Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, August 26-28. 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 a separate guide for that. Click here to check it out.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Featured Image: Kyle Kempt, Unsplash
Friday, August 26
LAST WEEKEND: DSM Restaurant Week
- August 26-28
- All around town.
Oh you haven’t heard of restaurant week? It’s only the greatest week of the year. This is the week that you get to try all the fancy new restaurants that we’ve been talking about for months, but for a pretty big deal! Some of the best local restaurants in Des Moines create a specific menu for lunch and dinner that is set a pre-determined price. Dinner ranges from $40-80 while lunches are $15-25. This is the move for all date nights through August 28.
LAST TWO WEEKENDS: Sunset Stand Up Paddleboarding at Easter Lake
- Sunset paddles available on Friday evenings; classes available all weekend!
- 2830 Easter Lake Dr, Des Moines, IA 50320
There’s only a few more weekends and a few more spots left this season! 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! We love to go at sunset when the weather is nice. 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. It’s a great way to use $20!
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Showtimes all weekend!
- Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Does this really need an explanation? We all read this in high school, right? Here’s the pitch from the Civic Center’s website about the Broadway production: “All rise for Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize- winning masterwork. The New York Times Critic’s Pick TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is “the most successful American play in Broadway history. It has not played to a single empty seat” (60 Minutes). Rolling Stone gives it 5 stars, calling it “an emotionally shattering landmark production of an American classic,” and New York Magazine calls it “a real phenomenon.” Showtimes all weekend and only in town through Sunday!
Iowa Cubs Games vs. St. Paul Saints
- Games all weekend!
- Principal Park, 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Iowa Cubs are back in town so expect fireworks Friday night. Grab tickets to watch them take on the St. Paul Saints on Friday, Saturday or Sunday!
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Friday, August 26, 5-7 p.m.
- Ol Guild, 201 4th St. West Des Moines, IA 50265
“YOU ARE THE WARM YELLOW LIGHT POURING ALL AROUND ME is an immersive art installation experience located at the @ol.guild in Valley Junction through Sept. 15, 2022. This installation places the viewer in an abstracted, physical sanctuary of the feelings, processing, and hope involved in the emotional experience of healing. It is about recovery. It is about integration. It is about relief. Using over 60 gallons of latex house paint, the space is filled with layer upon layer of pooling, swirling, and flowing color.”
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Friday, August 26, 4-7 p.m.
- Peace Tree Brewing Co. 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Perfect happy hour idea! Break out your lederhosen and join Peace Tree for their official Oktoberfest tapping and 6-pack release on 8/26. And stick around for a special Oktoberfest Bake Sale with the great @3beanbakehouse from 4-7pm!3 Bean will have German-style brezels 🥨 with beer cheese sauce available, plus other assorted pastries and desserts!
Pick A Show at Teehee’s Comedy Club
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Friday, August 26, and Saturday, August 27, shows: 7 p.m. and 9-9:30 p.m.
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
We love this lineup at Teehee’s – Des Moines’ independent comedy club on Walnut Street. On Friday, “The Des Moines Sketch Pad will present ‘Iowa Nice’ – a mixture of live and video sketches creating an audio/visual experience at TeeHee’s. It will be hosted, have a surprise or two, and will be a truly unique experience.” On Saturday, “Solomon and Kitzman Presents is a game show in the panel show style. Contestants –usually three– are led through different games and presentations by Ryan Solomon and Mike Kitzman. Every show has a different theme, new games, and a new group of comedians. “
Saturday, August 27
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, August 27, 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’s one of the best in the country!
Global Greens Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, August 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- 3200 University Ave, Des Moines, IA (near Drake University)
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.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Bedtime + Bathtime Storytime with Eden at Storyhouse Bookpub
- Saturday, August 27, 11 a.m.
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
Connect with your little ones as the new year begins at Storyhouse Bookpub this Saturday morning. Enjoy milk & cookies and talking about how nighttime routines can be joyful with bedtime + bath time books and the neighborhood self-care experts at Eden.
- Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m. -11 p.m.
- Exile Brewing, 1514 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
This Des Moines beer favorite is celebrating 10 years of success and bringing back their stellar music festival on Saturday. There will be spin art, tours, food vendors and great music. The lineup consists of Leftover Salmon, Birdie Pie, Illegal Smile and many more!
Free Dance Workshop with Gateway Dance Theatre
- Saturday, August 27, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Gateway Dance Theatre Studios, 315 East 5th St, Suite 12, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Flow with @sun_chile1 in this FREE workshop as she gives us a preview of the traditional Chinese Fan Veil dance, with a BOLD TWIST! Everyone is welcome. Free-will Donations are encouraged!
Spots are Limited, so visit the link below to register.
Kum & Skate Best Trick Contest
- Saturday, August 27, 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Kum & Go, 220 50th St, West Des Moines, IA
Sk8er boi or girl? Skate DSM and Kum & Go are hosting a best trick contest in West Des Moines on Saturday evening. Cash for tricks contests, product giveaways & more. Skate DSM’s friend Scotty from The Boardr will be back in town and on the mic to announce the contests and keep everyone entertained. Pro skater Jake Ilardi will also be on site skating and hanging out.
Ingersoll Live
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Saturday, August 27, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
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2800 block of Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA
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Saturday, August 27, 7-9 p.m.
- Cedar Shake Farm, 1823 225th St Winterset, IA 50273
Spend your Saturday night with this peak experience of movement, breathwork, and ecstatic dance. No experience necessary, the breathwork set will help you remove any barriers to entry that are getting in your way of true self-expression. Silent Disco headphones keep you locked inward, removing all external disturbances, helping you build a deeper connection with yourself. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, balanced, energetically lighter and happier. Tickets include a beautiful take-home bouquet of fresh cut flowers grown right on the farm to infuse your home with more prana!
Sunday, August 28
- Sunday, August 28, 9-10 a.m.
- Cowles Commons, 300 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love the summer yoga options around Downtown Des Moines! Des Moines Performing Arts is offering Yoga on the Commons every Sunday morning at Cowles Commons. Each week’s practice will be held by a different instructor. Classes will be offered as a free-will donation, with all proceeds benefiting Des Moines Performing Arts.
Des Moines Wedding Show – Summer Edition
- Sunday, August 28, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Scottish Rite Consistory, 519 Park Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Sunday, August 28, 5 p.m.
- Lauridsen Amphitheater, Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Come support more than 50 local artists for Iowa Choreography Festival 2022 on August 28th at Lauridsen Amphitheater in Waterworks Park! They kick off at 5 p.m. with art vendors, food trucks, and a donation-based yoga class. At 6 p.m. the show begins with 11 collaborative dance works incorporating live music and local costume designers giving this festival a unique take and a must-see show!
- Sunday, August 28, 6:00 p.m.
- The Slow Down Coffee Co. 3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Fuzzy’s Comedy Open Mic
- Sunday, August 28, 6:00 p.m. sign up, Show starts at 7 p.m.
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300 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, #120, Des Moines, IA 50309
Every Sunday night Fuzzy’s hosts a comedy open mic night. Sign up starts at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. There will be food and drink specials all night with participating comics winning Fuzzy’s gift certificates. This event is free, and all are welcome!
