Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, September 30 – October 2. 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.
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Friday, Sept. 30, 5-8 p.m.
- Peace Tree Brewing Co., 317 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA
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- Friday, September 30, 7:30 p.m.
- Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue | Des Moines, IA 50309
“Nick Swardson is a stand up comedian, actor, writer and producer. Known for his co-starring roles with Adam Sandler, his character Terry on Reno 911, Grandma’s Boy, Bucky Larson and his own shows, Comedy Central’s Pretend Time and Typical Rick. Touring what’s to be his 6th stand up special, Nick takes you on a journey of smells and laughter. 26 years of experience in comedy you don’t want to miss Nick. You will regret it for as long as you live.”
U-Pick Apples at Winterset Cidery
- Friday, September 30, 1 p.m. – dusk; Saturday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 2, 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.
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Weekends, September 30 – October 30
- Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
“Phantom Fall Fest is Adventureland’s new Halloween event for everyone! It features Iowa’s best thrills, rides and attractions, specialty food & drink options, and bone-chilling haunts and scare zones after dark.”
Scare DSM
- Friday and Saturday Nights in October, 7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
- 97 Indiana Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
If you’re looking for the classic pop-up Halloween haunted house, head to Scare DSM. $20 per ticket. There’s currently a DSM Hummingbirds special deal for this so check that out: “ScareDSM is BACK with VIP tickets for you and a guest to attend Night of the Living DRAG on Thursday, October 20. You’ll get to experience the haunted house as well!” Sign up for Hummingbirds: https://www.thehummingbirds.co/instagram. Let us know how scary it is!
- Friday, Sept. 30, 7-11 p.m.
- Linn’s Supermarket 3805 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Anybody else remember this from high school days? Linn’s Supermarket is still doing it’s thing as a classic haunted house destination for this spooky season. Linn’s is a huge haunted house that you can expect to walk through for 20+ minutes. Admission is $20!Voted Best Haunted House by readers of Cityview.
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Weekends, September 30 – October 30, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
- Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
This gives us major teenage nostalgia, but it’s a solid experience for a traditional haunted house night since it’s been going on for 25 years. Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park opens at 7:00 p.m. and admissions closes at 10:30pm.
Catch A Show at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Friday, September 30, 9:30 p.m.
- 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 Michael Meyers and Laura Sanders or take a look at the other shows coming up at the link below.
Saturday, October 1
Mat Pilates and Plants at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
Club Pilates Ankeny is hosting this month-long series of mat pilates at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Sounds like an amazing start to a Saturday this month. $10 per person or $50 for the series!
Autumn Garden Party at Bochner Farms
- Saturday, Oct. 1, 1-4 p.m.
- Bochner Farms, 17072 88th Ave, Indianola, IA 50125
This Autumn Garden Party in Indianola is on a flower farm where @ducharmejonesband will be playing awesome tunes next to the gorgeous Cottage Garden. They will have loads of flower farm goodness including dahlias and pumpkins. Plus, @stitchcraftbysophia, @kiomi_dsm and @bramblewoodacresiowa will be there, so this is your chance to support local small businesses! This is a ticketed event, just $10 per person, grab yours on our website today at the link below!
KIN DSM: Aura Readings
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Saturday, Oct. 1, 1 – 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 2 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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KIN DSM, 333 E Grand Ave #106, Des Moines, IA 50309
The aura camera is set up for walk-ins (first come first served) but you can pre book your spot with Monica at the shop’s Book Now button. 
- Saturday, October 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- MARNe, 350 E Locust St #101, Des Moines, IA 50309
Looking for a little vintage and aesthetically please moment this weekend? Head to MARNe for a pop-up with GLDN GOODS and @reallykindofamazingvintage.
- Saturday, October 1, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
- Rumors DSM, 4211 Chamberlain Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Feeling like A LOT of vintage clothing shopping this weekend? This Vintage Clothing Market is where to be. Shop 29 individual booths, each offering unique collections of vintage clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, decor and more.! Typical payments accepted are cash, Venmo, and card but vary booth to booth. Bring your own bag!
The Market On Hubbell
- The Market on Hubbell, 3232 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA
Check out this vintage and small business market with local vendors from around central Iowa! You can start checking off those holiday gift lists already! Yes, that’s right. It’s already October!
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!
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Saturday, October 1, 5 p.m.
- Raygun Mezzanine, 505 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Steve-O (Steve Glover) of Jackass is stopping in Des Moines on Saturday, October 1 at 5pm in Raygun. He’ll be signing copies of his latest book, A Hard Kick in the Nuts: What I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Terrible Decisions. Storyhouse will be there to sell ‘em to ya. This is a free meet ‘n greet in Raygun’s upper mezzanine brought to you by Storyhouse Bookpub, @raygunshirts and @daisychaincoffee. Say hello, buy a book, get it signed, & grab some coffee or lemonade (provided).
Little Giant Beer Summit at El Bait Shop
- Saturday, October 1, 3-7 p.m.
- El Bait Shop, 200 SW 2nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Join El Bait Shop for the Tenth Annual Little Giant Beer Summit! This celebration of Iowa’s small, but mighty, craft breweries, cideries, and meaderies is the perfect way to toast everything cool we have going on in Iowa. Little Giant is a parking lot party with beer trailer that features outstanding Iowa beers, ciders and meads. Attendees will be able to purchase a punch card to enjoy samples of all that Little Giant has to offer!” – Catch DSM
- Saturday’s in October: 9 am – 6 pm
- Sunday’s in October: Noon – 6 pm
This is a favorite kids friendly pumpkin patch. The land has an on-farm store, u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, apple cider, cider donuts, orchard-fresh food, & “Fun Farm” activities for all ages. There is NO Admission Fee to visit our on-farm store, barnyard, and pumpkin patch, but there are paid activities once you’re there!
U-Pick Apples and Pumpkins at Storybook Orchard
- All weekend – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 12832 Royal Orchard Drive, Story City, IA, 50248
About 40 miles north of Des Moines is this recommended orchard to stroll through for a lower key u-pick experience. If you head there, let us know what you think!
- Sunday, October 2, 1-3 p.m.
- Gateway Dance Theatre, 315 East 5th Street, Suite 12
