Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, July 7-9. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you. Looking for live music this weekend? This week only, we’re incorporated it all below since 80/35 is such a big presence on the music scene this week. Keep scrolling! Enjoy, friends.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Friday, July 7
80/35 Music Festival
- Friday, July 7 – Saturday, July 8
- Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, IA
As the signature event of the Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), 80/35 draws over 30,000 people to downtown Des Moines annually since 2008 to celebrate new music from Iowa and beyond. As a program of the nonprofit DMMC, proceeds from 80/35 are reinvested in the local music ecosystem through programs that work to build a stronger, more diverse music scene in Des Moines.
There are FREE and ticketed shows/events. The festival includes over 50 bands performing across one ticketed stage and three free stages of music, from 5pm – 11pm on Friday (doors at 4pm) and 12pm – midnight on Saturday (doors at 11am).
What are we especially excited about? Take a look below.
- The 80/35 Vintage and Craft Market with Divine Times Vintage
- 4pm – 9pm on Friday, July 7, and 11am – 9pm on Saturday, July 8. This is located in the free area of the festival.
- Iowa Public Radio’s Studio One’s Live Broadcast
- This year, 80/35 is introducing a pay it forward ticket fund: add a $10 donation to your purchase, and we’ll put this towards giving a free ticket to someone who might otherwise not be able to attend, including our youth music education participants.
- The new location announcement!? Did we miss that?
Sunset Paddle with SUP Yoga DSM at Easter Lake
- Friday, July 7, 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.
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Friday, June 7, 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. With 80/35 also happening, you might want to avoid downtown if you don’t like lots of people. If you’re like us, and love to see it, this is your weekend to shine. 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. We have our eye on Indie House’s local photographer spotlight! Zhoosh is also having a “yard sale”. The Rook Room will be holding open board game play (free!) in Daisy Chain. So grab your gaming pals and swing by.
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Friday, June 7, 9 p.m. – midnight
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Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Iowa Cubs vs. St. Paul Saints
- 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 St. Paul Saints. It’s always a fun date idea to go out for a baseball game in the summertime!
Des Moines Biergarten
- Wednesday – Sunday, Noon – 9 p.m.
- Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Did you know Des Moines has a seasonal outdoor beer garden? It open Wednesday through Sunday through to Fall. Willkommen im Des Moines Biergarten! Set among the mature trees of Water Works Park, Des Moines Biergarten is a family-friendly popup German-themed beer garden offering steins of beer and German inspired eats.
Official 80/35 After Party Tha Mix Up Vol. 4
- Friday, July 7, 10 p.m.
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St., Des Moines, IA 50309
Wander back to Walnut from 80/35 for the official after-party for Friday of the 80/35 Music Festival is at Teehee’s Comedy Club! $5 with 80/35 admission bracelet or $10 general admission for Tha Mix Up Vol. 4.
Saturday, July 8
Downtown Farmer’s Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, July 8, 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 8, 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.
Heart of Des Moines Farmers Market
- Saturday, July 8, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Corner of 6th and Washington Avenue
This market builds community in our diverse neighborhood and helps grow small, local, BIPOC and women-owned businesses. Shop our local vendors for farm fresh produce, eggs, local honey, hand crafted goods, baked treats, food and fun. This rain or shine event is free and open to the public!
FREE: Yoga In The Park
- Saturday, July 8, 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!
- Saturday, July 8, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- ARL Main, Auditorium, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, IA, 50313
Like goat yoga, but indoors, with kittens! From the ARL: “For this event we will have a yoga instructor take you through a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga class complete with the purrs of kittens all around – all of which will be available for adoption! After the workout everyone will get one complimentary “Meow-mosa” (available to participants 21+), with extra beverages available for purr-chase at our cash bar. Please make sure to bring your own mat (or beach towel), but no need to bring your own kittens, the ARL will provide them for this class!”
Hits & Kicks Tour: Free Shadowboxing Class at Peace Tree
- Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m.
- Peace Tree Brewing Co, 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
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!
- Saturday, July 8, 12-4 p.m.
- Paws & Pints, 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321 United States
Get ready to PAW-TY at our first ever Pupchella at Paws & Pints! The ultimate backyard carnival party featuring a foam party (with doggy safe foam, of course), live music with DJ Lizz straight from the backyard, doggy carnival games, activities and crafts, a photo booth and so much more! 🎡🐾
Crème x Anousone Coffee Co. Milk Bread Drop
- Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. until sell out!
- Crème, 543 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
If you don’t know about Sammy Mila and Creme, now you do. Stop by this Saturday at 10 a.m. to taste one of their most delicious pop-ups yet. We promise you won’t be disappointed. Gluten free and vegan options available for purchase.
Live Music: Andrew Hoyt at The Cork
- Saturday, July 8, 7:30 p.m.
- The Cork 50131, 6205 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA
Need a new date night spot? Especially from Beaverdale? Check out The Cork – a new wine bar in Johnston. They’ll have live music with Andrew Hoyt this Saturday night. There is a patio area!
- Saturday, July 8, Shows all day
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Gas Lamp, 1501 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
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- Saturday, July 8, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows
- Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Des Moines, IA, 50309
The prettiest venue in town! You can catch stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, Fortune Feimster, on the radio, on screens both big and small, and touring her stand-up across the nation. Fortune Feimster’s first one-hour special, SWEET & SALTY, is currently streaming on Netflix and was nominated for Best Comedy Special for the Critics’ Choice Awards. Prior to her one-hour special, Netflix released Feimster’s half-hour special in 2018 as part of THE STANDUPS, which received rave reviews. She has done late night TV sets on CONAN and LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS and has another acclaimed half hour special on Comedy Central.
Sunday, July 9
Northside Market at Highland Park: A Day to Support & Celebrate Local Craftmanship
- Sunday, July 9, 12-6 p.m.
- 6th Avenue in the Highland Park Business District between Euclid Ave and Douglas Ave.
Now open on Sundays: The Plant Dealer’s Line Up
- Sunday, July 9, 11 – 3 p.m. but hours all weekend!
- The Plant Dealer, 10095 Hickman Court, Clive, Iowa, 50325
We love vendor weekends all over the city, especially ones that include artists, plants and nonprofits. Check out The Plant Dealer in Clive.
Make and Take Dream Pillows with Prairie Land Herbs at The Brenton Arboretum
- Sunday, July 9, 2 -3:30 p.m.
- The Brenton Arboretum, 25141 260th Street, Dallas Center, IA 50063
Join owner and founder Donna Julseth from Prairie Land Herbs for a fun make and take program to create an herb dream pillow. Each student will go home with three dream pillows of their mixtures of herbs. The herbs will be described as to their properties and hands outs will be furnished. The participants after learning about the different properties of various herbs will make their own blends to be put into their pillows.
Emo Forever Drag Brunch on the Exile Brewing patio
- Sunday, June 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Exile Brewing Company, 1514 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309
This event will be one big seating for you to come be entertained by the Midwest’s best drag personalities. Channel your inner (or outer) stair kid while you dance along these fabulous performers. Dressing up is encouraged so please come in your best fit and you could possibly win a prize! Food provided by Exile Brewing Co. grub pub and drink specials the day of the event. 21+ event!
