Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, July 19-21. 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.
Tiki Tailgate Pop-Up at Django
- Friday, July 19 from 6 – 10 p.m., Saturday, July 20 from 6 – 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Django, 1424 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
It’s the cocktail event of the summer! Django and Harbinger collaborated on a curated cocktail menu inspired, paired with bites straight off the grill at this tiki tailgate!
SUP Yoga Classes at Easter Lake
Photo Courtesy of @supyogadsm
- Classes All Weekend!
- Easter Lake Park, 2830 Easter Lake Dr, Des Moines, IA 50320
Find your zen, connect with nature, and take part in a super fun outdoor activity with SUP Yoga DSM! Stand Up Yoga (SUP) classes are offered on Friday evenings (sunset paddle!), Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning and afternoon. Make this kind of yoga a SUP-er fun part of your summer routine!
Waukee Arts Festival at Centennial Park
- Friday, July 19 – Saturday, July 20
- Centennial Park, Waukee, IA
Having art withdrawals from the Des Moines Arts Festival? Waukee has your art fix this weekend at the Waukee Arts Festival! Enjoy food, music, activities, and (of course) all the art you could ever need!
- Evening Shows All Weekend!
- Salisbury House & Gardens, 4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312
Enjoy an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on a lovely midsummer night at Salisbury House! Plastic chairs are provided, but you are welcome to bring whatever is most comfortable. Beverages and food will be available for purchase at the venue. General admission is $35, and advanced ticket purchase is required!
Clive Festival at Clive Aquatic Center
- Friday, July 19 – Saturday, July 20
- Clive Aquatic Center, 1801 NW 114th Street, Clive, IA 50325
It’s another weekend full of festivals! The 2024 Clive Festival promises to be the best yet, featuring live music, a massive slip-n’ slide, food trucks, activities, and so much more! Plus, admission to the festival is free.
Backyard Bark-becue at Paws & Pints
- Friday, July 19, 5 – 8 p.m.
- Paws & Pints, 6218 Willowmere Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Bring your pups along to enjoy the warm summer nights at Paws & Pints Backyard Bark-beque! Enjoy hot dogs and burgers, yard games, drinks, water games, hot dog bobbing, live music, a foam pit, and more!
Twisters & Trivia at The Varsity Cinema
- Friday, July 19, 7 p.m.
- The Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50311
With all the weather madness in the area this past week, test your knowledge about real-life tornados and the original Twister movie with Twisters & Trivia at The Varsity Cinema! Trivia starts at 7 p.m., followed by a screening of the new movie Twisters.
Saturday, July 20
Pay What You Can Branding Minis with Sage Collective
- Saturday, July 20 – Sunday, July 21
- AURA Studios, Des Moines, IA
Do you need photos? A headshot? Help with content pics? Sage Collective DSM is hosting pay-what-you-can sessions for access to the photo studio, 20 minutes of shooting, 20 photos, 3 backdrops, 2 outfit changes, and pose coaching! Submit your inquiry with the price you can pay and select your spot via email.
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Photo Credit: @dtfarmersmarket
- Saturday, July 20, 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.
Yoga at The Market
- Saturday, June 20, 8 a.m.
- The Riverwalk Hub, 215 Water St, Des Moines, IA 50309
If you already had plans to go to the Downtown Farmers’ Market, make a real trip out of it by signing up for Yoga at The Market! Power Life Yoga will host a free class for all students at The Riverwalk Hub, right near the Des Moines River. Get zen before you pick up your weekly produce!
Poses and Mimosas at Smash Park
- Saturday, July 20, 9:30 a.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coach Light Dr., West Des Moines, IA, 50266
If you’re not downtown, there are still ways to find your zen! Smash Park is hosting their own yoga event out in West Des Moines: Poses and Mimosas! Admission is $10, which includes two breakfast cocktails. Spots are limited, so reserve your mat space!
Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival
- Saturday, July 20, 3 p.m.
- Tower Park, Des Moines, IA 50310
“The Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival is a celebration of local music and community. Our festival is free to the public and sponsored by local businesses. We aim to showcase the best bluegrass talent in Iowa while providing a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Come and experience the unique spirit of Beaverdale!”
Water Lantern Festival at RiverView Park
- Saturday, July 20, 6 p.m.
- RiverView Park, 710 Corning Ave. Des Moines, IA 50313
Voted the #1 best cultural festival by USA Today, the Water Lantern Festival is the perfect way to enjoy the warm summer nights. This is a family friend event that comes with access to food trucks, a floating lantern kit, LED candle, marker and commemorative bag for the price of a ticket.
Queer Joy Pool Party at Ashworth Pool
- Saturday, July 20, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Ashworth Pool, 102 45th St., Des Moines, IA 50312
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The Head And The Heart at Val Air Ballroom
- Saturday, July 20, 7:30 p.m.
- Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road West Des Moines, IA 50265
“Initially self-released in 2011, The Head And The Heart’s self-titled breakout debut produced instant classics including “Rivers and Roads,” “Down In The Valley” and “Lost In My Mind” (#1 at AAA) and is now Certified Gold… The band’s high energy live show has sold out six previous Red Rocks and established their status as a touring powerhouse, having landed prime time mainstage slots at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.”
Northside Market
- Sunday, July 21, Noon – 6 p.m.
- 6th Avenue, Highland Park Between Euclid and Douglas
Sleep in on Sunday morning and spend the rest of the day at the Northside Market! This market will celebrate and uplift the creations of local vendors.
