Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, January 20-22. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you. Looking for live music? We have a separate guide for that. Click here to read the live music guide! 

Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.

Friday, January 20

Midnight Munchies at Creme

  • Friday, January 20, and Saturday, January 21, Late night hours until midnight!
  • Creme, Des Moines, IA, 50309

Des Moines needed this! So excited to see this late night dessert bar option with great sweets and drinks perfect for a date night. 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by @creme_dsm

Single’s Night at Paws & Pints

  • Friday, January 20, 5-9 p.m. 
  • Paws and Pints, 6218 Willowmere Drive, West Des Moines, IA

JANUARY MEET UP 🐶🐾 This one’s for the dog owners, dog lovers, and especially the singles in the crowd. You don’t have to be single (or even a dog owner!) to join us at Paws and Pints this Friday for a fun night of food/drink specials. HOWEVER, we do think it’d be great if someone met and fell in love at a DSMG event – with their dogs – so do your thing and let us be a part of the wedding. 😘

All the details.

“The French Experience” at xBk Live

  • Friday, January 20, 7:30 – 11:30 P.M.  
  • xBk Live, 1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311

Head to xBk for a French Immersive expereince. This “réception sociale and experience” will feature a full bar withFrench themed cocktails. Enjoy a bottle of French wine while participating in French language challenge or trivia (prizes include wine and gift cards).Featuring: Nola Jazz Trio playing a mix of French themed tunes and jazz standard. Tickets are $10 and partially goes to support refugee support.

All the details.

Video Killed The Radio Star at Up Down

  • Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21, 8 p.m. – 1 :30 a.m.  
  • 500 East Locust Street, Historic East Village, Des Moines 

Up Down, the East Village’s arcade and game bar, is dedicating a weekend to the best music videos of the first 20 years of the MTV era and giving you a chance to pick the best. Join them on January 20th and 21st for Video Killed the Radio Star, featuring your favorite music videos of the 80s and 90s on the big screens throughout the bar. The event runs from 8pm to 1:30am on Friday and Saturday night.

Karaoke + Specials at Mickey’s Irish Pub

  • Friday, January 20, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 
  • Mickey’s Irish Pub, 50 SE Laurel St, Waukee, IA 50263

Out West in Waukee? Mickey’s has karaoke on Fridays! We get asked for karaoke recs all the time and like to share them when we see them. Mickey’s Friday drink special is $4 Seltzer’s & $5 Moscow Mules. Kitchen open till midnight. 

Dome After Dark at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  • Friday, January 20, 6-10 p.m. 
Experience the Garden in a new light at Dome After Dark! It’s honestly very pretty and a great date idea. Most Fridays from now through February 25, stroll through the lush conservatory and Gardeners Show House illuminated with unique lighting and luminarias. This family friendly event will include food and drink available for purchase from Trellis Café. Normal admission rates apply!
see what it looks like
  • Friday, January 20, 8 p.m. 
  • Wooly’s, 504 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
NO SLEEP is returning to @woolysdm this Friday. What is it? Ten stand-up comedians, but only one can walk away as the next headliner. The power is in your hands. The biggest independent stand-up comedy show in Iowa, with each new headliner picked by the audience. We’re excited to check it out.
 
All the details + buy tickets.

NO SLEEP After Party at Teehee’s Comedy Club

  • Friday, January 20, 10:30 p.m. 
  • Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Teehee’s is always a great weekend option for independent comedy. This weekend, go hang late night at Teehee’s for the NO SLEEP after party. Or catch one of there other shows at the link below.
 
All the details + buy tickets.

Saturday, January 21

SECOND WEEKEND OPEN: Reading in Public Books opens in Valley Junction

  • 315 5th St Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50265
  • Tentative hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. 
 
 
 
 
 
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sneak peek of the space!
  • All weekend!
  • Seven Oaks Recreation, 1086 222nd Dr, Boone, IA 50036

Ok, maybe you’re a pro skier and snowboarder and this is ridiculous to you. But to us, complete novices in our late twenties? This is actually doable…and kind of fun! Drive north to Seven Oaks for a fun day of skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. Snow tubing tickets must be purchased online. Ski/snowboard tickets are first come, first serve. They serve food and some beer in the lodge! Hit up Whatcha Smokin’ for amazing BBQ on the way back to Des Moines. 

All the details / hours.

Self Love Saturday at Pop & Nod with The Clear Co

  • Saturday, January 21, 11-2:30 p.m. 
  • Pop and Nod, 847 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
The Clear Co. will be popped up at Pop & Nod with a variety of crystals to enhance love & good vibes in your life while you shop the cutest clothing + accessories + home goods!! You’ll leave feeling ready to walk into all Galentine’s & Valentine’s Day festivities with confidence & lots of love to give! 🥰
 
More details

  • Saturday, January 21, 12-2 p.m.
  • Brenton Skating Plaza, 520 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA, 50309

Join Des Moines Parks and Recreation for our Family Skate Date! This is your chance to safely come out to Brenton Skating Plaza for ice skating and family-friendly games (Limbo, Four Corners, etc.) on the ice. All friends, family, guardians and loved ones are invited to attend. $5 per ticket.

all the details

Sunday, January 22

  • Sunday, January 22, 2-3 p.m.  
  • Molly’s Cupcake, 322 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Each class includes a beverage, a chef’s hat to decorate, a “Molly’s Cupcakes” patch and a tutorial on filling, frosting and decorating four cupcakes. General age requirement is 6-14-years-old. Adult supervision is required for individuals younger than 6-years-old. Gluten-Free and Vegan options are available. $25/class. Molly’s holds classes for adults too! Check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/dsmmollys/events. 

All the details.

Fuzzy’s Comedy Open Mic

  • Sunday, January 22, 6:30 p.m. sign up, Show starts at 7 p.m. 
  • 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, #120, Des Moines, IA 50309

The best Comedy Taco Mic in Des Moines is going strong into 2023! Join host Damon Tucker and our community of local comics for tacos & laughs every Sunday night. Signup at 6:30, show at 7, all participants are eligible to win Fuzzy’s gift cards. Food & drink specials all night

All the details.

Korean Fried Chicken + Sides at Harbinger with Basic Bird 

  • Sunday, January 22, 4-8 p.m. 
  • Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

One night a week only! Get incredible Korean friend chicken, kimchi fried rice, sticky ribs and more inside Harbinger on Sunday nights from 4-8 p.m. It makes for the perfect Sunday dinner. Dine in and take out available! 

All the details here.

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