It’s the last week of July. How!? Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, July 29-31. 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.
Friday, July 29
2022 Dew Tour
- Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30
- Lauridsen Skatepark, 901 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
The annual Dew Tour pro skateboard competition and festival – powered by MTN DEW® – will return to Des Moines, Iowa on July 29 and 30 at Lauridsen Skatepark for the second consecutive year. The event will be a finals only skateboard competition featuring the very best skaters from across the globe, as well as a two-day festival with activities for all ages. The return of Dew Tour to Des Moines is made possible by its partnership with Catch Des Moines and Polk County, as well as Toyota, returning as the event’s Mobility partner. Dew Tour will be free and open to the public. There’s a bunch of other related events happening around town too. Check out this Art Exhibit at the link below. 
NOW OPEN: Big Grove Brewery Taproom in Des Moines
- Fridays: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
- Sundays: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- 555 17th St., Des Moines, IA, 50309
The doors are open! Go check out this popular brewery’s BRAND NEW taproom nestled in between Sherman Hill and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
BOOK AHEAD: 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
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! 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!
National Balloon Classic In Indianola
- Friday, July 29 – August 6
- 15335 Jewell Street, Indianola, IA, 50125
This is a Central Iowa classic experience for a romantic date night or fun activity for kids. “The spectacular, 9-day event held every summer features 100+ hot air balloons that paint the Iowa sky with brilliant colors and unique special shapes. Enjoy live music on the TruBank stage, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind experience, and prepare to be awestruck as dark skies come alive with a mystical glow during Dawn Patrol and Nite Glow. Fabulous food vendors, beer/wine, fireworks, Special Shapes, and so much more!”
- Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- 111 Main Street SE, Bondurant, Iowa, 50035
The cutest little shop in Bondurant is celebrating 4 years in business this weekend! If you’re in the area, check it out. Celebratory beverages and goodies will definitely be a must and favorite local singer-songwriter, Zachary Freedom, will be providing live music Saturday.
- Friday, July 29, 5- 8 p.m. or Saturday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- PepperHarrow Farm,1809 S 4th Ave, Winterset, IA 50273
It’s sunflower season! In the resilience story of the year, Pepperharrow Farm is as beautiful as ever with its flowers in full bloom after being hit by a massive tornado earlier this year. They’re offering a limited amount of spots for guests to come to the farm to cut their own bouquets. The farm is in full bloom and there is a full rainbow color of blooms to pick from. Please bring your own pair of floral snips, or pair of scissors to cut. They’ll provide a vase, water, and space for you to put your flowers together.
Saturday, July 30
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, July 30, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
It’s supposed to be HOT this Saturday so get down to the farmers’ market and show your support early. 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!
Soft Opening: Thistle’s Summit in THE COLLECTIVE’s old space
Thistle’s Summit famous Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Saturday, July 30, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thistle’s Summit, 340 SW 5th St #122, Des Moines, IA 50309
We’re so excited that Thistle’s Summit is holding its soft opening for a brick and mortar space where THE COLLECTIVE used to live. We profiled Marti + Ash’s story in creating Thistle’s Summit in a Behind The Biz article here. TLDR: It’s an amazing gluten free, vegan bakery that you should DEFINITELY try. Furry friends are welcome to the soft opening, with plans for a grand opening in mid-August.
LAST WEEKEND: Super Secret Brunch Club at Secret Admirer
- Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m.
- Secret Admirer, 110 SW 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
YOUR LAST CHANCE THIS SUMMER! Saturday mornings at Secret Admirer are the best before or after browsing through the farmers’ market. Grab a coffee, grab a mimosa, or grab both, and then relax on Secret Admirers’ perfect patio. Oh High Bakery is returning this Saturday with incredible fresh baked pop tarts. As always, @northernvessel is on the the coffee. Get there early to beat the heat!
Global Greens Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, July 30, 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.
Yoga in the Park
- Saturday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Southeast Lawn, Gray’s Lake Park, 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315
The 2022 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.
Vintage and Plant Sale at The Plant Dealer
- Saturday, July 30, 12-4 p.m.
- The Plant Dealer, 10095 Hickman Ct. Ste. 4, Clive, IA, 50325
The Plant Dealer will be selling plants from their amazing collection, and we’ll have nearly a dozen vintage sellers who’ve curated some great vintage houseplant items! No ticket necessary to shop, refreshments will be served.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Storyhouse Bookpub’s Find Waldo Local Scavenger Hunt
- Saturday, July 30, 11 a.m.
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Where’s Waldo? In the East Village, of course! Storyhouse Bookpub is hiding the iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs in twenty-five local businesses in the East Village this July. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2022, Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses across the @eastvillagedsm.” Make sure to check into their Summer Reading Challenge as well. The grand prize drawing will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday!
Gateway Dance Theatre Workshop: Bhangra
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Saturday, July 30, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
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Gateway Dance Theatre Studios, 315 E. 5th St. Suite 12, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Local Cause: Muse Fest at Confluence Brewing Company
- Saturday, July 30, 12 p.m.
- Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd Des Moines, IA 50315
As if there wasn’t enough free activities in Des Moines this weekend, check out #musefest a FREE @girlsrockdsm music festival celebrating the kickoff to our #capitalcampaign @confluencebrew with the all-female crafted brew. Some Des Moines favorite food trucks will also be there to feed your appetite.
Coffee Cats 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
- All weekend!
- Coffee Cats Cafe, 312 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Have you heard of this cat cafe in Valley Junction? Part coffee shop and part cat lounge, this Valley Junction gem is celebrating it’s 2nd anniversary this weekend with special giveaways and drink specials.
Comedy Night at Mistress Brewing in Ankeny
- Saturday, July 30, 8-9:30 p.m.
- 1802 N Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023
Ankeny friends! This one is for you. We love a good comedy night any weekend of the year. Head to Mistress Brewing on Saturday night to get your laughs on. Tickets available on www.comedydsm.com seating is limited to 60 seats.
- Saturday, July 30, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre is performing “Heathers: The Musical” and tickets are selling FAST. Only a few more tickets on Saturday are available. Here’s a description of the show; “Westerberg High is ruled by a shoulder-padded, scrunchie-wearing junta: Heather, Heather and Heather, the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark and sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place – six feet under.”
Sunday, July 31
- Sunday, July 31, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Cowles Commons, 300 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Help Iowans experiencing hunger by joining Food Bank of Iowa for Smoke Out Hunger on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Cowles Commons from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit Food Bank of Iowa’s work to end hunger in Iowa! Kids 6-12 have a reduced price ticket, and kids 5 and under get in free. Families (2 adults, 2 kids) can purchase a Family Four-Pack. Food vendors include Uncle Wendell’s BBQ, Kona Ice, Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream, and more.
Fuzzy’s Comedy Open Mic
- Sunday, July 31, 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!
