Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in October
Pumpkins are popping up on every porch, there is a crisp morning air and leaves are starting to fall. Celebrate the season with fall festivals, Halloween events, and all things fall. Plan your October in Des Moines today.
Bookmark these other Halloween resources for October:
- Beggars’ Night in Des Moines
- Halloween Events in Des Moines
- Trunk or Treat Events in Des Moines
- Halloween Costume Shops in Des Moines
Wauktoberfest
Address: 550 Ashworth Dr, Waukee, IA 50263
Hours: Saturday, October 5th, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Cost: Tickets are $15 each
Wauktoberfest is a fundraising event for the Waukee Area Historical Society. Throughout the evening, you’ll see live performances by three different bands. Enjoy ice-cold beer in steins, delicious food, and German traditions.
USA National Team vs Brazil National Team
Address: Hy-Vee Hall, 730 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
When: Saturday, October 5th, 7:00 PM
Cost: Tickets are $42 each
Catch the first indoor global soccer game at the Iowa Events Center with the USA National Team vs Brazil National Team. This is the final of three World Exhibition Games. This is the first of its kind in Iowa!
Madison County Covered Bridge Festival
Address: Winterset Courthouse Square, 73 Jefferson Street, Winterset IA 50273
When: Saturday, October 12th, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM and Sunday October 13th, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Cost: $3 per person or $5 for two people, free for children under 12
Make your way to Winterset to experience the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival. Each day will include arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, a farmers market, and a kids zone. At the kid’s zone, enjoy free face painting (9:00 AM-12:00 PM), disc golf, and axe throwing. Don’t miss the parade on Sunday at 3:00 PM. Other activities around the area will include a tractor ride to five covered bridges, Winterset Firefighters Pancake Breakfast, a two-hour Covered Bridges School Bus tour, horse-drawn wagon rides, and free s’mores and popcorn with the Madison County Historical Complex.
Spirits in the Garden at Reiman Garden
Address: Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011
When:
- Friday, October 11th, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM (Jack-O-Lantern sneak peak)
- Saturday, October 12th, 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
- Sunday, October 13th, 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Cost: Purchase tickets (Tickets are for a specific day and entry time window)
- $14: Member Adults Ages 13+ • Must Present Membership Card At Check-In
- $16: General Public Adults Ages 13+ • General Public
- $7: Youth Ages 2-12
- $14: ISU Students Valid with Student ID
- Free: Infants Under 2 years
Put on your costume and come to Reiman Gardens for Spirits in the Garden. See the amazing Jack-O-Lantern creations, hollusion hologram projections (best after dark), glowing orbs, the Sycamore Falls lighted tower, and of course lots of candy! The walking path through the gardens is about ¾ of a mile. Bring a bag for your candy. Get all the information here.
Grimes Fall Festival
Address: South Sports Complex, 750 SE James St, Grimes, IA 50111
When: Saturday, October 12th, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Cost: Free
Grimes Parks and Recreation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to host the Grimes Fall Festival. Wear your costumes and enjoy food trucks, local vendors, games, bouncy houses, and the candy crawl.
Family Halloween at Living History Farms
Address: 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322
When:
- Friday, October 18, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
- Saturday, October 19, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
- Sunday, October 20, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM
- Friday, October 25, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
- Saturday, October 26, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
- Sunday, October 27, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM
Cost: $9 for ages 2 and up ($8 for members; 1 and under free)
Celebrate Family Halloween at Living History Farms. Trick-or-Treat at the storefronts in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill, listen to storytellers in the Gothic church, have your silly fortune told in the Millinery, and watch demonstrations at the Print Shop, Drug Store, and Blacksmith. Finish the day with a horse-drawn wagon ride!
Fall Festival at Rose Garden
Address: Rose Farm, 7197 43rd Avenue, Norwalk 50211
When: Saturday, October 19th, 3:00 PM-6:00 PM
Cost: Tickets are $80 each (21 years or older event)
Take your partner or your friends to the Fall Festival at the Rose Garden. Each guest will enjoy a fall harvest charcuterie picnic box and a welcome cocktail. Musician Brian Dougherty will be performing and artist Christine Hillbert will lead a live pumpkin painting demonstration at 3:30 PM. A cash bar will be available with beer, wine, seltzer, and non-alcoholic options. For an additional fee, guests will be able to harvest flowers from the gardens to take home.
Spooky Science
Address: Science Center of Iowa, 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50309
When: Saturday, October 26th, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Cost: Purchase tickets
- Free for members
- $13 for everyone 2 years and older
Mix education and fun with Spooky Science at the Science Center of Iowa. Be amazed by experiments, interact with creepy-crawling critters, and enjoy other spooky programming. All activities are included with admission.
