We are thrilled to partner with Commonground Iowa to promote their Farm Dinner on September 20 in Dayton, Iowa.
Join Commonground Iowa and area Iowa farmers for a delicious farm dinner. The event is Friday, September 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You will have a chance to tour a family farm, enjoy a tasty meal featuring Iowa meat and produce, and hear from members about their passion for farming. The event is free, but registration is required. To RSVP contact Natalie Te Grootenhuis by email: [email protected] or phone: 515-225-9242. Look for more details to come.
Iowa is the place to be in August. With the Iowa State Fair bringing in dozens of great shows, concerts, and exhibits, there are ten fun-filled days to explore the fair with family and friends. Outside the Fairgrounds you’ll also see incredible sights at the National Balloon Classic in Indianola.
There are plenty of opportunities left to enjoy the lazy days of summer before school starts by playing in the fountains at Cowles Commons, catching a ball game at Principal Park, or visiting your local library for storytime.
August 2019 Events and Activities in Des Moines
July 26 – August 3 | National Balloon Classic, Memorial Balloon Field, Indianola
Gates open at 5 a.m. for morning attendees and 4 p.m. for afternoon and evening attendees
Watch nearly 100 hot air balloons paint the Iowa sky with brilliant colors and playful shapes. Cheer on skilled pilots as they compete for points and prizes, enjoy live music, and maybe even buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind view. The event also features Dawn Patrol, Nite Glow, Kids Land, and, of course: food and fireworks! Cost is $8 at the gate for adults and children over five (cash only). Or buy tickets in advance online for $6 each.
August 2 | Free Friday Flicks, Franklin Library
1:30 p.m.
Head to the library for a cool afternoon at the movies: Mary Poppins Returns plays this Friday at the Franklin Library.
August 2 | Sounds on the Square, Polk City
6 p.m.
Bring a chair or blanket and listen to live music in the charming town center of Polk City.
August 3 | Bison Day, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nature lovers, head east of the metro to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for Bison Day, a free family-friendly celebration of bison and the prairie. Music, weaving, nature-themed exhibitors, a guided hike, and games and crafts available for all ages! Enjoy encounters with live hawks and owls, butterflies and native wildlife presented by Blank Park Zoo. See live bison and elk and compete in a bison chip-throwing contest! The event is free, but lunch will be available for purchase.
August 3 | Summer Breeze Battle of the Burbs, NCMIC & Professional Solutions in Clive
9 a.m.
Get the family out to support your community! Runners will select to support Clive, Waukee, or West Des Moines with their race fee. The community with the most supporters gets bragging rights and a traveling trophy! But everyone wins with a healthy family activity (kids run is free!) and the race fees go back to the selected communities.
August 4 | Farm Stand to Fork Dinner, Dogpatch Urban Gardens
5:30 p.m.
Chef Ken VanMilligan, from St Kilda, prepares a unique culinary experience at this urban farm. The chef will curate a meal which features products sold at the DUG FarmStand. Enjoy food and drink while experiencing a sustainable urban farm within Des Moines.
August 6 | National Night Out
Neighborhoods across the country host a community-building night the first Tuesday in August. The goal is to promote relationships between neighbors and law enforcement. Check with your neighborhood for details and locations.
August 7, 14, 21, 28 | Wellness Wednesdays Yoga, Cowles Commons, Downtown Des Moines
Noon to 1 p.m.
Enjoy free yoga on the Commons lead by professional instructors. All levels and abilities welcome.
August 8-18 | Iowa State Fair, Des Moines
7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Join more than one million fellow fair-goers at the award-winning Iowa State Fair, right here in Des Moines! Check the website for a full listing of events, concerts, and attractions.
August 9, 16 | Sips & Songs, Prairie Trail District in Ankeny
5:30 p.m.
Ankeny has a new summer community music celebration. Kick-off the weekend with a family-friendly Friday night. Enjoy music, games, and fun!
August 9 | Paw Patrol Party, North Side Library
4:30 p.m.
Yelp for help! Marshall from Paw Patrol will be there for photo opps. Do crafts and activities to celebrate the end of summer reading.
August 10 | Star Party, Ewing Park
6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Experience the out-of-this-world space observation! Join Science Center of Iowa staff and members of the Des Moines Astronomical Society (DMAS) to take a look through high-powered telescopes to see the Perseid meteor shower, waxing gibbous moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.
August 11 and 25 | Pedal to the Park, Iowa Cubs at Principal Park
1 p.m.
Bike to a Sunday afternoon Iowa Cubs game and get a ticket (and a promo item) for $9. To get the deal, you must go to the Bike World Bike Gate at Principal Park on game day. The Bike World Bike Gate features secured bicycle parking and is located on the southwest side of the stadium, next to the box office.
August 13 | Baby Finance Class, Blank Children’s Hospital
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This is a great class to learn about managing the financial, legal, and insurance aspects of raising children from infancy through college. Whether you are considering parenting, expecting a child, or already have children, this class is a great resource. The class is free, but registration is required.
August 17 | Rip Roar Kids Triathlon, Johnston
8 a.m.
Athletes from ages 6 to 15 can compete in this championship-style triathlon. The swim course takes place in the brand new Terra Lake. The bike course takes place on Pioneer Parkway, which will be closed to vehicle traffic. The run course utilizes the Terra Lake Park paved trails as well as small grass sections and is a very spectator friendly run course.
August 18 | Garden Pole Party, Franklin Jr High
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ready for a crafternoon? Cassie Kendzora from Turnaround Arts will be leading the class and providing pre-designed patterns for you to paint your own garden pole. The registration fee of $75 supports the Beaverdale Fall Festival and includes all the supplies.
August 21 | Zoo Brew Wild for Wine, Blank Park Zoo
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Experience the zoo without the kids. Grab a drink, enjoy live music, and explore the zoo with friends. Food is available for purchase at the Safari Grill. Pro tip: You can bring in your own chair if you’d like to guarantee yourself a spot to sit and enjoy the music.
August 24 | Ingersoll LIVE, Ingersoll Avenue
4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Ingersoll LIVE is a family-friendly street festival celebrating the Ingersoll and Grand District in Des Moines. Enjoy inflatables, rides, and activities for kids, arts and crafts for sale, food and beverage vendors, street performances, and much more!
August 25 | Fam Jam, Cowles Commons
11 a.m.
Play in the fountain and enjoy some free family fun downtown. During Fam Jam you can play on a bounce house, enjoy live music, complete art projects, and visit activity stations. Pack a picnic or plan to visit a food truck.
Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add your event to the list.
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
