Check out this list of events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, October 7-9. 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, October 7
NOW OPEN: Brand-New Gusto Pizza Bar Downtown
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Momentum Art Exhibition at Mainframe Studios’ “First Friday” Open House
- Friday, October 7, 5-8 p.m.
- Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
“Mainframe Studios is excited to partner with Community Support Advocates for a barrier-free First Friday as they take steps to improve accessibility. In addition to live and virtual viewing options, promotional materials are designed using Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for printed materials. Artworks will be accompanied by recorded artwork descriptions.” Food by Scenic Route Bakery will be provided!
- Showtimes all weekend!
- Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Tickets to The Book of Mormon at the Des Moines Civic Center are still available! But if you’re feeling lucky, The Book of Mormon digital lottery is now LIVE through Friday, October 7 at 12 p.m.! Here’s the description: “This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book Of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.”
U-Pick Apples at Winterset Cidery
- Friday, October 7, 1 p.m. – dusk; Saturday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 9, 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Winterset Cidery, 1638 Hwy 169, Winterset, IA 50273
As cute and picturesque as it sounds! Head over to beautiful Madison County for apple picking of your favorite varieties like Honey Crisp, Ruby Mac, and Jonathan. Apple pricing is $5 per pound to eat or bake. You can also bring a photographer for those perfect Instagram shots..and ya know…just the memories.
509 City Vintage Market
- Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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509 East 5th Street, Des Moines, IA
This monthly vintage pop up is in an old carriage house in the East Village. This Friday and Saturday, it will feature 8 of central Iowa’s best vintage and antique dealers with a focus on Autumn and Halloween decor. 🎃
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Weekends, September 30 – October 30
- Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
“Phantom Fall Fest is Adventureland’s new Halloween event for everyone! It features Iowa’s best thrills, rides and attractions, specialty food & drink options, and bone-chilling haunts and scare zones after dark.”
Scare DSM
- Friday and Saturday Nights in October, 7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
- 97 Indiana Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
If you’re looking for the classic pop-up Halloween haunted house, head to Scare DSM. $20 per ticket. There’s currently a DSM Hummingbirds special deal for this so check that out: “ScareDSM is BACK with VIP tickets for you and a guest to attend Night of the Living DRAG on Thursday, October 20. You’ll get to experience the haunted house as well!” Sign up for Hummingbirds: https://www.thehummingbirds.co/instagram. Let us know how scary it is!
- Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, 7-11 p.m.
- Linn’s Supermarket 3805 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Anybody else remember this from high school days? Linn’s Supermarket is still doing it’s thing as a classic haunted house destination for this spooky season. Linn’s is a huge haunted house that you can expect to walk through for 20+ minutes. Admission is $20! Voted Best Haunted House by readers of Cityview.
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Weekends through October 30, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
- Adventureland, 3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
This gives us major teenage nostalgia, but it’s a solid experience for a traditional haunted house night since it’s been going on for 25 years. Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park opens at 7:00 p.m. and admissions closes at 10:30pm.
Saturday, October 8
Mat Pilates and Plants at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
Club Pilates Ankeny is hosting this month-long series of mat pilates at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Sounds like an amazing start to a Saturday this month. $10 per person or $50 for the series!
La Mie’s 20th Anniversary
- Saturday, Oct. 8, 4-8 p.m.
- In front of Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Wow, 20 years of amazing pastries. Join La Mie in celebrating its 20th anniversary at this free event on Saturday evening. Enjoy free pastries, pizza, beer & wine with balloon art and face painting and, of course, live music. Plus there will be a raffle for gift cards from the Shops at Roosevelt! It’ll be the perfect fall block party feel!
- Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Franklin Library, 5000 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
The Des Moines Public Library is excited to invite you to participate in the inaugural Community Table: Storytelling & Local Food Festival on Saturday, October 8, beginning at 10:00 AM. This new community festival, hosted by Franklin Avenue Library, will feature acclaimed national storytellers performing for adults at Northwest Community Center, Franklin Junior High, and Franklin Avenue Library. There will also be children’s stories, activities, crafts, and more at Tower Park, plus local food and vendors at Franklin Junior High. The Glendale Cemetery will then be the backdrop for a special “scary stories” event in the evening.
- Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum, 225 10th Street, Boone, IA, 50036
Take the family on this one hour and thirty minute journey (across our 156′ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and the Des Moines River Bridge) to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch. Once at the patch, children will be able to select their perfect pumpkin before returning to town. On the return trip, children will receive an activity booklet and a treat. The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a non-profit, operating railroad museum.
DSM Biergarten Opens in Water Works
- Thursday: 2-10pm, Friday: 2-10pm, Saturday: 12-10pm, Sunday: 12-10pm
- Lauridsen Ampitheater, Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
- Thursdays – Sundays through October!
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Saturday, October 8, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Waukee Triangle Park, 380 6th Street Waukee, IA 50263
The Wauktoberfest Celebration will be held under a big tent at the Waukee Triangle. Wauktoberfest is a nod to the past as there were many annual street dances, festivals and celebrations that took place at the Triangle. The event is a great way to continue to connect the past and the future. There will be a beer garden and german food! Tickets will be available in advance for $10 per person with one drink ticket included. Buy tickets at the gate for $15 per person.
Drunk Book Club at Teehee’s Comedy Club
- Saturday, October 8, 7:00 p.m. show, 6:30 p.m. doors
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love stand up for any date night idea and we especially love Teehee’s Comedy Club, the independent comedy club on Walnut Street near downtown. This Saturday, Des Moines’ comedians Kristy and Onnalee read a book. Yes, a whole book! Then they discuss said book to the best of their inebriated ability. After their “recounting” has come to a close they bring on more comedians to perform the highlights of their book club conversation. Let the never-ending shenanigans ensue!
- Saturday’s in October: 9 am – 6 pm
- Sunday’s in October: Noon – 6 pm
This is a favorite kids friendly pumpkin patch. The land has an on-farm store, u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, apple cider, cider donuts, orchard-fresh food, & “Fun Farm” activities for all ages. There is NO Admission Fee to visit our on-farm store, barnyard, and pumpkin patch, but there are paid activities once you’re there!
U-Pick Apples and Pumpkins at Storybook Orchard
- All weekend – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 12832 Royal Orchard Drive, Story City, IA, 50248
About 40 miles north of Des Moines is this recommended orchard to stroll through for a lower key u-pick experience. If you head there, let us know what you think!
- Monday – Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Berry Patch Farm, 62785 280th St, Nevada, Iowa
This cute family-run farm was recommended to us on Instagram as a location to pick apples and pumpkins without lots of hayrides, cornmazes, and general hoopla. Check it out as a quieter option! Free admission and free hayrides on Saturday!
U-Pick Apples and Pumpkins at Storybook Orchard
- All weekend – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- 12832 Royal Orchard Drive, Story City, IA, 50248
About 40 miles north of Des Moines is this recommended orchard to stroll through for a lower key u-pick experience. If you head there, let us know what you think!
- Sunday, October 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Lauridsen Ampitheater, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA US 50321
