Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, February 17-19. 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, February 17

Ancient Aliens LIVE at Hoyt Sherman Place

  • Friday, February 17,  7:30-9:30 p.m.
  • Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

“Ancient Aliens LIVE: Project Earth is a live, in-person experience celebrating the long-running program Ancient Aliens on The HISTORY® Channel. Join this ninety-minute interactive conversation featuring Ancient Astronaut Theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, author David Childress, and investigative mythologist, William Henry as they discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt to the moon, and paves for us the long road to Disclosure.” Tickets available starting at $45.

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, February 17, 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 March 31, 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.  It’s also a great low-cost date night idea. Normal admission rates apply!
 
All the details.

Midnight Munchies at Creme

  • Friday, Feb 17, and Saturday, Sat Feb 18, Late night hours until 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.

All the details.
 

Karaoke + Specials at Mickey’s Irish Pub

  • Friday, Feb. 17, 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. 

Love Sick Comedy at Teehee’s Comedy Club

  • Friday, Feb. 17,  7 p.m. 
  • Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309

Head to our favorite local comedy club. This show is for the lovesick, the people sick of love, and everything in between. Watch as a stand up do their set about love and other things, then the improvisers will do their thing based off the set. We will alternate all night. This fast paced show will bring big laughs because one way or another we are all lovesick. General admission is $15 and expect a two drink minimum for an overall $30-40 night out. 

buy tickets.

Saturday, February 18

  • 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.

Family Friendly: Kindness Storytime at Storyhouse Bookpub

  • Saturday, February 18, 11 a.m.
  • Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
 
 
 
 
 
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  • Surety Hotel, 206 6th Ave. Des Moines, IA, 50309
  • Saturday, February 18, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Good Vibes Movement (GVM) is a local organization providing resources, support & enrichment to the people of Des Moines. GVM serves a diverse and underrepresented community, located in the Riverbend and King Irving neighborhoods, as well as youth citywide. To support their community and youth outreach, donate $10 at door for the class. Don’t forget your mats!

More details

ARL Doxie Dash at Des Moines Bucs Arena

  • Saturday, February 18, 6-9 p.m.
  • Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50313
During the first intermission of the Buccaneers’ game, the Bucs and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa are bringing “wiener dog” racing to Des Moines once again! Dachshund owners can enter their dogs into the race for a chance at prizes and to help raise funds for the animals at the ARL! There’s also a full Buccaneers game happening as well.😉
 
More details
  • Open Fridays & Saturdays 10-7, Sundays 12-4
  • Divine Times Vintage, 521 Euclid Ave Des Moines, Iowa
 
 
 
 
 
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CasaBonita at Platform

  • Saturday, February 18, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 
  • Platform DSM, 400 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, United States

If you’re young enough to feel like dancing late into the night? Platform will be your place to check out. 

Tickets for $10

Sunday, February 19

Shrimps Wontons w/ Curry Sauce: Chef Cass Cooking Class in Winterset 

  • Sunday, February 19, 11-1:30 p.m.
  • Covered Bridges Winery, 2207 170th Trail, Winterset, IA 50273

Worth a beautiful Sunday morning drive over to Winterset. Chef Cass was a fellow 2022 Flourish Fund Finalist and we adore all of her cooking classes work and how she’s working to build a NEW space in the Valley Junction called The Culinary Annex as a new neighborhood kitchen space and the host for more future cooking classes!

All the details here.

TWO TICKETS LEFT: Paint Your Pet Party at Bottle & Bottega Downtown

  • Sunday, February 19, 12-2:30 p.m. 
  • Bottle & Bottega,1301 Locust St Ste. E, Des Moines, IA 50309

Create a one-of-a-kind painting of your cute and cuddly friend! Come out and drink a glass of wine while having some artistic fun that both family and friends will enjoy! Please plan to arrive about 15 minutes early to put on an apron, grab a drink, and get seated. After registering, please send a photo of your pet to desmoines@paintingwithatwist.com for each seat you have reserved. The artists will sketch your pet onto the canvas for oyu. **One pet per canvas, per reservation.** 

All the details here.

Tipsy Potting Class with Pots and Shots 

  • Sunday, February 19, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. 
  • Pots and Shots, 9500 University Ave Suite 1101, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Guests will attend an hour-long class on basic plant care, propagation, and touch on some tips and tricks to keep your plants healthy and thriving at home. You’ll choose from four plants, and we’ll walk you through a hands-on repotting of your plant of choice into our own hand-mixed soil blend. Tickets are $35/person and includes the plant, a 4in terra cotta pot and saucer, and all educational materials.
 
All the details here.

The Office Trivia Night at Bellhop Tiki

  • Sunday, February 19, 6 p.m. 
  • Bellhop Tiki, 440 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

 A fun evening hang for The Office trivia at Bellhop on Sunday night. Their Sunday deals are half priced drafts, $2 high lifes, $4 daqs, and more. Trivia is free to play up to 6 people per team. Their kitchen opens at 5 p.m. so go early to snag a table and eat!

All the details here.

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