Outdoor Concerts in the Des Moines, Iowa Area
Enjoying summer concerts outdoors is one of our family’s favorite things to do. It is a great time for the entire family (except for Zoo Brew). Whether you enjoy classic rock, jazz, or pop there are many options. Listen to great music, play games, meet friends, pack a picnic dinner, and have fun. There are a ton of options to enjoy an outdoor concert and support local artists. Some may require tickets and some are free. Take a look at this giant list of outdoor concerts in the Des Moines area this summer.
Take a look at these other fun guides to plan for summer in Des Moines, Iowa:
Tuesday
Nights in the Heights
Located at Colby Park select days this summer. Details have not been released yet. Stay up to date here.
Wednesday
WDM Community Band
Select Wednesday’s (Jamie Hurd Amphitheater ) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday’s (Valley Junction) at 6 p.m.
Enjoy free live music this summer with the West Des Moines Community Band! The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater and Valley Junction offers a delightful evening of music under the stars every month. Bring a blanket and a picnic and unwind to the tunes of this talented local band. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the community and celebrate the joy of music. If you’re a musician, the band welcomes new members! Visit wdm.iowa.gov/WDMCB to learn more and consider joining the fun.
- May 6, June 3 and July 29 at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater (7 p.m.)
- May 28, June 25 and August 13 at Valley Junction Farmers Market (6 p.m.)
Zoo Brew at the Blank Park Zoo
Wednesdays in June, and July and the first two Wednesdays in August from 6 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday night the camels aren’t the only ones celebrating HUMP DAY! On select Wednesdays in the summer, the Zoo comes to life after hours for those 21 and over. This popular fundraising event features a variety of live music, summer brews (including lots of craft beer options), and a stroller-free environment to see the animals! When you buy a brew, you support the Zoo. Take a look at our fun experience. The perfect summer evening date.
Must be 21 and over to enter. Must present valid ID at the door. Animals will be out until 30 minutes before sunset.
Thursday
Beats and Eats
Thursday’s June through July from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the AMP in Ankeny, Iowa. Stay up to date here.
Music in the Garden at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Thursday’s June 4 – August 20
6 to 9 p.m.
All concerts will be held in the outdoor Koehn Garden. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:30 p.m. Music in the Garden attendees are encouraged to bring their folding, outdoor seating, or picnic blankets. Trellis Café will be serving grilled items in the Koehn Garden area for guests to purchase. Tickets are sold at the door and are first come, first served.
Music in the Junction in Valley Junction
Thursday’s beginning in May to September
5 to 8:30 p.m.
Music in the Junction is the place to be in central Iowa on Thursday nights from May through September. Railroad Park and the beverage garden are open at 5:30 p.m. with live free music from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Join for a great season in Historic Valley Junction for this free weekly summer music series!
Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series
Sleepy Hollow joins Polk County Conservation in hosting free, live music all summer long. The annual Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series now in its fifth year and includes three dates at Sleepy Hollow for a total of nine shows all summer long.
Relax to the rhythm of incredible music and nature’s own melody in the middle of three beautiful Polk County parks. Bring your own food and drinks, blankets, camp chairs, your friends and family, and enjoy a summer evening at Sleepy Hollow, Jester Park or Easter Lake Park.
All shows are FREE & open to the public. No tickets or registration required.
Concerts are scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and will be held live, outdoors, and in person on the back patio of the Jester Park Nature Center, at the festival grounds of Sleepy Hollow, or at the beach of Easter Lake North Shore.
Full list of dates:
- June 4 – Sleepy Hollow
- June 11 – Athene North Shore Recreation Area
- June 18 – Jester Park Nature Center
- July 2 – Sleepy Hollow
- July 9 – Athene North Shore Recreation Area
- July 16 – Jester Park Nature Center
- August 13 – Athene North Shore Recreation Area
- August 20 – Jester Park Nature Center
- August 27 – Sleepy Hollow
Summer Music Series at Gray’s Station
{Official dates and details for 2026 have not been released yet!}
Camp Dodge Summer Concert Series
{Official dates and details for 2026 have not been released yet!}
Tunes at Twilight
Tunes at Twilight will be held on select Thursday nights this summer from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the yard. Admission is completely free, and no tickets are required.
- Thursday, August 13
Summer Concert Series at Jasper Winery
Thursday’s 6 to 9 p.m. Starting May 7 – August 6
Join Jasper Winery on Thursday nights for their annual Summer Concert Series. Bring blankets, lawn chairs for outside seating, and a yard game for some extra fun! This is a free concert series for the public. Burgers and brats will be available from the grill and wine and beer is available for purchase. Take a look at all the family fun we have had.
