Events Calendar
Welcome to dsm4kids’ calendar of family events!
No matter where you live in the Des Moines metro, you can rely on our calendar to find nearby events and activities your kids will love!
To keep up to date on weekend events and activities be sure to sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide!
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information listed on the calendar. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
Events considered for inclusion onto the dsm4kids calendar include those at local venues, including free and low-cost events, as well as special events that may require paid admission. Events are posted to the online calendar in a timely manner throughout the month.
While all submissions are considered, inclusion is based on event relevance. Events occurring outside of Central Iowa or events primarily geared toward adults will not be listed.
If you are a business or organization and would like to submit an event listing, please click on Submit Event.
Every Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, wine and music lovers can enjoy some of the best bands in the Midwest in Summerset Winery’s backyard (but you’ll feel like you’re on vacation!). $5 per person or $15 car load. Rain or shine the music goes on. Weather permitting, the bands will perform outside but on rainy days they bring the music inside. Kids are welcome.
SUNDAY TUNES LINEUP
May 26: Recoil
June 2: Opus Taylor
June 9: Jason Kincel Band
June 16: Jesse and the Medicine Men
June 23: Sons of Gladys Kravits
June 30: The Remedy
July 7: The A Sisters
July 14: The Unfortunate Sons
July 21: Dick Danger Band
July 28: Cover That
August 4: Matt Woods Band
August 11: Opus Taylor
August 18: The Sinclairs
August 25: Lucas Bebe
September 1: Matt Woods Band
Spend an evening listening to the sounds of local musicians at the historic Camp Dodge Pool Complex. Bring a lawn chair, picnic basket, sit back and enjoy! Food Trucks are available starting at 6:00 pm. All concerts start at 7:00 pm.
May 30: The Nadas Acoustic Duo
June 6: Eli Alger & the Faster Horses
June 22: Standing Hampton (Car Show)
June 29: The 34th Army Band (Alumni Night)
Join the Indianola Chamber for a night of live music and community fun on the NW corner of the Indianola Downtown Square. Gates open at 6:00 pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local merchants. This FREE event is family-friendly with kids activities and is open to the public. Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket to sit on! No coolers allowed.
May 31: Standing Hampton
August 24: TBD
Every Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, wine and music lovers can enjoy some of the best bands in the Midwest in Summerset Winery’s backyard (but you’ll feel like you’re on vacation!). $5 per person or $15 car load. Rain or shine the music goes on. Weather permitting, the bands will perform outside but on rainy days they bring the music inside. Kids are welcome.
SUNDAY TUNES LINEUP
May 26: Recoil
June 2: Opus Taylor
June 9: Jason Kincel Band
June 16: Jesse and the Medicine Men
June 23: Sons of Gladys Kravits
June 30: The Remedy
July 7: The A Sisters
July 14: The Unfortunate Sons
July 21: Dick Danger Band
July 28: Cover That
August 4: Matt Woods Band
August 11: Opus Taylor
August 18: The Sinclairs
August 25: Lucas Bebe
September 1: Matt Woods Band
In its 77th season, Music Under the Stars is held at 7:00 pm on Sunday nights on the west Capitol grounds. Please note the July 7 concert will take place at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. The concerts are FREE, open to the public and children are welcome. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to enjoy the music. Rain location is the Harmon Fine Arts Center at Drake University (25th & Carpenter).
June 2: New Orleans Masquerade – NOLA Jazz Combo
June 9: Going for Gold – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 16: Music In Our Schools – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 23: Piano Men – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 30: US Coast Guard Band
July 7: Mama Mia – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band (at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park)
Enjoy live music, food trucks, beer truck, yard games, family activities and more at this new outdoor event on Thursday evenings, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at AMP (Ankeny Market & Pavilion), 715 W. First Street.
June 6: Major Blues and the Mug Shots
June 13: The SNACKS
June 20: Jordan Beem
June 27: Chad Lee
July 11: Dustin West Band
July 18: Jones & Owen
July 25: Blacktop Rock Band
Spend an evening listening to the sounds of local musicians at the historic Camp Dodge Pool Complex. Bring a lawn chair, picnic basket, sit back and enjoy! Food Trucks are available starting at 6:00 pm. All concerts start at 7:00 pm.
