Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, October 10-12. We’ve curated the ones that we found most interesting and listed them here for you.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability via the links below.
Friday, October 10
Heartland SwingOut
- Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11
- Location Varies, Depending on Class Selected
It’s the celebration of swing you’ve been waiting for! This weekend, the Heartland SwingOut will be a full day of workshops, social dancing, live music, and more. Whether you are an experienced dancer or just starting out, this event has a little something for everyone!
Gallery Night in the Historic Valley Junction
- Friday, October 10, 5 – 8 p.m.
- Historic Valley Junction
Art appreciators and small business supporters unite for Valley Junction’s bi-annual Gallery Night! This event supports local businesses and artists from the area and all over the world by showcasing art and one-of-a-kind creations in galleries all over Valley Junction. Shop and eat local while enjoying this fun and free event!
- Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
- Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Bored Teachers are BACK with all new material on their “The Struggle is Real!” Comedy Tour. For years, Bored Teachers Studios has brought a sense of humor to teachers around the world to ease their daily struggle in the classroom. They’ve amassed over a billion views on their viral videos on social media, over 10 million followers, and the #1 ranked teacher-comedy podcast—#6 of all Stand Up Comedy shows on Apple Podcasts. Even non-teacher fans have reviewed it as one of the funniest stand up shows they’ve ever seen!”
 Saturday, October 11
Downtown Farmers Market
- Saturday, October 11, 8 a.m. – Noon
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
The Market season is winding down! For one more month, enjoy the 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! Don’t miss it this summer to see some of our absolute favorite small business owners from around the metro.
 Coming Out Day Picnic at the Mickle Center
- Saturday, October 11, Noon – 3 p.m.
- Mickle Center, 1620 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA 50314
Join the LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Roundtable for a free community-wide celebration and picnic for National Coming Out Day. This community gathering is for the whole family, whether you’ve been out for a while or are still figuring this out. Enjoy games, food, art, and more at the celebration for everyone!
Fall Tailgate Paw-ty at Paws and Pints
- Saturday, October 11, Noon – 3 p.m.
- Paws and Pints, Paws and Pints, 6218 Willowmere Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Tailgate season is in full swing, and Paws and Pints is hosting the ultimate TAIL-gate for you and your pup! Enjoy free passes day passes, all of the football games you could ever dream of, and a giveaways for the first 100 pups!
- Saturday, October 11, 3:30 p.m.
- Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Release your inner pirate and tag along with the beloved group of kids from the “Goon Docks” as they embark on their epic hunt for One-Eyed Willy’s treasure. Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this timeless adventure when the Des Moines Symphony brings Dave Grusin’s iconic score to life while the movie plays on the big screen. And remember… Goonies never say die!” Tickets start at $31.
- Saturday, October 11, 8 – 10:30 p.m.
- Skateland Des Moines, 5621 Meredith Dr, Des Moines, IA 50310
Need a fun and unique date night? It’s adults-only at Skateland Des Moines this Saturday Night! Grab a date, your gal pals, or skate solo all night long!
Sunday, October 12
Brunch Babes Haunted Drag Brunch at Big Grove
- Sunday, October 12, 11 a.m.
- Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Gallery Talk at the Des Moines Art Center
- Sunday, October 12, 1:30 p.m.
- Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Learn and gain a deeper appreciation of art at a free gallery talk at the Des Moines Art Center. “Join Associate Curator Elizabeth Gollnick and longtime member of the Art Center’s Day of the Dead committee, Vince Valdez, for an engaging gallery talk that looks at Aliza Nisenbaum’s exuberant painting exhibition. As curator of the exhibition, Gollnick will speak about the residency in which Nisenbaum conceived of the Day of the Dead premise for the works, and Valdez, a photographer and documentarian who has contributed to the visuals and storytelling of the honorees for numerous Day of the Dead events, will offer his experiences being involved with the celebration at the Des Moines Art Center.”
Walk to Remember at MercyOne Medical Center
- Sunday, October 12, 2 p.m.
- MercyOne Medical Center, 1111 6th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50314
Join MercyOne for the 26th annual Walk to Remember. This event honors the memory of babies lost to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. Join families and communities to raise awareness and bring individuals together. Experiencing infertility? Check out our new guide, The Hopeful Mama Guide: Navigating Infertility in Des Moines.Â
Art Night with Art Is Rad at Smokey Row
- Sunday, October 12, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Smokey Row, 1910 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Wind down for the start of the week with an art project hosted by Art Is Rad, a non-profit helping people create art and build community. This week, bring a friend for a glow in the dark painting project! Registration is $10, including supplies and instruction. RSVP because space is limited!
