Celebrate our Independence with Family Fun! dsm4kids’ round up of Independence Day Fun includes a list of fireworks displays, festivals, parades and other family-friendly celebrations taking place across the Des Moines metro and beyond. So, put on your red, white and blue, light some sparklers, and get ready to “Ooh!” and “Ahh!” as you enjoy some patriotic fun with your family this 4th of July! Be safe and have fun!
If all of that isn’t enough for you, visit our event calendar, check out our action-packed Summer Fun Guide or sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide.
Here’s where you can find July 4th Fun in Des Moines:
Altoona
Prairie Meadows Festival of Racing & Fireworks
Saturday, July 3 & Sunday, July, 4, 2021; Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
Prairie Meadows Annual Independence Day Celebration – live racing, live music and firework show! Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome.
Adventureland Fireworks
Sunday, July 4, 2021; Adventureland
Adventureland Park annually presents a spectacular firework display for their guests. Fireworks typically start at 9:00 pm.
Des Moines
Des Moines Symphony’s 27th annual Yankee Doodle Pops
Friday, July 2 at 8:30 pm, July 4 at 12:00 and 6:00 pm, July 5 at 11:00 am; Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio
Each year, the Des Moines Symphony welcomes more than 100,000 Central Iowans to celebrate Independence Day at Yankee Doodle Pops, the largest single-day concert event in Iowa. This July the Des Moines Symphony is pleased to bring The Des Moines Symphony’s 27th Annual Yankee Doodle Pops to its largest-ever audience through a statewide broadcast in partnership with Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio.
Goodguys 28th Heartland Nationals
July 2-4, 2021; 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 $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids (ages 7-12) and FREE for kids 6 and under at the gate.
Military Appreciation Day
Sunday, July 4, 2021; All Des Moines Pools & Aquatic Centers
Des Moines Parks and Recreation thanks all military members for their service by offering them FREE admission to all Des Moines Pools. Family members will also receive half-priced admission for the day.
Fourth of July Slip n’ Slide
Tuesday, July 6, 2021; 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.
Grimes
Home Base Iowa Fireworks Show
Sunday, July 4, 2021; Grimes 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
Urbandale’s Annual 4th of July Celebration
July 2-July 4, 2021; 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 3rd. 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.
Old Fashioned Fourth
Saturday, July 3, 2021; 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 our historic farms, enjoy the town activities, and still have time to catch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings baseball game at 3:00 pm.
Waukee
4th of July Celebration
July 2-4, 2021; Centennial Park
Waukee is expanding their annual celebration to a three-day event. Activities start this year on July 2nd, with the carnival in Centennial Park and a Movie in the Park showing at dusk. The parade will be on July 3rd this year 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 the weekend long celebration on July 4th with live music and fireworks.
Troop 178 4th of July 5K Road Race & 1 Mile Kids Fun Run
July 3, 2021; Lutheran Church of Hope – Waukee
Set for its 38th year, Waukee Boy Scout Troop 178 is hosting it’s 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!
Saturday, July 3, 2021; Valley Junction
Celebrate America at the All Iowa Bash! In Valley Junction. The festivities start at 3:00 pm and will celebrate all things Iowa with local vendors, crafts from Iowa makers, music from Iowa bands, and more.
Independence Day Parade
Saturday, July 3, 2021; West Des Moines
The parade starts at 6:30 pm and winds through West Des Moines neighborhoods ending in Valley Junction.
Community Band Concert
Sunday, July 4, 2021; Coneflower Shelters in Raccoon River Park
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of patriotic favorites starting at 7:00 pm in Raccoon River Park.
West Des Moines Fireworks
Sunday, July 4, 2021; City/School Campus by City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway
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
Windsor Heights 4th of July Parade
Saturday, July 3, 2021; Colby Park
Join the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce for the 4th of July Parade at 4:00 pm. After the parade, head to Colby Park for Nights in the Heights celebration with live music followed by fireworks, hosted by The Windsor Heights Foundation.
How will your family celebrate the 4th of July this summer in Des Moines?
