EXPLORE: Events

A catch-all section of events in the area that are sure to make memories.
By Cyote Williams

October
  • OCT. 5: Flannel Fest. Local vendors inside the Dogpatch Urban Gardens will be stocked with all things autumn. Dogpatch Urban Gardens, 4600 N.W. 51st St., Des Moines; www.dogpatchurbangardens.com
  • OCT. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20: Apple and Pumpkin Festival. Wagon rides, corn maze, corn pool and, of course, apple and pumpkin picking. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays at Wills Family Orchard, 33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel; willsfamilyorchard.com/apple-pumpkin-fest
  • OCT. 5: Middlebrook Fall Festival. Food trucks, free face painting, farmers market and adult beverages. Middlebrook Farm, 4300 Cumming Ave., Cumming; www.middlebrookfarm.com
  • OCT. 5: Worldwide Food Truck Tour. This food-filled tour stops in Des Moines with a wide range of food trucks and entertainment for the whole family. Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines; worldwidefoodtrucktours.com
  • OCT. 5: Wauketoberfest. Put on by the Waukee Area Historical Society, this day full of fun features live music, delicious German food, beer and an exciting stein-holding contest. Don’t forget to wear traditional attire if you can. Downtown Waukee Triangle, Ashworth Drive and Sixth Street; www.waukeechamber.com
  • OCT. 7, 14: Zoo Brew. Have a brew at the zoo. Blank Park Zoo, 7401 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines; www.blankparkzoo.com
  • OCT. 11: Preseason NBA game. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers. Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines; www.iowa.gleague.nba.com/preseason24
  • OCT. 11-13: Capital City Gaming Con. Back with a new name is Des Moines’ very own board game convention. Buy, play, test and enjoy board games of all types. Hilton Garden Inn, 205 S. 64 St., West Des Moines; www.cardboardcaucus.com
  • OCT. 12: Indigenous Iowans Day. Explore the early cultures that shaped Iowa. Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org
  • OCT. 13, 26: 5K Fun Run. The 2024 Iowa Brewery Running series continues through the fall at various breweries in central Iowa. All beginning at noon; www.breweryrunningseries.com
  • OCT. 12-13: Madison County Covered Bridge Festival. Celebrate Madison County’s history while also taking in its iconic covered bridges alongside food and art vendors, a car show, a parade and more. Starting at 9 a.m. at the Winterset Square, Winterset; www.madisoncounty.com/covered-bridge-festival-2
  • OCT. 18-20, 25-27: Living History Farms hosts a Family Halloween event. Various start times, at 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; lhf.org/event/halloween
  • OCT. 19-20: Great Iowa Pet Expo. Adopt, shop, learn and contests for all pet lovers to enjoy. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive; www.greatiowapetexpo.com
  • OCT. 20: IMT Des Moines Marathon. Since 2002, the annual marathon has been taking participants on a run through Iowa’s capital. 1001 Grand Ave., West Des Moines; desmoinesmarathon.com
  • OCT. 26-27: Des Moines Comic and Toy Show. This Halloween-themed event starts at 10 a.m. at Merle Hay Mall, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines; www.quadcitycon.com
  • OCT. 27: Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame Gala. Celebrate some of the city’s jazz heroes from over the years, including John Krantz, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Community Jazz Center of Greater Des Moines, 1326 Walnut, Des Moines; www.cjc-dsm.org
  • THROUGH OCT. 27: Phantom Fall Festival. Every weekend in October, Adventureland hosts its fall festival with several haunted houses, ghosts, ghouls, goblins and more. 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona; www.adventurelandresort.com/discover-adventureland-resort/Phantom-Fall-Fest
  • OCT. 30: Beggars Night. The night before Halloween is Beggars Night. Children in many area communities will be out and about performing tricks or asking for treats. From 6-8 p.m. in most neighborhoods.

