Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, August 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.
Featured Event
National Balloon Classic
- Friday, July 28 – Saturday, August 5
- Memorial Balloon Field, 1136 150th Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
Last few days! There’s nothing like being outdoors and seeing the beautiful accumulation of hot air balloons floating in the horizon. There is an abundance of entertainment included in your one low admission price during the 9-day event. General admission is $10 and must be bought online prior to arriving at Memorial Balloon Field. Want something extra special? You can book your own hot air balloon ride here.
Friday, August 4
TGIF Girls Night Out at Pulse
- Friday, August 4, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
- Pulse Dance Fitness Studio, 6920 EP True Pkwy Suite 115, West Des Moines, IA 50266
“It’s Britney, bitch!” Get your heels (or sneakers) on and head to Pulse Dance Fitness Studio this Friday and learn the choreography to Ms. Spears’ song “Gimme More.” Stick around after the routine and enjoy some champagne and charcuterie while you mix and mingle with fellow gal pals! Tickets are $40.
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Friday, August 4, Gates open at 2 p.m.
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Saturday, August 5 & Sunday, August 6, Gates open at 11 a.m.
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Saints Amphitheater, 3357 St Charles Rd, St Charles, IA 50240
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Friday, August 4, 5-8 p.m.
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East Village, Des Moines, IA, 50309
“First Fridays” are a thing now in Des Moines between the East Village and Mainframe Studios. As you plan what to do, make sure to have a happy hour or appetizers – if not a full night – in the East Village on Friday night. Basically every restaurant and store has something cool going on. Click the link below to browse them all. Parking is FREE!
This week, this event will be especially tailored to family-friendly fun. Jordan from Hello Neighbor Art will be doing live watercolor paintings and selling some very, very great stationery-themed baubles from 10 until 12, and Mindy from Minderson Press and Mix Creative Community will be in the shop from noon until 2 doing letterpress demos. And, all day long, they’ll be introducing our shop friends to our brand new FORTUNE TELLING PENCIL MACHINE!
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Friday, August 4, 5-8 p.m.
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Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Boone Pufferbilly Days
- Friday, August 4, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 5, all day starting at 7 a.m.
- Sunday, August 6, 10 a.m.
- Downtown Boone, Story St from 7th-10th, Boone, IA
Summer is the best time of year to catch all the town festivals and this weekend is no exception! Boone is hosting their annual Pufferbilly Days this Friday-Sunday. Kick off the celebration with the opening ceremony and some bingo on Friday, enjoy the parade or be part of the Fun Run, Bags Tournament, Spelling Bee and contests on Saturday and wind down your weekend with Art in the Park and the pet show on Sunday. They’ll be serving up food and live music all weekend long so pack up the whole family for this one!
LAST MONTH: Sunset Paddle with SUP Yoga DSM at Easter Lake
- Friday, August 4, 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!
Midnight Munchies at Creme
- Friday, August 4, and Saturday, August 5, 7 p.m. – midnight
- Creme, 543 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Des Moines needed this! So excited to see this late night dessert bar option with great sweets and drinks perfect for a date or date with yourself night. We also love Creme in the daytime for a quick break, loading up on local sweets, or sending some quick emails.
Saturday, August 5
Downtown Farmer’s Market
- Saturday, August 5, 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.
Pop Up: Queer & Clothed with Common Love
- Saturday, August 5, 1-3 p.m.
- Park Fair Mall, 100 E. Euclid #107, Des Moines, IA 50313
Queer & Clothed is back in action and popping up at Park Fair Mall! Common Love has restocked their closet and has all sorts of new and fun goodies for you to try on for your gender affirming needs. There will also be a community member on site that can perform some quick sewing alterations to get the look just the way you want it! There is no cost but donations are always welcomed and go right back into purchasing more items for the community.
LSI Global Greens Farmers Market
- Saturday, August 5, 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, August 5, 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!
Adult Night at Skate South
- Saturday, August 5, 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.
- Skate South, 10494 County Line Rd, Des Moines, IA 50320
Who says kids get to have all the fun? Skate South has an adult night skate the first Saturday of every month! For the admission price of $10.98 (plus tax and skate rental), adults can skate into the night to their hearts content!
Sunday, August 6
$5 Community Yoga with Dara Madigan at The Slow Down Coffee Co.
- Sunday, August 6, 7-7:45 a.m.
- The Slow Down Coffee Co. 3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
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FREE W/ DONATION: Community Flow with Rooted Yoga + Fitness
- Sunday, August 6, 9 – 10 a.m.
- Riley Park, 5300 Urbandale Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Crochet Club at Mayalu Coffee
- Sunday, August 6, 10 a.m.
- Mayalu Coffee, 4226 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
The Crochet Club is moving to the Southside for this month’s meetup. Join the club at Mayalu Coffee for some caffeine and conversation! You needn’t be a crocheter to come, bring any crafty thing you’ve been working on.
Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas
- Sunday, August 6, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- The Shop DSM, 901 Cherry St, Des Moines, IA 50309
This inaugural event promises to be full of inspiration. Speakers include locally renowned journalist Dave Price and Iowa State political science professor Susan Leahn. As part of the event, you can also expect to the first-in-Iowa film premiere of “Join or Die!” and live podcast recording of “Wisdom of Crowds” with c0-hosts Shadi Hamid and Samuel Kimbriel. This event is proudly hosted by The Lyceum.
