Featured Image: Davis Patton, Unsplash
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, October 15-17!
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
✨Openings✨
NOW OPEN: The New Northwestern
- 321 E Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Open 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. most days, Sundays 12 p.m. – 12 a.m., Monday closed
We’ve been watching this new cocktail and wine lounge get ready to open for the last few months and we’re thrilled that it finally is! Situated in the historic building of the old Northwestern Hotel, the New Northwestern brings a fun array of drinks, wine, and small plates to share in a fun location in the East Village. Check it out and let us know what you think!
🧡🖤All Events This Weekend🧡🖤
DSM Silent Disco
- Friday, October 15, 7-11 p.m.
- Western Gateway Park, 1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Partnership will be holding a Downtown DSM Silent Disco on Friday, Oct. 15 from 7 – 11 p.m. in Western Gateway Park. Come out to enjoy a variety of music spun by three local DJs, sweet treats from Dough Crazy and a fun disco lit atmosphere! This event is free!
- Friday, October 15 and Saturday October 16, 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!
- Friday, October 15, 7 p.m.
- Historic Sherman Hill, 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
You’ve seen her on Netflix and she’s freaking hilarious. According to her tour website, “Touch Me” is a play on Cummings most recent Netflix special, Can I Touch It? and will destigmatize and celebrate the importance of being together again after over 14 months of isolation. The beautiful thing about the phrase “Touch Me”, is that it has multiple meanings: the most obvious of course, is physical touch but there is also being touched emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and Cummings will cover it all.
Full Lineup at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- All weekend!
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Get yo’ laughs on while supporting and independent comedy club. Every night is a good night to visit Teehee’s and one of this week’s Friday shows is already sold out! Take a look at their other shows this weekend at the links above and below.
Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo
- All weekend, 5-9 p.m.
- Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
Ready for one of Central Iowa’s sweetest family traditions at the zoo? Roam through enchanted lighting displays, a merry-not-scary treat safari, and enjoy live entertainment and games, all while learning more about and supporting wildlife! Admission to Night Eyes is $6 for members and $7 for non-members.
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. Let us know how scary it is!
Family Halloween at Living History Farms
- Friday and Saturday 5-8 p.m., Sunday 4-7 p.m.
- 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322
As a 28-year-old woman with no children, I still get so excited about Halloween at Living History Farms. It’s something we grew up with and still happening the same today. This 30-year-tradition welcomes families into the 1876 town of Walnut Hill to enjoy safe, non-scary trick-or-treating at our historic businesses, play fun games, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride. They offer “teal pumpkin” stops for trick-or-treaters with allergies.
Design A Desert Garden Class at Art Terrarium
- Friday, October 15, 6 p.m.
- Art Terrarium, 106 11th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
Calling all Halloween lovers! Celebrate the scariest season with us at Art Terrarium as we design and build beautiful (and super spooky) desert gardens! During the class, the lovely plant nerds at AT give a short introduction to cactus and succulent care, then walk you through building your own miniature masterpiece. Participants will choose from a selection of miniature cacti and succulents, plus a collection of spooky accessories to deck out your garden.
The Band’s Visit – A New Musical
- Showtimes all weekend!
- Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Broadway is back baby! Check out this new musical: “In an Israeli desert town where every day feels the same, something different is suddenly in the air. Dina, the local café owner, had long resigned her desires for romance to daydreaming about exotic films and music from her youth. When a band of Egyptian musicians shows up lost at her café, she and her fellow locals take them in for the night. Under the spell of the night sky, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, and this once sleepy town begins to wake up.”
Fall at Rose Farmstead
- All weekend!
- Rose Farmstead, 7197 43rd Ave, Norwalk, IA 50211
Rose Farm just keeps getting better and better by the seasons. Check it out this weekend if you snagged a ticket to any of their sold out events, or just go to say hi, snap some pics, and stop into the Shoppe for pumpkins or a perfectly curated Fall box of goodies.
Yoga With The Plants at Art Terrarium
- Saturday, October 16, 8 a.m.
- Art Terrarium, 106 11th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
Join Olivia Saturday mornings among the plants for a yoga practice that celebrates your body, offers some physical and mental challenges, and makes you feel good! All bodies, abilities, and mental states are welcomed and will be supported. Energize and flow into your weekend surrounded by all the beautiful plants at Art Terrarium.
IMT Des Moines Marathon
- All weekend! Big races are on Sunday morning.
If you’re running, good luck! If you’re trying to drive through it, also good luck! The IMT Des Moines Marathon is back. The races run all the way through Downtown, the Drake neighborhood, and the West Side, so be aware as you run your errands and head off to these other great events this weekend.
Bread by Chelsa B Doughnuts at Surety Hotel
- Saturday, October 16, 11 a.m. – sell out! (Get there early!)
- Surety Hotel, 206 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA
This is where you need to get your donuts this weekend! If you haven’t tried, Bread by Chelsa B yet. You need to know. You’ll see why her bread is taking over Des Moines. And the doughnuts? Even better. This weekend she’s popping up at Surety Hotel and using Pie Bird Pie fillings. It truly can’t get better for your sweet tooth this weekend.
6th Heartland Bazaar Vintage Clothing Market
- Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 4211 Chamberlain, Des Moines, IA
Hosted by Rumors DSM, Des Moines’ biggest vintage clothing market is taking place this Saturday. There will be 25+ booths to shop, with eras of clothing ranging from 1890s-1990s. The event is outdoors next to the shop at 4211 Chamberlain Dr in Des Moines, right off the interstate! Vintage accessories, homewares, handmade clothing, and jewelry can also be found here. Please bring your own shopping bag!
Confluence’s 9th Anniversary Celebration
- Saturday, October 16, 11- 11 p.m.
- Confluence Brewery, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Crazy that Confluence has been around for 9 years already. Let’s help them celebrate! Stop in for a special anniversary release, live music and food trucks all day. This is the best stop in the afternoon after a trip to a pumpkin patch or a stop to watch college football!
The Walnut’s 4th Anniversary Celebration
- Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m. – 1o p.m.
-
The Walnut Downtown, 1417 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Another fun anniversary day! Celebrate four years with one of our absolute favorites for brunch, to watch football, or to listen to live music in the evening. You’ll like the atmosphere, we promise.
Pure Barre Pop-Up at Campbell Park
- Sunday, October 17, 8 a.m.
- Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Parkway,Clive, IA 50325
We love Pure Barre and we love Kelsey, who is on the mic, for a special Pure Barre class pop-up at Campbell Park in Clive. Use this as a fun opportunity to try different forms of movement if you live nearby!
Sound Bath at Inner Space DSM
- Sunday, October 17, 9 a.m.
- Inner Space DSM, 251 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
If you’re looking for a truly relaxing way to start your week, this is it. A sound bath is a meditative experience where you literally sit and listen to beautiful sounds. Think of it as a the most beautiful white noise of your life. If you’re looking to hone a meditation practice or just try something new out, check out a sound bath with Melodie.
Cat Adoption Event with Black Cat Ice Cream and Pet Bistro
- Sunday, October 17, 1-3 p.m.
-
Black Cat Ice Cream, 2511 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
If you’ve been thinking about rescuing another cat, this might be your sign! Stop into Black Cat Ice Cream on Sunday afternoon to meet cats that need a home. If you buy a cup of ice cream while you’re there, Black Cat and Pet Bistro will COVER all of your adoption fees!
