Things to do in Des Moines
298+ things to do in Des Moines this month
Category
579 eventsAll venues in Des Moines
Tue · Oct 27 · 7:00 PM
The Des Moines Big Band, in residence
The Des Moines Big Band
Noce · Des Moines
FreeWed · Oct 28 · 6:30 PM
10-28 | A Panel of WEIRD Writers
Author: Four contributing authors
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Tue · Oct 27 · 6:30 PM
All Iowa Reads
Speaker: Jeremy Griffin
Simpson College · Indianola
Thu · Oct 29 · 7:00 PM
Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn w/ The Tanner Taylor Trio
The Tanner Taylor Trio
Noce · Des Moines
Wed · Oct 28 · 7:00 PM
Jazz on the House w/ Antonio Lopes & Co.
Antonio Lopes
Noce · Des Moines
Wed · Oct 28 · 7:30 PM
All Them Witches
All Them Witches
Wooly's · Des Moines
Mon · Nov 2 · 7:00 PM
Outlander in Concert
Outlander in Concert +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Fri · Oct 30 · 7:00 PM
Katy Nichole
Katy Nichole
Wooly's · Des Moines
Student Rush:…Sat · Oct 31
Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique
Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique +2
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
FreeTue · Nov 3 · 6:30 PM
11-03 | Meet the Author – Heather Mylan-Mains
Author: Heather Mylan-Mains
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Nov 1 – Nov 30
November Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
Urbandale Public Library
$25↻ RecurringSat · Nov 7 · 7:30 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Tue · Oct 27 · 7:00 PM
Ailey II
Ailey II
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
$25↻ RecurringFri · Apr 16 · 7:30 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: Rent
Johnathan Larson +1
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Thu · Oct 29 · 6:00 PM
Pizza & Policy – Examining Curriculum Standards for Teaching History: The Case for Standards Minimalism
Speaker: Dr Stephen Jackson
Simpson College · Indianola
Mon · Oct 26 · 8:30 PM
Ailey II Masterclass
Ailey II Masterclass +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sun · Nov 1 · 12:30 PM
DSM Repair Café
Urbandale Public Library
Fri · Apr 23 · 7:30 PM
Joshua Henry: Get Up Stand Up
Joshua Henry: Get Up Stand Up +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
$25↻ RecurringSun · Nov 8 · 2:00 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$4Fri · Nov 6 · 10:00 AM
A Christmas Carol — Youth Matinee Series
A Christmas Carol — Youth Matinee Series +2
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Wed · Nov 4 · 6:30 PM
WILD WOLVES OF YELLOWSTONE
Wild Wolves Of Yellowstone +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sat · Oct 31 · 8:00 PM
Winyah
Winyah
Wooly's · Des Moines
$30.00Mon · Oct 26 · 10:30 PM
ACOTAR 6 Midnight Release Party
Shelf Love DSM · Des Moines
Tue · Oct 27 · 8:00 PM
Vincent Neil Emerson
Vincent Neil Emerson
Wooly's · Des Moines
Reserved…Tue · Oct 27 · 7:30 PM
Ben Folds & A Piano
Ben Folds
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Thu · Nov 5 · 6:30 PM
Speaker Series: Wilson Cruz
Wilson Cruz
Temple Theater · Des Moines
Fri · Nov 6 · 8:00 PM
Bear Grillz
Bear Grillz
Wooly's · Des Moines
Sun · Nov 1 · 7:00 PM
Brother Ali
Brother Ali
Wooly's · Des Moines
Tue · Oct 27 · 7:00 PM
Between the Panels | October
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
$25.00Tue · Oct 27 · 7:00 PM
Sips & ACOTAR #6: Reading Party @ Mars Cafe
Shelf Love DSM · Des Moines
FreeSun · Nov 1 · 2:30 PM
11-1 | Meet the Author – Ryan T. Pozzi
Author: Ryan T. Pozzi
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
FreeThu · Nov 5 · 6:30 PM
11-05 | Meet the Author – Christopher Vondracek
Author: Christopher Vondracek
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Tue · Oct 27 · 4:30 PM
Caught in the Middle | October
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Sat · Oct 31 · 10:30 AM
Falliday Storytime Party with Nos Books
Author: Nos Books
