Things to do in Des Moines
298+ things to do in Des Moines this month
Category
579 eventsAll venues in Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Oct 17 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Sat · Nov 14 · 10:30 AM
The Kimchi Fridge Storytime with author Tina Cho
Author: Tina Cho
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Fri · Oct 30 · 6:00 PM
Drake University Men's Soccer vs UIC
Drake University · Des Moines
Tue · Nov 10 · 7:00 PM
Everclear – Lucky 7 Tour
Everclear +1
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Thu · Apr 29 · 6:30 PM
CHASING MONARCHS
Chasing Monarchs +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Thu · Apr 29
80s kids
80s kids +2
Temple Theater · Des Moines
Reserved…Fri · Dec 4 · 7:00 PM
Dusty Slay: The Neighborhood Guy
Dusty Slay
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Jun 20 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
↻ RecurringSat · Oct 31 · 6:00 PM
Succulent Cauldron Drop-In
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Sat · Oct 31 · 6:00 PM
BOOtanical Halloween Happy Hour
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Fri · Nov 13 · 6:00 PM
The Qweird Girl* Lit Club: I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness
The Little Book · Des Moines
Tue · Nov 10 · 9:00 AM
NXT 515
Casey's Center · Des Moines
Sat · Jan 23 · 7:30 PM
Tommy Emmanuel, CGP – Living In The Light Tour
Tommy Emmanuel +1
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Jan 16 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Fri · Feb 26
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ - Part 2 in Concert
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ - Part 2 in Concert +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Reserved…Tue · Nov 17 · 7:30 PM
Andy Grammer – Greater Than Pt. II: A One Man Show
Andy Grammer
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Mon · Nov 9 · 7:00 PM
Better Together Book Club | November
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Fri · Nov 6 · 7:00 PM
Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball vs Southern Miss
Iowa State Cyclones - Hilton Coliseum · Ames
Fri · Mar 12 · 8:00 PM
Blue October: Foiled 20th Anniversary World Tour
Blue October
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Jul 16 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Reserved…↻ RecurringWed · Mar 10 · 7:30 PM
Jeff Arcuri: The Road Trip Tour
Jeff Arcuri
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Student Rush:…Sat · May 15
Radical Joy – Tchaikovsky’s Fourth
Radical Joy – Tchaikovsky’s Fourth +2
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Fri · Oct 30 · 7:00 PM
Boos & Brews
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Reserved…↻ RecurringSat · Dec 12 · 7:00 PM
Ballet Des Moines Presents The Nutcracker
Ballet Des Moines +1
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Thu · Apr 29
80s kids
80s kids +2
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
↻ RecurringThu · Oct 29 · 6:00 PM
Eerie Evenings
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Sat · Jan 23
Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters
Lisa Rock
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Thu · Oct 29 · 3:00 PM
WellCon 26
Drake University · Des Moines
Sat · Nov 14 · 9:00 AM
SnowGlobe 2026: 'Come to Jesus' Release Party!
Exile Brewing Company
Wed · Nov 4 · 3:00 PM
Masterclass: James Bunte, saxophone, Marie Gallardo, clarinet
James Bunte +1
Drake University · Des Moines
Sun · Nov 22 · 7:30 PM
Drake University Jazz Ensemble One: Andrew Classen, director
Andrew Classen
Drake University · Des Moines
↻ RecurringTue · Oct 27 · 6:00 PM
Succulent Cauldron Drop-In
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
↻ RecurringTue · Nov 17 · 5:00 PM
SnowGlobe 2026: FREE Holiday Portraits!
Exile Brewing Company
Sat · Nov 21 · 5:00 PM
Junior Recital: Meredith Heggen, soprano, Amanda Jones, piano
Meredith Heggen +1
Drake University · Des Moines
↻ RecurringThu · Dec 3 · 5:00 PM
Jingle in the Junction
Historic Valley Junction
FreeSat · Jan 23 · 9:00 AM
Pride Wellness Fair
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
FreeWed · Nov 18 · 6:30 PM
11-18 | Meet the Author – Christina Edgar Olds
Author: Christina Edgar Olds
Beaverdale Books · Des Moines
↻ RecurringThu · Dec 10 · 5:00 PM
Jingle in the Junction
Historic Valley Junction
FreeWed · Nov 11 · 6:00 PM
Pride Book Club: Chosen Family, by Madeleine Gray
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Dec 20 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Apr 18 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Fri · Dec 11
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A Christmas Carol
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
$8↻ RecurringSun · Feb 20 · 5:00 PM
LGBTQ+ Game Night
Capital City Pride · Des Moines
Tue · Nov 24 · 4:30 PM
Caught in the Middle | November
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Thu · Nov 5 · 7:30 PM
Jordan Concert Series: Heidi Melton, soprano
Heidi Melton
Drake University · Des Moines
Tue · Mar 30
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
The Sound Of Music
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Tue · May 4
MAMMA MIA!
Mamma Mia
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
↻ RecurringWed · Oct 28 · 6:00 PM
Eerie Evenings
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Reserved…↻ RecurringThu · Dec 10 · 7:00 PM
Ballet Des Moines Presents The Nutcracker
Ballet Des Moines +1
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Mon · Oct 26 · 7:30 PM
Yoga in the Garden Spooky Edition 2
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
↻ RecurringSun · Nov 22 · 2:00 PM
Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona
Simpson College · Indianola
Mon · Nov 9 · 7:30 PM
Junior Recital: Tatum Murphy, mezzo-soprano, Amanda Jones, piano
Tatum Murphy +1
Drake University · Des Moines
Tue · Mar 30
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare®: Macbeth
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Reserved…↻ RecurringTue · Mar 9 · 7:30 PM
Jeff Arcuri: The Road Trip Tour
Jeff Arcuri
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Tue · Jan 19
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™
Buena Vista Social Club™ +1
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sat · Jan 23
Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters
Lisa Rock
Temple Theater · Des Moines
↻ RecurringTue · Nov 10 · 5:00 PM
SnowGlobe 2026: FREE Holiday Portraits!
