Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, October 4-6. 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, October 4
FEATURED EVENT: dsm Salon Cocktail Party
- Friday, October 4, 5-7 p.m.
- dsm Salon,849 42nd St, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Nestled in the heart of the Roosevelt Shops, dsm Salon is welcoming existing and new guests for a night of drinks, dj, and food. The giveaways will be every half hour at the end that are valued over $250. They will have exclusive products bundles available at the event as well. It’s open house style for people to come and go! We’re checking it out for a new local hair salon recommendation soon!
First Friday at Mainframe Studios
- Friday, October 4, 5 – 8 p.m.
- Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
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- Tuesday, October 1st – Saturday, November 2nd, Monday – Sunday evenings
- The Republic on Grand, 401 E. Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Fancy a rooftop? The Republic on Grand is hosting a halloween pop-up every evening throughout the month of October- no reservation required! Space is first come, first served, so be sure to get there early. Closer to Halloween they’ll host a costume party with a live DJ too! Be on the lookout for other surprises as we dive into this spooky season.
Hocus Pocus at Colby Park
- Friday, October 4, 6:15 p.m.
- Colby Park, 6900 School St, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
Start off the spooky season with a Halloween classic: Hocus Pocus! This free showing of the witchy film starts at 6:45 p.m., and food and refreshments will be available starting at 6:15 p.m. Get there early with your chairs and blanket, and check out the all of the fun Fall Festival happenings at the park!
Windsor Heights Fall Festival
- Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5
- Colby Park, 6900 School St, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
It is time for the Third Annual Windsor Heights Fall Festival! This free festival has something for everyone, including a 5k, parade, fireworks, live music, a petting zoo, and so much more! Click here for the full schedule of events. You won’t want to miss a single thing!
Saturday, October 5
Crystal Plant Swap at Kays Spiritual Ways
- Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6
- Kays Spiritual Ways, 501 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
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October Flea Market at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Saturday, October 5, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building, 3000 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317
Looking for a fun Saturday or Sunday activity? Take a stroll through the April Flea Market in the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds! Admission and parking are free, so take your time browsing the antiques, merchandise, and more!
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Photo Credit: @dtfarmersmarket
- Saturday, October 5, 8 a.m. – Noon
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
Sleep in an hour this weekend because it is the first Saturday with an 8 a.m. start time at 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 season and see some of our absolute favorite small business owners from around the metro.
Fall Art Show at Ted Lare Garden Center
- Saturday, October 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Ted Lare Design Build & Garden Center, 2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, IA 50061
Fall is finally, and what better way to celebrate the change in season than with a Fall Art Show! This event is free to attend and features over 30 handmade artists, selling everything from jewelry to pottery to paintings and more! Enjoy live music and bites and beverages from local vendors.
Fall Vintage Market at Ritual Cafe
- Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Ritual Cafe, 1301 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
We already love Ritual Cafe for their fantastic drinks and vegetarian menu, and we love them even more for hosting a vintage fall market! Grab a drink or bite and stay to shop for vintage clothes, houseware, jewelry, and more!
Heartland Bazaar at Rumors Vintage
- Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Rumors Vintage, 4211 Chamberlain Ave Des Moines, Iowa 50312
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F45 Outdoor Workout at Captain Roy’s
- Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.
- Captain Roy’s, 1900 Saylor Road Des Moines, IA 50313
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Lymphatic Workshop at CyroWellness Studio
- Saturday, October 5, 11:30 a.m.
- Cryowellness Studio, 1980 NW 94th St., Ste. E, Clive, IA 50325
Lymphatic massages are all the rage these days, and who better to learn from than the experts?! Registration is $60 and includes a Cecily Braden Lymphatic Face Brush, instruction and guided massage practice, and information about all the fantastic benefits of lymphatic massage.
Oktoberfest at Confluence Brewing
- Saturday, October 5, Noon – 10 p.m.
- Confluence Brewing Co., 1285 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Confluence is joining in on the Oktoberfest celebration! Enjoy a selection of craft beers, delicious food, live music, and plenty of fun! Tickets are $15 and include a free pint in a commemorative Confluence Oktoberfest glass and $1 off select refills in the glass all day long!
Fall Women’s Clothing Swap at MidAmerican RecPlex
- Saturday, October 5, 1 – 3 p.m.
- MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Looking to refresh your wardrobe? Gather your gently loved and freshly washed clothes and accessories to swap with others at this FREE fall event! Bring your friends for a fun, sustainable way to switch out your wardrobe. Sign us up!
Wauktoberfest 2024
- Saturday, October 5, 3 – 9 p.m.
- Waukee Downtown Triangle, 550 Ashworth Drive, Waukee, Iowa 50263
The Oktoberfest celebrations continue this weekend with a local twist… It’s time for Wauktoberfest 2024! Head down to the Downtown Waukee Triangle for an afternoon of music, dancing, competitions, food, drinks and more. All proceeds will support the Waukee Area Historical Society, so have fun for a good cause!
The Haunting at Exile: Drinks with Dracula
- Sunday, October 6 4 – 5:30 p.m.
- Exile Brewing Co., 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Haunting at Exile is a Des Moines Halloween staple, and it just became even spookier! This Sunday, join the cast of Dracula for a themed cocktail ( The Transylvania Thirst Trap) and food to celebrate the upcoming run of shows. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is showing at the Des Moines Playhouse from October 18 through November 3. Get tickets to the show here!
Poltergeist Prom at xBk Live
- Sunday, October 6, 6 p.m.
- xBk Live, 1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
Rhythm & Pep and xBk Live are coming together for a Potergeist Prom, “a hauntingly fabulous variety show that combines drag performances, burlesque acts, acrobatics, live music, delicious food trucks, spooky vendors, themed drink specials, live art displays, and so much more!” Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
