Looking for things to do in Des Moines this weekend? Check out this list of all the events happening in the Des Moines area this weekend, August 6-8!
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
✨Openings✨
Home Sweet Cone is Open in Waukee!
- 1188 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA 50263
- Tuesday – Sundays, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
It’s open, it’s open! We’re so excited to see this woman, veteran-owned ice cream shop open in Waukee. Home Sweet Cone specializes in hard, premium ice cream all with ingredients that you can pronounce. Dairy free, vegan and gluten free options? You betcha. Check it out and see our full list of other ice cream shops around town here!
RC’s Windsor Diner is OPEN!
- RC’s Windsor Diner, 6587 University Ave., Windsor Heights, IA, 50324
- Wednesday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. for breakfast
- Tuesday – Saturday, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner
We’ve been waiting for this gem on the cutest corner of Windsor Heights to open its doors, and it DID. Co-owners Joe Tripp (of Harbinger ) and Simon Goheen (Simon’s) describe RC’s as a local Midwest Diner with Jewish influences serving breakfast and dinner. Stay tuned to their social for some pictures that’ll definitely make you hungry.
Secret Admirer: Opening August 13
- 110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines, IA
- Opens August 13!
From the minds and pockets that brought you Hello, Marjorie and Good News, Darling is Secret Admirer, opening on August 13. This highly anticipated new patio bar is located inside a newly renovated, unique brick building in Downtown Des Moines that gives us Williamsburg, Brooklyn vibes – especially because it sits right next to the train tracks. The bar opens next Friday, August 13!
🧡 Markets + Pop-Ups🧡
Vegan Baked Goods and Astrology Sessions at Art Terrarium
- Saturday, August 7, 12 – 4 p.m.
- Art Terrarium, 509 E 5th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Downtown Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, August 7, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Des Moines’ Historic Court District
It’s sunflower season! Go grab yours from local farmers this weekend. The Downtown Farmers’ Market connects urban and rural communities while supporting nearly 300 local entrepreneurs, including farmers, producers, bakers and artists that represent 50 counties across the state of Iowa. It’s just the best.
Heart of Des Moines Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, August 7, 4-6 p.m.
- 6th and Forest Ave.
Take pictures with the Drake University football team! This market runs every Saturday through September 25 from 4 – 6 p.m. There will be vendors, food trucks, a health tent, kid-friendly activities, and entertainment. So basically, make your way there after a quick nap following the Downtown market! Need to know where to park? Check out the map at the button below.
Global Greens Farmers’ Market
- Saturday, August 7, 9 a.m. – 1 pm.
- 3200 University Ave, Des Moines, IA
Did you know that we have an organization here that runs a program for former refugee farmers? How cool is that? This program, Global Greens, reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S. The farmers access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture, and start their own business by selling produce at this Farmers’ Market. So go check it out! They also have a stand at the Downtown Farmer’s Market.
Shop My Closet At PRESERVATION
- All weekend during shop hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 – 6 p.m., Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.
- Preservation, 3619 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50312
It’s another weekend of shop my closet with PRESERVATION! This shop blends modern ready-to-wear and re-claimed vintage together so your wardrobe reflects sustainability and style at the same time. This weekend, Shop My Closet features are @not.your.average.flower & @tori_watts!
Friday, August 6
First Friday: Mainframe Art Studios
- Friday, August 6, 5-8 p.m.
- 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
Have you noticed the newly painted, colorful building in Downtown? That’s Mainframe Art Studios! It is a nonprofit that provides permanent affordable workspace for artists of all disciplines including our favorite – Love Life Collective Studios. On the first Friday of every month, they open to the public for free to tour over 130 artist studios, enjoy special exhibitions, food and live music. This Friday, check out artists like Genevieve La Valle of Lavalle Studio, a fine art fiber artist who will be selling some of her work!
Hinterland Music Festival
- Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, 3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles, IA
- All weekend!
If this is the first time you’re hearing about Hinterland, then clear your weekend plans immediately. There are still available tickets to Iowa’s coolest music festival happening this weekend in St. Charles, about 35 minutes south of Des Moines. This year’s headliners include Tyler Childers, Black Pumas, Leon Bridges, and the Avett Brothers. All the best local food vendors will be on site so it is truly the place to be this weekend. Learn more about how to prepare last minute here.
