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.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Drake University hosts public educational lectures at the Municipal Observatory each Fall, Spring, and Summer term.
Visitors can expect a brief Astronomy lesson followed by stargazing with expert guidance. Lectures begins at 8 PM, regardless of weather. Sky Viewing begins at dark if clear conditions. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Drake Physics & Astronomy to request accommodations. Admission is free and open to all!
Spring Lecture Series 2024
March 22nd : Sol: Our Local Star
March 29th : Luna: Our Unique Satellite
April 5th : Asteroids: The Leftover Rocky Bits of Our Solar System
April 12th : Comets: The Leftover Icy Bits of Our Solar System
April 19th: Dwarf Planets: They Get No Respect!!
April 26th: Guest Lecture: Vulcan: The Planet That Never Was
May 3rd : Guest Lecture: Cecilia Payne and the Composition of the Sun
May 10th : Mystery Topic ????
From common astronomical occurrences to rare cosmic phenomena, join us to learn about our solar system and beyond.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond. Each event has a unique focus!
2024 Solar Parties
SCI Solar Parties are held during the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market on the north side of the Science Center near the SCI main entrance. Tickets and registration are not required to take part in the Solar Party activities.
- Monday, April 8: 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY, Noon—2:30 p.m. @Drake Municipal Observatory
- Saturday, May 4 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, June 1 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, July 6 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, August 3 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, September 7 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, October 5 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Solar & Star Parties are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation. Check the SCI website and Facebook for updates on the event.
Star Parties are offered through a partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@sciowa.org.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Drake University hosts public educational lectures at the Municipal Observatory each Fall, Spring, and Summer term.
Visitors can expect a brief Astronomy lesson followed by stargazing with expert guidance. Lectures begins at 8 PM, regardless of weather. Sky Viewing begins at dark if clear conditions. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Drake Physics & Astronomy to request accommodations. Admission is free and open to all!
Spring Lecture Series 2024
March 22nd : Sol: Our Local Star
March 29th : Luna: Our Unique Satellite
April 5th : Asteroids: The Leftover Rocky Bits of Our Solar System
April 12th : Comets: The Leftover Icy Bits of Our Solar System
April 19th: Dwarf Planets: They Get No Respect!!
April 26th: Guest Lecture: Vulcan: The Planet That Never Was
May 3rd : Guest Lecture: Cecilia Payne and the Composition of the Sun
May 10th : Mystery Topic ????
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
From common astronomical occurrences to rare cosmic phenomena, join us to learn about our solar system and beyond.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond. Each event has a unique focus!
2024 Star Parties
Each SCI Star Party is held at a different location around the Des Moines Metro. Tickets and registration are not required to take part in the Star Party activities. See below for the dates, times and locations for this year’s schedule.
- Saturday, May 18: Galaxies, Clusters, and Nebula @ Ashton Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 28: The Moon, Stars and Constellations @ SCI from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 19: Planets – A Chance to See Mercury through a Telescope @ Drake Municipal Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 10: Perseids Meteor Shower @ Ewing Park from 6:00 p.m.—Midnight
- Wednesday, September 18: The Moon (Full and Super Moon) @ Location TBD from 7:00—9:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 18: Double/Binary Stars @ Drake Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Solar & Star Parties are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation. Check the SCI website and Facebook for updates on the event.
Star Parties are offered through a partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@sciowa.org.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
From common astronomical occurrences to rare cosmic phenomena, join us to learn about our solar system and beyond.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond. Each event has a unique focus!
2024 Solar Parties
SCI Solar Parties are held during the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market on the north side of the Science Center near the SCI main entrance. Tickets and registration are not required to take part in the Solar Party activities.
- Monday, April 8: 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY, Noon—2:30 p.m. @Drake Municipal Observatory
- Saturday, May 4 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, June 1 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, July 6 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, August 3 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, September 7 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, October 5 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Solar & Star Parties are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation. Check the SCI website and Facebook for updates on the event.
Star Parties are offered through a partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@sciowa.org.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
From common astronomical occurrences to rare cosmic phenomena, join us to learn about our solar system and beyond.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond. Each event has a unique focus!
2024 Star Parties
Each SCI Star Party is held at a different location around the Des Moines Metro. Tickets and registration are not required to take part in the Star Party activities. See below for the dates, times and locations for this year’s schedule.
- Saturday, May 18: Galaxies, Clusters, and Nebula @ Ashton Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 28: The Moon, Stars and Constellations @ SCI from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 19: Planets – A Chance to See Mercury through a Telescope @ Drake Municipal Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 10: Perseids Meteor Shower @ Ewing Park from 6:00 p.m.—Midnight
- Wednesday, September 18: The Moon (Full and Super Moon) @ Location TBD from 7:00—9:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 18: Double/Binary Stars @ Drake Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Solar & Star Parties are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation. Check the SCI website and Facebook for updates on the event.
Star Parties are offered through a partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@sciowa.org.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
From common astronomical occurrences to rare cosmic phenomena, join us to learn about our solar system and beyond.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond. Each event has a unique focus!
2024 Solar Parties
SCI Solar Parties are held during the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market on the north side of the Science Center near the SCI main entrance. Tickets and registration are not required to take part in the Solar Party activities.
- Monday, April 8: 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY, Noon—2:30 p.m. @Drake Municipal Observatory
- Saturday, May 4 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, June 1 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, July 6 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, August 3 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, September 7 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
- Saturday, October 5 from 9:00—11:00 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Solar & Star Parties are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation. Check the SCI website and Facebook for updates on the event.
Star Parties are offered through a partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@sciowa.org.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
From common astronomical occurrences to rare cosmic phenomena, join us to learn about our solar system and beyond.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond. Each event has a unique focus!
2024 Star Parties
Each SCI Star Party is held at a different location around the Des Moines Metro. Tickets and registration are not required to take part in the Star Party activities. See below for the dates, times and locations for this year’s schedule.
- Saturday, May 18: Galaxies, Clusters, and Nebula @ Ashton Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 28: The Moon, Stars and Constellations @ SCI from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 19: Planets – A Chance to See Mercury through a Telescope @ Drake Municipal Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 10: Perseids Meteor Shower @ Ewing Park from 6:00 p.m.—Midnight
- Wednesday, September 18: The Moon (Full and Super Moon) @ Location TBD from 7:00—9:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 18: Double/Binary Stars @ Drake Observatory from 8:00—10:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Solar & Star Parties are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation. Check the SCI website and Facebook for updates on the event.
Star Parties are offered through a partnership with Des Moines Parks & Recreation. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@sciowa.org.