Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, July 21-23. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you. Looking for live music this weekend? Check it out here.

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


Featured Event ✨💅🏻💕🛍🎀


UNveiling BARBIE: A Premiere Event

  • Friday, July 21, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • The Palms Theater & IMAX, 200 NE Westgate Dr., Waukee, IA 50263

Calling all my BARBIE GIRLS. Get all dolled up in your favorite Barbie ensemble and throw on your heels to walk the pink carpet for this epic movie premiere. You and your best gals pals can enjoy specialty themed cocktails and get your photos taken in one-of-a-kind Barbie box! But the fun doesn’t stop there. The Palms Theatre and Community Choice Credit Union will handing out free swag and hosting giveaways. Accessories (aka movie tickets) sold separately. 


Friday, July 21


Women’s World Cup Watch Party at Big Grove Brewery

  • Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m.
  • Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th St., Des Moines, IA 50309

It’s FIFA World Cup time and the USWNT is taking on Vietnam in their first match. Gather your friends and head to Big Grove Brewery the watch party on Friday night! Show Des Moines and Pro Iowa! just how excited the residents of Des Moines are to be a part of the soccer community!


Christmas in July at Des Moines Biergarten

  • Friday, July 21, 4:30-8:30 p.m. 
  • Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
“Pull out your Santa hats for a special summer event that’s both fun and for a good cause. Waterworks Park Foundation & The Des Moines Biergarten present Christmas in July, benefiting Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa. This family friendly event will feature Santa and a photo stand from 6-8pm, kids games and activities, live music from Anthony Koester, and of course German beer and eats from the Des Moines Biergarten. Bring a donation for Boys & Girls Club of $10 or more to get a 1/2 liter stein of beer and be entered into a raffle for a bike jersey.”
 

SIGN UP EARLY: Sunset Paddle with SUP Yoga DSM at Easter Lake

  • Friday, July 21, 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! 


  • Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m. performances
  • Sunday, July 23, 2 p.m. performance
  • 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.


  • Friday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Beaverdale Park, 3333 Adam Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
Get your popcorn ready! The Beaverdale Neighborhood Association and the Beaverdale Fall Festival are hosting a Family Movie Night screening of Wakanda Forver. Don’t forget to bring your blanket or lawn chair and an appetite as there will be food trucks on site! There’s no cost to attend, however, The Beaderdale Neighborhood Association will be accepting free-will donations to support improvements to the park. 
 

Ladies Night with Zhoosh at The Surety Hotel

  • Friday, June 21, 7-10 p.m. 
  • The Surety Hotel, 206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by /ZHo͝oSH/ (@zhooshdsm)


Anniversary Celebration at WORN

  • All day! Friday, June 21 & Saturday, June 22
  • WORN, 5515 #160 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • WORN, 857 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Worn, a modern resale boutique (@thewornstore)


 Iowa Cubs vs. Indianapolis

  • Games all weekend!
  • Principal Park, 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309

Expect fireworks around 10 p.m. on Friday night near downtown – the Iowa Cubs are back in town! This weekend they’re taking on the Indianapolis team. It’s always a fun date idea to go out for a baseball game in the summertime! 


Saturday, July 22


Downtown Farmer’s Market

  • Saturday, July 22, 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 22, 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 22, 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!


Super Secret Brunch Club at Secret Admirer

  • Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. 
  • Secret Admirer, 110 Sw 5th, Des Moines, IA 50309

Psst – did you hear? Super Secret Brunch club is back! Head to Secret Admirer this Saturday for some yummy strawberry and s’mores Nutella pop tarts from Oh High Bakery and enjoy a cold brew or cocktail from the Northern Vessel. It’s the perfect start to your day!


Parking Lot Madness Vintage Market at The Picker Knows

  • Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 
  • 1208 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA, 50265

Parking Lot Madness Vol. 3 is kicking off at The Picker Knows this weekend! They’ll have a number of vendors site including The Traveling Bean Co, Whip Delight, Chayo’s Taqueria, and Super Heroes – Sandwiches for Nerds on site. The Picker Knows will also be hosting giveaways and drawings throughout the day! Be sure to browse through their collection of antiques, home decor, vintage clothing, and collectibles. 

Hits & Kicks Tour: Free Shadowboxing Class at Paws & Pints

  • Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. 
  • Paws and Pints, 6218 Willowmere Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321

Enjoy a shadowboxing class (led by a TITLE Boxing Club coach) followed by social hour. Enter to win a prize for each stop you attend!


Sunday, July 23


Crochet Club at The Slow Down Coffee Co.

  • Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m. 
  • The Slow Down Coffee Co., 3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50313
Grab your hooks and yarn for this one! Crochet Club is back at The Slow Down for their next meet up. 
 

Guided Forest Therapy and Foraging Walk with Forest Spirit LLC & the Iowa DNR

  • Sunday, July 23, 2-5 p.m. 
  • Yellow Banks Park, 6801 SE 32nd Ave, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Who says you have to go to the grocery store to find food when there’s so much growing right in our (hypothetical) backyards? Forest Spirit LLC and the Iowa DNR have teamed up for this forest therapy and foraging event! Get grounded and reconnect with nature on a guided therapy stroll through Yellow Banks Park. After the walk, Anne Riordan with the Iowa DNR will teach you how to forage for wild plants, prepare them AND you’ll even get a chance to taste them!


Vegan Summer Market

  • Sunday, July 23, 12-3 p.m. 
  • Cowles Commons, 2211 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Are you living a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle? This market is for you! The best line up of locally owned, vegan small businesses will be at Cowles Commons this Sunday. Come for the delicious food and stay for the beautiful community building! “The Vegan Summer Market is hosted by VegLife Des Moines, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to connect and grow our community around veganism and anti-oppression.” Plus, check out our full vegan guide to Des Moines here.


Want even more recs? 

We just launched a guide to live music this summer at WINERIES. Check out our guide to local Des Moines Sips & Jams below.