Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in April

Spring is here! Kick the month off with an Easter Egg Hunt or two, then cheer on the Iowa Barnstormers as they begin their season and finish the month off with the 2026 Drake Road Races. Des Moines has a variety of events this month so plan your April today. 

Check out these other fun guides to help plan your fun in Des Moines this April:

Egg Palooza 

Address: Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch, 3129 Howell Ct, Cumming, IA 50061

When: April 4 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Cost: Tickets are $15 for kids and $12 for adults (Buy online for a better deal!) 

Enjoy a chaos-free egg hunt at Egg Palooza! Each child at Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch will get an empty egg carton, they will find empty eggs and then return those to be redeemed for a prize. The eggs will be out all day. Other activities include the playground, bathtub train, Obstacle Course, Bee lines, Corn Pool, Hula Cow, Easter themed photo ops, and of course the Easter Bunny.

Easter Egg Hunt at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm 

Address: 3201 15th Ave, Cumming, IA 50061

When: April 4 & 5, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Cost: $12 if purchased online. $15 for walk-ins (only kids need tickets)

Hop on over to Wilson’s Orchard & Farm for their Easter Egg Hunt. Pick a colored basket and then hunt for eggs in that color. Bring the basket back for a Bunny Box. A Bunny Box will have festive toys and treats. After the hunt, play at the kids barn. Then get creative with a spring craft. A photo with the Easter Bunny is included with your ticket. Finish your day with snacks and drinks from the Farm Market Cafe or a delicious meal from the Ciderhouse.

Iowa Barnstormers

Address: Casey’s Center, 233 Center St, Des Moines, IA 50309

When:

  • Saturday, April 4 at 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 PM

Cost: Tickets start at $22 each

Missing football season? Then come cheer on the Iowa Barnstormers! You have two chances to see this indoor football team in action. April 4th is Racing Night and April 25th is Family Night. 

Statem!nt Consignment Sale 

Address: Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW 100th St, Clive, IA 50325

When: 

  • (Charity presale) Thursday, April 9, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
    • 10:00 AM-Sellers and team members (free)
    • 2:00 PM-VIP ticket holders $11.50
    • 4:00 PM-Caregivers: Nurses, social workers, Aides, DSPs (free)
  • Friday, April 10, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (free admission) 
  • Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (free admission)
    • 10:00 AM-6:00 PM free and open to the public
    • 6:30 PM-9:00 PM half price (sellers-free and ticket holders-$11) 
  • Sunday, April 12, 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
    • 8:30 AM-10:00 AM Sellers (free) Ticketholders ($11)
    • 10:00 AM-3:00 PM half price sale (free and open to the public) 

Cost: See above 

Treat yourself to some new-to-you clothing at the Statem!nt Consignment Sale. You can sell your clothes or shop for deals. Sellers keep 60% of their sales and can earn an hourly wage by working the event. There will be men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, hats, purses and accessories.  The event is free but you can buy a ticket to gain early access. 100% of the proceeds from those tickets go to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Monster Jam 

Address: Casey’s Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

When: 

  • Saturday, April 11 at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 PM 

Cost: Tickets start at $28 per person

Monster Jam is back! Come check out the world’s best drivers and their 12,000 pound monster trucks with massive stunts, backflips and a fierce battle for the championship. Start the fun early with the Monster Jam Pit Party. You’ll get a chance to meet the drivers, see the trucks up close, engage in a number of fun activities like playing in the sandbox and temporary tattoos. You do need to purchase tickets for the pit party. Learn more about what to expect here.

Earth Day at the Des Moines Botanical Garden

Address: 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309

When: Saturday, April 18, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Cost: Free

Explore the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for Earth Day for free! Explore education stations and see how to make upcycled garden containers. Then learn about the elements Earth, Fire, Water, and Air and find all of the hidden waterdrops throughout the garden. 

Meet the X-Vengers superhero team from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. New this year: Meet watercolor artist Sara Burrier and tour her exhibition Nymphs of Nature in the Evergreen Gallery. Sara will be live painting and have additional works of art on display from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Don’t forget to stop by Flora Cafe to purchase drinks and food. 

2026 Drake Road Races

When: April 18-April 25 

The 2026 Drake Road Races is the official start to the Drake Relays! On Saturday, April 18, athletes have the chance to run a 5K, 10K or Half-Marathon. All of the races will finish inside the Blue Oval at Drake Stadium. On Tuesday, April 21 at 6:00 PM, participate or cheer on racers at the Grand Blue Mile in Downtown Des Moines. There are recreational and competitive divisions. $25 per adult and $15 per youth (17 & under). Finish the week by cheering on athletes at the Drake Relays from April 22-April 25. Watch athletes from university, college, high school, and elite ranks participate in a variety of track and field events. For tickets and more information visit Drake Relays.

Arbor Day Celebration 

Address: Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, Madrid, IA 50156

When: Saturday, April 25, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Cost: 

  • Members: Free
  • Adults: $12
  • Children (3-12): $7
  • Infant (2 and under): Free

Show some love to the trees this month and head to the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens for their annual Arbor Day Celebration. Expect tree-themed activities including tree climbing lessons from the Iowa Arborists Association, a scavenger hunt, snacks, a tree planting ceremony, and a free tree sapling for all attendees. Participate in the Run for the Trees race and you’ll get free entry to the Arbor Day Celebration.