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 us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Matinee performances designed to enhance school curricula are also open to the general public. All seats $4 in advance; $5 at the door. All ages and all group sizes are welcome. Scholarship admission is available for students enrolled in the federal lunch program.
Many performances sell out, so pre-registration is encouraged to ensure you’ll get a seat. But mostly, we you hope come to the show and share the arts with the young ones in your life.
Cat Kid Comic Show: The Musical – 10 am – Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Cat Kid Comic Show: The Musical – 12:30 pm – Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Youth Matinee Series: The Very Hungry Caterpillar 12:00 pm – Monday, February 12, 2024
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 6:30 pm – Monday, February 12, 2024
Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical – 10 am – Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical – 12:30 pm – Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The Boy Who Cried Wolf – 10 am – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The Boy Who Cried Wolf – 12:30 pm – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Charlotte’s Web – 10 am – Monday, April 15, 2024
Charlotte’s Web – 12:30 pm – Monday, April 15, 2024 – 12:30 pm
Have You Filled A Bucket Today? – 10 am – Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Have You Filled A Bucket Today? – 12:30 pm – Tuesday, April 23, 2024
The Jungle Book – 10 am – Tuesday, May 7, 2024
The Jungle Book – 12:30 pm – Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Matinee performances designed to enhance school curricula are also open to the general public. All seats $4 in advance; $5 at the door. All ages and all group sizes are welcome. Scholarship admission is available for students enrolled in the federal lunch program.
Many performances sell out, so pre-registration is encouraged to ensure you’ll get a seat. But mostly, we you hope come to the show and share the arts with the young ones in your life.
Cat Kid Comic Show: The Musical – 10 am – Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Cat Kid Comic Show: The Musical – 12:30 pm – Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Youth Matinee Series: The Very Hungry Caterpillar 12:00 pm – Monday, February 12, 2024
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 6:30 pm – Monday, February 12, 2024
Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical – 10 am – Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical – 12:30 pm – Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The Boy Who Cried Wolf – 10 am – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The Boy Who Cried Wolf – 12:30 pm – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Charlotte’s Web – 10 am – Monday, April 15, 2024
Charlotte’s Web – 12:30 pm – Monday, April 15, 2024 – 12:30 pm
Have You Filled A Bucket Today? – 10 am – Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Have You Filled A Bucket Today? – 12:30 pm – Tuesday, April 23, 2024
The Jungle Book – 10 am – Tuesday, May 7, 2024
The Jungle Book – 12:30 pm – Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound
Now in its 21st year, Roosevelt Summer Sundays proudly continues the Ames summer tradition with FREE outdoor concerts at Roosevelt Park. Join them each Sunday evening from June through August to enjoy fantastic local and regional bands. Concerts start at 7:00 pm and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
June 2: Matt Woods Band
June 9: River City Opry
June 16: Vinyl Vagabonds
June 23: Ducharme-Jones Band
June 30: The Get Down-DSM
July 7: Avey Grouws Band
July 14: Buckmiller/Schwager Band
July 21: NOLA Jazz Band
July 28: Eleven Moons
August 4: Brother Trucker
August 11: The Cherrypickers
August 18: Haymakers
August 25: Southbound