Explore LGBTQ+ Events and Activities
Annual Events
Des Moines Pride Festival
The 46th annual PrideFest will be held June 6 – 8, 2025 in the Historic East Village in Des Moines, Iowa. In previous years, The Des Moines Pride festival welcomed more than 40,000 attendees. To see our Pridefest itineraries, click here.
Pride Walk Des Moines
This annual event goes from the Nomade in the Sculpture Park to the Capital building, via Locust Street. It demonstrates that Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship. This year’s walk will be on June 1 starting at 6 p.m.
CCP Pride Parade
The highlight of PrideFest is on Sunday, June 8 beginning at Noon. This parade starts at the Iowa State Capital and travels down Grand Avenue into the Historic East Village, full of floats and flags and people all celebrating Pride in Greater Des Moines.
Year-Round Activities
Pride for the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond one month in June. Capital City Pride produces authentic events and activities throughout the year for people to feel safe and welcome under the four pillars of Pride: Community, Education, Family, and Health. By providing access and visibility, they educate. Check the Capital City Pride Events Page for updated dates and even more events.
Speaker Series
The Speaker Series is Capital City Pride’s primary year-round educational program. From September through May, they invite Central Iowans to listen and learn from 60-90 minute conversations with prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community at the Temple Theater. Speakers are selected for their unique artistic or professional perspectives, personal journeys informed by identity, and contributions to solving contemporary issues LGBTQ+ Iowans face. This series presents the unique opportunity for Iowans to learn from LGBTQ+ change makers and trailblazers in their field, while also providing inspiration and community for those who are facing challenges due to their identity.
Rainbow Scavenger Hunt
At this family focused event, teams are given clues to find rainbows that are strategically placed throughout the East Village. As each rainbow is discovered, the team uses their cellphone or a camera to take a picture with the rainbow in each spot. Upon finding all the rainbows, participants come to the finish line to get finds certified and score a goodie bag for hard work.
The Pride Book Club
Capital City Pride Book Club provides a safe space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to read and discuss LGBTQ+ literature; stories that are not only for us but that are often by us as a community. It is through these stories that we can better understand our rich history. It is through our diverse opinions, individual insights, and interactions with one another that we, as a group, can gain a better understanding of our present and future community. Each month, after our current month’s book discussion, the group nominates the next book for the group to read. All sponsorship donations are used to buy copies of books for participants.
LGBTQ+ and Ally Adult Prom
This event offers a chance for individuals aged 18 and up to experience prom night as their authentic selves. Attendees enjoy an evening filled with dancing, delicious appetizers, and beverages, all set in a welcoming and festive atmosphere.
Rainbow Safari
A family-focused evening hosted at Blank Park Zoo, the Rainbow Safari is an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to come together in an inclusive space and spend time enjoying nature and quality time together. It is an amazing evening of animal gazing and feeding, carousel and train riding, eating, and drinking, and general merriment for all!
