Fun Things To Do in Des Moines This Weekend:
June 2nd – June 4th
Every weekend there are amazing Things to do in Des Moines, Iowa! We have created a list of what we think are the most fun, most interesting family events in the Des Moines area this weekend – so you can have the best time together!
The page will be updated every week so be sure to come back and see what great kids’ events we have coming up for the weekend in Des Moines. Take a look at our full FREE, extensive event calendar to plan your weeks and days in Des Moines, Iowa.
Free Fishing Weekend
Friday, June 2nd – Sunday, 4th
All Across The Metro!
It is Free Fishing Weekend brought to you by Iowa Department of Natural Resources! All across Iowa (including the Metro area) youth can enjoy free fishing! There are numerous events happening throughout the weekend from educational opportunities to fishing derbies! Join the fun this weekend and read on HERE to learn about fishing events happening near you. Plus, learn more about getting your Iowa fishing license!
Farm School: The Adventures of Peter Rabbit
Friday, June 2nd
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Rose Farm – Norwalk, IA
Farm School is designed to give children a front-row seat to the modern farmstead that Rose Farm is. Excite your child’s senses and enjoy a tour of the land. Be greeted by flowers, chickens, vegetables and the honey bee colonies. You will learn about pollinators, life cycles of chickens, the monarch waystation and other various butterflies. Children will experience a scavenger hunt, self-directed learning opportunities and presentations from the farm team!
Fishing Basics
Friday, June 2nd
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Yellow Banks Park – Pleasant Hill, IA
Fishing season is here! Come learn about the different kinds of fish in Iowa, fishing safety, casting, and even how to tie a hook. It is Free Fishing Weekend in Iowa so no license is needed. Bait and poles will be provided at this fun and educational event, but feel free to bring a chair to sit in.
Friday’s on the Farm
Friday, June 2nd
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Middlebrook Farm – Cumming, IA
Join Middlebrook Farm for Friday at the farm featuring live music performances, a food truck, farmers market vendors, a wine/beer wagon, fresh organic produce, and so much more! Bring your own chairs and blankets and enjoy the entertainment and activities!
‘Take Up Space’: an experience of mental health and neurodiversity
Friday, June 2nd
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Mainframe Studios – Des Moines, IA
“Experience the beauty and the struggle of living with mental health or neurodiversity through art. Society often teaches individuals with mental health issues or neurodiversity to blend in. Take Up Space celebrates the beauty behind our uniqueness. We invite you to experience the voices and perspectives of our artists and to think about how you too can learn to Take Up Space.
First Fridays in the East Village
Friday, June 2nd
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
East Village, Des Moines, IA
Join East Village Des Moines for First Friday and explore the shops, businesses, restaurants, and bars that call the East Village home. Each week will showcase an array of events sprinkled throughout the East Village. More information will unfold each week about special events, be sure to check out the official East Village website! Guests can enjoy free parking 5:00 – 8:00 PM in designated retail areas!
Matilda the Musical JR.
Friday, June 2nd – Sunday, June 4th
Fri: 7:00 PM, Sat & Sun: 2:00 PM
CAP Theatre – Altoona, IA
Join CAP Theatre in Altoona, Iowa for a junior production of Matilda! “A gleefully, witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.”
Movies in the Park: The Incredibles + Touch A Truck
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Colby Park – Windsor Heights, IA
A cross between two beloved events – this Friday you can experience Touch A Truck with Windsor Heights Police and Fire, PLUS catch an all time favorite movie, The Incredibles, outdoors at Colby Park! Outdoor movies in the park is a fun family event everyone can enjoy. With the fun addition of Touch a Truck, you won’t want to miss this!
Grimes Farmer’s Market
Saturday, June 3rd
7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Heritage Park – Grimes, IA
Local Grimes, Iowa Farmers Market opens Saturday, June 3rd, at 7am-11am and will continue every Saturday throughout the summer! Grab fresh produce, flowers, honey, shop local vendors and makers, and enjoy the wonderful community of Grimes, IA!
