Check out this list of all the events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, June 17-19. 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, June 17
Art Week Begins!
- Events all weekend all over. See the link below!
“Art Week Des Moines is a genre-blending showcase of local art and artists. The free public events activate indoors & outdoors at neighborhood host sites June 17-23, 2022. Art Week Des Moines 2022 is presented by Cityview, Invest DSM and Visionary. In its eight year, there is a concentration on bringing artists into specific neighborhoods, making local artists more accessible to their community. There’s something for everyone each day among the 136 events featuring 152 local artists.”
Sunset Stand Up Paddleboarding at Easter Lake
- Friday, June 17, 7:00 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! 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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Now open all weekend!
- Surety Hotel, 206 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
It’s no secret that we love the Surety Hotel and its the perfect weather weekend for a courtyard. We hosted our first year in business at a happy hour there last month and have it listed under several of our guides, including as a bachelorette destination. Now, their beautiful courtyard is finally open serving delicious slushies, small bites, live music, and is dog friendly! Check it out soon along with our other favorite patios listed here.
Black Art Exhibit/Sale at Mainframe Studios
- Friday, June 17, 5-10 p.m.
- Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
The exhibit will feature portraits, sculptures, and table art from local artists. In addition, there will be vendors with clothing, homemade woodwork and other crafts. All works will be for sale with proceeds going directly to the artists. Free and open to the public / Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Iowa Cubs Games
- Games all weekend!
- Principal Park, 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Iowa Cubs are back in season and in town so expect fireworks Friday night. Grab tickets to watch them take on the Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday, Saturday or Sunday!
Saturday, June 18
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, June 18, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
Before we head over to Pride Fest, the Des Moines Girl team is headed down to the farmers’ market this weekend together to see what we all prefer to buy with just $30. Join us and show us what your favorites are. The weather is supposed to be perfect! New here? The Downtown Farmers’ Market 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!
Super Secret Brunch Club at Secret Admirer
- Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m.
- Secret Admirer, 110 SW 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Northern Vessel is an awesome coffee company that closed it’s doors last year. Now, it’s back on Saturdays at Secret Admirer for the perfect place to stop after browsing through the farmers’ market. Grab a coffee, grab a mimosa, or grab both, and then relax on Secret Admirers’ perfect patio. Super Secret Brunch Club starts this Saturday at 10 a.m. and Clyde’s Fine Diner is back serving breakfast food.
Global Greens Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m. – 12:30 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.
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Saturday, June 18. 11 a.m.
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
Pancakes and story time in the cutest little bookstore in the East Village? Heck yes. Stories will be all about pancakes and fathers while the team will be flipping mini-pancakes with all the fixings. You can count on OJ 🧃 for the littles + a mini beer-mosas for the grownups. 🍻
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Saturday, June 18, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
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Surety Hotel, 206 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Saturday, June 18, Open shop hours!
- Historic East Village
Pop down to the East Village after the farmers’ market for some shopping. Some of our favorite shops in the East Village are bringing you ALL the deals on Saturday including @petals_and_moss_dsm, @kin.dsm, @aimeedesmoines, @blooming.fields.dsm and SO many more.
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Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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4375 E 38th St. Des Moines, IA
Red Bull Soapbox Race at the Iowa State Capitol
- Saturday, June 18, 12 p.m. – close
- Iowa State Capitol Complex, 801 E. Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Free to spectate! Red Bull Soapbox Race is a race of non-motorized carts down a custom course that consists of turns, jumps, and obstacles. Check it out!
- Saturday, June 18, 12 p.m. – close
- xBk Live, 1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
If you haven’t stopped by xBk Live near Drake yet, this is a great opportunity to check it out. Admission is free all day for a Juneteenth Celebration featuring this lineup of local artists including comedy, music, and panel discussions. Sponsored in part by the Iowa Arts Council. Head back the next day on Sunday for the Kalypso Music Festival.
- Saturday, June 18, 4-8 p.m.
- The Slow Down Coffee Co. 3613 6th Ave Des Moines, IA
North side, where ya at? Don’t miss this pride fest that’s free for all ages in the parking lot directly south of Slow Down Coffee Co. You can’t miss it with music, mixed media artists, and of course, food trucks.
- Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Another Juneteenth event with art, food, music, and entertainment. Come out to celebrate Black & queer intersectionality with art, food, music & entertainment in a collaboration between Iowa Juneteenth & Capital City Pride.
- Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Deer Creek Park, 2204 NE 16th St, Ankeny, IA, 50021
Our friend Anna at Good Day DSM is sponsoring and selling her macarons at this event for all KPop Fans. She says, “Come join us for a fun day out at Deer Creek Park in Ankeny from 11am-5pm on Saturday June 18. Admission is free and there will be raffles, photo ops, and of course it’s the perfect opportunity to meet other ARMY! 💜 We will be there with super fun variety packs of macarons based on the BT21 characters! I had so much fun coming up with these and hope you guys love them. 🥰”
- Saturday, June 18, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Lauridsen Ampitheather, Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
Come out to Lauridsen Amphitheater on June 18th for Pride & Soul, a community skate night celebrating the intersections of Pride Month and Juneteenth. There is no cost to attend and the event will feature LGBTQIA+ and Black vendors, artists, and resources! You must bring your own roller skates and/or blades.
Corgi Chase 2022 at Wells Fargo Arena
- Saturday, June 18, 7-10 p.m.
- Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309
It’s a good night to go to an Iowa Barnstormers game. Why? Corgis. At half-time of the Barnstormers game, corgis (with their owners) will take the field to race against each other to win the title of quickest Corgi in the Metro! Once the chase is finished, corgis are invited to stay and watch the game with their humans. The price of registration includes a corgi, two human tickets, with $15 of the proceeds benefitting the Animal Rescue League. Don’t have a corgi? You can still attend and buy tickets for $10!
Sunday, June 19
- Sunday, June 19, 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.
Summer Sundaze at Jamie Hurd Ampitheather
- Sunday, June 19, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- 4100 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50265
West Des Moines friends? Here’s an opportunity for you to chill out on a Sunday afternoon. Food can be purchased from food trucks, and lawn games will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at this free, family-friendly event. No pre-registration is required for this event. This week will have live music performances from local artists Ryne Doughty and Andrew Hoyt with Roadside Tacos, Magoo’s Pizza and Street Sweets.
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