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 Beggars’ Night. 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: 

Beggars’ Night (learn the history of this Greater Des Moines-specific ritual here)
Monday, October 30, from 6 – 8 p.m. 

  • Altoona

  • Ankeny 

  • Carlisle 

  • Clive 

  • Des Moines 

  • Granger

  • Indianola 

  • Johnston 

  • Norwalk 

  • Pleasant Hill 

  • Polk City 

  • Urbandale 

  • Waukee 

  • West Des Moines 

  • Windsor Heights 

October 28, 6 – 8 p.m. 

  • Adel
     
  • Bondurant
     
  • Windsor Heights

October 31, 6 – 8 p.m. 

  • Grimes

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!  

 

Family Trick-Or-Treat-Tivities
Show off your costumes and stroll through the East Village on October 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Shops will have treats, as well as story time and crafts in others. This is a free, family-friendly event. 

Trick and Treat: Howl-O-Ween Party
Dress us your four-legged family members and take them trick-or-treating at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa on October 28 from 1 – 3 p.m. Stop by the photo booth to get a photo and enjoy fall beverages at the cash bar. Tickets are $15 and include admission for one dog and two humans, rope toy, entry into costume contest, treats, and a photo.  

Halloween Trick-Or-Treat
Get the trick or treating started early on October 28 with Halloween Trick-Or-Treat at the Outlets of Des Moines from 5 – 7 p.m. There will be more than 20 special cars with trucks full of candy. You’re encouraged to bring a personal hygiene item or canned food for donation to the Caring Hands Outreach Center. 

Trick or Treating with Your Pup
Dress up your pup and head to Paws and Pints on October 29 from Noon – 9 p.m. You and your furry friend can enjoy mini photo sessions, haunted dog house, costume contest, spooky egg hunt, and live music. 

Freedom for Youth Ministries
Put on your best costume and head to Freedom Blend Coffee on October 27 for their Trunk or Treat from 4 – 6 p.m. There will be candy, games, and snacks. 

Indianola Public Library
The Indianola Public Library is inviting you to join them for their Trunk or Treat on October 30. Start your evening of trick or treating with a free hot dinner and other goodies. Stop by the free event from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. 

There's plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween. Check out all the other spooky events happening in Greater Des Moines!

 

The Haunting at Exile
Enjoy a Halloween-themed pop-up bar experience at Exile Brewing, now through October 31. There is a special cocktail and food menu available, as well as their regular menu. There may not be gorey décor, but there are spooky sights everywhere you look. Make reservations here. 

Night Eyes
Take the family to Blank Park Zoo, October 27 – 29 for Night Eyes. The family-friendly event will have you roaming through lighted displays, a merry-not-so-scary treat safari, and enjoying live entertainment and games. Don’t forget to show up in your best costume! Tickets are $8 or $6 for zoo members. Children under the age of one are free.  

Family Halloween
Trick or treat at historic storefronts during Family Halloween at Living History Farms, October 27 – 29. Wear your best costumes and play games like pumpkin bowling, go on a horse-drawn wagon ride, and listen to enchanting storytellers. Admission is $9 per person or $8 for members. 

Skate South
Teens can go on a Teen Halloween Night at Skate South on October 27. There will be games, prizes, and more. Ages 13 and up can skate from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. On October 28, it’s time for the adults for their Adult Halloween Skate Night. From 9 p.m. – Midnight you can skate while also in costume, enjoying music, and winning prizes. 

Wine, Witches & Brews
Make your way to the Indianola Town Square on October 27 for Wine, Witches and Brews. Spend your evening shopping local shops and sampling wines and brews from 5 – 9 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. This is a 21 and older event with tickets costing $15. 

Trick or Trees
Trick or Trees returns to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on October 28. The day is full of activities, entertainment, trick or treating, and more. The cost is the price of admission to the gardens. See the full event schedule here. 

Halloween After Dark Party
Smash Park invites you to their Halloween After Dark Party on October 28 from 6 p.m. – Midnight. The party features a haunted happy hour, costume contest for a chance to win $3,000, a DJ, and more.  

Pumpkin Walk
Get a free pumpkin (while supplies last) during the Pumpkin Walk on October 29 in Historic Valley Junction from 2 – 5 p.m. You can also enjoy trick-or-treating, hay rides, kids activities, food and drink, and live performances. 

Howl-O-Ween Costume Walk
Dress your dog up in their best costume and get ready for the Howl-O-Ween Costume Walk at Reiman Gardens on October 31. The walk is from 4:30 – 7 p.m. with the cost being the price of admission to Reiman Gardens. 

Halloween on the Hill
Halloween on the Hill returns to Historic Sherman Hill on October 31. Residents have decorated their homes with different spooky scenes. Check out the neighborhood from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., but watch out, you might run into Medieval knights, zombie spiders, or even Freddy Kruger out roaming around. Residents will also be collecting donations for the DMARC Food Pantry throughout the event.