Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, June 23-25. 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. Check out this round up of live music this weekend.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Sponsored Event
FREE: 2023 Des Moines Arts Festival
- Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines
- Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
It’s one of our favorite weekends of the year! The Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide is a three-day arts and culture festival featuring 190 professional and emerging artists, live music on two stages featuring The 502s and Sister Hazel, strolling street theatre, interactive arts activities and a variety of culinary offerings. Admission is FREE! Keep an eye out on our Instagram stories as we highlight affordable art pieces for you to browse as you visit this weekend!
Friday, June 23
TeeHee’s and Blk&Bold Presents Chastity Washington
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St., Des Moines, IA 50309
- Friday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows
Teehee’s Comedy Club and BLK & Bold specialty beverages present a night of comedy, charity, and culture with stand-up comedian Chastity Washington! Food will be sold and provided by Lacheles Burgers! A $12 meal voucher will go toward a “BLK & Bold Philly” which uses BLK & Bold’s specialty coffee as a rub with a choice between chicken and roast beef with a side of chips. A portion of the proceeds will go to BLK & Bold’s For Our Youth initiative. A $10 meal voucher will also be available and includes a burger of your choice from a specialized menu with chips. Vegetarian options included.
Chastity Washington’s career spans more than twenty-five years. She is an NBC Diversity finalist and an HBO Comedy Wings winner. She has been seen on BET, at the Just for Laughs Festival and Martha’s Vineyard Comedy Fest. Recently, Chastity is a regular at the Laugh Factory and Comedians You Should Know, and a headliner at Zanies Chicago. She has opened for Tommy Davidson, David Mann, Charlie Berens and Roy Wood Jr.
Sunset Paddle with SUP Yoga DSM at Easter Lake
- Friday, June 23, 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 23, 9 p.m. – midnight
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106 11th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
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Iowa Cubs vs. Memphis Redbirds
- 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 Memphis Redbirds. 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.
Saturday, June 24
Downtown Farmer’s Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, June 24, 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, June 24, 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, June 24, 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, June 24, from 12-4 p.m.
- Tower Park, 4900 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
“Join us on Saturday, June 24th 12:00pm – 4:00pm at Tower Park in Des Moines for an incredible cultural celebration; all are welcome and the event is 100% free! There will be cultural performances including dance, music, poetry, storytelling, fashion shows, and much more! Additionally we look forward to the return of the highly anticipated Cup of All Nations Soccer Tournament, food from 20+ local refugee/immigrant owned restaurants, community resource fair, family-friendly crafts and activities, the Refugee Resettlement Fact Walk, and a public art project!”
- Saturday, June 24, 11:30 a.m. / Doors open at 10 a.m.
- Paws & Pints, 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321 United States
It’s the perfect day date for you and your pup! DTF Productions will be performing to all the hits -so bring your dollars! Your ticket includes access to any of these options for a lunch: Build Your Own Mac & Cheese Bowl, Build Your Own Taco Plate (Gluten Free), Chips & Queso (Gluten Free). Plus, Paws members receive a free drink from door open to the start of the show (10-11:30AM).
- Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Eden, 418 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Open all weekend from 2-8 p.m.
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Iowa Orchard, 13140 NW 102nd Ave, Granger, IA 50109-9614, United States
- Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Moberg Gallery, 2411 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
“Robert Moore will be at Moberg Gallery on Saturday to discuss the work in his exhibit Field of Dreams: Out the Mud (Retrospective), on view through July 15th at Moberg Gallery. He will also talk with spoken word artist, B.WELL, of the B.WELL Foundation, who will be performing at the event.
There will be a DJ, food trucks, spoken word performances, and more. Bring the whole family and celebrate the arts in Des Moines!”
Sunday, June 25
Pottery and Tarot Brunch at Five Monkeys
- Sunday, June 25, 10 a.m.
- Five Monkeys, 134 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Vegan Summer Market in Cowles Common hosted by VegLife Des Moines
- Sunday, June 25, 12-3 p.m.
- Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
It’s back for June! Into the vegan/vegetarian lifestyle? This market is for you! The best line up of locally owned small businesses will be at Cowles Commons this Sunday. Enjoy delicious vegan food, and building community with all of you. Check out our full vegan guide to Des Moines here.
Boss Babe Pop-Up at Jasper Winery hosted by Dulce Vida Desserts and Sister, Sister Picnics
- Sunday, June 25, 1-4 p.m.
- Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
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FREE: Dancing on Cowles Commons
- Sunday, June 25, 3-4 p.m.
- Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Des Moines Performing Arts invites you to join a dance party! Meet in the center of Cowles Commons LAST Sundays: June 25th, July 30th, August 27th. 9-10 AM. MixxedFit® is a people-inspired fitness program that combines explosive dance moves with body weight toning. This class will get your heart rate up while you get down to yesterday & today’s hits! Grab some water, a friend and be prepared to sweat a little and smile a lot! In case of inclement weather, class will be canceled.”
Storyhouse 2.0 Launch: Storyhouse Bookpub turns 2!
- Sunday, June 25, 4-6 p.m.
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
Storyhouse Bookpub is turning 2 years old and their bookstore square footage just had a major growth spurt! Celebrate with the team by browsing through all the new & used books & shop updates. Plus: Eat berry shortcakes with mascarpone whipped cream from the incredible @piebirdpies 🍰. Send this to your bookish friends!
