If you are staying in town for the 4th of July, don’t fret, you don’t need a big backyard or lake house to have a lot of fun…there are festive, patriotic events going on all around Des Moines. Check out some of our favorite Independence Day celebrations below that come complete with parades, fun runs, antique car shows, and so much more than just fireworks!
If all of that isn’t enough for you (kids shout: more!), visit our event calendar, our action-packed Summer Fun Guide , plus the best of pools and aquatic centers in the area.
Here’s your guide to July 4th Fun in Des Moines:
Altoona
Adventureland’s Celebrate America
July 1-4, 2023; Adventureland
Summer kicks into high gear with Celebrate America. Concerts will pump up the excitement on the Boulevard each night of the extended Fourth of July holiday weekend, concluding with fireworks on July 4th. All concerts are included with park admission.
Prairie Meadows Festival of Racing & Fireworks
Monday, July 3, 2023; Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
Prairie Meadows will once again host their annual Independence Day Celebration with live racing, live music and fireworks show! The horses will run July 1-4, 2023. Live music and fireworks are scheduled for July 3, 2023. Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome.
Altoona 4th of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; parade starts at the Altoona Public Library
The Altoona community is hosting a HUGE parade right down 8th Street! The parade starts at 10:00 am and will travel straight east on 8th Street ending at 3rd Avenue SE after turning north onto 3rd Avenue.
Ames
Independence Day Fireworks
Monday, July 3, 2023; Jack Trice Stadium
Fireworks will be held after dusk (approximately 9:45 pm) near Jack Trice Stadium.
Fourth of July Parade
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; Main Street Ames
Ames’ Fourth of July parade will march down Main Street beginning at 11:00 am.
Des Moines
Goodguys 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals
June 30-July 2, 2023; Iowa State Fairgrounds
Over 4,000 Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars and Trucks thru ’72 along with entertainment, live music, and a Saturday night fireworks extravaganza at approximately 9:30 pm. General admission at the gate is $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids (ages 7-12) and FREE for kids 6 and under.
Des Moines Symphony’s 29th annual Yankee Doodle Pops
Monday, July 3 2023; West Terrace Iowa State Capitol
The Des Moines Symphony’s 29th annual Yankee Doodle Pops, Iowa’s largest single-day concert event, is a 4th of July tradition. This family-friendly and patriotic concert starts at 8:30 pm and concludes with the area’s premier fireworks display over the downtown Des Moines skyline, and best of all, it’s FREE!
Fourth of July Slip n’ Slide
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; Nahas Aquatic Center
Celebrate the Fourth of July with some backyard fun. Des Moines Parks and Recreation will be creating a giant Slip N’ Slide on the north hill at Nahas Aquatic Center from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Iowa Cubs Home Games
July 4-9, 2023; Principal Park
What could be more patriotic than enjoying America’s Pastime over the 4th of July holiday? The I-Cubs will take on the St. Paul Saints and will end the July 4 and 7 evening games win or lose with fireworks, fireworks, and more fireworks.
Rendezvous on the Riverview Concert + Fireworks
Friday, July 7, 2023; Riverview Park Amphitheater
Toaster will open the evening with their rock’n set for Rendezvous on the Riverview followed by an evening finale of fireworks.
Grimes
Home Base Iowa Fireworks Show
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; Grimes South Sports Complex
Celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence at the Home Base Grimes Independence Day Fireworks Show! Fireworks will begin at 10:00 pm.
Urbandale
Old Fashioned Independence Day & Historic Baseball
Saturday, July 1, 2023; Living History Farms
Enjoy an old-fashioned fourth with an iconic, historic Independence Day celebration in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. 1876 marks the first centennial of the United States and Living History Farms’ Independence Day activities truly show what this day meant to those in the 19th century – a day of family fun. Be sure to arrive early to tour the historic farms, enjoy the town activities, and still have time to catch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings baseball game at 3:00 pm.
Urbandale’s Annual 4th of July Celebration
July 2-4, 2023; Various Locations in Urbandale
Urbandale has an array of family activities planned such as a parade, carnival, 5K fun run, car show, fireworks and other special events and yummy food. The parade starts at old City Hall at 10:00 am on July 4th. It heads north on 70th Street, west on Aurora to 82nd Street. The carnival and entertainment are at Lions Park. Fireworks will light up the sky on Independence Day from Walker-Johnston Park at 10:00 pm.
Waukee
4th of July Celebration
July 3-4, 2023; Centennial Park
Waukee’s 4th activities start on July 3rd this year, with food and beverage vendors in Centennial Park and a Movie in the Park showing at dusk. The parade will be on Tuesday, July 4th at 10:30 am and will make its way through the Historic Downtown and end in Centennial Park where the fun continues for the rest of the day and night. End your 4th of July celebration with an evening of live music and fireworks.
Waukee Freedom 5K
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; Lutheran Church of Hope – Waukee
Set for its 40th year, Waukee Boy Scout Troop 178 is hosting its 4th of July 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run. Boy Scouts of all ages will line the course to cheer you on, keep you safe, and provide water stations to keep you hydrated. These will be timed events with awards given in multiple age categories.
West Des Moines
All Iowa Bash!
Monday, July 3, 2023; Valley Junction
Celebrate freedom under the Railroad Avenue Arch in Valley Junction with live music during and after the West Des Moines Independence Day Parade. You can enjoy great food and a drink in the beverage garden. This is a FREE all-ages show with kids activities provided.
Independence Day Parade
Monday, July 3, 2023; West Des Moines
The West Des Moines Independence Day parade starts at 6:30 pm and winds through West Des Moines neighborhoods ending in Valley Junction.
Community Band Concert
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; West Des Moines City Campus
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of patriotic favorites starting at 7:00 pm.
West Des Moines Fireworks
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; West Des Moines City Campus
The West Des Moines fireworks display will start at approximately 9:30 pm with viewing at the City/School Campus. Parking lots on the campus will be open to spectators at 7:30 pm.
Windsor Heights
4th of July Night in the Heights
Tuesday, July 4, 2023; Colby Park
Join the Windsor Heights Community Foundation for their 4th of July Nights in the Heights celebration in Colby Park. Faculty Lounge will be play live on the park’s outdoor stage, followed by fireworks after their performance.
How will your family celebrate the 4th of July this summer in Des Moines?
