Upcoming · Des Moines, IA
Things to Do in Des Moines, IA
Des Moines hosts around 900 upcoming events, with approximately 400 scheduled for the next 30 days. About 15 percent of these listings are free. The largest categories include concerts and live music at roughly 200 entries, followed by theater and performing arts, sports and fitness, business networking, food and drink, and community social gatherings at around 150 to 60 each. Wells Fargo Arena in Iowa, the Des Moines Civic Center, Caseys Center, The Ingersoll, Hoyt Sherman Place, and the Funny Bone Comedy Club feature the most listings. Performers with upcoming dates include the Iowa Wild, Des Moines Buccaneers, Iowa Wolves, The Phantom Of The Opera, and Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero. Founded in 1843, the city has a population of about 210,000 according to 2020 data.
City facts
- Population
- 214,133 (2020)
- Area
- 235 km²
- Elevation
- 291 m
- Founded
- 1843
Source: Wikidata
Categories
Concerts & Live Music197Theater & Performing Arts161Comedy19Exhibitions & Art1Museums & Heritage1Food & Drink64Sports & Fitness150Family & Kids19Nightlife & Clubbing9Hiking & Outdoors2Workshops & Classes31Talks & Lectures4Movies & Film4Community & Social60Business & Networking134Wellness & Mindfulness18Seasonal & Holiday46Literary1Conferences & Summits1🎃 Halloween🎄 ChristmasThings to do
Fri, Oct 16
5:00 PM · $69.72 +
Pork + Pinot presented by The Iowa Pork Producers
Peoples Company - Cumming · 1108 South 44th Street #Suite 102, Cumming, IA 50061
Food & Drink
$69.72 +
5:30 PM · $30.52 +
Spooky Sips & Paint Night
Collaborate DSM · 3106 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Food & Drink
$30.52 +
Sold out6:30 PM · $22 +
Today's Christian Girl- 2026
Calvary Apostolic Church · 2611 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50317
Community & Social
$22 +
Sold out6:45 PM · Free
Boo Bash N’ SPLASH
Goldfish Swim School - Urbandale · 3771 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322
Seasonal & Holiday
Free
7:00 PM · $24.80 +
Whiskey & Words: An Elevated Night of Whiskey, Music & Poetry
8801 University Ave ste 29 · 8801 University Avenue #ste 29, Clive, IA 50325
Food & Drink
$24.80 +
7:00 PM · Free
Derek Richards
Funny Bone Comedy Club - Des Moines · 560 S Prairie View Drive
Theater & Performing ArtsDerek Richards
Free
7:00 PM · $65 +
Danielle Nicole
Wooly's · 504 E. Locust Street
Concerts & Live MusicDanielle Nicole
$65 +
7:00 PM · $23 +
Crowder
Lutheran Church of Hope · 925 Jordan Creek Parkway
Concerts & Live MusicCrowder
$23 +
7:00 PM · Free
Ron Taylor
Funny Bone Comedy Club - Des Moines · 560 S Prairie View Drive
Theater & Performing ArtsRon Taylor
Free
7:00 PM · See listing
Mastodon w/ Deafheaven
Val Air Ballroom · 417 5th St.
Concerts & Live MusicMastodon
See listing
7:00 PM · See listing
Crowder LIVE!
Lutheran Church of Hope · 925 Jordan Creek Parkway
Concerts & Live MusicCrowder
See listing
7:00 PM · Free
Haunted Waters Halloween Bash
2750 NW 82nd Pl · 2750 Northwest 82nd Place, Ankeny, IA 50023
Seasonal & Holiday
Free
7:00 PM · $51 +
Mastodon
Val Air Ballroom · 301 Ashworth Rd.
Concerts & Live MusicMastodon
$51 +
7:05 PM · $24 +
Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex · 6500 Grand Ave.
