Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, September 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. 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, September 23
- Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24 from 3 p.m. – 1 a.m.
- Downtown Des Moines 101 4th Street Des Moines, IA 50309
Featuring all of your favorite authentic Oktoberfest celebrations including a huge selection of German and craft beers, delicious German food, live music, bier maiden and stein holding competitions, a Silent Disco and much more. Single day tickets are $17 in advance & $25 at the door. All tickets include an Oktoberfest pint glass and drink ticket.
- Friday, September 23 – Saturday, September 24, 6-9 p.m.
- Capital Square & Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
It’s a WineFest weekend! On Friday, join “Sips & The City”, an evening for wine lovers and novices to try unique wines with gourmet appetizers, all while listening to lively music. Want a Saturday date night? Cowles Commons and Capital Square will be transformed for this intimate evening showcasing the best food & wine available in Central Iowa for night two.
U-Pick Apples at Winterset Cidery
- Friday, September 23, 1 p.m. – dusk; Saturday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Winterset Cidery, 1638 Hwy 169, Winterset, IA 50273
As cute and picturesque as it sounds! Head over to beautiful Madison County for apple picking of your favorite varieties like Honey Crisp, Ruby Mac, and Jonathan. Apple pricing is $5 per pound to eat or bake. You can also bring a photographer for those perfect Instagram shots..and ya know…just the memories.
-
Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24
- Around town! Check the link below for all details.
Events all weekend around town for the skateboarding community! “The Des Moines Streetstyle Open is modeled after what is known as the “best” international skate competition, the Copenhagen Open. This multi-day event will take place throughout the Des Moines metro with skate contests starting at the Lauridsen Skatepark and then moving from spot to spot throughout the metro.”
Chastity Washington Stand Up Comedy at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Friday, September 23, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love stand up for any date night idea and we especially love Teehee’s Comedy Club, the independent comedy club on Walnut Street near downtown. Check out Chastity Washington from Milwaukee this Friday night or take a look at the other shows coming up at the link below.
Civic Music Association’s First Concert of the Season: Saxophone Quartet
- Friday, September 23, 7:30 p.m.
- Sheslow Auditorium, 2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
World-class chamber and jazz music is what defines the Civic Music Association of Des Moines. Established in 1925 by three visionary women – Mrs. Elsa Neumann, Mrs. Gertrude Shloss and Mrs. Elizabeth Cowles – CMA is a foundational piece of Des Moines history. Check out their first concert of the season this Friday.
Saturday, September 24
Downtown Farmers’ Market
Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Saturday, Sept. 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’s one of the best in the country!
Horizon Line Pop-Up at Eden
- Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m.
- Eden, 418 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
View this post on Instagram
- Saturday, September 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Dallas County Fairgrounds, 28057 Fairgrounds Road, Adel, IA 50003
Feeling like a bit of vintage and handmade shopping this weekend? Adel is your spot. Head to the Vintage + Made Fair at the Dallas County Fairgrounds for to browse 160+ of the best makers and vintage curators in the Midwest. Tickets are $10 and parking is free!
Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival
- Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival is the ONLY two-day Latino Heritage festival in the state and each of the two days is jam packed with Latin American food, music, dance and celebration. This is the perfect follow up to last weekend’s World Food and Music Festival.
DSM Biergarten Opens in Water Works
- Thursday: 2-10pm, Friday: 2-10pm, Saturday: 12-10pm, Sunday: 12-10pm
- Lauridsen Ampitheater, Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
- Thursdays – Sundays through October!
-
Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m. – Close
- Kinship Brewing Co, 255 NW Sunrise Dr, Waukee, IA 50263
Another great Oktoberfest-style event for you in Waukee! Kinship Brewing Company is always a great place to hit up but this Saturday it’ll be all Oktoberfest style all day with a variety of sausages, traditional german music, and competitions!
- Sunday, Sept. 25, 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.
Madison County Fall Crawl
- Sunday, Sept. 25, 1-5 p.m.
- 1823 225th Street, Winterset, IA 50273
If you’re looking for the small business mecca this weekend, it’s in beautiful Madison County. Take a drive to any of the stops listed below during their posted business hours. You’ll find a “passport” for the day with plethora of fun activities, to see, do, eat, drink, and more. Free to attend, things to purchase, eat and/or drink at each stop!
- Sunday, September 25, 12 – 4 p.m.
- Hotel Renovo, 11167 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
