Des Moines Fall Festivals 2024
The leaves will begin changing colors and temperatures will be dropping, which means it is my favorite season of all, Fall! This time of year is a time for fall family fun whether that be taking a drive to take in the fall foliage, heading to the pumpkin patches and picking the perfect pumpkin, taking a bite out of a fresh apple, or horse rides, or any other fun activities. I have created a guide to Des Moines Fall Festivals the whole family will enjoy on an autumn day in the Des Moines area.
Looking for Halloween events? Keep your eyes on the Des Moines Halloween Events Guide which will include corn mazes, haunted houses, and more that will be updated later this season for 2024.
Keep an eye on our FREE events calendar for all these events and more this season. Would you like to add your fall family festival or another event to the calendar? Please fill out this form!
Windsor Heights Fall Fest | 2024 Sponsor
October 4 & 5
Colby Park in Windsor Heights
Join Windsor Heights for the 3rd Annual Windsor Heights Fall Festival on October 4th & 5th! This exciting community event is packed with fun for everyone, featuring bounce houses, the WHAMM 5K, a lively parade, spectacular fireworks, a petting zoo, live music, a silent disco, and so much more! Bring your friends and family to celebrate the season with them and make lasting memories in Windsor Heights. Don’t miss out on the fun—mark your calendars today!
Friday, October 4: Catch Hocus Pocus with Movie in the Park, FREE pizza, popcorn, drinks and cookies.
Saturday, October 5: Windsor Heights Association Pancake Breakfast, Mini marathon, parade, inflatables, live music, fireworks, and so much more!
Keep tabs on all the details here.
August
World Food & Music Festival
August 23-25
The 2024 World Food & Music Festival will return to Western Gateway Park for its 20th year. This annual event will host nearly 50 vendors from 27 countries across the globe and provide vibrant live entertainment and interactive culinary opportunities for visitors.
September
Beaverdale Fall Festival
September 20 & 21
Enjoy a fall festival with the Beaverdale community! More details will be released soon. Please keep an eye on the website for this family-friendly event including a fun parade.
Applefest
September 14
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Living History Farms
Join Living History Farms for a day of family fun celebrating the apple harvest season!
Visit their historic sites to see how past cooks would prepare and serve apple treats, such as apple butter, cake or pie, and cider. Print an apple recipe in the print shop, and purchase apple goodies and tasty treats from local food vendors.
Illumifest
September 14; 4 to 9 p.m.
WDM City Campus
Illumifest kicks off at 4:00 pm, enjoy fare for purchase from on-site food vendors as well as a wide array of FREE festival activities, including:
- Hot air balloon rides
- Airbrush tattoos
- Balloon artist
- Inflatables
- Circus performances
- WDM Community Band performance
- Bingo
- Paper lantern painting
At 7:00 pm Faculty Lounge will take the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater stage for a free concert. Be sure to stick around until the end to enjoy a fireworks display to close out the evening.
Apple & Pumpkin Fest at Will’s Family Orchard
Saturday, September 14 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, September 15 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
Saturday, September 21 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, September 22 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
Saturday, September 28 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, September 29 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
On-farm Store, u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, apple cider, cider donuts, orchard-fresh food, & “Fun Farm” activities for all ages. Fun Farm activities have a low cost and include hay wagon rides, corn maze, corn pool, slides, water pump duck races, grain wagon hoops, and toss games. They also have a few barnyard animals to check out!
Vintage and Made Fair
September 21
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dallas County Fairgrounds
Support multiple local vendors at this handmade, vintage market. Similar to a flea market, but so much better! Shop vintage home décor, handmade goods, jewelry, outdoor accents, seasonal items, food trucks, live music, and everything you need to create a vintage and handmade lifestyle. Never too early to begin holiday shopping!
Middlebrook Farm Fall Fest
Details have not been released yet! Check back soon.
October
Apple & Pumpkin Fest at Will’s Family Orchard
Saturday, October 5 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 6 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
Saturday, October 12 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 13 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
Saturday, October 19 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 20 (Noon – 6 p.m.)
On-farm Store, u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, apple cider, cider donuts, orchard-fresh food, & “Fun Farm” activities for all ages. Fun Farm activities have a low cost and include hay wagon rides, corn maze, corn pool, slides, water pump duck races, grain wagon hoops, and toss games. They also have a few barnyard animals to check out!
Fall Fest
October 12
2 to 6 p.m.
Polk City
Come join the family fun at The Square for the 3rd Annual Fall Fest! Kids activities will include pumpkin painting, face painting, inflatables, train rides, character appearances, and more!
Polk County Sheriff’s Fall Festival
October 12
10 a.m. to Noon
Grimes South Sports Complex
Grimes Parks and Recreation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up once again to host the annual Fall Festival on October 12th at the South Sports Complex from 10 am to 2 pm. The festival will be packed with fun activities and booths for kids of all ages, including the Candy Crawl. There will be food trucks, local vendors, games, bouncy houses, and much more. Costumes are highly encouraged!
Covered Bridge Festival in Madison County
October 12 & 13
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Help celebrate the bridges at the Covered Bridge Festival. Crafts, food, a parade, activities, entertainment, antiques, and guided tours of the famous covered bridges. This festival is for everyone.
Deal’s Orchard Fall Festival
October 12
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Celebrate Deal’s Orchard’s 42nd anniversary! Live entertainment, apple pie, dumplings, corn pit, animals, jumping pillow, horse-drawn hayrides, pumpkin patch, paint pumpkins, spin art, giant slides, and so much more. Pony rides $4.
Rose Farm Festival
October 19
3 to 6 p.m.
You’re invited to Rose Farm for our Fall Festival on Saturday, October 19th from 3-6 PM, a celebration of the beautiful autumn season. The arrival of fall means leaves are turning to beautiful shades of yellow, orange + red. Apples are falling from the trees + finding their way into a warm cake. Knit sweaters are keeping us cozy + the sound of leaves can be heard crunching under our boots. The harvest moon glows brightly in the night sky. Come celebrate this magical season at the farm.
Enjoy food, drinks, pumpkin painting + live music on the lawn overlooking the beautiful Rose Farm gardens. Each guest will enjoy a specially prepared fall harvest charcuterie picnic box along with a welcome cocktail. Musician Brian Dougherty (think John Mayer vibes) will be sharing his vocal talents + performing live on the lawn beginning at 3:00 PM. Artist Christine Hilbert will lead a live pumpkin painting demonstration from 3:30-4:30 PM. Take all of your Instagram-worthy photos with the beautiful fall farm backdrop. A cash bar will also be available with beer, wine, seltzer + non-alcoholic options.
This is a ticketed event for guests 21 years or older.
