Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, May 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, May 10
Big Book Sale for the Des Moines Public Library
- Friday, May 10, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, May 12, Noon – 4 p.m.
- 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Calling all Des Moines Girl book lovers! If you are looking for your next great read, make sure to stop by the Big Book Sale at the Des Moines Public Library Central location. Stock up on books, CDs (retro, right?), DVDS, and lots more! All proceeds will support the library and awesome programming for readers.
Central Campus Plant Sale
- Friday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (plus more dates through May 18!)
- Central Campus Horticulture, 205 County Line Road, Des Moines, IA 50320
Time is running out to get your plants from the annual Central Campus Plant Sale! DMPS students have worked hard all year to fill the greenhouse with plants galore for your green-thumb shopping experience. Support a fantastic program while picking up your plants for the season through May 18!
Unexpected Cellar with Winefest Des Moines
- Friday, May 10, 6 – 10 p.m.
- 50 Forest Avenue #102 Des Moines, IA 50314
Wine lovers, this is the event for you! There are only a few tickets left for Winefest Des Moines’ Unexpected Cellar event! Get ready for the wine-tasting event of the year at the (now revealed) secret location: the warehouse at 50 Forest Avenue #102.
Adam Doleac – Wrong Side of a Sunrise Tour at Wooly’s
- Friday, May 10, Doors Open at 6 p.m. for 7 p.m. Show
- Wooly’s, 504 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
If you are looking to jam out to some awesome live music, get your tickets for Adam Doleac’s Wrong Side of a Sunrise Tour at Wooly’s! If you are a country music fan, this event is definitely for you. Tickets are $20.
Saturday, May 11
Baby Animal Days at Center Grove Orchard
- Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12
- Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building, 3000 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317
It is definitely worth the drive outside the city for Central Grove Orchard’s Baby Animal Days! For a limited time, get your ticket to play with all the baby animals this farm has to offer! Tickets start at $10 for your chance to play with lambs, chicks, bunnies, goats, and more!
Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow
- Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12
- Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc., 1408 Arthur Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316
Check out Spring Fling at Iowa’s only permanent Renaissance Village! Munch on a turkey leg and sip on some fresh-squeezed lemonade while cheering on the jousters or laughing at the jesters. Tickets start at $20 for a full day of fun and activities!
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Photo Credit: @dtfarmersmarket
- Saturday, May 11, 7 a.m. – Noon
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
It is another great weekend for the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market! The Market is an 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.
Bondurant Vintage & Maker Market at Morris Elementary School
- Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Morris Elementary School, 1401 Geil Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
If you are still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, check out the Bondurant Vintage and Maker Market! Even if you aren’t on the hunt for a gift, enjoy over 40 vendors and three food trucks on site. Make a day out of it and check out the city-wide garage sales also happening on Saturday!
Siricasso De Mayo Paint and Sip at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Saturday, May 11, Doors Open at 5:30 p.m. for 6 p.m. Event
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love Teehee’s for a great laugh, but this Saturday, catch us at the Cinco De Mayo Paint and Sip with Siricasso, renowned local painter and muralist. Create your own canvas masterpiece alongside Siricasso while sipping on specialty cocktails (or one of your old favorites). Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
Spring Fiction Book Trade at Franklin Library
- Saturday, May 11, 1 – 4 p.m.
- Franklin Library Meeting Room, 5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
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Putting on the Hits: Taylor’s Version at Putts & Pins
- Saturday, May 11, 6 – 11 p.m.
- Putts & Pins, 6920 EP True Pkwy, West Des Moines, 50266
If you’re still not over Taylor’s new album, don’t worry. Neither are we. Obsess over this album and all of Taylor’s other greatest hits with fellow Swifties at Putts & Pins this weekend. Each ticket includes unlimited mini golf, a Swiftie-inspired cocktail, AND a friendship bracelet!
- Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Paws and Pints, 6218 Willowmere Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
If your mother is a dog lover, then this is the perfect Sunday brunch for you and your family! Brunch is first come, first served all morning, featuring delicious brunch specials, a Bloody Mary bar, and (of course) plenty of adorable puppies!
Mother’s Day Market at Ritual Cafe
- Sunday, May 12, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Ritual Cafe, 1301 Locust St., Ste. D, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Mother’s Day Brunch at Big Grove
- Sunday, May 12, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Big Grove, 555 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Maybe dogs aren’t your mother’s thing… if so, then maybe beer is! Brunch will be available at Big Grove – Des Moines starting at 11 a.m., and live music will begin at noon. Plus, all moms get dibs on the “Pick 4” self-care station for all of her self-care needs! No reservations necessary.
Bouquet Bar at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Sunday, May 12, Noon – 3 p.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
Tickets are selling fast for the Bouquet Bar at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden! For $12, create a personalized bouquet for you (or your mother); admission not included. Don’t worry about feeling rushed because this drop-in activity is self-paced!
Mother’s Day Tea at Five Monkeys Inc.
- Sunday, May 12 at 2 p.m.
- Five Monkeys Inc., 134 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Looking for a fun activity for you and mom this weekend? Reserve your spots for Mother’s Day Tea at Five Monkey’s Inc. Spend the afternoon making a tea cup and saucer for all your future tea party needs. Plus, it makes the perfect Mother’s Day experience gift!
