Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, May 16-18. 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 16
Des Moines Biergarten Events
- Wednesday, May 14 – Saturday, May 17
- Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
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Minnesota vs. Dallas Watch Party at Big Grove
- Friday, May 16, 6 p.m. Doors Open
- Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Saturday, May 17
Downtown Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, May 17, 7 a.m. – Noon
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
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.
Spring Art in the Garden at Ted Lare Garden Center
- Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Ted Lare Garden Center, 2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, IA 50061
Spring into the season with a trip out to Ted Lare Garden Center for a free event in a beautiful outdoor garden space! Art in the Garden features over 35 artists showcasing a variety of mediums, local food vendors, and live music all day!
Urban Tree Hike: Get to Know Your Neighborhood Tree w/ Wander Women and Trees Forever
- Saturday, May 17, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
- Ashby Park, 3200 38th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
“If you’ve ever been curious about the canopy around you, or wanted to learn more about the native trees of Iowa and the Midwest, we’ve got the event for you! Join us for an urban hike through forest-y Beaverdale as you learn the basics of how to identify any tree you encounter! We’re partnering with Trees Forever, one of our favorite nature loving non-profits, to host a super educational and hands on hike that’ll inspire you to look more closely at the trees in your neighborhood and beyond.”
2nd Annual Ankeny Art Center Art Festival
- Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Uptown Ankeny, 299 SW Maple St, Ankeny, IA 50023
This Saturday, join the Ankeny Art Center and Uptown Ankeny to celebrate the Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival! “The festival will transform several streets of Ankeny’s Historic Uptown into a vibrant celebration of creativity and artistic expression. It will feature fine art vendors working in mediums such as painting (acrylic, oil, pastel, etc.), ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, mixed media, metal works, glass, digital, and many others! This event is free and open to the public!”
Pedal for Paws with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa
- Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.
- Check in starts at Captain Roy’s, 1900 Saylor Rd, Des Moines, IA 50313
Grab your friends and family – and your bike – for a party ride around the Des Moines metro on May 17 to help pets in need! The 18-mile (round trip) ride has several fun-filled stops along the route, including Captain Roy’s, Confluence Brewing Company, Jasper Winery, Sullys Irish Pub and more! You can enjoy drink specials, win raffle prizes, play yard games, and even meet some of the pets you’ll be supporting. You’ll be helping homeless pets just by registering, but $1 from every beverage purchased on the ride will also be donated back to the ARL!
DIY Tote Bags at Marv’s Record Shop
- Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.
- Marv’s Record Shop, 506 E 6th St #200, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Beer Mile DSM at SingleSpeed Brewing
- Saturday, May 17, 4 p.m.
- SingleSpeed Brewing Co., 303 Scott Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Just a few spots remain for one of the best running events the city has to offer: SingleSpeed Brewing Co’s Beer Mile! Register as an individual or a team to chug four beers every 400 meters. Costumes are recommended, having fun is inevitable.
HOTORI X DSM Ramen Club Pop Up
- Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. – Noon
- HOTORI, 1417 Walnut St., Ste. D, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Valley Junction Art Festival
- Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Historic Valley Junction
Clear your Sunday calendar because this is an arts festival you won’t want to miss! Over 50 artists from all around the state will overtake Historic Valley Junction. Everyone is invited to enjoy the art and purchase the works available for sale. Admission is FREE and includes activities, demonstration, and live entertainment!
The Sunday Sermon at xBk Live
- Sunday, May 18, Noon
- xBk Live, 1159 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
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Girls on the Run 5K
- Sunday, May 18, 12:30 p.m.
- State Capitol Complex, 1007 E Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319
Get out and enjoy the nice Iowa spring weather and support a great cause by signing up for the Girls on the Run 5K! All are welcome to walk, run, or race this Sunday at the 5K event. Pre-race events start at 12:30 p.m., and the race itself will begin at 2 p.m.
Rosalie Fashion Show at Willow on Grand
- Sunday, May 18, 1 – 4 p.m.
- Willow on Grand, 6011 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50312
“Welcome to Where Light Falls, a romantic afternoon of fashion and elegance inspired by the origin story of Rosalie…. Whether you’re a bride-to-be or simply drawn to the artistry of bridal couture, join us for cocktails, music, and a celebration of beauty, growth, and glowing beginnings.” GA tickets include entry and two drink tickets, and premier tickets include entry, one seat, and two drink tickets.
Books & Brew at Vibrant Coffeehouse
- Sunday, May 18, 2- 5 p.m.
- Vibrant Coffeehouse, 520 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Bring your current read to Vibrant Coffeehouse on Sunday for Books & Brew and enjoy an afternoon of quiet reading, quiet music, and your favorite brew! The event is free, but space is limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis. Can’t decide on a book? Take a chance on a mystery read with Vibrant’s Blind Date with a Book selection!
Macrame Workshop at the Art Terrarium
- Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.
- Art Terrarium, 520 Euclid Ave. #101, Des Moines, IA 50313
Join the Art Terrarium for a workshop led by Jess with Macrame by Jess. Learn to create your very own macrame plant hanger using natural white colored cord. In this workshop, you will learn how to begin a beginner-friendly macrame plant hanger, several basic macrame knots, and receive a instructional take-home handout. Leave with a finished plant hanger and a 15% in-store discount!
Free STEM Event in Des Moines: Research Aircraft Open House
- Sunday, May 18, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
- Main Hangar at Signature Aviation DSM, 6123 SW 28th St., Des Moines, IA 50321
Got a thing for aviation? Here’s a cool and FREE event at the Des Moines airport. See inside of a research aircraft and the instruments used to collect information on the atmosphere. Talk to scientists, engineers, and pilots on the campaign! *Closed toed shoes are required for this event.
The open house is part of the Convective Gravity Waves in the Stratosphere (CGWavesS) project that is studying atmospheric gravity waves, funded by the U.S.National Science Foundation (NSF), and supported by the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). It will be a great opportunity to connect with the project’s scientists and staff to learn about their career paths, learn about the science behind gravity waves, and take a tour of the NSF NCAR Gulfstream V research aircraft.
