Looking for things to do in Des Moines this weekend? Check out this list of all the events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, March 18-20.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Featured Image Photo by Austin Goode on Unsplash
LOOKING FOR A LIST OF ALL ST. PATTY’S DAY EVENTS? Check out our full guide here.
Friday, March 18
- Thursday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday, March 18, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday, March 19, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m..
- Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Looking for a fun place to watch March Madness this weekend? This is it! Cowles Commons, right in the middle of Downtown Des Moines, is hosting the 5th annual Hoops and Hops from March 17-19, 2022. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style while watching all of the NCAA Tournament action! There will be a large heated tent with music with beverages from the Iowa Craft Beer Tent and Iowa Distilling Company. Five Des Moines food trucks will be on-site each day. There is no admission fee!
Stacked Lineup at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Shows all weekend!
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Teehee’s is an independent comedy club on one of our favorite streets in Des Moines – Walnut Street! There’s a great lineup all weekend long including a special album recording on Saturday night. Come join a chill experience where you get to hangout and enjoy a great evening of comedy. The Black Iowa Streams crew is putting on a showcase featuring some of Iowa’s funniest black comedians. Check it out!
- All weekend!
- Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
If you’re feeling artsy, check out this amazing “Immersive” art exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center. This’ll be the Art Center like you’ve never seen it before. “Instead of moving through traditional gallery spaces, one will follow a path from darkened space to darkened space, each filled with light, color, and sound.” The exhibit opens this weekend and takes a page from the “immersive” art trend that’s growing, like the Van Gogh experience that’s coming to Des Moines later this year. Source: Axios
- Showtimes all weekend!
- Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd Street, Des Moines IA 50312
It’s the last weekend to see Charlotte’s Web at the Playhouse! Check out this family favorite class play presented by Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre. In case you’re unfamiliar with the story, here’s a summary: Wilbur, the runt of the litter, desperately wants to avoid the butcher. With the help of Charlotte, a loyal spider with a flair for writing, and the scavenger rat, Templeton, Wilbur might have a chance at a new life. With unforgettable characters, Charlotte’s Web is a timeless story about friendship.
Dome After Dark at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
- Friday, March 18, 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, March 19
Egg Day at the Hall with Egg King
- Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or sell out!)
- The Hall, 111 S 11th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Regardless of if you haven’t gotten your hands on an Egg King sandwich or if you go every week, its fun to be at The Hall on Saturday mornings. Find yourself a table, order on the app, grab yourself some drinks and enjoy the large TV screens. Pretty chill and delicious. If you went last weekend and loved the Korean Fire Chicken meal, it’s back this week! Spice level 4 out of 10, or you can request no spice! Just ask. This is the PERFECT place to watch March Madness games too!
- Saturday, March 19, 9-10 a.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
A great family friendly activity! For ages 5-11 and an adult. Families will enjoy a fun, physical way to connect with one another through movement, mindfulness practices, deep breathing and partner poses. This class gives each member of the family a chance to imagine, play and relax together. Participants should bring their own yoga mats or towels. This program is also offered January 15. Pre-registration is required. One adult for every three children is required.
St. Paddy’s Day Marathon + Half Marathon
- Saturday, March 19, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Race Start: E Grand Ave & E 9th St Des Moines, IA 50319
Whether you’re running, spectating, or trying to avoid the street closures, know that a St. Paddy’s Day marathon and half marathon is happening in the downtown area on Saturday morning!
Spring Cleaning Vintage Show at The Picker Knows
- Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, March 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- The Picker Knows, 1208 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265
This two day show at Decades Event Center located right next to The Picker Knows will feature vintage home decor from the 50s to 70s. Everything from Mid Century furniture to amazing one of a kind decor items ready to be added to your home!
Paper Marbling Workshop at The Blok DSM
- Saturday, March 19, 2 – 3 p.m. or 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- 900 Keo Way, Suite 101, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Feeling artsy? Learn the art of Turkish paper marbling with The Blok DSM. Create your own custom decorative papers. $45 per person, two time slots available. No experience required, all supplies provided.
Hockey: Iowa Wild vs. Manitoba Moose
- Saturday, March 19, 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, March 20, 3:00 p.m.
- Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
It’s the Iowa Wild’s first ever Pride night! The first 1500 fans in the building will receive a limited edition Pride hat sponsored by Capital City Pride and KISS 107.5. $10 mystery pucks will also be available on the concourse for purchase but get them quick, there are only 200 available. For the Sunday game, all fans in attendance are invited to take part in a post game skate. Limited skate rentals will be available for $2 each with proceeds benefitting Tame the Hunger.
The Great DSM Hot Air Balloon Hunt in Downtown Des Moines
- Saturday, March 19, 6-7 p.m.
- Downtown Des Moines
The Great DSM Hot Air Balloon Hunt is back in #downtownDSM. Head downtown on Saturday, March 19, from 6-7 p.m. to see hot air balloons glowing in multiple locations. (Weather permitting, of course.) Brought to you by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and in partnership with the National Balloon Classic.
Steve-O: The Bucket List Tour at Hoyt Sherman
- Saturday, March 19, 7:00 p.m.
- Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Adult audiences only! JACKASS star, stand-up comedian, and New York Times best-selling author, Steve-O, is bringing The Bucket List Tour to Hoyt Sherman Place on March 19. Every idea on Steve-O’s bucket list was so ill-advised, he never expected to go through with any of them. Until it was time to prepare for this tour. Not only are the stunts more ridiculous than what you already know Steve-O for, he did them all, and made a multimedia comedy show out of them. Not for kids, or the faint of heart.”
Sunday, March 20
Sound Bath at Inner Space
- Sunday, March 20, 9 a.m.
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Inner Space, 1251 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
This is a great way to start your week on a relaxing and re-invigorating note! When sound waves wash over you, they trigger a response in our bodies that converts those waves into electrical signals into the auditory cortex. Listening to music floods our brains with dopamine, and oxytocin. This can help to relax the body, reduce anxiety and improve creativity. Be sure to check out how to get 50% OFF other Inner Space Services for DSMG readers only in this guide.
Coffee Shop Clothing Swap at Mars Cafe
- Sunday, March 20, 12-3 p.m.
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Mars Cafe, 2318 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
Swap out some of your gently used clothing and browse for more at Mars Cafe this Saturday. Grab a coffee, grab some new clothes, and bring donations for Little Free Pantry -a local org offering non-perishable food & items for neighbors in need.
- Sunday, March 20, 2-7 p.m.
- Firetrucker Brewery, 716 SW 3rd St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Ankeny friends! Stop by Firetrucker on Sunday to get your hands on some fun new board games. Weather is looking great, so there will be plenty of space to play games on the patio between shopping and swapping – and the Dealt Hand will have a full library of games available to play the whole time!
Live @ Fuzzy’s Comedy Open Mic
- Sunday, March 20, 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!
- Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
- Sunday, March 20, 4-8 p.m.
One night only! Get incredible Korean friend chicken, kimchi fried rice, sticky ribs and more inside Harbinger on Sunday nights from 4-8 p.m. It makes for the perfect Sunday dinner. Dine in only!
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