Exile Brewing Company
Student Rush:…Sat · Apr 17
Awakening – Mahler’s Third
Awakening – Mahler’s Third +6
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Wed · Oct 28 · 6:00 PM
Drake University Women's Basketball vs Minnesota Duluth (Exh.)
Drake University · Des Moines
Reserved…↻ RecurringFri · Dec 11 · 7:00 PM
Ballet Des Moines Presents The Nutcracker
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
$49.00Mon · Jan 11 · 9:00 PM
ACOTAR 7 Midnight Release Rave (18+)
Shelf Love DSM · Des Moines
Reserved…Sun · Mar 21 · 3:00 PM
Bored Teachers: “Is It Friday Yet?!” Comedy Tour
Bored Teachers
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Fri · Nov 20 · 8:00 PM
2026 Fall Lecture Series | Building A Solar System
Drake University · Des Moines
Mon · Dec 21 · 5:00 PM
Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball vs Northern Arizona
Iowa State Cyclones - Hilton Coliseum · Ames
Mon · Oct 26 · 6:00 PM
Yoga in the Garden Spooky Edition
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
↻ RecurringSat · Nov 21 · 7:30 PM
Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona
Simpson College · Indianola
Tue · Dec 1
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
Maybe Happy Ending
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
↻ RecurringFri · Dec 4 · 7:30 PM
Festival of Short Plays: Thornton Wilder
Simpson College · Indianola
Sun · Nov 1 · 1:00 PM
Drake University Women's Soccer vs Illinois State
Drake University · Des Moines
Wed · Nov 18 · 7:00 PM
Re-Imagining Masculinity | November
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Fri · Nov 20 · 7:30 PM
Drake Opera Theatre Scenes Concert
Drake University · Des Moines
Tue · Nov 24 · 7:00 PM
Between the Panels | November
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Wed · Mar 3
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Phantom Of The Opera
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Tue · Nov 10 · 6:00 PM
Series Book Club: Gideon the Ninth
The Little Book · Des Moines
Sat · Nov 28 · 11:30 AM
Musical Storytime with Local Peformer Craig Petersen
The Little Book · Des Moines
Sat · Jan 2 · 7:00 PM
Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball vs Arizona
Iowa State Cyclones - Hilton Coliseum · Ames
Fri · Dec 11
THE NUTCRACKER
The Nutcracker
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
↻ RecurringThu · Nov 19 · 5:00 PM
Jingle in the Junction
Historic Valley Junction
Fri · Dec 18 · 7:30 PM
Sara Evans: Holiday Road Tour
Sara Evans
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines
Fri · Feb 12
LEGALLY BLONDE - THE MUSICAL
Legally Blonde - The Musical
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Sat · Jan 9 · 1:00 PM
Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball vs Oklahoma State
Iowa State Cyclones - Hilton Coliseum · Ames
↻ RecurringWed · Nov 4 · 3:00 PM
Masterclass: Heidi Melton, soprano
Instructor: Heidi Melton
Drake University · Des Moines
↻ RecurringThu · Oct 29 · 10:00 AM
Toddler Time
Urbandale Public Library
Thu · Nov 12 · 7:00 PM
Touch Grass Book Club | November
Storyhouse Bookpub · Des Moines
Thu · Nov 5 · 7:30 PM
Rodney Carrington
Rodney Carrington
Vibrant Music Hall · Waukee
↻ RecurringThu · Oct 29 · 6:00 PM
Succulent Cauldron Drop-In
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Tue · Aug 24
JUST IN TIME
Just In Time
Des Moines Performing Arts Center - Civic Center · Des Moines
Thu · Oct 29 · 5:30 PM
Carnivorous Plants Container
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Sun · Nov 15 · 12:00 PM
Iowa State Cyclones Men's Basketball vs Niagara
Iowa State Cyclones - Hilton Coliseum · Ames
Fri · Feb 19 · 7:30 PM
NEEDTOBREATHE: The Long Surrender Tour
Needtobreathe
Vibrant Music Hall · Waukee
Fri · Oct 30 · 9:00 PM
El Desmadre
Val Air Ballroom · West Des Moines
Thu · Nov 19 · 6:00 PM
Lecture on “Who Owns Wealth? Gandhi’s Answer to Capitalism”
Drake University · Des Moines
Sat · Dec 12 · 7:00 PM
Not Quite New Year's Eve with Not Quite Brothers
Not Quite Brothers +2
Val Air Ballroom · West Des Moines
Mon · Nov 23 · 6:00 PM
Yung Gravy: The Joyrider Tour
Yung Gravy +1
Val Air Ballroom · West Des Moines
Thu · Nov 19 · 7:30 PM
Drake Symphony Orchestra & Choirs: Mozart's Requiem, Héctor Agüero, Eric Barnum, Josh Boggs, conductors
Héctor Agüero +2
Drake University · Des Moines
↻ RecurringThu · Oct 29 · 11:00 AM
Family Storytime
Urbandale Public Library
Sat · Jan 23 · 7:30 PM
Dylan Scott
Dylan Scott
Vibrant Music Hall · Waukee
Sat · Oct 31
Downtown Farmers' Market: Oct. 31, 2026
Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market
Wed · Nov 18 · 7:30 PM
Senior Recital: Rylan Henke, trombone & piano, Christa Pearson, piano
Rylan Henke +1
Drake University · Des Moines
Sun · Nov 22 · 1:00 PM
SnowGlobe 2026: Holiday Maker's Market!
Exile Brewing Company
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.