Beggar’s Night 2023: Where & When Kids Can Trick or Treat in the Des Moines Area

If you’re new to the Des Moines area, you may be asking yourself… what’s Beggar’s Night? And, that’s a very good question! Unlike other places you may have lived, each local municipality in Central Iowa designates the specific date and time of their Beggar’s Night, or in other words, when kids can go Trick or Treating. To help you out dsm4kids rounded up Beggar’s Night date and times for Des Moines and surrounding communities. We’ve also included a few trick or treating safety tips, so you and your little ghouls can celebrate a happy and healthy Halloween!

Editor’s Note: Dates and times are accurate as of postdate. However, it’s a good idea to double check with the City where you’ll be trick or treating and confirm dates before heading out.

For additional Halloween fun, be sure to visit our Event Calendar or Fall Fun Guide.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips:

Health Safety:

If you or someone at your home are sick, DO NOT trick or treat or hand out treats.
Stay outdoors. Try to avoid kids bunching up at the front door. Take turns to avoid crowding.
Bring hand sanitizer to use between houses.
Take only wrapped candy or treats.
Wash your hands when finished trick or treating before eating candy.
Make sure vaccines are up to date at least two weeks before Halloween.

Costume Safety:

All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.
If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks.
When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it in a small area first.
Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Street Safety:

Here’s a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

A responsible adult should accompany young children trick or treating.
If older children will be trick or treating alone, plan and review an acceptable route.
Agree on a specific time children should return home.
Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.