Halloween in Des Moines 2024
Celebrate the spooky season with one of these fun Halloween events happening in Des Moines. Kids of all ages will enjoy new events or even an old tradition. Grab your Halloween costumes, dress up, and head out to celebrate in Des Moines. Play fun games, enjoy non-scary trick or treating, and have tons of family-friendly events.
** Keep this page bookmarked. We will be updating it daily through the season!
Other Halloween Resources:
2024 Sponsor | Des Moines Children’s Museum
Halloween Party
October 24, 25 & 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Des Moines Children’s Museum
Come celebrate Halloween with classic and fun party games throughout the museum!
- Fishing for apples
- Witches hat ring toss
- Craft and coloring sheets
- Dance the Monster mash
- Scavenger hunt
- And more!
Costumes optional. Please note that candy, treat bags, and other goodies will NOT be handed out at this event. They want to focus on having fun, playing, and letting kids experience a Halloween party in a safe, fun, and educational environment.
$10 for ages 1 – 10, free for adults and children over 10. Free for members.
Sensory Friendly Halloween Party
October 25 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Des Moines Children’s Museum
The fourth Friday of each month is our Sensory Friendly play time for children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities and their families to connect and explore. This month they will be celebrating Halloween with classic and fun party games in a quieter and calmer environment. Lights will be dimmed throughout the event.
Some of the classic and fun party games throughout the museum will be:
- Fishing for apples
- Witches hat ring toss
- Craft and coloring sheets
- Dance the Monster mash
- Scavenger hunt
- And more!
Costumes optional. Sensory play times are free to attend.
Cirque Wonderland – Halloween Events
Night at the Circus – Beetlejuice!
When: Friday, October 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Register here.
Looking for a fun and unique way to entertain your kids while you enjoy a night out? Drop them off at the circus! Your kids will get to experience the excitement of circus arts like aerial arts, hula hooping, levi-wand, plus games and more, all while being supervised by real circus performers from Cirque Wonderland. Plus, with our training facility located in the convenient Valley Junction neighborhood, you can easily drop off your kids and enjoy some shopping and dining just down the street.
BONUS! This month we are leaning into the holiday. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes while we enjoy Beetlejuice-inspired crafts, music, and activities!
Day the Circus – Beetlejuice!
When: Monday, October 14 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Register here.
Spend a day at the circus and discover your inner acrobat! Cirque Wonderland is the perfect place for kids to learn cool tricks, play games, and have a blast while enhancing their balance, flexibility, strength, coordination, and confidence. Led by real circus artists from Cirque Wonderland, this camp is packed with exciting activities like climbing, swinging, flying, dancing, and balancing on aerial and acrobatic equipment. You’ll also get to try your hand at prop manipulation, hula-hooping, stilt walking, and even get a behind-the-scenes tour of our studio. Ages 7 to 14 are welcome.
BONUS! This month we are leaning into the holiday. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes while we enjoy Beetlejuice-inspired crafts, music, and activities!
Ninja Circus – Beetlejuice
When: Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to Noon. Register here.
Get ready for a circus adventure like no other! Cirque Wonderland is the perfect place for young daredevils to learn cool tricks, play games, and have a blast while enhancing their balance, flexibility, strength, coordination, and confidence. You’ll get to tackle obstacle courses, climb, swing, fly, dance, and balance on aerial and acrobatic equipment. Plus, you’ll get to try your hand at prop manipulation, hula-hooping, stilt walking, and aerial arts – all skills that will make you feel like a true ninja warrior. So don’t wait – join us at Ninja Circus and discover your inner ninja – ages 7 to 13 are welcome.
BONUS! This month we are leaning into the holiday. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes while we enjoy Beetlejuice-inspired crafts, music, and activities.
Halloween Daytime Playtime with Des Moines Parent
When: Wednesday, October 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Halloween activities will be from 10 a.m. to Noon
Join us for a special daytime playtime with Des Moines Parent!
A vibrant playroom located inside a circus school where parents and caregivers can bring their children aged 5 and under for a day of exploration and fun. Adults can enjoy complimentary WiFi and cozy cafe while keeping an eye out on their little ones as they climb, balance, roll, and crawl through our exciting play areas. Kids love the circus-themed activities, plus we’ve got all the indoor playroom classics like play kitchens, balls, blocks, and more.