Sports & FitnessDes Moines Buccaneers
$24 +
7:30 PM · See listing
Our House - A Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The Ingersoll · 3711 Ingersoll Ave
Concerts & Live MusicOur House: The Music Of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
See listing
Rescheduled7:30 PM · See listing
Big Head Todd And The Monsters
Hoyt Sherman Place · 1501 Woodland Avenue
Concerts & Live MusicBig Head Todd & the Monsters
See listing
7:30 PM · $46 +
Do Portugal Circus
Jordan Creek Town Center · 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy
Theater & Performing ArtsDo Portugal Circus
$46 +
8:00 PM · Free
The Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase
Beechwood Lounge · 416 East Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Theater & Performing Arts
Free
9:00 PM · See listing
Besties - Bonita Fridays
Ta'Chido Cantina · 409 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Community & Social
See listing
10:00 PM · $7.68 +
Oct 16 - 10PM TABLE RESERVATION
The Garden Nightclub · 525 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Nightlife & Clubbing
$7.68 +
10:00 PM · $7.68 +
BREAKING NEWS
The Continental · 407 East 5th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Concerts & Live Music
$7.68 +
Sat, Oct 17
5:00 AM · $99 +
Mosaic Art Classes Des Moines: Turkish Lamp Workshop
Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Community & Social
$99 +
9:00 AM · Free
Finding the Voice of Lent
Sacred Heart Catholic Church · 1627 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Community & Social
Free
9:00 AM · Free
Fit & Connect + Cafecito: ALPFA DSM x Krave Gym x Beba's Cafe
Krave Gym Des Moines · 555 17th Street #Unit 104, Des Moines, IA 50309
Business & Networking
Free
Sold out9:00 AM · $19.10 +
Reggaeton Sculpt
Low Toxy · 232 5th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Wellness & Mindfulness
$19.10 +
9:30 AM · $60 +
Beyond Behavior: Classroom Management for Engagement & Achievement
West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce · 650 South Prairie View Drive #110, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Family & Kids
$60 +
10:00 AM · $37.74 +
Eat | Drink | Architecture: Drake Edition
University Library Cafe · 3506 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Food & Drink
$37.74 +
10:00 AM · Free
FREE Mat Pilates at Paws & Pints!
Paws & Pints · 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
Sports & Fitness
Free
Sold out10:00 AM · $25 +
ChildServe – Johnston Sibshops 2026
ChildServe · 5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131
Family & Kids
$25 +
Sold out10:00 AM · $41.93 +
Horror Throwback Drag Brunch: 80s Slashers
THE GARDEN · 525 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Theater & Performing Arts
$41.93 +
Plan ahead
Pilates and Pour at the Candle Bar
Sun, Nov 1 · Candle Bar DSM
Cookies & Christmas Cards
Fri, Nov 27 · Collaborate DSM
STEVIE STONE PRESENTS: GOAT TALK TOUR - Des Moines, IA
Thu, Nov 19 · Vibes Kitchen & Bar
2026-2027 Progressive Voices Concerts Season Tickets
Sat, Nov 14 · First Unitarian Church
U.S. Secret Service Preventing Targeted Violence in Public Spaces
Thu, Dec 3 · Ron Pearson Conference Center
Date Me DSM 100th Dating Event
Fri, Nov 20 · Val Air Ballroom
Rocky Horror - October 31 - 11:30PM TABLE RESERVATION
Sat, Oct 31 · The Garden Nightclub
All Sites 2026
Mon, Nov 16 · FFA Enrichment Center
Frequently asked questions about events in Des Moines
- How many events are free in Des Moines?
- About 15 percent of the listed events are free. This share applies to the total programme of around 900 upcoming listings.
- Which venues have the most events in Des Moines?
- The venues with the most upcoming listings are Wells Fargo Arena in Iowa, Des Moines Civic Center, Caseys Center, The Ingersoll, Hoyt Sherman Place, and Funny Bone Comedy Club in Des Moines.
- What is the most common type of event listed?
- Concerts and live music are the most common type with about 200 listings. Theater and performing arts and sports and fitness each have around 150 entries.
- Who are some performers playing in Des Moines soon?
- Upcoming performers include the Iowa Wild, Des Moines Buccaneers, Iowa Wolves, The Phantom Of The Opera, and Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero.