FRI, OCT 30 · 21+
Boos & Brews
Brewery and cidery samples with Halloween entertainment.
Ages 21+. Tickets: $22 members / $25 nonmembers; advance purchase encouraged.
Official details ↗DES MOINES & AROUND · YOUR LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
Good things.
Great plans.
Right here.
Find a show. Make a night of it. Discover the events bringing Des Moines together.
Find your next good planYour next night out starts here. All times Central.
41.5868° N, 93.6250° WGOOD THINGS ARE ALL AROUND.
Live music & more✳Theatre & dance✳Weekends well spent✳A little local love
THE LOCAL LINEUP
Something good is coming up.
Areas group venues by neighborhood or nearby city. Locations without a confirmed area remain under Other. Filters use confirmed event details. Untagged events are excluded when a filter is selected. New categories will fill as listings are added.
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Our guide includes performing arts and a growing selection of local activities through December 2026. Arts checks began October 25; selected arts listings were reviewed October 26. Concert and community additions were checked October 28. This is a curated snapshot, not a live organizer feed. Confirm dates, availability and prices with the organizer.
THE WEEKEND EDIT · OCT 30–NOV 1
A weekend
with possibilities.
Nine ideas for Halloween weekend: art, markets, family fun, sports and a night out. Official sources checked October 28, 2026.
Pick one or make a day of it. These are independent suggestions; check current availability before leaving.
FRI, OCT 30
Aries Spears
A touring comedy show at Vibrant Music Hall.
Paid admission. Check age restrictions and current ticket availability with the organizer.
Official details ↗FRI, OCT 30
Iowa Wild vs. Charlotte Checkers — Wizard Night
Catch a local professional team at the arena.
Paid admission; see the official ticket page for prices and entry policies.
Official details ↗SAT, OCT 31
Downtown Farmers’ Market — Final Saturday
Browse local produce, prepared foods and handmade goods at the final outdoor market of the season.
Purchases cost extra; check vendor and parking information with the organizer.
Official details ↗SAT, OCT 31 · FAMILY
Trick or Trees
A non-scary Halloween celebration with costumes and activities.
Adults $14, seniors $13, youth $11; members and eligible access-program participants free. Check eligibility and availability.
Official details ↗SAT, OCT 31 · FREE
Museum Highlights Tour
A guided introduction to the museum’s collection.
Free; no registration required. Open to all ages.
Official details ↗SAT, OCT 31 · FAMILY
Craft & Movie: Halloween Edition!
Watch Hocus Pocus and make a Halloween craft.
All ages. Supplies, snacks and drinks provided; organizer cannot guarantee allergen-free food.
Official details ↗SAT, OCT 31
Fall Wagon Rides at Jester Park
Fall wagon rides at the equestrian center.
Listed activity window is 10 AM–3 PM, not the length of one ride. Use the organizer’s signup link for departure times, cost and availability; weather may affect operations.
Official details ↗SUN, NOV 1 · FREE
Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos
Celebrate with art activities, music, dance and a community ofrenda.
Free; no registration required. Activities span indoor and outdoor spaces; food purchases may cost extra.
Official details ↗Times are Central. Free refers to admission where stated; purchases may cost extra. Weekend picks are dated and may change.
FIND YOUR WAY TO SOMETHING GOOD
Good plans. On the map.
Explore a first selection of event venues and places behind our sources. Select a location to see its pin, or open directions for your trip.
A good day starts somewhere.
Load the interactive map to explore these locations.
Map tiles load from OpenStreetMap when you open the map. No location access needed.
7 locations. Directions and official links are available below without loading the map.
Performing arts
221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA
Theatre
831 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA
Live music
504 E Locust Street, Des Moines, IA
Gardens
909 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA
Family activities
7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA
Library & community
1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Performing arts
1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA
This initial map is not a complete venue directory. Pins are approximate street-address locations, not entrances or parking instructions. Central Library represents one of several library branches; check each event’s actual location. Addresses reviewed October 28, 2026. Report a basemap issue.
GO STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE
More ways to find something good.
Start with these local calendars and organizers. These are external sources for discovery and verification; they are not automatic feeds into our event list.
Catch Des Moines ↗
A regional events calendar for discovering festivals, concerts, sports and community activities.
Des Moines Performing Arts ↗
Official performances and ticket information for Broadway, family shows, comedy and more.
Des Moines Symphony ↗
Official concert listings, performance times and Symphony Academy events.
COMMUNITY & FAMILIES
Des Moines Public Library ↗
Storytimes, author talks, workshops, exhibits and programs across the city’s library branches. Check age groups and registration requirements.
THEATRE
Des Moines Playhouse ↗
Official show listings for local theatre, musicals and children’s productions, with performance and ticket details.
LIVE MUSIC
Wooly’s ↗
Official concert listings for the East Village venue. Check each show’s age restrictions, door time and ticket information.
GARDENS & SEASONAL EVENTS
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden ↗
Garden events, classes, seasonal celebrations and music. Follow the Garden’s event and class information for admission and reservations.
ART & CULTURE
Des Moines Art Center ↗
Official calendar for museum tours, talks, studio programs and member events. Check eligibility and registration for each program.
ANIMALS & FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Blank Park Zoo ↗
Official upcoming zoo activities and seasonal events. Check admission, weather conditions and activity availability with the zoo.
MAJOR CONCERTS
Casey’s Center / Iowa Events Center ↗
Official arena event listings, concert times and ticket information.
MAJOR CONCERTS
Vibrant Music Hall ↗
Official concert calendar for the Waukee venue.
Directory links reviewed October 28, 2026. Individual events are checked separately; inclusion here does not mean every event has been imported. Organizer details take priority when schedules change.
Know a local event or a source we should follow? Send us a tip at hello@goodthingsdsm.com.
OUR STORY STARTS HERE
Good things happen
when you look closer.
Good Things DSM is a home for discovering places, activities and local stories around Des Moines. The shows worth making time for. The weekends with possibility. The reasons to get out and feel a little more connected to where you are.
We’re beginning with a performing arts calendar and growing into a wider guide to events, places and local stories. One good plan at a time.
Find your next event