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Sat · Nov 7 · 7:00 PM
Colby Acuff
Colby Acuff
Wooly's · Des Moines
Thu · Nov 5 · 6:30 PM
Speaker Series: Wilson Cruz
Wilson Cruz
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
FreeMon · Nov 2 · 6:30 PM
11-02 | Meet the Author – Nancy Post
Author: Nancy Post
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
$25↻ RecurringSat · Apr 10 · 7:30 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: Rent
Johnathan Larson
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
FreeThu · Nov 5 · 6:30 PM
Speaker Series: Wilson Cruz
Speaker: Wilson Cruz
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Sun · Nov 8 · 2:00 PM
Star Spangled Salute to Veterans
Star Spangled Salute to Veterans +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
$25↻ RecurringSun · Apr 11 · 2:00 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: Rent
Johnathan Larson
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$25↻ RecurringFri · Nov 6 · 7:30 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$4Fri · Dec 11 · 12:30 PM
Nutcracker + STEM Performance — Youth Matinee Series
Nutcracker + STEM Performance — Youth Matinee Series
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$4Thu · Nov 12 · 10:00 AM
Maya and the Magic Ring — Youth Matinee Series
Maya and the Magic Ring — Youth Matinee Series
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$4Wed · Feb 17 · 10:00 AM
Cirque Mechanics — Youth Matinee Series
Cirque Mechanics — Youth Matinee Series +1
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Mon · Oct 26 · 9:00 AM
Spooky Season Crafts Drop-in
Urbandale Public Library
Wed · Oct 28 · 10:30 AM
Read & Rhyme Storytime with Miss Rebecca
The Little Book · Des Moines
$4Tue · Mar 30 · 12:30 PM
Click, Clack, Moo — Youth Matinee Series - 12:30 pm
Youth Matinee Series
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Sun · Nov 1 · 7:00 PM
Daughtry – 20 Years Unplugged Tour
Daughtry
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
FreeMon · Oct 26 · 6:30 PM
10-26 | Meet the Author – Andy Douglas
Author: Andy Douglas
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Student Rush:…Thu · Dec 31 · 8:00 PM
New Year’s Eve Pops: Cirque – Symphonic Cinema
New Year’s Eve Pops: Cirque – Symphonic Cinema +2
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
FreeWed · Nov 4 · 6:30 PM
11-4 | Meet the Author – Pat Harris
Author: Pat Harris
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Wed · Nov 4 · 7:00 PM
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Wooly's · Des Moines
$25↻ RecurringThu · Nov 5 · 7:30 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
ISU Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Tue · Oct 27 · 6:00 PM
Beyond the DSM: But What Will People Say?
The Little Book · Des Moines
Wed · Oct 28 · 6:00 PM
Ya'll Means All Book Club: It Came From the Closet
The Little Book · Des Moines
Fri · Apr 16 · 7:00 PM
Alex Cuba
Alex Cuba
Temple Theater · Des Moines
Thu · Oct 29 · 7:00 PM
Ella Langley: The Dandelion Tour
Ella Langley
Casey's Center · Des Moines
Fri · Nov 6 · 7:00 PM
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Fri · Dec 4 · 6:30 PM
Interrogating Puerto Rico’s Past, Present, and Future
Speaker: Dr Jorell Melendez Badillo +1
Simpson College · Indianola
Thu · Oct 29 · 4:30 PM
Tween & Teen Painting: Haunted Forest
Urbandale Public Library
Reserved…Fri · Nov 6 · 7:00 PM
Justin Willman: One for the Ages Tour
Justin Willman
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Sat · May 15 · 7:00 PM
The Boneshakers
The Boneshakers
Temple Theater · Des Moines
Fri · Apr 16 · 7:00 PM
Alex Cuba
Alex Cuba
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sat · Feb 20 · 7:00 PM
Tony Deyo
Tony Deyo
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
FreeFri · Nov 6 · 6:30 PM
11-06 | Meet the Author – Keith Pilapil Lesmeister
Author: Keith Pilapil Lesmeister
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Thu · Oct 29 · 4:00 PM
