Looking for things to do in Des Moines this Halloween weekend? Check out this list of all the events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, October 29 – 31.  Whether Halloween is your favorite, or your least favorite, we’ve got all the events spooky and not spooky listed below.

Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.


🧡🖤All Events This Weekend🧡🖤

  • Friday, October 29 – Sunday, October 31, starting at 7 p.m. night 
  • Linn’s Supermarket 3805 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

Anybody else remember this from high school days? Linn’s Supermarket is still doing it’s thing as a classic haunted house destination for this spooky season. Linn’s is a huge haunted house that you can expect to walk through for 20+ minutes. Admission is $20!


  • Friday, October 29 – Sunday, October 31
  • 3615 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

If you haven’t been to The Bartender’s Handshake yet, this is your weekend. They’re celebrating two full years in business with these awesome deals. Costume contest winner will take home a $200 tab! Two runners-up will each earn $50 bar tabs.


  • All weekend!
  • 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2897

Trick-or-Trees will feature interactive activities, entertainment, and opportunities to learn about trees and spooky botanicals throughout the outdoor gardens. Costumes are encouraged! On-site activities throughout the three-day event will include: educational activities about trees and spooky botanicals, botanical potions activity, festive, botanical displays from Garden supporters, carved pumpkins throughout the Garden and so much more!


  • All weekend!
  • 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Stop by Friday – Sunday to try a Fright Flight beer & candy pairing. Or if sweets aren’t your thing, our Ghost of Bloody Mary cocktail might be up your alley! Plus, wear a costume on Saturday or Sunday and get 20% off your draft brews.


  • Friday, October 29, 7- 9 p.m. 
  • 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2897

The Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden is celebrating the spooky season with a screening of Little Shop of Horrors! Join them Friday, October 29 from 7-9 p.m. in the Koehn Garden for this unique horror/comedy/musical. Themed costumes are encouraged. 


  • Friday, October 29, 6 p.m. 
  • 3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265

What’s better than a campfire and some spooky (or not spooky) games and stories! The Dealt Hand is bringing a childhood favorite alive for us on Friday night at Walnut Woods. The weather is supposed to clear up by then so bring your own chairs, BYOB, and enjoy!


Tit’s Up at Teehee’s at Teehee’s Comedy Club

  • Shows all weekend!
  • Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309

Get yo’ laughs on while supporting an independent comedy club. Every night is a good night to visit Teehee’s, but especially when it’s Tit’s Up at Teehee’s night with the one and only Coral Thede.


Pie Bird Pie Pop-Up at Ephemera Design

  • Ephemera Design, 505 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Friday October 29, 4-5:30 p.m. 

Kick off your weekend the right way by stopping by Ephemera Design for some delicious Halloween treats before you head home. Don’t know about Pie Bird Pie? Just read this from DSM Magazine and it’ll tell you everything you need to know.


Dan Medieros at The Hall

  • The Hall, 111 S 11th Street, Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50265
  • Friday October 29, 7:30 p.m.

This Canadian transplant has been taking Des Moines by the horns. He is quickly becoming a local household name with his viby originals and perfectly curated throwbacks. Making him even more special, he prefers to play the 12 string guitar.


Tyler Fazier at Kinship Brewing 

  • Kinship Brewing, 255 NW Sunrise Dr, Waukee, IA 50263
  • Friday October 29, 6-9 p.m. 

Making his solo acoustic debut, Tyler Frazier has a jam packed show ready. His act is full of classic crowd favorites as well as originals and is sure to make you want to move. Bring the family along for this great start to the weekend.


Halloween Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo

  • Friday, October 29, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
  • Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315

Grab your best costume and come celebrate Halloween at the Zoo. Featuring music by The Punching Pandas, delicious seasonal brews, lighted displays throughout the zoo, costume contests, a haunted train ride experience, and adult brews trick or treating. Tickets are $9 for non-members, free for members!


Scare DSM

  • Friday and Saturday Nights in October, 7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m. 
  • 97 Indiana Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

If you’re looking for the classic pop-up Halloween haunted house, head to Scare DSM. $20 per ticket. Let us know how scary it is! 


3rd Annual Halloween Party at Smash Park

  • Friday, Oct 29, 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
  • 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266

If you’re looking for a real Halloween rager, head to Smash Park for free jello shots, TONS of costume prizes (up to $2,000 in giveaways!), and a live DJ!


Kiss presented by Ballet Des Moines

  • Friday, October 29, 7 p.m. 
  • Des Moines Performing Art Center, 221 Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50309

One night only! Together with, and for, Des Moines  award-winning choreographer Stephanie Martinez and her company Para.Mar is bringing an inspirational and engaging performance with Ballet Des Moines to the Des Moines Performing Arts Center on Friday night. 


Yoga With The Plants at Art Terrarium

  • Saturday, October 30,  8 a.m. 
  • Art Terrarium, 106 11th St., Des Moines, IA 50309

Join Olivia on Saturday mornings among the plants for a yoga practice that celebrates your body, offers some physical and mental challenges, and makes you feel good! All bodies, abilities, and mental states are welcomed and will be supported. Energize and flow into your weekend surrounded by all the beautiful plants at Art Terrarium. 