November
  • NOV. 2: Junkin’ Market Days. Clive’s craft, vendor and boutique shopping event. Horizon Events Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive; www.horizoneventscenter.com
  • NOV. 2: 25th annual Red Tie Gala. A benefit for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa. Don’t forget to dress to impress. Community Choice Convention Center, 833 Fifth Ave., Des Moines; www.rmhdesmoines.org
  • NOV. 3: Pumpkin Destruction. Smash ’em, toss ’em, break ’em and bust ’em. Center Grove Orchard, 32835 610th Ave., Cambridge; www.centergroveorchard.com
  • NOV. 11: Living History Farms race. Run for five miles and see 300 years of history. Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org
  • NOV. 15-17: Des Moines Holiday Boutique. More than 200 vendors come together to create a fun, unique environment with the chance to purchase jewelry, gifts, food and more. Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines; www.desmoinesholidayboutique.com
  • NOV. 20: Fall Makers Market. Local vendors, crafters, artisans and more will be available for your shopping needs right before the holidays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jester Park Nature Center, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger; www.jesterparknaturecenter.com/calendar-events/fall-makers-market
  • NOV. 26: Christmas in Olde Town. A holiday celebration in the heart of downtown Altoona. S.E. Second Street, Altoona; www.visitaltoona.com
  • NOV. 28: Des Moines Turkey Trot. This 5K and 5-mile race takes over Des Moines on Thanksgiving and is regarded as one of the top trots in the country. Starting at 9 a.m. on Court Avenue; www.desmoinesturkeytrot.com
  • NOV. 29: Winterset Festival of Lights. Start the holiday season off right with live music, hot food and drinks, and an enchanting display of lights. From 5-8 p.m. at 73 Jefferson St., Winterset; www.madisoncounty.com/special-events
  • NOV. 29 - DEC. 1: Festival of Trees and Lights. Expertly decorated trees, local musicians, dance groups and a visit from Santa himself, all in the name of supporting Blank Children’s Hospital. Iowa Events Center, 833 Fifth Ave., Des Moines; www.unitypoint.org/giving/blank-childrens-hospital-foundation/ways-to-give/events/festival-of-trees-and-lights

December
  • DEC. 6: Light Up Polk City from 6-8 p.m. in the Polk City town square; gopolkcity.com/light-up-polk-city
  • DEC. 5-8: Christkindlmarket. Regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls, lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; children’s activities; Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and European beer. All at Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines; www.christkindlmarketdsm.com
  • DEC. 7: Family Christmas at Living History Farms. 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale; www.lhf.org
  • DEC. 13-14: Winter Solstice Market. Two-day indoor holiday shopping experience. 116 S. First Ave., Winterset Courthouse Square; www.madisoncounty.com/special-events
  • DEC. 14: Santa 5K Run. 521 E. Locust St., Des Moines; www.fleetfeet.com/s/desmoines
  • DEC. 14: Peppermint Trail. Winter festival located along Ingersoll Avenue; www.theavenuesdsm.com/peppermint-trail
  • DEC. 14-15: QuadCon. Comic convention featuring video games, comics, vintage magazines and more. Free entry after 2:30 p.m. at Merle Hay Mall, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines; www.quadcitycon.com
  • NOV. 29 through DEC. 29: Holiday Hullabaloo. Experience a family-friendly holiday event with festivities and entertainment every weekend through the dates posted. Horizon Events Center, 10320 Hickman Road, Clive; www.horizoneventscenter.com

January
  • SUNDAYS THROUGH FEBRUARY: Tour the Historic Jordan House Museum, 2001 Fuller Road, West Des Moines; www.wdmhs.org/visit
  • JAN. 4-5: 13th annual Iowa Diecast Toy Show. Dealers from across the Midwest showcase an extensive range of die-cast toys and memorabilia. Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines; www.agfarmtoys.com
  • JAN. 11: Indoor Garage Sale Extravaganza. For both shoppers and sellers looking to get rid of extra items or turn someone else’s trash into treasure. Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines; www.iowaeventscenter.com
  • JAN. 11: Winter Wonderland Gala. FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 S.W. Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny; www.ffaenrichmentcenter.com
  • JAN. 19: Nick Swardson: Toilet Head. Famous standup comedian brings his act to Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee; www.vibrantmusichall.com
  • JAN. 25: Sal Vulcano: Everything’s Fine Tour. Known for his role as one of the Impractical Jokers, Sal Vulcano brings his standup comedy skills to the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.; www.desmoinesperformingarts.org
  • JAN. 27: Rook Room Open Play Game Night. Choose from hundreds of games to play with your friends and family at SingleSpeed Brewing Des Moines Taproom, 303 Scott Ave.; www.therookroom.com/events

February
  • FEB. 9: Iowa Files: The Underground Railroad in Iowa. Learn about Iowa’s role in the Underground Railroad. West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway; www.wdmlibrary.org
  • FEB. 13-16: Des Moines Home and Garden Show. Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines; www.iowaeventscenter.com
  • FEB. 14: Marc Maron performs standup comedy. 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines; www.hoytsherman.org
  • FEB. 14-15: 30th Winter Blues Fest. Downtown Des Moines Marriott, 700 Grand Ave.; www.cibs.org
  • FEB. 15: African Business Fair. Drake University Olmsted Center, 2875 University Ave., Des Moines; www.onevoicedsm.org
  • FEB. 15: A Celebration In Song. The fourth annual collegiate invitational concert featuring the Des Moines Choral Society, Iowa State Singers and The Luther College Nordic Choir. St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High St., Des Moines; www.dmchoral.org