Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, April 12-14. 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, April 12
Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention at the Iowa Event Center
- Friday, April 12, 2 p.m. – Midnight; Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m. – Midnight; Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Hy-Vee Hall, 730 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Where are all of our Des Moines Girl tattoo lovers? Hy-Vee Hall will host the fourth annual Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention this weekend, all weekend! Tickets range from $10 to $40 and include live entertainment, live music, and live tattooing!
Pop & Nod Grand Opening
- Friday, April 12, 5-9 p.m.
- Pop & Nod, 833 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50312
Support a new local small business at the Pop & Nod GRAND OPENING! Pop & Nod is a fun lifestyle shop with art, apparel, gifts, and more. Get there early because the first 25 purchases will receive a gift bag with goodies from other local businesses. Be sure to stay and shop because the evening will be full of raffles, wine tasting, treats, and more.
Choreo Heels Chair Workshop at Pulse Dance Fitness Studio
- Friday, April 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
- Pulse Dance Fitness Studio, 6920 EP True Parkway, Ste. 115, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Strut your stuff and show off your high heel skills at TGIF Girls Night Out at Pulse Dance Fitness Studio! Learn a choreographed heel routine to The Weeknd’s “Earned It” AND get a complimentary glass of champagne. Bring your own heels (or sneakers) and chair and get ready to dance it out while you sweat it out!
Taylor Swift Skate at Skateland
- Friday, April 12, 6-9 p.m.
- Skateland Des Moines, 5621 Meredith Drive, Des Moines, IA 50310
Lace up your skates and head on down to Skateland Des Moines in preparation for the new Taylor Swift album drop. Listen to all the hits while you hit the rink and jam out to Taylor’s Version of all your favorite songs! Looking for another Swiftie event in Des Moines? Make sure to get your tickets to Des Moines Girl’s The Tortured Poets Department Album Release Party!
Saturday, April 13
Des Moines Vintage Clothing Market at The Picker Knows
- Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- The Picker Knows, 1208 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50265
PepperHarrow Tulip Popup at Des Moines Mercantile
- Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Des Moines Mercantile, 3707 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
We are less than one month away from Tulip Time in Pella, and what better way to prepare than with a tulip pop-up at Des Moines Mercantile? Treat yourself by picking up a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers to spruce up any space.
Opening Day at Dogpatch Garden Center
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.- Dogpatch Garden Center, 4600 NW 51st Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
After stopping by the Tulip Pop-Up at Des Moines Mercantile, fulfill the rest of your plant needs at the Dogpatch Garden Center! Explore all of the garden’s flowers, herbs, and fruit and veggie plants to get your garden in tip-top shape before summer is here!
Tea Party Story Time at Storyhouse Bookpub
- Saturday, April 13, 10:30 a.m.
- Storyhouse Bookpub, 505 E Grand Avenue, Ste. 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love a tea party moment, and we love Storyhouse Bookpub. Put them together, add in some crafts led by a local business, and your Saturday morning can’t get much better! Stop by Storyhouse Bookput for an all-ages storytime led by Miss Iowa USA 2023 and pick up your next great read.
Consider-It-Coral at Temple Theater
- Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m.
- Temple Theater, 1011 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Get your tickets to see local superstar Coral Thede take the stage at the Temple of the Performing Arts. Tickets are $35 for a show combining spoken word, musical performance, sound bath, and connection for a night of divine flow.
$20 tickets: Comedy for a Cause at The District Venue
- Saturday, April 13, 7 p.m.
- The District Venue, 1350 SW Vintage Parkway, Ankeny, IA 50023
What is better than comedy? Comedy for a Cause, of course! Get your tickets to Comedy for a Cause, an event supporting mental health awareness in the community. Tickets are $20 to (a) support a great cause and to (b) see not one, not two, not three, but SIX comics perform! Check out this clip from We Are Iowa for more info.
- Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Get ready for the LARGEST puppy yoga class Smash Park has ever hosted. And there isn’t just one class… there are two! Space is limited, so reserve your spot for $10 ahead of class or for $15 at the door. Along with the yoga session, all attendees get a free day pass to Paws and Pints, a FREE bloody mary or mimosa, and of course, tons of puppy love!
- Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m.
- Plain Talk Books & Coffee, 602 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Calling all crafters! Plain Talk Books and Coffee will host the next Crochet Club meeting. Come hang out and bring a craft (crocheting not required!).
Pride & Prejudice Brunch at Flix Brewhouse
- Sunday, April 14, Various Times
- Flix Brewhouse, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
See Mr. Darcy (and the iconic hand scene) on the big screen this Sunday! If you are a Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen Pride and Prejudice Lover, you’ll want to get your ticket ASAP. Plus, admission comes with a free mimosa!
- Sunday, April 14, 3-6 p.m.
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St. Des Moines, IA 503
Teehee’s is great for laughs any day of the week, except the second Sunday of every month. Instead of comedy, treat your ears to an afternoon of local music from the DSM music scene. Showcase lineup includes both first-time talent and seasoned performers. The best part? Admission is FREE!
Eat | Drink | Architecture 2024
- Sunday, April 14, 1-4 p.m.
- Choose One of Four Starting Locations: Iowa Taproom, Royal Mile, Hessen Haus, or El Bait Shop
Experience Des Moines in a new way at Eat|Drink|Architecture 2024! Tickets are $50 for an afternoon of local food, adult drinks, and historic architecture in the East Village, Downtown, Court Avenue District, and the Market District.
