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.
Friday, April 26th, 6:30pm Caddy Stacks for Adults $25 per person OR $40 per couple
Saturday, April 27th, 10am-4pm Caddy Stacks for Families, free admissionJoin the Norwalk Easter Public Library Foundation as they tee off their mini-golf fundraiser, Caddystacks! With the help of local sponsors, the library stacks will be transformed into a mini-golf course. Festivities will tee off with a fundraiser event for adults on Friday night. Admission covers access to the mini-golf course, participation in contests, and tournament play for prizes. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the cash bar, and there will be appetizers and other beverages at no additional cost. Join in the fun at our silent auction and come dressed in your wackiest golf attire for a special prize.
Families are invited to play through on Saturday, April 27, between 10:00 am-4:00 pm, compliments of the NEPL Foundation. Free popcorn and selfie booth available, as well as a special appearance from Scribbles, the library mascot.
Parents can enjoy a Saturday night out on the town or a relaxing evening in while your kids have a blast with us from 5-8pm. Each Parents’ Night Out will have a fun theme, arts and crafts, healthy activities, and a pizza party for only $20 per child.
5-12 year olds
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
Movie Mondays
Every Monday
Details
Join us for a movie on our big screen and free popcorn!
All ages are welcome!
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Des Moines as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its Iowa premiere at the Civic Center this spring.
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
Bring your little one in for a story and a craft! Every week we will read a book aloud from our library and pair it with a small guided craft. One ticket covers one child and craft, parents do not need a ticket if they are not participating in the craft.
For this event to take place as scheduled, there must be at least 3 participants. If the minimum participant quota is not met by 2 days prior to the event, it will be cancelled, and all tickets will be refunded in full. Want to make sure it takes place as scheduled? Share this event with family and friends! The more, the merrier!
Join us every first wednesday of the month during the school year for our Kid’s Canvas guided painting class! Our instructor will guide your little picasso to make a masterpiece of their own. Depending on the design, which is TBD for each class, the student will get either a 9″x12″ or 12″x12″ canvas. This class is for ages 8 and older, all materials provided.
For this event to take place as scheduled, there must be at least 3 participants. If the minimum participant quota is not met by 2 days prior to the event, it will be cancelled, and all tickets will be refunded in full. Want to make sure it takes place as scheduled? Share this event with family and friends! The more, the merrier!
He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Des Moines as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its Iowa premiere at the Civic Center this spring.
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Des Moines as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its Iowa premiere at the Civic Center this spring.
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
Performance Times: 7:00 PM Fridays; 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays
Seven-year-old Ivy is quiet and loves to read books. Bean is outgoing and would love to be known throughout the world. When the two get together, there’s mischief and laughter at every turn – along with lessons to be learned about the challenges and joys of family, friendship, and love.
Note: Ivy + Bean The Musical will be presented in the John Viars Theatre.
Single tickets on sale Monday, Apr. 1, 2024, online; Tuesday, Apr. 2, 2024, at noon by phone and in person at the ticket office.
If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.
Playhouse children’s theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up.
He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Des Moines as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its Iowa premiere at the Civic Center this spring.
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company will feature 50 handcrafted, larger-than-life, illuminated animal shaped Asian lanterns. This year’s festival features underwater wildlife, giant insects, mythical creatures and endangered animals. Immerse your family in a magical night of light and culture in this visually stunning festival.
April 5-May 27 (nightly, Wednesday – Sunday plus Memorial Day)
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
The best times to walk the path and see the lights begin at sunset. Allow 60-90 minutes for the best viewing experience. Admission begins at 7:30 p.m., but you may enter the festival anytime until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Peak Ticket: $25, $21/member; Non-Peak Ticket: $23, $19/member
Group Tickets: For groups of 40 or more, call 515-285-4722 for more information
Age one (1) and under are free. Tickets are limited for each evening, please purchase tickets in advance.
Join us for the 2024 Movies in the Park series! The movies will start at sunset and refreshments will be served 30 minutes before we push play. Bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy a fun evening for the entire family!
If the event needs to be canceled or moved indoors due to weather, a decision will be made on the event day by 2 pm and will be announced on the City’s Facebook page.
Movie Dates
May 3 @ 7:50 pm – The Super Mario Brothers Movie
June 7 @ 8:15 pm – Elemental
August 2 @ 8:15 pm – E.T.
September 6 @ 7:15 pm – Trolls
October 4 @ 6:15 pm Hocus Pocus
December 7 @ 6:00 pm Elf (Indoors at Colby Park Community Center)
We welcome dogs all season, but this is their special day!
Saturday, May 4 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • All activities included with General Admission
Bring your well-behaved pup to visit our farm sites, walk the trail, and tour the 1876 town of Walnut Hill.
We’ll have demonstrations by Zoom Room Dog Training and Urbandale K-9. Then have your pet’s portrait taken by Arf & Wag Studio!
Dogs must be on standard non-retractable leashes and must remain outside buildings and away from livestock areas.
Feb. 3 – Chad Elliott
March 23 – Miss Carole
April 20 – Duke Otherwise
May 4 – Dino O’Dell