Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, July 14-16. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you. Looking for live music this weekend? We’ve got that listed separately here.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Friday, July 14
Waukee Arts Festival
- Friday, July 14 at 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. / Saturday, July 5, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Waukee Centennial Park, Park Rd, Waukee, IA
Yes, this is still the Des Moines weekend guide, but this is a great arts festival out in Waukee to check out this weekend. It’s been growing over the past few years. This year, there will be 100+ artists, School of Rock, A Tribute to the Beatles, Girls Rock DSM, and Not Quite Brothers are all taking over the Waukee Art Festival for a two-day event! Catch all these amazing shows, plus more art vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden this Friday and Saturday!
SIGN UP EARLY: Sunset Paddle with SUP Yoga DSM at Easter Lake
- Friday, July 14, 7 p.m.
- Classes available on Saturday and Sunday as well!
- 2830 Easter Lake Dr, Des Moines, IA 50320
Want to try something new? How about paddle boarding on Easter Lake? You have your choice of an intro to paddle boarding class or a stand up paddle boarding yoga class! Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga uses specialized yoga paddleboards for a new challenge to your practice and connects you with nature, all leading to a sweet floating savasana. Not ready to try SUP Yoga? More interested in just paddling around? Choose their intro long class for the paddling basics and a leisurely paddle around the lake. We’re partial to the sunset paddle at 7 p.m.
Plan ahead and book out now through the season end in late August!
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Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15, 7:30 p.m. performances
- Sunday, July 16, 2 p.m. performance
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Des Moines Community Performance, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
It’s a new show at the DM Community Playhouse! Through July 30, Little Shop of Horrors is being performed. If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. The Playhouse has supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.
Des Moines Biergarten
- Wednesday – Sunday, Noon – 9 p.m.
- Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Did you know Des Moines has a seasonal outdoor beer garden? It open Wednesday through Sunday through to Fall. Willkommen im Des Moines Biergarten! Set among the mature trees of Water Works Park, Des Moines Biergarten is a family-friendly popup German-themed beer garden offering steins of beer and German inspired eats.
- Saturday, July 14, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
We love Teehee’s any day of the week. This Saturday is headliner Jamie Shriner – a comedian based in Chicago, IL. A former theatre kid, current queer, deaf, & mentally ill gig-worker, Jamie uses humorous original songs to discuss her hearing loss and mental illness, as well as her struggles with body image, womanhood, and being queer in conservative Indiana where she grew up.
Saturday, July 15
Downtown Farmer’s Market
- Saturday, July 15, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
New here? The Downtown Farmers’ 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 feels especially huge since it was limited to the pandemic and it’s back to full size. 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.
LSI Global Greens Farmers Market
- Saturday, July 15, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- 1907 Carpenter Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50314
Another extremely important market to hit up – especially if you’re near the Drake neighborhood! Shop for delicious locally-grown produce for you and your family while supporting new Iowans who have a passion for farming! Global Greens Farmers’ Market serves as a platform for former refugees to sell their produce and bolster their small farming businesses. Hosted by Lutheran Services of Iowa.
FREE: Yoga In The Park
- Saturday, July 15, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Southeast Lawn, Gray’s Lake Park, 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315
The 2023 Yoga in the Park season is on! Join a local yoga instructor at 9 a.m. on the southeast lawn at Gray’s Lake Park for a practice for all skill levels. Classes will not be held in the event of rain so please check the link below to check the latest and sign the waiver!
- Saturday, July 15, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266
We love Pulse Fitness Studio and they’re popping up at Smash Park on Saturday. Register for a high-energy cardio experience like no other, where you can dance away the calories and let go of all negativity. Led by Pulse Dance’s talented instructors, their choreographed dances are repetitive & set to the beats of popular pop, club, and hip-hop music. You don’t need any prior dance experience – just come as you are and let the music guide you! This class will take place out doors, weather permitting. 36 spots available!
DSM Local Fest
- Saturday, July 15, 6-10 p.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Live music will take the stage in the Greater Des Botanical Garden greenspace on July 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for DSM Local Fest. The first-ever event will be headlined by Sharane Calister from The Voice Season 14 and DJ Marty McFly of DSM Dance Party DJs. The event has been launched with the support of Catch Des Moines and the Greater Des Moines Partnership in support of Black Excellence and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Iowa and will feature local performing artists, non-profits, and small businesses.”
- Saturday, July 15, 12-4 p.m.
- Lua Brewing, 1525 High Street Des Moines, IA 50309
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Aura Portrait Walk-Ins at KIN
- Saturday, July 15, 12 – 3 p.m.
- KIN DSM, 333 E Grand Ave #106, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Sunday, July 16
DSM Girls Who Walk
- Sunday, July 16, 1 p.m.
- Gray’s Lake, 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, 50315
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Now open on Sundays: The Plant Dealer’s Local Vendor Line Up
- Sunday, July 16, 11 – 3 p.m. but hours all weekend!
- The Plant Dealer, 10095 Hickman Court, Clive, Iowa, 50325
We love vendor weekends all over the city, especially ones that include artists, plants and nonprofits. Check out The Plant Dealer in Clive.
Blonde Fatale Drag Brunch at Peace Tree Brewing Co.
- Sunday, July 16, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Peace Tree Brewing Co,
Feeling like a drag brunch sort of weekend? I mean, we don’t need an excuse to visit Peace Tree. Serv’d Events is back with one of it’s signature events the Blonde Fatale Drag Brunch.
Bottega After Hours: A BYOB VIP Burlesque Experience
- Sunday, July 16, 7-9 p.m.
- Bottle & Bottega, 301 Locust st. ste E, Des Moines, IA 50309
Experience burlesque like never before in an intimate and creative setting. On a sweet ‘n spicy Sunday funday, grab your favorite wine or beer and enjoy live performances by talented local burlesque performers at Bottle & Bottega Des Moines. Doors open at 6:30pm. Show starts at 7:00pm. Guaranteed in bed by 9:30pm!