Iowa Cubs Games
- Friday, August 6, at 7:08 p.m. with fireworks!
- Games also on Saturday (7 pm..) and Sunday (1 p.m.)
- Principal Park, 1 Line Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
The Iowa Cubs are back in town this weekend, so expect fireworks tomorrow night! Grab tickets to watch them take on the Indianapolis Indians.
Sunset Paddleboarding with SUPYoga DSM at Easter Lake
- Friday, August 6, Sunset Paddle, 7 p.m.
- Classes available Saturday and Sunday as well!
- 2830 Easter Lake Dr, Des Moines, IA 50320
Want to try something new? How about paddle boarding on Easter Lake? You have your choice of an intro to paddle boarding class or a stand up paddle boarding yoga class! Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga uses specialized yoga paddleboards for a new challenge to your practice and connects you with nature, all leading to a sweet floating savasana. Not ready to try SUP Yoga? More interested in just paddling around? Choose their intro long class for the paddling basics and a leisurely paddle around the lake.
Pizza on the Prairie
- Friday, August 6, 5 – 9 p.m.
- Wallace Centers of Iowa, 2773 290th Street, Orient, IA 50858
Oh, you don’t know about Pizza on the Prairie? You’re about to! It’s exactly what it sounds like, and it is truly magical. Come to the prairie on Friday nights for handmade-from-scratch brick oven pizza packed with straight-from-the-farm veggies & local meats! Live music from 5 to 8:30 pm. Walk the prairie path and enjoy the outdoor art along the way! Reservations are required, but you do get to choose your arrival time from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There’s only a few tickets left, so get them quickly!
The Cave DSM’s Weekend Plans
- Friday, 2-8 p.m. / Saturday, 12 – 8 p.m. / Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.
- 1437 Walnut St. Des Moines, IA 50309
Owners Nick and Heather’s good friend Natalie Simon will be playing piano & singing this Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. They’ll also have an expanded menu of food along with great wines by-the-glass. If you can’t make it in on Friday, drop in on Saturday for a new lineup of wines for tasting! Read our interview with Nick and Heather here.
Never Before Scene: High Energy Improv Comedy
- Friday, August 6, 8 p.m.
- Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309
Comedy made up on the spot, based on audience suggestions, never the same show twice. Do you love shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway or Wild’n Out? Come share in the laughs, featuring the funniest and most diverse group of comedians in Iowa. It’s improv like you’ve never seen before, Never Before Scene!
Saturday, August 7
Litter Clean Up at Raccoon River Park with Shop Kind Roots
- Saturday, August 7, 10 – 11 a.m.
- Racoon River Park, Meet by the Biddle Rotary Shelter
Simply feel like doing something good this weekend? Bring yourself, your kids, your pets, whoever wants to come to help Shop Kind Roots pick up some trash in the park. It looks like it will be a gorgeous morning ☀️.
Yoga in the Park
- Southeast Lawn, Gray’s Lake Park
- Saturday, August 7, 9 a.m.
The 2021 Yoga in the Park season is on! Join a local yoga instructor at 9 a.m. on the southeast lawn at Gray’s Lake Park for a practice for all skill levels. Classes will not be held in the event of rain. NEW THIS YEAR: complete your waiver online before class using this link!
Stitch: A Farmers Market After Party hosted by The Supply Hive
- Surety Hotel, 206 6th Ave. Des Moines, IA, 50309
- Saturday, 12 – 4 p.m.
This is SUCH a cool idea. After you browse through the Downtown Farmer’s Market head over to the swanky Surety Hotel for bottomless mimosas, a photo booth, tons of local fashion vendors including @callmefuzzee. Once you’ve hit your mimosa limit, *safely* head over to the Heart of Des Moines Farmer’s market to wrap up a fun Saturday!
2o21 Iowa Craft Brew Festival
- Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 410 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
- Saturday, August 7, 1 – 4 p.m.
If you’re not headed to Hinterland, this is a great back up option! Craft beer lovers will enjoy live music from The Sheet, Mike Vallely & The Complete Disaster, all while enjoying unlimited samples of over 300 varieties of beer. Food will be available for purchase from some of central Iowa’s favorite food trucks and a bike valet will be provided courtesy of the Iowa Bicycle Collective. All tickets include a commemorative sampling glass, and free parking is available adjacent to the festival grounds.