May 30: The Nadas Acoustic Duo
June 6: Eli Alger & the Faster Horses
June 22: Standing Hampton (Car Show)
June 29: The 34th Army Band (Alumni Night)
Don’t miss the Botanical Garden’s summer music series. Enjoy the best parts of the Garden, music, family, food, and the warm summer weather. Sounds thanks to Ripple Productions.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, music starts and 6:30 pm and tickets will be available at the door. First come, first served.
Thursdays June 6 – August 29, 2024
June 6: June Bugs DSM
June 13: The Sheet
June 20: NOLA Jazz Band
June 27: Gina Gedler
July 11: Surf Zombies
July 18: Son Peruchos
July 25: Bruce Day – Family Night
August 1: Adé & The Soul Brothers
August 8: The Feel Right
August 15: Randy Burke & the Prisoners
August 22: Brad & Kate
August 29: Damon Dotson
Rendezvous on the River is a local concert series held on Friday nights at the new Riverview Park. Admission is FREE. Bring your lawn chairs and join your neighbors for a great time each week! Hours are 5:30 to 9:30 pm.
2024 Schedule:
June 7: Faculty Lounge
June 14: Brazilian 2wins
June 21: The Punching Pandas
June 28: Stark Raving Madge
July 5: Pork Tornadoes (Fireworks)
July 12: Sons of Gladys Kravitz
July 19: Mike Moody and the Outlaws
July 26: Flying Silos
Fridays, Starting at 6pm
Sips & Songs is a free weekly summer music series. It features performances by bands of various genres — country, classic rock, top 40, dance hits and party music. Come enjoy these family-friendly Friday night kick-offs to the weekend alongside friends and neighbors in The District’s Town Square Park.
2024 Schedule:
June 7: Gimikk with special guests Bradford Johnson Music, then Silent Disco DSM
June 14: Casey Muessigmann with special guest Joshua Sinclair
June 21: Avey Grouws Band with special guests Levi Smith Unplugged, then Silent Disco DSM
June 28: Oreo Meatwagon with special guests Dan Medeiros
July 5: Standing Hampton and special guest Corbett Reeves
July 19: The Schmidt Brothers and Day’s Live Music
July 26: Pork Tornadoes with special guests Birdchild, then Silent Disco DSM
August 2: TBD
August 9: TBD
August 16: TBD
Every Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, wine and music lovers can enjoy some of the best bands in the Midwest in Summerset Winery’s backyard (but you’ll feel like you’re on vacation!). $5 per person or $15 car load. Rain or shine the music goes on. Weather permitting, the bands will perform outside but on rainy days they bring the music inside. Kids are welcome.
SUNDAY TUNES LINEUP
May 26: Recoil
June 2: Opus Taylor
June 9: Jason Kincel Band
June 16: Jesse and the Medicine Men
June 23: Sons of Gladys Kravits
June 30: The Remedy
July 7: The A Sisters
July 14: The Unfortunate Sons
July 21: Dick Danger Band
July 28: Cover That
August 4: Matt Woods Band
August 11: Opus Taylor
August 18: The Sinclairs
August 25: Lucas Bebe
September 1: Matt Woods Band
In its 77th season, Music Under the Stars is held at 7:00 pm on Sunday nights on the west Capitol grounds. Please note the July 7 concert will take place at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. The concerts are FREE, open to the public and children are welcome. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to enjoy the music. Rain location is the Harmon Fine Arts Center at Drake University (25th & Carpenter).
June 2: New Orleans Masquerade – NOLA Jazz Combo
June 9: Going for Gold – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 16: Music In Our Schools – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 23: Piano Men – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 30: US Coast Guard Band
July 7: Mama Mia – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band (at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park)
Enjoy live music, food trucks, beer truck, yard games, family activities and more at this new outdoor event on Thursday evenings, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at AMP (Ankeny Market & Pavilion), 715 W. First Street.
June 6: Major Blues and the Mug Shots
June 13: The SNACKS
June 20: Jordan Beem
June 27: Chad Lee
July 11: Dustin West Band
July 18: Jones & Owen
July 25: Blacktop Rock Band
Don’t miss the Botanical Garden’s summer music series. Enjoy the best parts of the Garden, music, family, food, and the warm summer weather. Sounds thanks to Ripple Productions.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, music starts and 6:30 pm and tickets will be available at the door. First come, first served.