Downtown Farmer’s Market
Saturday, June 3rd
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Court Avenue – Des Moines, IA
The Downtown Des Moines Farmer’s Market is back for the 2023 season! We can’t wait to get our hands on locally grown produce, catch up with our favorite vendors, grab some tasty street food, and feel the energy from the bustling market. Catch live entertainment, interactive activities, and all the local vendors!
Ames Main Street Farmers Market
Saturday, June 3rd
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Main Street – Ames, IA
Join the fun in Ames this Saturday at the Main Street Farmer’s Market. Led by the Ames Chamber of Commerce, they have a ton of fun planned for your family. Fresh produce, local vendors, fresh flowers, children’s activities, and live performances! The Main Street Farmer’s Market is growing bigger and better every year. This is one you will want to check out if you haven’t already!
Uptown Ankeny Farmer’s Market
Saturday, June 3rd
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ankeny Market & Pavilion – Ankney, IA
Uptown Ankeny, the foundation of Ankeny’s beginnings is a booming district packed full of shops and entertainment. Join Uptown on Saturday at the pavilion for their fresh and fun market! May 20th is their opening weekend for the season and they have so much to offer. Live music and entertainment, vendors, local goods, family fun activities, and many more things to explore throughout Uptown!
2023 Mayor’s Bike Ride
Saturday, June 3rd
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Raccoon River Boat Ramp – West Des Moines, IA
Join Mayor Russ Trimble for the 2023 Mayor’s Bike Ride! You can join for a 3 mile or 14 mile ride that will kick off at Raccoon River Park at the Boathouse and end at Park PALOOZA near the nature lodge. During this ride you will get to explore the winding trails of West Des Moines! Free helmets will be given to the first 100 participants, provided by the Street Collective. This is an all ages event and will be so much fun!
Park PALOOZA
Saturday, June 3rd
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Raccoon River Park – West Des Moines, IA
Join the city of West Des Moines and Polk County Conservation for Park Palooza! Kick off summer with activities, music, vendors, food trucks and so much more! Youth can also participate in Cops and Bobbers to celebrate free fishing weekend. Poles will be available to borrow and you can enjoy free watercraft rentals at the Boathouse!
Free Guided Bird Watching Walk
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge – Prairie City, IA
Join Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for guided bird watching! Learn how to bird watch with a naturalist guide while enjoying the summer weather. June is a wonderful time to get outdoors to see spring migrants and resident birds. Free loaner binoculars will be available for watchers who join the event!
Des Moines Con
Saturday, June 3rd
10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Iowa Events Center – Des Moines, IA
Join Des Moines Con for a day of fun, celebration, and celebrity guest appearances! You will experience a community of people who love all things comic, super hero, anime, and so on! Talk to and shop around with vendors and industry professionals bringing you the entertainment and art you love! Plus, there is a full event schedule including cosplay contests!
Native Prairie Day
Sunday, June 4th
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Yellow Banks Park – Pleasant Hill, IA
Celebrate National Prairie Day at Yellow Banks Park learning about Iowa’s native prairie plants and animals. Explore the prairie during a short hike followed by a hands-on, interactive presentation with one of Yellow Banks Park’s naturalists!
Trek the Parks Kick-Off Party
Sunday, June 4th
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Brenton Arboretum – Dallas Center, IA
Des Moines Outdoor Fun and Des Moines Parent want you to get outside this summer and explore central Iowa. That is why we have created the ‘Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge’. The communities within central Iowa offer many parks, trails, spray grounds, and more, we want you to get out and discover them!
The 2023 Central Iowa Trek the Parks Challenge will kick off on June 1 and run until August 20. During this period of time, we encourage everyone to visit 30 of 35 parks on our list. New for 2023! We have Trek the Parks meetups planned at a few parks on the challenge.
Single Dads Day
Sunday, June 4th
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Principal Park – Des Moines, IA
Single Parent Provision will take over numerous Skybox Suites to host single fathers and their children at this Pre-Father’s Day event. Single fathers are invited to enjoy an afternoon of Iowa Cubs baseball, including lunch and snacks, from the best seats in the house! In addition to the game, great company, and an abundance of food, children and youth activities will be provided along with a special visit and photo op with the I-Cubs mascot, Cubbie.