Sip & Shop
Historic Valley Junction
FreeFri · Nov 20 · 6:30 PM
11-20 | Meet the Author – Laura Rowley
Author: Laura Rowley
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
↻ RecurringSat · Dec 5 · 7:30 PM
Festival of Short Plays: Thornton Wilder
Simpson College · Indianola
Fri · Jan 15 · 7:00 PM
Tom Segura
Tom Segura
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sun · Feb 21 · 7:00 PM
Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: World on a String
Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: World on a String +2
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Fri · Nov 13 · 7:00 PM
Lily DeTaeye
Lily DeTaeye +1
Temple Theater · Des Moines
Sat · Oct 31 · 10:00 AM
The Haunting 2026: Polaroid Costume Contest
Exile Brewing Company
FreeMon · Nov 23 · 6:30 PM
11-23 | Meet the Author – Bryon Dudley
Author: Bryon Dudley
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Wed · Jan 27 · 6:30 PM
THE GHOSTS OF POMPEII
The Ghosts Of Pompeii +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
↻ RecurringFri · Oct 30 · 7:00 PM
Iowa Wild vs. Charlotte Checkers
Casey's Center · Des Moines
Fri · Feb 19 · 7:30 PM
Orlando by Sarah Ruhl
Author: Sarah Ruhl
Simpson College · Indianola
Sun · Dec 20 · 6:00 PM
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
FreeMon · Nov 16 · 6:30 PM
11-16 | Scott Samuelson
Author: Scott Samuelson
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Tue · Feb 16 · 6:30 PM
Dr. Seuss's The Cat In The Hat – Live on Stage!
Dr Seuss's The Cat In The Hat – Live on Stage
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
↻ RecurringSun · Nov 1 · 3:00 PM
Iowa Wild vs. Charlotte Checkers
Casey's Center · Des Moines
Sat · Nov 7 · 7:00 PM
NOLA Jazz Band Quartet
NOLA Jazz Band Quartet
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
FreeMon · Nov 9 · 6:30 PM
11-09 | Meet the Author – Stephanie Caffrey
Author: Stephanie Caffrey
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
Wed · Mar 24 · 7:30 PM
Hadestown
Hadestown
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$15Fri · Nov 13 · 7:30 PM
Band Extravaganza
Band Extravaganza
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Sat · Apr 24 · 7:00 PM
Taylor Tomlinson
Taylor Tomlinson
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sat · Nov 21 · 7:00 PM
Mama Said String Band
Mama Said String Band
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sat · Oct 31 · 6:00 PM
The Story So Far
The Story So Far +2
Val Air Ballroom · West Des Moines
Thu · Nov 12 · 8:00 PM
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Mon · Oct 26 · 6:00 PM
Thundercat: Distracted AF Tour
Thundercat +1
Val Air Ballroom · West Des Moines
Tue · Oct 27 · 6:30 PM
Clutch
Clutch +2
Val Air Ballroom · West Des Moines
Mon · Dec 21 · 7:30 PM
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Tue · Feb 23 · 7:30 PM
Shucked
Shucked
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
$8↻ RecurringSun · Jun 18 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
$30Sat · Nov 14 · 7:00 PM
2026 Adult Prom
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
FreeWed · Dec 9 · 6:00 PM
Pride Book Club: All the Things We Don’t Talk About, by Amy Feltman
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
$25↻ RecurringFri · Apr 9 · 7:30 PM
ISU Theatre Presents: Rent
Johnathan Larson
Stephens Auditorium · Ames
Reserved…Sat · May 1 · 7:00 PM
Amber Autry: Happy Holler Tour
Amber Autry
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Dec 19 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Sat · Feb 20 · 7:00 PM
MARK TWAIN TONIGHT!
Mark Twain Tonight +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Events in Des Moines, IA
Concerts, comedy, theater, author readings and community happenings, collected straight from local venue calendars and updated daily. Des Moines fills Hoyt Sherman Place, Wooly's and xBk, with the Des Moines Arts Festival taking over the western gateway each June.