Halloween Storytime Book Swap + Pop-Up

  • Saturday, October 30, 11 – 3 p.m. 
  • Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309

It’s a Halloween Storytime Book Swap + Pop-Up at Storyhouse on Saturday, October 30 starting at 11am. 🎃 🧁 📚 Bring a gently used children’s book and browse others’ used books for a new story to take home. They’ll be reading spooooooky stories at 11am with Tiffany @nixonandnorman – what a great morning to bring the family and bust out those trick-or-treating costumes. 👻 Then, stick around to meet @mimismacs and purchase some special Halloween macarons 6-packs – hello caramel + vanilla + malted milk ball & strawberry + pistachio + chocolate/caramel sets.


EggKing at 1908 Draughthouse 

  • 1908 Draught House, 409 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Saturday, October 30, 9 – 11:30 a.m. (or until sell out!) 
Egg King is back at 1908 Draught House this Saturday morning along the Downtown Farmer’s Market. If you’re new to Des Moines and don’t know, these Korean-inspired breakfast sandwiches and street food are worth the hype. Indoor and outdoor patio will be available for seating or stroll around the farmer’s market with your sandwich in hand!

Sunset Sanctuary Stroll at Iowa Farm Sanctuary 

  • Iowa Farm Sanctuary, 1696 250th St NW, Oxford, IA 52322
  • Saturday, October 30, 4:30 p.m. 
It’s the last event of the year at Iowa Farm Sanctuary! This family-friendly event will feature a sunset stroll around our nearly one-mile-long nature trail. Sanctuary volunteers will be stationed throughout the trail to tell you about our rescued residents and hand out vegan treats (for the humans). After the stroll, you’re invited to stick around for a vegan Trunk-or-Treat! It’s like trick-or-treating, but instead of going door to door, you go trunk to trunk! Children and adults are welcome to participate. 
 

  • Saturday, October 30, 5-10 p.m. 
  • 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA, 50315

Show up in costume and get your first beer free! Confluence will have a photo booth set up that you’ll be able share the photos directly to your favorite social media sites right from the booth. Make sure to stick around for the costume contest at 7 p.m. for gift cards to the first, second, and third place winners!


Firetrucker Brewery Halloween Party

  • Saturday, October 30, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. 
  • Firetrucker Brewery, 716 SW 3rd St, Ankeny, IA, 50023 

Here’s an annual spooky bash for you Ankeny friends! The party will include a costume contest, keg party, DJ, and Halloween candy beer flights (fruity and chocolate), food trucks, and Addams mansion style candle lighting for a fun night. 


Winterset Cidery Halloween Party

  • Saturday, October 30, 6-10 p.m. 
  • Winterset Cidery, 1638 US-169, Winterset, IA 50273

It’s the last weekend of the season at Winterset Cidery! Head to beautiful Madison County and enjoy an evening of live music and great cider with The Retro Gold Band. Bring lawn chairs! They will have a cash prize for the best costume (individual) & best costume (group). $10 Cover Charge per vehicle (up to 6 people).


Josh Sinclair at Mistress Brewing Halloween Bash

Celebrate Halloween all day long at Mistress Brewing. Josh Sinclair will be bringing his magnetic guitar skills and addictive jams from 3-6pm alongside a costume contest. Stick around for a karaoke contest as well!


Katie Pruitt at xBk Live 

KATIE PRUITT

  • xBk, 1159 24th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311
  • Saturday, October 3o, Doors 7:30 p.m., Show 8 p.m.

This Nashville artist has the whole country talking with her deep and heartfelt lyrics. Covering topics like mental health, love and religion, she is relatable with a unique twist. Proof of vaccination or negative test are required.


Dog-O-Ween at Kinship Brewing 

  • Sunday, October 31, 11 – 3 p.m. 
  • Kinship Brewing, 255 NW Sunshine Drive, Waukee, IA 50263
Join Deetz to Trick Or Treat with your furry friend and enjoy a free beer, awesome vendors, costume competition, activities, & more! Proceeds go to support Puppy Jake Foundation part of (KIN)ship Giving Program. Dress up your dog in a Halloween costume and stop at different booths for trick or treating 🐶
 

Halloween Drag Brunch at Fresko 

  • Fresko, 909 Locust St Ste. 103, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Sunday, October 31, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

There’s no better place to get your brunch on in Des Moines than Fresko, and no better day to go than this Sunday. Drag brunch with @dtf_productionsdsm is back and spookier than ever! 👻 Click the link in below for more info and to purchase your tickets!


Halloween Paint and Sip with Supply Hive 

  • Bottle & Bottega, 1301 Locust St Suite E, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Sunday October 31, 12 – 3:30 p.m. 

Costumes are encouraged at this fun paint and sip hosted by The Supply Hive. Paint from 12-1:30 p.m. and then trivia will follow from 2-3:30 p.m. Click on the link below to see a close up of the painting! It’s the cutest little skeleton that’ll go perfectly in your Halloween decor collection next year. 


The Sleepover at Lefty’s Punk Rock Halloween 

  • Lefty’s, 2307 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
  • Sunday October 31, Doors 5 p.m., Show 5:30 p.m.

Punk rock favorites like The Sleepover and Frago have a jam packed show ready to carry you through Halloween night! They’ll also be joined by 3 Finger Betty. This show is open for all ages and has a $10 cover fee.


Ultimate Karaoke Experience at Gas Lamp

  • Sunday, October 31, 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 
  • 1501 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Party! Party! is playing all your favorites. From Disney classics to today’s top hits; they are the ultimate karaoke band. Noted as one of Iowa’s top party bands, this event is the perfect way to blow off steam and dance away stress before diving into the work week.


We’ll be posting this weekly on Thursday! Have something you want included on this list?