in a kid‑friendly, festive setting at the brewery.
Trick or Treat with your Pup
Paws & Pints invites you and your furry friend to trick or treat on Sunday, October 26 from 12 to 4 p.m. Dress in costume, enjoy stations, costume contests, photo ops, and spooky‑season fun designed especially for pups.
Halloween on the Hill
Don’t miss out on Halloween on the Hill. This yearly event transforms the Sherman Hill neighborhood into a spooky, family-friendly celebration with decorated homes, live performances, and classic Halloween characters. The free event takes place October 30 and supports the DMARC Food Pantry.
Ingersoll Avenue Beggars Night
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand will host the annual Beggars’ Night on Ingersoll Avenue on October 30, from 4:30 — 6:30 p.m. Families are invited to enjoy a fun and safe afternoon of trick-or-treating as local businesses along Ingersoll hand out candy to costumed kids.
There's plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween. Check out all the other spooky events happening in Greater Des Moines!
Night Eyes
Don’t miss out on Blank Park Zoo transforming into Night Eyes October 23 – 26. Featuring enchanting light displays, a merry (not scary) treat safari, live entertainment, costumed characters, and more, it’s the perfect way to celebrate spooky season with the kids (and animals).
Living History Farms Family Halloween
Enjoy Halloween activities during Family Halloween at Living History Farms, October 24 – 26. Trick or treat at the storefronts in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill, get your fortune told in the Millinery, hear storytellers in the Gothic Church, watch demonstrations, play games, go on a horse-drawn wagon ride, and more.
BOOtanical Halloween/Boos & Brews
Visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden after hours for Boos & Brews from 7 – 10 p.m. on October 24. This 21 and older event will have local brews, a DJ, and more.
Wine, Witches, and Brews
Wine, Witches & Brews brings Halloween fun to the Indianola Square from 5 to 9 p.m. on October 24 with after-hours shopping, craft drink samples, live music, and spooky season charm. Costumes are welcome but not required, making it a perfect fall night out for adults.
Spooky Brunch Bingo
Spooky Brunch Bingo takes over Smash Park on Sunday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Show up in costume (if you dare), enjoy brunch and $3 breakfast cocktails, and play for fun spooky‑season bingo prizes.
Bats at Sleepy Hollow
Explore the mysterious world of bats at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park on October 26. Enjoy a blend of education, up-close observations, and fascinating facts that will make you see these nocturnal flyers in a new light.
Spooky Brunch Bingo
Spooky Brunch Bingo takes over Smash Park on Sunday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Show up in costume (if you dare), enjoy brunch and $3 breakfast cocktails, and play for fun spooky‑season bingo prizes.
Candlelight: Halloween Classics
Candlelight: Halloween Classics brings eerie favorites like “Thriller” and the “Halloween Theme” to life with a string quartet under the glow of candlelight at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates on October 30. Get tickets here before they sell out.
Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest
Surety Hotel is celebrating Halloween with its Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest on Friday, October 31, from 5 — 7 p.m. This free, pet-friendly event in the outdoor courtyard will feature creative costumes, community fun, and plenty of cuteness. Dogs can dine free from Mulberry Street Tavern’s pup-friendly menu while their humans enjoy happy-hour drinks and bites. Plus they're partnering with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa to support pets in need.
Spirits of the Wild
Spirits of the Wild is an adults-only Halloween event at Blank Park Zoo on October 31 from 6 to 10 p.m. Explore the zoo after dark, uncover the legend of the Van Meter Visitor, enjoy tastings from Iowa distilleries, and experience live music and eerie surprises. Costumes are encouraged.
The Official 2-Day Halloween Bar Crawl - Des Moines
The Official 2-Day Halloween Bar Crawl in Des Moines returns on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 4 p.m. to midnight. Participants can enjoy exclusive drink specials, no cover charges at participating venues, and a stadium cup and bottle opener lanyard. Tickets are $25 and grant access to both nights of the event.
