Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, October 18-20. 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 18
Back Country’s 50th Birthday Party
- Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, October 20
- Back Country, 2702 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
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Ballet Des Moines Presents Movimiento
- Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19
- Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
“A powerful triple bill celebrating the rich diversity, nuance, and sophistication of cutting edge LatinX and Afro-Caribbean artists, featuring new commissions by renowned choreographers Katlyn Addison and Mariana Oliveira and live performance by Colombian musician Juan Sebastian Ramirez Espinosa.” Tickets start at $32.
The Walnut’s Seventh Anniversary Celebration
- Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19
- The Walnut, 1417 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
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2nd Annual Backpocket Beer Mile
- Friday, October 18, 5 p.m.
- The Yard at Johnston Town Center, 6205 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131
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Rocky Horror Picture Show at Fleur Cinema
- Friday, October 18, Midnight
- Fleur Cinema & Cafe, 4545 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
There are only a few tickets left for a showing of the seasonal classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Let’s do the time warp all the way down to the Fleur Cinema and Cafe to enjoy a local showing of the longest-running midnight movie of all time. Corsets and lipstick are highly encouraged. Each $15 ticket includes a prop bag with all the necessary items for the showing. Get a ticket while they last!
Saturday, October 19
TWO WEEKS LEFT: Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Photo Credit: @dtfarmersmarket
- Saturday, October 19, 8 a.m. – Noon
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
There are only two weeks left to enjoy the 49th season of 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.
Back Pain Workshop at Rooted Yoga & Fitness Rise Studio
- Saturday, October 19, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
- Rooted Yoga & Fitness Rise Studio, 2706.5 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Free workshop to address back pain Join Rooted for an interactive workshop to learn some of the common causes of back pain and what to do about them. Enhance PT will also teach you self assessment tools to learn where your back pain may be stemming from and exercises to help address these areas to improve your pain, so you can stay active, fit, & healthy.
Confluence Brewing’s 12th Anniversary
- Saturday, October 19, Noon – 11 p.m.
- Confluence Brewing, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Confluence Brewing is turning 12 years old on Saturday! Join in on the celebration with live music from Birdie Pie, the Steve E George Band, and Ryne Doughty, plus food from Peggy O’s Food Truck. Get ready for anniversary beer releases, and receive a FREE commemorative glass when you purchase any two anniversary brews to-go!
Little Giant Beer Summit at El Bait Shop
- Saturday, October 19, 3 – 7 p.m.
- El Bait Shop, 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Celebrate Iowa’s small and mighty craft breweries this Saturday at El Bait Shop! Enjoy drinks from local craft breweries, cideries, and meaderies (drinks TBA), but make sure to try them all when you receive a sample punch card on site. Plus, admission is free!
Halloween in Sherman Hill at Lua Brewing
- Saturday, October 19, 7 p.m.
- Lua Brewing, 1525 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Fall Fiction Book Trade at Fireweed Acupuncture
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- Sunday, October 20, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Fireweed Acupuncture, 3520 Beaver Avenue Suite C Des Moines, IA 50310
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Join Kate Thomas of Fireweed Acupuncture and Seeta Lee of Professional Contrarian for a fun afternoon of trading your fiction books for new ones at this FREE Fall Book Trade on Sunday, October 20, from 1-3 pm! Bring any gently used fiction books (or books stuck on your unread shelf!) and exchange them with other book lovers. You’ll get a ticket for each book you bring, and each new-to-you book is worth one ticket! This event is for adults (though you’re welcome to bring YA books too). Please make sure your books are gently used and in good condition. ONLY accepting fiction books.
Highland Happening Vintage Market at Divine Times Vintage
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RisSewn & Schoolhouse Sweets Popup
- Sunday, October 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Des Moines Mercantile, 3707 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
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National Theatre Live: Frankenstein at Varsity Cinema
- Sunday, October 20, 1 p.m.
- Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50311-3005, United States
Get in the spooky spirit with some live theater, Benedict Cumberbatch, and a classic Halloween tale: Frankenstein! “Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing tale.”
