Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, May 17-19. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Friday, May 17
Central Campus Plant Sale
- Friday, May 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Central Campus Horticulture, 205 County Line Road, Des Moines, IA 50320
It is the last weekend to get your plants from the annual Central Campus Plant Sale! DMPS students have worked hard all year to fill the greenhouse with plants galore for your green-thumb shopping experience. Support a fantastic program while picking up your plants for the season!
Greenbelt Music Festival
- Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18
- Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW 100th Street Clive, IA 50325
Iowa may not have Cochella, but it does have more music festivals than you would think! Kick off festival season with the Greenbest Music Festival, a family-friendly outdoor festival with both local and national live entertainment. Tickets start at $64, but get a deal with you buy tickets for both days!
B.Well at Wooly’s
- Friday, May 17, Doors Open at 7 p.m. for 8 p.m. Show
- Wooly’s, 504 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Local live music at Wooly’s makes for a great Friday night outing. This week, check out the music from Billy Weathers’ new album, “a hypnotic mood piece that pulls the listener deep within his complicated worldview. These beats and rhymes were made for midnight.”
Saturday, May 18
Baby Animal Days at Center Grove Orchard
- Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12
- Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building, 3000 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317
It is definitely worth the drive outside the city for Central Grove Orchard’s Baby Animal Days! It is the second of three weekends to get your ticket to play with all the baby animals this farm has to offer! Tickets start at $10 for your chance to play with lambs, chicks, bunnies, goats, and more!
Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow
- Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12
- Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc., 1408 Arthur Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316
Just in case you missed it last weekend, be sure to check out the last weekend of Spring Fling at Iowa’s only permanent Renaissance Village! Munch on a turkey leg and sip on some fresh-squeezed lemonade while cheering on the jousters or laughing at the jesters. Tickets start at $20 for a full day of fun and activities!
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Photo Credit: @dtfarmersmarket
- Saturday, May 18, 7 a.m. – Noon
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
It is another great weekend for the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market! The 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’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.
Uptown Ankeny Farmers’ Market Opening Day
- Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m. – Noon
- Ankeny Market & Pavilion, 715 W 1st Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
It is quite the weekend for farmers’ markets! If you are an Ankeny local or looking for a different market to attend, celebrate opening day with Uptown Ankeny. Opening at 8 a.m., get there early to get first dibs on all the best produce and stick around to soak in the fun!
Global Greens International Market Opening Day
- Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Polk County Health Department, 1907 Carpenter Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
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Beginner Pickleball Clinic at Smash Park
- Saturday, May 18, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coach Light Dr., West Des Moines, IA, 50266
Pickleball is ALL the rage these days. If you’re intimidated by the sport or have no idea where to start, Smash Park has you covered! Register for a beginner pickleball clinic to pick up all the basics. Tickets are $10 per person and include paddles and balls.
Super Secret Brunch Club at Secret Admirer
- Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.
- Secret Admirer, 110 SW 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Shhhh! It’s time for the Super Secret Brunch Club at Secret Admirer…. we can’t say much more, but be there. 10 a.m. Oh High Cookies and coffee from Northern Vessel. That’s about all we can say.
Second Annual Rescue Dog Walk-A-Thon
- Saturday, May 18, Noon – 3 p.m.
- Paws & Pints, 6218 Willowmere Drive Des Moines, IA 50321
All of our Des Moines Girl dog lovers, grab your shoes and leash up your pups for a walk-a-thon benefiting local rescue dogs! Individual registration is $25, and teams of up to 6 individuals are $100. Each participant will receive a tumbler cup for happy hour beer samples. In case that isn’t enough, there will be adoptable puppies in attendance!
Mushroom Foray Hike with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Saturday, May 18, 2-4 p.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
Interested in learning more about fantastic fungi? The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has you covered. Join staff and experts from the PrairieState Mushroom club on a mushroom walk through Brown’s Woods Forest Preserve. Tickets are $30.
SingleSpeed Brewing Beer Mile
- Saturday, May 18, 3-8 p.m.
- SingleSpeed Brewing Co., 303 Scott Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Just a few spots remain for one of the best running events the city has to offer: SingleSpeed Brewing Co’s Beer Mile! Register as an individual or a team to chug four beers every 400 meters. Costumes are recommended, having fun is inevitable.
Tarot Night at Peace Tree
- Saturday, May 18, 4 – 8 p.m.
- Peace Tree – Des Moines Branch, 317 E Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Feeling spiritual? Want to gain insight into your past, present, and future? Goddess Keyes Tarot will host a limited engagement at Peace Tree on Saturday. Grab a drink and get a full card reading for $20. Get there early because last time, this event sold out!
Up-Down Prom Night
- Saturday, May 18, 8 p.m.
- Up-Down, 500 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
It is prom night in Downtown Des Moines! If you’re feeling fancy, pull out your formal attire and hit up Up-Down for a magical evening complete with decorations, a photo booth, dance floor, and all the cheesy prom tunes. No reservations or tickets required!
Rippin’ & Rollin’ at Skate South
- Saturday, May 18, 8:45 p.m.
- Skate South 10494 County Line Rd, Des Moines, IA
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- Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Historic Valley Junction
Clear your Sunday calendar because this is an arts festival you won’t want to miss! Over 50 artists from all around the state will overtake Historic Valley Junction. Everyone is invited to enjoy the art and purchase the works available for sale. Admission is FREE and includes activities, demonstration, and live entertainment!
Board Game Day at Peace Tree
- Sunday, May 19, 2 – 6 p.m.
- Peace Tree, 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Every other Sunday, grab your friends and family for Board Game Day at Peace Tree! Peace tree provides the games, and you provide the fun. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play – they’ll teach you. Plus, they have great beer!
Local Music Showcase at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Sunday, May 19, 3-6 p.m.
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Teehee’s is great for laughs any day of the week, except the second Sunday of every month. Instead of comedy, treat your ears to an afternoon of local music from the DSM music scene. Showcase lineup includes both first-time talent and seasoned performers. The best part? Admission is FREE!
