Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, March 15-17. 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, March 15
St. Patrick’s Day at Peace Tree Brewing Co.
- All Weekend!
- Peace Tree Brewing Co., 317 E Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Kick off St. Patrick’s Day Weekend right by checking out Peace Tree’s holiday specials! On Friday from 4-7 p.m., grab a sweet treat from the bake sale before getting a grilled cheese (starting at 6 p.m.). On Saturday, get your Girl Scout cookie fix from 1-4 p.m. and stay for Tarot Night from 4-8 p.m. Peace Tree will open at 11 a.m., so celebrate the luck of the Irish on Board Game Day from 2-6 p.m.
Funny Girl at the Des Moines Civic Center
- All Weekend, Times Vary
- Des Moines Performing Arts Center, 213 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
We all saw the clips of Lea Michele starring in Funny Girl on Broadway. Get a taste of the iconic musical live and in person at the Des Moines Performing Arts Center this weekend! “This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.”
Dome After Dark at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Friday, March 15, 6-10 p.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA 50309
Experience the Garden in a new light at Dome After Dark! Most Fridays through the end of March, stroll through the lush conservatory and Gardeners Show House illuminated with unique lighting and luminarias. This family-friendly event will include food and drink available for purchase from Trellis Café. Normal admission rates apply!
Fool House: The Ultimate 90’s Dance Party at Wooly’s
- Friday, March 15, Doors Open at 7 p.m. for 8:30 p.m. Event
- Wooly’s, 504 E Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
It’s a blast from the recent past at Wooly’s with Fool House, THE ULTIMATE 90’s DANCE PARTY! This live musical event will pay “homage to the golden era of boy bands, pop stars, hip hop, and pop punk. With a larger than life production, this show recreates the sights, sounds, and energy of the biggest stars of the 90’s. Nonstop sing alongs, party throwbacks and choreographed dance moves is what this show is all about!”
Saturday, March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Annie’s Irish Pub
- Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m.
- Annie’s Irish Pub, 206 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
What better way to kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend than at our favorite local Irish pub! Set your alarms for 8 a.m. sharp because Annie’s Irish Pub will open their doors bright and early for a day full of drinks, music, and celebration.
St. Patrick’s Day at Exile Brewing Co.
- Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m.
- Exile Brewing Co., 1514 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Fuel up before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Exile Brewing! The brewery will open its doors early with a full menu and Irish food specials at 9 a.m. Try the signature Ruthie beer in a celebratory GREEN color or try some Dry Irish Stout tapped. Not a beer fan? A full cocktail list will be available ALL DAY!
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Smash Park
- Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coach Light Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
We love Smash Park any day, and we especially love it St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Embrace the Irish spirit at Smash Park’s St. Patrick’s Day Party! Grab your friends and sign up for the Giant Beer Pong Tournament, and don’t forget to snag an open bar package for just $49!
East Village St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
- Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Historic East Village, Des Moines
Get SHAMROCKED in the Historic East Village during the St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl! For just $15, skip the cover at all twelve participating bars and enjoy drink deals at every location. Check in early at Bellhop to get your wristband because all participating bars will offer $5 Tito’s and $5 Jameson for the entire crawl!
Des Moines St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Party
- Saturday, March 16, Parade at Noon, After Party Until 5 p.m.
- Downtown Des Moines Parade Route (Grand Ave. from Robert D. Ray Drive to 8th Street)
- Des Moines Marriott Downtown After Party, 700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
With all these weekend events, we’re getting hungry! Catch us in line at Rok the Wok for their grand opening this weekend at the Menards in Clive. Support the local food scene and order a crab rangoon (or two) with your delicious meal!
The Official Lucky’s St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
- Saturday, March 16, 4 p.m. – Midnight
- Venues Vary, Check-In at Hessen Haus, 102 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Get ready to SHAMROCK ‘N ROLL at The Offical Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl in Downtown Des Moines! Tickets start at $20 for group tickets and include 2-3 drinks or shots, exclusive food and drink specials, and a waived cover at all participating locations. The first 400 attendees to check in will receive a party cup, a lanyard with bottle opener, and green and gold beads. You won’t want to miss this crawl!
- Sunday, March 17, 9-11 a.m.
- Confluence Brewing Co., 1285 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
There are still tickets left for Confluence Brewing’s Kegs N Eggs event! Reserve your spot for this celebratory brunch event and claim your brunch plate and not one, but TWO Irish beers. Trust us, this is a brunch you don’t want to miss!
- Sunday, March 17, 10 a.m.
- Plain Talk Books and 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!).
St. Patrick’s Day Drag Brunch at Big Grove
- Sunday, March 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
After a night out participating in The Official Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, we know you’ll need a killer hangover brunch. Look no further than Big Grove for a drag brunch, featuring Hazel Sanchez-Belle. Tickets for a table for four start at $40. Doors open at 11 a.m. for the show at noon, which leaves plenty of time to try Big Grove’s rockin’ new brunch menu!
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Rick O’Shea’s (RICOCHET)
- Sunday, March 17, Noon – Close
- RICOCHET, 400 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love a good St. Patrick’s Day pun, and what better way to celebrate the luck of the Irish than at Rick O’Shea’s (RICOCHET) for a day full of fun games, great music, and, of course, celebratory drinks!
St. Patrick’s Day Paw-ty at Paws and Pints
- Sunday, March 17, Noon
- Paws and Pints, 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines, IA 50310
Don’t let your furry friends miss out on the St. Patrick’s Day fun! Enjoy a fun-filled day of green, gold, and games with $3 domestics, $15 beer buckets, and specialty St. Patrick’s Day drinks. It promises to be paws-itively great paw-ty!
St. Patty’s Day Shamrock Potting Class at Pots & Shots
- Sunday, March 17, Noon
- Pots & Shots, 9500 University Avenue, Ste. 1101, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Embrace the green this weekend and sign up for an hour-long potting class at Pots & Shots! Learn the ins and outs of growing Oxalis (aka shamrocks) in this hands-on demonstration. All attendees will receive a care guide, a pot and saucer, a shamrock plant, AND a 15% coupon to use in-store!
UPCOMING PITCH A FRIEND: March 24
Who’s better to pitch a single friend than your bestie!? In this fun, new take on a singles dating event, we’ll hang out at Teehee’s Comedy Club where presenters can pitch their single friend to the crowd. 6 men and 6 women will be pitched! Each presenter has 3 minutes to share why YOU should date their friend and you must apply to be in the lineup! After the pitches take place, we’ll mix and mingle with everyone in the crowd. Check out all the details. Applications are open and tickets are live now!
