With a long weekend comes extra opportunities for family fun in the Des Moines area. For those of you staying close to home for Memorial Day weekend, there’s no shortage of events worth attending. If you’re looking for an educational way to honor the men and women who died in service to our nation, think about attending one of the kid-friendly ceremonies we’ve listed below.
We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide and follow us on Facebook, and Twitter. Have a fantastic long weekend!
Memorial Day Weekend in Des Moines:
Military & Patriotic Events
Memorial Day Ceremony at Iowa Veterans Cemetery – ONLINE EVENT (34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, IA 50003). FREE; Monday, May 31, 2021, 8:00 am. The Iowa Veterans Cemetery annual program at the Fallen Heroes Monument, which honors and remembers the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Details forthcoming, pending COVID restrictions at the time of ceremony.
Memorial Day Ceremony at the State Capitol (State Capitol Grounds – south side of Capitol) May 31, 2021 at 10:00 am. The public is invited to honor all military personnel at the 2021 Memorial Day service on the south lawn of the Iowa State Capitol grounds. This event is tentative with Covid-19 still in effect and may be postponed or cancelled. Masks & social distancing are recommended.
Arts & Culture
Fridays at the Farm (Middlebrook Farm, 4300 Cumming Avenue, Cumming, IA 50061) FREE; Friday, May 28 at 4:30 pm. Enjoy FREE live music by Matt Woods, food trucks, farmers’ market, and of course, Middle Brook Farm’s fresh farm produce. The fun starts at 4:30 pm and goes until 7:30 pm.
Food Truck Friday (Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Pkwy, Clive, IA 50325) FREE; Friday, May 28 at 5:30 pm. Make your way to Campbell Park to enjoy music, food, and fun. Bring the whole family — the park has three playgrounds and green space.
Summer Concert (Penoach Winery, 26759 N Avenue, Adel, IA 50003) FREE; Friday, May 28, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Start your Memorial Day Weekend off at Penoach Winery. Chad Elliott will take over their patio from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
Memorial Day Tunes (Summerset Winery, 15101 Fairfax Street, Indianola, IA 50125) Veterans get in FREE; Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 2:00 pm. Enjoy some wine and the music of The Sons of Gladys Kravitz Band on Summerset’s lawn during their Memorial Day celebration. Kids are welcome.
Music in the Park (Haines Park, 603 3rd Avenue SE, Altoona, IA 50009) FREE; Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Enjoy live music under the stars at this family friendly concert in Altoona.
Attractions
Adventureland & Adventure Bay (305 34th Ave NW, Altoona, IA) Saturday, May 28 to Monday, May 31, 2021. Adventureland and Adventurebay will be open throughout the Memorial Day weekend. All current members of all military branches including the National Guard/Reserve will be admitted FREE to Adventureland Park/Adventure Bay with their military photo ID. Retired members can also show their DD Form 214/Discharge form and matching gov’t photo ID.
Aquatic Centers, Pools and Splash Pools (Multiple Locations) Saturday, May 28 to Monday, May 31, 2021. Several outdoor pools and aquatic centers open for the season over the Memorial Day holiday weekend including: Cascade Falls Aquatic Center and Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center in Ankeny; Clive Aquatic Center in Clive; Teachout Aquatic Center in Des Moines; Veteran’s Memorial Aquatic Center in Indianola and Holiday Park Aquatic Center and Valley View Aquatic Center in West Des Moines. Splash Pools (FREE) at several Des Moines area parks also open on Memorial Day.
Blank Park Zoo (7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315) Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 31, 2021. Welcome summer at the Blank Park Zoo. They will be open during their normal business hours throughout the Memorial Day Weekend. Wildlights, a stunning festival of over 35 larger-than-life illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns designed and fabricated by artisans will be at the Zoo throughout the Memorial Day Weekend.
Farmers’ Markets (Multiple Locations) FREE; Saturday, May 28, 2021. Several local farmers’ markets will be open for business over the Memorial Day weekend.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, IA 50309) Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30, 2021. The Botanical Center will be open their normal hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will be CLOSED on Memorial Day.
Living History Farms (11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA). Friday, May 28 through Saturday, May 29, 2021. LHF will be open during their normal hours over Memorial Day Weekend (they are CLOSED on Sundays and Mondays). You can take part in their traditional Decoration Day events and then watch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings compete in a 1870s-rules baseball game on Saturday.
Science Center of Iowa (401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50309) Saturday, May 29 through Sunday, May 30, 2021. The Science Center of Iowa will be open during their normal hours on Saturday and Sunday, but will be CLOSED on Memorial Day.
Festivals
Boone River Valley Festival (Boone, IA) Some activities FREE; Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30, 2021. The Boone River Valley Festival is a multi-day county wide celebration of Boone’s unique natural landscape. Fish, eat, celebrate, rock and discover Boone!
Sporting Events
I-Cubs (Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, IA 50309) Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30, 2021). Root, root, root for the home team at Principal Park. The I-Cubs are in town for three days of the long weekend. With Friday Night Fireworks and Kids Run the Bases on Sunday, it’s a great time to take in a ball game.
Iowa Barnstormers (Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center Street, Des Moines, IA) Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 7:05 pm. Cheer on the Barnstormers as they take on the Bismarck Bucks.
Is your family sticking around town this Memorial Day Weekend? What do you have planned? Tell us in the comments below!