In addition to celebrate the holiday we invite your littles to wear a costume! We will celebrate with candy, craft, a fun photo opp, and a little dancing {The Monster Mash, anyone?}
$12 per child.
$10 for each additional sibling.
Adults are free.
Movie in the Park
October 4 at 6:15 p.m.
Colby Park
Join Windsor Heights for a Movie in the Park! They will be showing Hocus Pocus and serving free pizza, popcorn, soda, and cookies.
Boo-ey Costume Party!
October 6; 2 to 3:30 p.m. or 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Playgrounds Cafe
Purchase tickets here.
Kick-off Halloween with a Very BOO-ey Costume Party at Playgrounds Cafe!! Wear your costume and get ready for a fun play date with your favorite Blue Heeler! This ticketed event will include:
- Meet & Greet + Photo Opportunity with Bluey
- A sweet treat & juice box
- An interactive Halloween dance party and games
- Play time in Playgrounds Cafe’s indoor play area
Spirits in the Gardens
October 11; 6 to 9 p.m.
October 12 & 13; 5 to 9 p.m.
Reiman Gardens
Tickets: must be purchased online.
See incredibly detailed, volunteer-carved Jack-O-Lanterns! Sunset is at approximately 7:00. See amazing Jack-O-Lanterns, Collusion hologram projections (best after sunset), glowing orbs, and the Sycamore Falls lighted tower. Follow a designated path and see all of the fun. There are planned activities. View the schedule here.
Witchcrafts Under the Stars
October 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Ankeny Bandshell
Come join Ankeny Parks & Recreation for Hotel Transylvania and receive a Halloween kit, which will include a craft, pumpkin, candy, and more! Pre-registration is required. Bring your blankets and chairs for a fun night at the Bandshell.
Halloween in Uptown
October 17 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Uptown Ankeny
Uptown Ankeny’s beloved Trunk-Or-Treat event is growing once more! Come for the candy, in the form of FOUR blocks of trunk-or-treating, then stay for more Halloween frights and delights! Spooky tunes from DJ Big Lare, a costume contest, rides on the Uptown Express, plus more bewitching surprises. Halloween In Uptown is presented by our friends at Veridian Credit Union.
Costume Contest: Enter to win in one of three categories: Best Single Costume, Best Group Costume, and Best Handmade Costume. Check in from 4-6 pm. Judging at 6:30, prizes will be awarded at 7. Must be present to win!
Night Eyes
October 17 – 20 & 24 – 27; 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Blank Park Zoo
Embark on a Treat Safari through the Zoo, featuring dazzling light displays, and meet beloved characters. Don’t miss the annual Costume Contest, where winners will enjoy a behind-the-scenes animal tour for a group of four! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit blankparkzoo.com/nighteyes.
Family Halloween
October 18-20 & 25-27; Times vary
Living History Farms
Take part in the annual Living History Farms Family Halloween! You’ll be welcomed into the 1876 town of Walnut Hill to enjoy trick-or-treating at historic storefronts, try your hand at games like pumpkin bowling, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and listen to enchanting storytellers. Take a look at the times and purchase tickets!
Harvest Hoedown
October 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Valley Community Center
Harvest Hoedown is a FREE community event for anyone ages 14+ with special needs. Come dressed for a hoedown to enjoy a festive dinner followed by karaoke, wagon rides, and games. This event is free, but please sign up to let them know you’re coming!
Halloween Hoopla
October 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Raccoon River Nature Lodge
Halloween is lurking just around the corner, and this haunted holiday would not be complete without a fun, family-friendly event at Raccoon River Park. Come on out and join the freaky festivities. We will decorate pumpkins and enjoy a ride on the”Witch’s Wagon” around Blue Heron Lake. You will be treated to count Dracula’s “blood” while making your own Skeleton S’mores. Be sure to save the date. We’re just dying to see you there! Must register.
Families with kids younger than 14 — Join them for a Families With Special Needs Night!
The Great Pumpkin Party
October 20; 6 to 8 p.m. (Families with Special Needs Night)
October 21 – October 23; 6 to 8 p.m.
