Happy PrideFest weekend friends!, Des Moines! Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, June 9-11. 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.
Friday, June 9
Des Moines PrideFest 2023
The 44th annual PrideFest will begin Friday, June 9 at 5pm and continue through Sunday, June 11 at 5pm in the history East Village of Des Moines, Iowa. PrideFest is free for all to attend. Here are just a few of the MANY awesome events taking place this weekend:
- Friday @ 7:30 pm Silent Disco
- Saturday @ 8am Pride Stride 5K
- Saturday @ 10am Pet Parade
- Sunday @ 12pm Pride Parade
- Live entertainment Friday through Sunday on the Main Stage, including Trixie Mattel, Sheila E., Shangela, and the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus!
Sunset Paddle with SUP Yoga DSM at Easter Lake
- Friday, June 9, 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 9 and Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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509 East 5th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
This vintage pop up is in an old carriage house in the East Village. It’s so fun to walk inside, but also to browse the best vintage and antique dealers. The finds are usually spot on for what we’re looking for on a day of vintage and thrifting! It’s the perfect follow-up from Mid-Modern and Heartland Bazaar that kicked off our vintage shopping in June.
Dear Evan Hansen at the Des Moines Civic Center
- Friday, June 9 @ 7:30pm
- Saturday, June 10 @ 2pm and @7:30pm
- Sunday, June 11 @ 1pm and @ 6:30pm
A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. Winner of 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Black Magic Tattoo Flash Fundraiser
- Friday June 9 and Saturday June 10 @ 11am
- 412 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Cash Only
Black Magic Tattoo is bringing back their annual “SHOW YOUR PRIDE FLASH FUNDRAISER” to benefit @iowasafeschools . There will be treats, new merch, and glitter tattoos for the kiddos!
Aura Portraits at KIN
- Friday, June 9, 5-8 p.m.
- KIN DSM, 333 E Grand Ave #106, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Des Moines Biergarten
- Wednesday – Sunday, Noon – Close
- 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.
Pridefest Play + Pies at Storyhouse Bookpub
- Friday, June 9 from 5pm to 8pm
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Storyhouse is hosting The Rook Room and Pie Bird Pies for a chill and tasty way to kick off your Pride weekend. Swing by the bookstore to grab your rainbow hand pie (on the house) from the Piebirds while you peruse our LGBTQ+ book displays. Then, meet The Rook Room next door in Gravitate’s lobby to Play with Pride featuring some some D&D(&D) for friends and families looking quieter moments in the weekend.”
Teehee’s Comedy Club Weekend Lineup
- Shows all weekend!
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St., Des Moines, IA 50309
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Saturday, June 10
Downtown Farmer’s Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, June 10, 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.
Heart of Des Moines Farmers Market
- Saurday, June 10 from 4pm to 7pm
- 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!
Super Secret Brunch Club: Secret Admirer
- Saturday, May 13, 10 p.m., until sell out!
- Secret Admirer, 110 SW 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Emancipation Day: A Juneteenth Event
- Saturday June 10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
- Food for sale: DoneRite Soul Food and Chellie’s Sugar Shack.
Gain a better understanding of the legacy and hope of emancipation and explore the Black experience in Iowa from early farmsteads through the fight for civil rights. All presentations, activities, and exhibits included with General Admission. Stay till the end of the day for a Historic Baseball game played by 1876 rules!
- Saturday, June 10 from 1pm to 4pm
- Lauridsen Amphitheater, 251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, Iowa 50321
Des Moines People’s Pride will be at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park on June 10th, 2023 from 1-4PM. All are welcome to come celebrate pride separate from cops and corporations. The event will showcase local vendors, a food truck and performers as well as local queer resources who are all part of the LGBTQ2IA family. We hope you stop by to celebrate queer joy and community with us!
Sunday, June 11
Barre, Bubbles, and Brews
- Sunday, June 11 from 10:30am to 11:15am
- Summerset Winery, 15101 Fairfax Street, Indianola, IA 50125
- Sunday Jun 11 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
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Firetrucker Brewing, 716 SW 3rd Street, Ankeny, IA
This free event makes it easy to clear out some of your old board games and to sell them to other folks looking to do the same! If you’re able to bring a table or awning, get ready for a tasty free 4oz Firetrucker pour for doing so! If you don’t have a table, no worries! Print off our fillable PDF list of your games and we’ll give you stickers to mark the prices of your games. Then go shop! When you find something you want to buy, come to the head table and we’ll connect you with the seller and you finish your transaction with them.