Thursdays June 6 – August 29, 2024
June 6: June Bugs DSM
June 13: The Sheet
June 20: NOLA Jazz Band
June 27: Gina Gedler
July 11: Surf Zombies
July 18: Son Peruchos
July 25: Bruce Day – Family Night
August 1: Adé & The Soul Brothers
August 8: The Feel Right
August 15: Randy Burke & the Prisoners
August 22: Brad & Kate
August 29: Damon Dotson
Rendezvous on the River is a local concert series held on Friday nights at the new Riverview Park. Admission is FREE. Bring your lawn chairs and join your neighbors for a great time each week! Hours are 5:30 to 9:30 pm.
2024 Schedule:
June 7: Faculty Lounge
June 14: Brazilian 2wins
June 21: The Punching Pandas
June 28: Stark Raving Madge
July 5: Pork Tornadoes (Fireworks)
July 12: Sons of Gladys Kravitz
July 19: Mike Moody and the Outlaws
July 26: Flying Silos
Fridays, Starting at 6pm
Sips & Songs is a free weekly summer music series. It features performances by bands of various genres — country, classic rock, top 40, dance hits and party music. Come enjoy these family-friendly Friday night kick-offs to the weekend alongside friends and neighbors in The District’s Town Square Park.
2024 Schedule:
June 7: Gimikk with special guests Bradford Johnson Music, then Silent Disco DSM
June 14: Casey Muessigmann with special guest Joshua Sinclair
June 21: Avey Grouws Band with special guests Levi Smith Unplugged, then Silent Disco DSM
June 28: Oreo Meatwagon with special guests Dan Medeiros
July 5: Standing Hampton and special guest Corbett Reeves
July 19: The Schmidt Brothers and Day’s Live Music
July 26: Pork Tornadoes with special guests Birdchild, then Silent Disco DSM
August 2: TBD
August 9: TBD
August 16: TBD
Every Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, wine and music lovers can enjoy some of the best bands in the Midwest in Summerset Winery’s backyard (but you’ll feel like you’re on vacation!). $5 per person or $15 car load. Rain or shine the music goes on. Weather permitting, the bands will perform outside but on rainy days they bring the music inside. Kids are welcome.
SUNDAY TUNES LINEUP
May 26: Recoil
June 2: Opus Taylor
June 9: Jason Kincel Band
June 16: Jesse and the Medicine Men
June 23: Sons of Gladys Kravits
June 30: The Remedy
July 7: The A Sisters
July 14: The Unfortunate Sons
July 21: Dick Danger Band
July 28: Cover That
August 4: Matt Woods Band
August 11: Opus Taylor
August 18: The Sinclairs
August 25: Lucas Bebe
September 1: Matt Woods Band
In its 77th season, Music Under the Stars is held at 7:00 pm on Sunday nights on the west Capitol grounds. Please note the July 7 concert will take place at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. The concerts are FREE, open to the public and children are welcome. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to enjoy the music. Rain location is the Harmon Fine Arts Center at Drake University (25th & Carpenter).
June 2: New Orleans Masquerade – NOLA Jazz Combo
June 9: Going for Gold – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 16: Music In Our Schools – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 23: Piano Men – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band
June 30: US Coast Guard Band
July 7: Mama Mia – Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band (at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park)
Enjoy live music, food trucks, beer truck, yard games, family activities and more at this new outdoor event on Thursday evenings, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at AMP (Ankeny Market & Pavilion), 715 W. First Street.
June 6: Major Blues and the Mug Shots
June 13: The SNACKS
June 20: Jordan Beem
June 27: Chad Lee
July 11: Dustin West Band
July 18: Jones & Owen
July 25: Blacktop Rock Band
Spend an evening listening to the sounds of local musicians at the historic Camp Dodge Pool Complex. Bring a lawn chair, picnic basket, sit back and enjoy! Food Trucks are available starting at 6:00 pm. All concerts start at 7:00 pm.
May 30: The Nadas Acoustic Duo
June 6: Eli Alger & the Faster Horses
June 22: Standing Hampton (Car Show)
June 29: The 34th Army Band (Alumni Night)