Find a list of 2021 Halloween Events here.
If Halloween isn’t scary enough, this year Des Moines parents have the frightful task of searching for safe ways to entertain little monsters in the midst of a pandemic. But Des Moines moms and dads need not fear! dsm4kids has rounded up the best Halloween activities and events happening throughout central Iowa.
Most venues are requiring guests to wear face coverings as well as to follow social distancing guidelines. To limit capacity, advanced ticket purchase or reservations are generally required. So, get into the spirit by browsing our list and incorporating some Halloween fun into your fall.
For additional autumn experiences, be sure to read our recent posts on apple picking and pumpkin patches.
2020 guide to Halloween events for kids and families in Des Moines:
Pumpkin Express Trains
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad • 225 10th Street • Boone, IA 50036 • 1-800-626-0319
Ride the train across the 156′ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and the Des Moines River bridge, as you make your way to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch. Each child, age 2-12, gets to select their very own pumpkin. $18 per person age 2 and up.
When: October 3, 10, 17, and 24 (Saturdays) at 10:00 am.
Witchcrafts Under the Stars
Ankeny Bandshell • 410 W 1st Street • Ankeny, IA 50023 • (515) 965-6400
Join Ankeny Parks & Recreation for a spooky movie (Hotel Transylvania) and some Halloween fun! Participants will be given a Halloween kit to complete on-site or take with them that includes a craft, pumpkin, candy and more! Registration required.
When: October 8, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Night Eyes
Blank Park Zoo • 7401 Southwest 9th Street Des Moines • (515) 285-4722
Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo has become the sweetest Halloween fun in Central Iowa, and this year’s 30th annual event is no different! It is time for dazzling lights, festive delights and merry-not-scary Halloween nights. Two major changes to Night Eyes this year, to help control capacity, they will be requiring advance purchase timed-tickets for the event. The second change is they will NOT have a Treat Safari this year.
When: October 15-18 and 22-25, 2020 Thursday-Sunday 5:00 to 9:00 pm
Halloween Story Teller
Doanes Park • Doanes Park Road • Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 • (515) 266-7815
Boo! Put on your costumes and grab your lawn chairs for some ghoulish fun! Join the Pleasant Hill Library and Parks & Recreation at the Doanes Park Gazebo to hear a Halloween story told by a professional storyteller! Along with a story there will grab bags with fun and games for all! Registration required.
When: Friday, October 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm.
Family Halloween
Living History Farms • 11121 Hickman Road • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-5286
Take part in a 33-year old tradition at Living History Farms – Family Halloween! Families are welcomed into the 1875 town of Walnut Hill to enjoy safe, non-scary trick-or-treating at their historic businesses, play fun games, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride. Living History Farms offers “teal pumpkins” stops for trick-or-treaters with allergies. Save money when you get your tickets in advance online.
When: October 16-18 and 23-25, 2020; Fridays 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
The Great Pumpkin Party Shows
Valley Community Church • 4343 Fuller Road • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 226-9973
The Great Pumpkin Party Shows are for kids of all ages. You will need a FREE ticket for everyone in your family. The Great Pumpkin Party is a party thrown by Valley Church. This year the GPP will focus on two shows Saturday and Sunday. Kids are invited to wear their non-scary costume and participate in a costume parade at the end of the show your family attends. All kids will receive a bag with candy.
When: October 17 & 18, 2020 at 12:00 pm.
Animals of Halloween Hike
Annett Nature Center • 15565 118th Avenue • Indianola, IA 50125 • (515) 961-6169
Hike the trail at the Nature Center anytime between October 19 and October 31 to learn about the animals of Halloween. There will be signs along the trail with fun facts about animals that we hear about during Halloween. This is a come and go as you please hike, so you can social distance and come and go when it is most convenient for you!
When: October 19 to 31, 2020.
Trick or Treat in Altoona
Altoona, IA (515) • 967-3366
Kids can safely trick or treat in around the Prairie Heritage Civic Plaza during Business Trick or Treat in Altoona.
When: Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Family Halloween Spooktacular at the Pines
2977 NW 66th Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50313
This new event, operated by the Saylorville Event Center, will use some of the same property used by the Des Moines Renaissance Faire last August. It will be a family-focused event featuring a variety of free attractions (with paid admission, of course). Family photos, temporary tattoos, smores, storytellers, costume contests, and more. And a low scare haunted forest — the perfect “first haunt” for a young one. $18.50. $1 OFF if purchased in advance.
When: October 23 and 24, 2020 at 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
Halloween Hoopla
Raccoon River Nature Lodge • 2500 Grand Avenue • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 222-3424
Halloween is lurking just around the corner, and this haunted holiday would not be complete without a fun, family-friendly event at Raccoon River Park! Please note: All children must be supervised by a paying adult to participate in the evening festivities, and to ride the hay rack. Registration required.
When: Friday, October 23 at 5:30 pm.
Drive-In Movie Fundraiser: Hocus Pocus
Richard A. Clark Municipal Service Center • 1551 E. M.L.K. Jr Parkway • Des Moines, IA 50309
Central Iowa Shelter & Services will be hosting a socially distanced fundraiser drive-in movie. They’ll be showing Hocus Pocus. Suggested minimum donation $20.
When: Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 pm.
Family Halloween Bowling Party
Warrior Lanes • 190 Southeast Laurel Drive • Waukee, IA 50263 • (515) 987-4840
Bring the family for a safe, fun-filled afternoon of bowling. This is an alcohol-free event with Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling, concert lights, fog, phenomenal concert sound and black lights. Maximum of five bowlers per lane. Pre-Paid Non-Refundable Reservations are required.
When: Sunday, October 25 at 12:00 to 2:00 pm.
Drive Through Trunk or Treat at West Des Moines Christian Church
Mills Civic Parkway • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 223-1639
West Des Moines Christian Church in conjunction with St. Mark’s Lutheran church will be hosting a Drive Through Trunk or Treat. Kids will see decorated cars and dressed up characters along the route through the parking lot at this FREE community event. Kid will also receive a goody bag as well.
When: Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 2:30 to 4:00 pm.
TIC or Treat Drive Thru! – The Iowa Clinic
1410 SW Tradition Drive • Ankeny, IA 50023 • (515) 875-9000
The 7th Annual TIC or Treat is here… with a twist! Dress-up, stay in your car and drive through an outdoor, socially distanced, kid-friendly, Trunk or Treat event. Collect treats from some of your favorite Iowa Clinic physicians & staff in a safe outdoor environment!
When: Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Fall Fest at Greater Life Community Church
10654 Justin Drive • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 554-1604
Want an alternative for trick or treating? Take the kids to a Fall Fest drive thru! On your route through the parking lot, receive treats, enjoy entertainment and receive a meal-to-go. The event is completely FREE.
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 6:30pm-8:00pm.
Fall Festival Trunk or Treat hosted by Revive Church
Fareway • 200 E Douglas Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50313 • (515) 314-6445
Revive Church has adjusted their annual Fall Festival event into a Trunk-or-Treat event this year.
Kids can still get all dressed up and go home with some goodies. All children welcome. Come on out at to have some fun with their community!
When: Friday, October 30 at 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Will your family be attending a Halloween event in the Des Moines area this year? Let us know below!