Drink Beer and Talk Books with Storyhouse Bookpub and Peace Tree at Raygun
- Raygun, 505 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50309
- Saturday, August 7, 6 – 8 p.m.
Storyhouse will be chatting in-person with Nick about his forthcoming book, Godspeed (releases July 27) in Raygun’s mezzanine. Nick will be staying to sign all your books too. Grab a $5 ticket online or at Storyhouse – this will cover a micro-brew from Peace Tree Brewing to sip during the event (NA drinks available too). Option to pre-order your book with the ticket available.
Des Moines Water Lantern Festival
- 4343 Water Works Park | Des Moines, IA 50111
Voted the #1 best cultural festival by USA Today, the Water Lantern Festival is the perfect accompaniment to the Beer Craft Festival happening elsewhere in Water Works Park this weekend. This is a family friend event that comes with access to food trucks, a floating lantern kit, LED candle, market and commemorative bag for the price of a ticket.
Beer Run – Mistress Brewing | 2021 Iowa Brewery Running Series
Anybody in Ankeny trying to get their fitness in on Saturday? The Iowa Brewery Running Series is taking over Mistress Brewing Company for a 5K course that starts and ends at the taproom. All participants receive a free craft brew, a collector’s pint glass, and door prizes.
Trivia Smackdown at Des Moines Public Library
- Saturday, August 7, 7:00 p.m.
- Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
We love a good trivia night mixed with a fundraiser for the Des Moines Public Library! The event will have a State Fair theme – aren’t you curious? Cash bar and free snacks. Teams of up to six can register for $150. Cheats are $40 per set, with a maximum of three sets.
Sunday, August 8
Yoga on the Commons
- Sundays, 9 a.m. through the end of August
- 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Start off your Sunday with a beautiful yoga practice. This yoga series is in partnership with Janet Casson Yoga and is held on Cowles Commons – a beautiful space in the middle of downtown. All levels welcome! Be sure to sign your waiver before you go!
Egg Day at The Hall DSM with Egg King
- Sunday, August 8, 11 – 3 p.m.
- The Hall, 111 S 11th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Regardless of if you haven’t gotten your hands on an Egg King sandwich or if you go every week, things just got a whole lot easier! Egg King announced a new ordering process so that you no longer have to wait in line! They’re popping up in West Des Moines on Sunday so get there before they sell out.
Morning Meditation and Brunch at THE COLLECTIVE
- Sunday, August 8, 8:30 – 10 a.m.
- THE COLLECTIVE, 340 SW 5th St #122, Des Moines, IA 50309
Join Meditate DSM for a morning meditation and brunch to start off your week. There’s nothing better than beginning your morning with some calming & balancing breathwork followed by a guided meditation session and a plant based brunch! This class great for beginners, though all are welcome of course.🥰 Only six seats available!
Brunch Bingo at Smash Park
- Sunday, August 8, 11 – 1 p.m.
- Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Looking for cheap mimosas or screwdrivers? Head to Smash Park for free bingo from 11 – 1 p.m. Play along casually while you eat, drink, or catch up with friends while having tons of opportunities to win free drinks or Smash Park gift cards. It’s usually held outside in The Yard, but may be inside if the weather is iffy. Either way, it’s a good chill way to get lit on a Sunday.
Tea Mixology 101 Class at Pepperharrow Farm
- Sunday, August 8, 2-4 p.m.
- Pepperharrow Farm, 1809 S 4th Ave, Winterset, IA 50273
What’s better than a trip to a flower farm? A flower farm plus a class on tea mixology with local experts! Let Red Dragon Herbs help you enrich your life with loose leaf tea! Ryan and Mary provide a class that covers the practicalities of making a good cup of tea, as well as exploring the health benefits, cultural experiences of herbs and teas, and creating your very own blend. Ryan and Mary will walk you though growing, harvesting, and blending your own herbal blends. Class size is limited to 12 attendees!
Ultimate Karaoke Experience at Gas Lamp
- Sunday,s 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- 1501 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Why not make Sunday night karaoke a thing? Seems like a great way to prepare for the week if you ask us.
