It’s Labor Day Weekend 2023! Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, September 1-3. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you. Looking for live music this weekend? We’ve got a separate guide for that. Click here to check it out.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Friday, September 1
- Friday, Sept. 1, 12 p.m. – Monday, Sept. 4, 10 p.m.
- 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Confluence Brewing is jam packed with entertainment to celebrate the holiday weekend. Friday through Monday they will feature multiple bands and a food truck to pair with their stellar patio and beer. No tickets required, no cover charge, just show up and enjoy the music!
“Four Floors of Fashion” at Mainframe Studios’ “First Friday” Open House
- Friday, Sept. 1, 5-8 p.m.
- Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Get ready to indulge in an unforgettable night of style, creativity, and fun at the “Four Floors of Fashion” event, hosted right here at Mainframe Studios! Join us in the Big Room at 6:00 p.m. for the highlight of the night: a fashion show that will showcase the hottest trends from Mainframe designers.” Mainframe Studios’ FIRST FRIDAY events are always free and open to the public.
Midnight Munchies at Creme
- Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. – midnight
- Creme, 543 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
We couldn’t love Midnight Munchies more. So excited to see this late night dessert bar option with great sweets and drinks perfect for a date or date with yourself night. We also love Creme in the daytime for a quick break, loading up on local sweets, or sending some quick emails.
Des Moines Biergarten
- Wednesday, Aug. 30 – Sunday, Sept. 3, Noon – 9 p.m.
- Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Did you know Des Moines has a seasonal outdoor beer garden? It open Wednesday through Sunday through to Fall. Willkommen im Des Moines Biergarten! Set among the mature trees of Water Works Park, Des Moines Biergarten is a family-friendly popup German-themed beer garden offering steins of beer and German inspired eats.
Pick A Show at Teehee’s Comedy Club
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Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2- shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Any weekend is a good weekend to laugh and kick back at Teehee’s Comedy Club. Check out Friday’s stand up headliner: Amy Silverberg. Amy’s stand-up comedy has been featured on Comedy Central, Hulu, NPR, and Amazon Prime. She was selected as a “New Face” at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.
Saturday, September 2
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
New here? The Downtown Farmers’ Market is an open-air street market located in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). Vendors will be set up outdoors on Court Avenue and adjacent side streets. It feels especially huge since it was limited to the pandemic and it’s back to full size. It’s one of the best in the country! Don’t miss it this summer to see some of our absolute favorite small business owners from around the metro.
Global Greens Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- 1907 Carpenter Ave (at MLK Parkway) in the parking lot of @polkcohealth.
Another extremely important market to hit up – especially if you’re near the Drake neighborhood! Shop for delicious locally-grown produce for you and your family while supporting new Iowans who have a passion for farming! Global Greens Farmers’ Market serves as a platform for former refugees to sell their produce and bolster their small farming businesses. Hosted by Lutheran Services of Iowa.
Uptown Art Market
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- 42nd & University , Des Moines, IA 50312
Feeling artsy? Heck yeah you are. Local artists are invited to display and sell their wares on the West Lawn at Uptown Shopping Center in Des Moines every Saturday from June 1-September 30th. Check it out for more market action this Saturday.
FREE: Yoga In The Park
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Southeast Lawn, Gray’s Lake Park, 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315
The 2023 Yoga in the Park season is on! Join a local yoga instructor at 9 a.m. on the southeast lawn at Gray’s Lake Park for a practice for all skill levels. Classes will not be held in the event of rain so please check the link below to check the latest and sign the waiver!
Beyoncé Yoga + Mimosas with Rural Black Doula
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Yoga + Co., 2326 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Rad Bonnie’s Vintage Shop at Peace Tree Brewing Co.
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 12-6 p.m.
- Peace Tree Brewing, 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Krafted Beauty Co’s Client Appreciation Event
- Krafted Beauty Co, 300 E Grand Ave inside Rooted Wellness & Beauty Collective
Krafted will be opening its doors for a client appreciation event on Saturday. They’ll be having mini bouquets for the first 10 guests, permanent jewelry by link x lou, snacks, drinks, and a few HUGE giveaways to be announced! They will also be having $20 brow transformations (wax and tint) by us girls at KBC. Pop on by!
Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire
- Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave Des Moines, IA 50317
Calling all fairies, kings, queens, knights, and more! It’s that time of year again for the Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire- open three weekends in the month of September. This event is for all ages and costume/cosplay is encouraged, but not required! Feast on turkey legs and peasant faire, grab a spot in the stands to watch a live jousting, or peruse the shops for fine jewelry and other handmade items.
Sunday, September 3
- Sunday, Sept. 3, 12 – 3 p.m.
- Rooted Yoga + Fitness, 2708 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Want a little closet refresh in your life? Our favorite fitness studio in Beaverdale is hosting a clothing swap on Sunday. “This is open to everyone. You don’t need to bring clothes if you don’t want to (but you can!). Either way, you can just show up and go home with something new!” Go check it out. We love the Rooted team.
National Theatre Live: Fleabag at Varsity Cinema
- Sunday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m. showing
- The Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St, Des Moines, IA, 50311
“The hilarious, award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series Fleabag is screening at The Varsity! Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life.”