Friday
Food Truck Friday at Campbell Recreation Park in Clive, Iowa
May 8 – June 12
Friday’s 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Join Clive Parks & Recreation on Fridays for Food Truck Friday. This family-friendly Friday night kicks off the weekend for many! Bring the family to Campbell Park in Clive for food trucks that may include ice cream, fun, and live music. There is plenty of space and lawn seating for families to spread out and enjoy the evening.
Friday Night Live at Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines, Iowa
Select Friday’s from 8 to 10 p.m.
This summer, get ready for some awesome Friday nights! The new Friday Night Live series at the scenic Jamie Hurd Amphitheater offers a unique combo: live music and outdoor movies. Join from June through August for electrifying band concerts on the third Friday of the month, followed by great outdoor movies on the fourth Friday of each month.
- June 19 – Flying Solos
- June 26 – Zootopia 2
- July 17 – Suede
- July 24 – Jurassic World Rebirth
- August 21 – Juniper Street
- August 28 – Lilo & Stitch (Live Action)
Middlebrook Farm: Friday’s on the Farm; 4300 Cumming Avenue, Cumming
Friday’s 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Beginning May 22 through September 25.
Enjoy live music, food, drinks, vendors, and more on Iowa’s first agri-hood at Middlebrook Farm. This cute developing farm is located in Cumming, Iowa. It offers beautiful views and plenty of room to run and play.
Rendezvous Riverview at Riverview Park
5:30 to 9 p.m.
Every Friday in June and July, they will be bringing live music back to Riverview Park where we will showcase a variety of bands!
The Wallace Centers of Iowa: Pizza on the Prairie; 2773 290th Street, Orient
Friday’s 5 to 9 p.m.
Come to the prairie on Friday nights for handmade-from-scratch brick oven pizza packed with straight-from-the-farm veggies & local meats! Live music from 5 to 9 p.m. Walk the prairie path and enjoy the outdoor art along the way. Sides, desserts, beer, wine, and soft drinks are available. Seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Reservations required.
Saturday
Winterset Cidery
Winterset Cidery hosts live music several days and nights throughout the spring, summer and fall. Take a look at their full 2026 lineup here.
Sounds of Summer
Come and be part of an exciting summer of music at the Yard Summer Concert Series! Sounds of the Summer will be on select Saturday nights from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on the Yard.
- Saturday, June 27
- Saturday, July 25
- Saturday, August 29
- Saturday, October 3
Sunday
Summer Music Series at Exile Brewing Co.
Details for 2026 have not been released.
Music Under the Stars
2026 Season Schedule has not been released yet. Concerts at 7 p.m.
Live at the Creek
{Official dates and details for 2026 have not been released yet!}
Head to Jordan Creek Towncenter for live music at the creek. Every Sunday. Take a look at the lineup for each week here.
Other Outdoor Music Opportunities
80/35 Music Festival
2026 Music Festival has been cancelled.
Greenbelt Music Festival
{Details for 2026 have not been released}
This outdoor festival takes place on a secluded grass field, off the lively Greenbelt Trail in Clive, Iowa, just west of Horizon Events Center.
Enjoy live music on our outdoor AND indoor stages while you explore the many food vendor options and enjoy tasty beverages. Between sets, participate in activities for all ages, including a silent disco, laser tag, rock climbing walls, a mechanical bull, and more! Learn more about headliners and purchase tickets.
Hinterland Music Festival
Head a little south of Des Moines to St. Charles for an epic weekend full of music, camping, and fun! Take a look at the Hinterland Music Festival or full lineups of music and entertainment for the weekend. This year’s festival is scheduled for July 30 – August 2.
Iowa State Fair
How could we forget the Iowa State Fair?! Beginning August 13 through August 23 multiple concerts and bands of various genres perform at the Iowa State Fair. Some are free concerts and some cost. Take a look at what is in store this summer.
Water Works Park
Water Works Park was made for outdoor concerts! You do not want to miss a concert on the newly constructed Lauridsen Amphitheater. There are many fun concerts scheduled. Take a look and grab tickets for your favorite!
Yankee Doodle Pops
Join the Des Moines Symphony in Downtown Des Moines to celebrate the Nation’s birthday. This is Iowa’s largest single-day concert. Grab your blankets, and chairs and listen to music. After the concert watch the area’s premier fireworks display over the downtown Des Moines skyline. It is all free!
Please update calendar to reflect Clive Food Truck Friday changes.