Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, October 31 – November 2. 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. Photo by Kent Bailey on Unsplash
Friday, October 31
Halloween Party at Up-Down
- Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1
- Up Down, 500 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
The party is just too good to last one night! This Friday and Saturday at Up Down Des Moines, take part in all the fun arcade games with costumes, cocktails, and chaos. $500 are up for grabs for the best costume of the night. Take a pic in the photo booth and suck on a Blood Bag for two nights of spooky fun!
Costume Party at Jou Jou
- Friday, October 31
- Jou Jou, 906 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl – Des Moines
- Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1
- Court Avenue, Des Moines
Nothing “screams” Halloween like a good ol’ fashioned bar crawl. Join popular downtown drink destinations like Hessen Haus, Voodoo Lounge & Tonic for two nights of Halloween craziness. Your ticket gets you access to specialty cocktails + drink specials, entry to the costume contest, waived cover, food specials, and 2-3 drinks.
The Top Off at Elevencherry Salon
- Friday, October 31, 5 – 8 p.m.
- Elevencherry Salon, 106 11th St #105, Des Moines, IA 50309
It is the last Friday of the month, so you know what that means! Stop by Elevencherry Salon for The Top Off, a monthly cocktail party to giggle, sip, and unwind. This month, sip on the Full Moon Martini, take part in the costume contest, and get a tarot card reading!
Confluence Halloween Party
- Friday, October 31, 5 p.m.
- Confluence Brewing, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Head to Confluence Brewing in costume and get your first beer free! At this Halloween party, take spooky pics in the photo booth, take part in the costume contest (with gift card prizes), and new foods and brews.
Halloween Pottery and Tarot at Five Monkeys
- Friday, October 31, 6 – 8 p.m.
- Five Monkeys Inc., 131 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Snag your ticket for a night of pottery painting and tarot card reading! Your registration includes a tarot reading from Maggie and a $20 credit toward a pottery project. Costumes are encouraged, and BYOB!
 Saturday, November 1
November Flea Market at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building, 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Looking for a fun Saturday or Sunday activity? Take a stroll through the November Flea Market in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds! Admission and parking are free, so take your time browsing the antiques, merchandise, and more!
- Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Early Bird Starts at 8:30 a.m.
- Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
With the seasons changing (and the weather finally feeling like fall), it’s time to put away the summer clothes and pull out the fall and winter attire. Incorporate a few new totally rad vintage pieces from the Totally Rad Vintage Fest this weekend! Tickets are just $8 in advance ($12 at the door) and include access to vintage vendors, a free-play vintage arcade, a rad rewind museum, and nostalgic photo ops. Want first dibs? Snag an early bird ticket!
- Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m.
- SingleSpeed Brewing, 303 Scott Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
SingleSpeed Brewing is celebrating Dia de los Muertos this Saturday! Enjoy a full day of live music, craft beer, and donuts galore. This is a non-ticketed event, but get there early for access to a hyper-limited release of Double Donuts, Lemonerry Crumble, and Zach’s Mexican Donuts.
- Saturday, November 1, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Eden Spa, 418 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Eden Spa is turning one — and you’re invited to celebrate! In-store experiences from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. include guasha treatments, make-up touches, winter skin consults, and personalized recommendations from estheticians. Enjoy bubbles and bites, spa tours, and complementary eye or lip treatments all day! Limited appointments, so early bookings are encouraged. Email anna@edeniowa.com with your preferred service and time!
- Saturday, November 1, 6 p.m.
- Captain Roy’s, 1842 Pennsylvania Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Sunday, November 2
Crochet Club at Plain Talk Books & Coffee
- Sunday, November 2, 11 a.m.
- Plain Talk Books & Coffee, 602 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Calling all crafters! The DSM Crochet Club has a standing meeting at Plain Talk Books and Coffee every Sunday at 11 a.m. Come hang out and bring a craft (crocheting not required!). All are welcome in this inclusive crafting space!
Day of the Dead Celebration at the Des Moines Art Center
- Sunday, November 2, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
It is the 25th anniversary of DĂa de los Muertos at the Des Moines Art Center! “This milestone honors not only the lives we’ve lost, but also the unifying spirit of the holiday and the community members who have built and sustained this event with vision and care. Enjoy live music and dance performances, food and art vendors, hands-on activities, a Catrina costume showcase (learn more about how to participate), a short documentary film tribute, and our annual community ofrenda (on view in the Macomber Lobby through November 16). Free Mexican hot cocoa and pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) will be available while supplies last.”
Des Moines Underground Film Festival at The Varsity Cinema
- Sunday, November 2, 1 p.m.
- Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50311
Support local artists in the film industry at the Des Moines Underground Film Festival! Tickets are going fast for this showing of over 15 short films shot and produced by Des Moines filmmakers. Check out the full lineup here.
ARL Pucks n Paws with the Iowa Wild
- Sunday, November 2, 3 p.m.
- Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Bring your dog to the Pucks N Paws game with the Iowa Wild! When you buy a ticket from the ARL, you can take your dog with you and watch the action! One ticket is good for one human and one dog entry.