Valley Church
Wear your non-scary costumes and enjoy giant inflatables, barrel train rides, carnival games, free popcorn, and more! They have all sorts of fun at Valley Church, Valley Community Center, and our outdoor areas. Invite your friends and family!
The Great Pumpkin Party is Des Moines’ best family activity this fall and it’s FREE! We have a variety of great options at Valley Church, Valley Community Center, and outdoors. Plus a special night for families with special needs!
There’s something for everyone at the Great Pumpkin Party!
Trick or Treat on Ingersoll Avenue
October 23 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Ingersoll Avenue
Calling all ghosts & goblins, princesses & superheroes! Come trick-or-treat along Ingersoll Avenue during this family-friendly event. These neighborhood businesses will be handing out treats (no tricks!) to all who visit. Learn more here.
Spooky Science
October 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Science Center of Iowa
Dust the cobwebs off your costumes, and bring the whole family down to enjoy spooky, science-y, and SAFE Halloween fun. There will be hair-raising experiments, creepy-crawly critters, and tons of other spook-ified programming.
All activities are included with admission – free for SCI members!
Costumes are encouraged. No costume weapons will be allowed in the building.
Halloween Hullabaloo
October 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.
West Des Moines RecPlex
ages 12+: $10; ages 2 – 11: $8; Under 2 years: FREE
Calling all goblins, ghosts, and ghouls. Head on over to the RecPlex for a spooky good time in a family-friendly environment. You will decorate pumpkins and play fun games and activities like hula hoop pumpkin toss, monster freeze dance, snacks, and more. Space will be limited so don’t miss out! Register here.
Not-So-Spooky Halloween Party
October 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Canoyer Gardens in Grimes
Join for an amazingly Not So-Spooky Halloween Party. This is a FREE, fun, and family-friendly event! No reservations are needed! Grimes location only. Wind your way through the foggy enchanted forest as you groove to the music and play games, collecting treats along the way! This Amazingly Spooky event will include:
• Games
• Tattoo Station
• Dance Party
• Cider and Cookies
• Trick or Treating
• Costume Contest
Trick or Trees
October 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Join the Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden for Trick or Trees. This festive, family-friendly event includes activities, entertainment, and trick-or-treating in the Garden. Visitors can participate in creeptastic educational activities about trees and spooky botanicals. Costumes are encouraged!
Day of the Dead
October 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Step into a vibrant tradition that began over 3,000 years ago in the Aztec Empire. Día de Los Muertos offers healing, joy, and connection, honoring the belief that “what we remember, lives.”
Celebrate this transformative Mexican Indigenous tradition with us at the Des Moines Art Center’s 2024 Day of the Dead event — Day of the Dead: Youth of the Eternal Flame! This festive, free, family-friendly gathering features hands-on art activities, food, music, a Catrina costume contest, and an ofrenda (altar) designed by young artists from Al Éxito with the guidance of artists Siricasso and Dawn Martinez Oropeza.
This year, we are honoring Jóvenes de la Flama Eterna “Youth of the Eternal Flame”— remembering and celebrating the lives of young members of our community, lost too soon.
Trick-or-Treat on the Farm
October 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Howell’s Pumpkin Patch
Come explore the farm Scavenger Hunt style. Complete your list and redeem it for your tasty treats.
Pumpkin Walk
October 27 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Valley Junction
Celebrate Halloween in Valley Junction! Dress up your little goblins and ghouls in their best costumes and enjoy: Trick-or-treating in the 100-300 blocks of 5th Street. Kids activities throughout the district Food and drink vendors Free Pumpkins provided by The Theatrical Shop (while supplies last).
Hooray for Halloween
October 28 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Giovannetti Shelter
Come to the Giovannetti Community Shelter for a spooktacular night! Children should dress in their favorite costumes and bring a sack for trick-or-treat candy! We will make Halloween crafts, decorate Halloween cookies, and play Halloween games!! You must register.
Halloween on the Hill
October 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Historic Sherman Hill
The residents of Sherman Hill will be decorating their historic homes with spooky scenes and collecting non-perishable food items for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry. Halloween on the Hill continues to grow as more residents decorate and crowds surge!
The event is FREE; however, visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or donation to benefit the DMARC pantry.
All Halloween events are also listed on our extensive Des Moines Parent event calendar.
