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.
Join Jasper Winery every Thursday this summer from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for FREE live music on the lawn. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for outside seating. No pets are allowed but kids are welcome. All shows outside, weather permitting.
2024 Lineup:
May 9: Brother Trucker
May 16: Brian Herrin Band
May 23: Dueling Guitars
June 6: Pianopalooza Band
June 13: Decoy
June 20: The Nadas
June 27: Damon Dotson Band
July 11: Funk Trek & Mind@Large
July 18: Rhino
July 25: Dazy Head Mazy
August 1: Not Quite Brothers
Join Jasper Winery every Thursday this summer from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for FREE live music on the lawn. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for outside seating. No pets are allowed but kids are welcome. All shows outside, weather permitting.
2024 Lineup:
May 9: Brother Trucker
May 16: Brian Herrin Band
May 23: Dueling Guitars
June 6: Pianopalooza Band
June 13: Decoy
June 20: The Nadas
June 27: Damon Dotson Band
July 11: Funk Trek & Mind@Large
July 18: Rhino
July 25: Dazy Head Mazy
August 1: Not Quite Brothers
Enjoy FREE live music, food trucks, farmers’ market, and of course, Middle Brook Farm’s fresh farm produce! The fun starts at 4:30 pm each Friday and goes on until 7:30 pm.
May 24: Joshua Sinclair
May 31: Robert Deitch
June 7: Royce Johns
June 14: Blaine Garrett
June 21: Luke Fox
June 28: David G. Smith
July 5: Joshua Sinclair
July 12: Adam Bruce
July 19: Ducharme-Jones
July 26: Weary Ramblers
August 2: Royce Jones
August 9: David Watson
August 16: Brian Herrin
August 23: Robert Deitch
September 6: Joshua Sinclair
September 13: Ducharme-Jones
September 20: Weary Ramblers
September 27: Brian Herrin
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
The outdoor stage in Haines Park is hosting four free concerts under the stars this summer season.
Enjoy live music on Sundays starting at 6:00 pm. Pop and Popcorn will be sold by CAP Theatre.
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 Jasper Winery every Thursday this summer from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for FREE live music on the lawn. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for outside seating. No pets are allowed but kids are welcome. All shows outside, weather permitting.
2024 Lineup:
May 9: Brother Trucker
May 16: Brian Herrin Band
May 23: Dueling Guitars
June 6: Pianopalooza Band
June 13: Decoy
June 20: The Nadas
June 27: Damon Dotson Band
July 11: Funk Trek & Mind@Large
July 18: Rhino
July 25: Dazy Head Mazy
August 1: Not Quite Brothers
Enjoy FREE live music, food trucks, farmers’ market, and of course, Middle Brook Farm’s fresh farm produce! The fun starts at 4:30 pm each Friday and goes on until 7:30 pm.
May 24: Joshua Sinclair
May 31: Robert Deitch
June 7: Royce Johns
June 14: Blaine Garrett
June 21: Luke Fox
June 28: David G. Smith
July 5: Joshua Sinclair
July 12: Adam Bruce
July 19: Ducharme-Jones
July 26: Weary Ramblers
August 2: Royce Jones
August 9: David Watson
August 16: Brian Herrin
August 23: Robert Deitch
September 6: Joshua Sinclair
September 13: Ducharme-Jones
September 20: Weary Ramblers
September 27: Brian Herrin
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
Join Jasper Winery every Thursday this summer from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for FREE live music on the lawn. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for outside seating. No pets are allowed but kids are welcome. All shows outside, weather permitting.
2024 Lineup:
May 9: Brother Trucker
May 16: Brian Herrin Band
May 23: Dueling Guitars
June 6: Pianopalooza Band
June 13: Decoy
June 20: The Nadas
June 27: Damon Dotson Band
July 11: Funk Trek & Mind@Large
July 18: Rhino
July 25: Dazy Head Mazy
August 1: Not Quite Brothers
FAMILY OPERA ADVENTURE!
Join the Indianola Chapter of the Opera Guild for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at live theater!
The adventure begins with an exciting opera performance created especially for children called Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing. Then, after a delicious picnic lunch, a tour of the Blank Performing Arts Center will lead explorers into the costume shop, wig and make-up departments, orchestra pit and even onto the stage! This event is perfect for families, child care centers and daycares.
PICNIC & PUCCINI DATES
Friday, June 7 at 10am
Saturday, June 8 at 10am
Tickets are $12/per person (cash or check) or $15/per person (online). To purchase tickets online, click the button below. To purchase by cash or check, contact Guild representative Chari Kruse at 515-979-1879 or charikruse@gmail.com.
Enjoy FREE live music, food trucks, farmers’ market, and of course, Middle Brook Farm’s fresh farm produce! The fun starts at 4:30 pm each Friday and goes on until 7:30 pm.
May 24: Joshua Sinclair
May 31: Robert Deitch
June 7: Royce Johns
June 14: Blaine Garrett
June 21: Luke Fox
June 28: David G. Smith
July 5: Joshua Sinclair
July 12: Adam Bruce
July 19: Ducharme-Jones
July 26: Weary Ramblers
August 2: Royce Jones
August 9: David Watson
August 16: Brian Herrin
August 23: Robert Deitch
September 6: Joshua Sinclair
September 13: Ducharme-Jones
September 20: Weary Ramblers
September 27: Brian Herrin
FAMILY OPERA ADVENTURE!
Join the Indianola Chapter of the Opera Guild for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at live theater!
The adventure begins with an exciting opera performance created especially for children called Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing. Then, after a delicious picnic lunch, a tour of the Blank Performing Arts Center will lead explorers into the costume shop, wig and make-up departments, orchestra pit and even onto the stage! This event is perfect for families, child care centers and daycares.
PICNIC & PUCCINI DATES
Friday, June 7 at 10am
Saturday, June 8 at 10am
Tickets are $12/per person (cash or check) or $15/per person (online). To purchase tickets online, click the button below. To purchase by cash or check, contact Guild representative Chari Kruse at 515-979-1879 or charikruse@gmail.com.
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)