Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in October

Pumpkins are popping up on every porch, there is crisp morning air, and leaves are starting to fall. Celebrate the season with fall festivals, Halloween events, and all things fall. Plan your October in Des Moines today.

Bookmark these other Halloween resources for October:

Windsor Heights Fall Festival 

Address: Colby Park

When: Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 

Cost: Free to attend 

Kick off your October with the Windsor Heights Fall Festival. The fun begins Friday night with Movie in a Park, featuring Hocus Pocus at 6:25 pm with free popcorn, pizza, drinks, and cookies! The Windsor Heights Firefighter Association’s Annual Pancake Breakfast is Saturday morning from 8:00 am-11:00 am. Try the mini marathon at 9:00 am or yoga at 10:30 am. Don’t miss the parade at 1:00 pm. Throughout the day, enjoy inflatable bounce houses, a silent disco, face painting, food trucks, vendors, and community booths. Round out the day with River City Opry at 6:00 pm for some country music! 

Grimes Fall Festival

Address: South Sports Complex, 750 SE James St, Grimes, IA 50111

When: Saturday, October 3, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM 

Cost: Free to attend

Grimes Parks and Recreation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to host Grimes Fall Festival. Wear your costumes and enjoy food trucks, local vendors, games, bouncy houses, and the candy crawl. 

Wauktoberfest

Address: 550 Ashworth Dr, Waukee, IA 50263

When: Saturday, October 10, 3:00 PM-9:00 PM

Cost: Tickets are $15 each

Wauktoberfest is a fundraising event for the Waukee Area Historical Society. Throughout the evening, you’ll see live performances by three different bands. Enjoy ice-cold beer in steins, delicious food, and German traditions.  

Spirits in the Gardens

Address: Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011

When: 

  • Friday, October 9, 5:00 PM-10:00 PM (Jack-O-Lantern sneak peek)
  • Saturday, October 10, 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
  • Sunday, October 11, 5:00 PM-9:00 PM

Cost: Purchase tickets

  • $15: Member Adults Ages 13+ • Must Present Membership Card at Check-In
  • $17: General Public Adults Ages 13+ • General Public
  • $8: Youth Ages 2-12
  • $15: ISU Students Valid with Student ID
  • Free: Infants Under 2 years

Put on your costume and come to Reiman Gardens for Spirits in the Garden. See the amazing Jack-O-Lantern creations, illusion hologram projections (best after dark), glowing orbs, the Sycamore Falls lighted tower, and of course lots of candy! The walking path through the gardens is about ¾ of a mile. Bring a bag for your candy. Read about our experience here. 

Covered Bridge Festival 

Address: Winterset Courthouse Square, 73 Jefferson Street, Winterset, IA 50273

When: Saturday, October 10, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM and Sunday, October 11, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Cost: $3 per person or $5 for two people; free for children under 12 

Make your way to Winterset to experience the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival. Each day will include arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, a farmers market, and a kids zone. At the kids zone, enjoy free face painting (9:00 AM-12:00 PM), disc golf, and axe throwing.  Don’t miss the parade on Sunday at 3:00 PM. Other activities around the area will include a tractor ride to five covered bridges, Winterset Firefighters Pancake Breakfast, a two-hour Covered Bridges School Bus tour, horse-drawn wagon rides, and free s’mores and popcorn with the Madison County Historical Complex.  

Blank Park Zoo’s Night Eyes

Address: Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315

Hours: October 15-18 and October 22-25, 5:30 PM-9:00 PM (last entry at 8:30 PM)

Cost: $8 per person, $6 per member; under 12 months are free

Blank Park Zoo’s Night Eyes is back! The merry, not scary event is a favorite family tradition. Walk through the zoo to see the enchanted lighted displays, a treat safari, live entertainment, and games. Stop by the fun zone with free carnival games and inflatables. Bring your own bag for the treat safari. 

Family Halloween at Living History Farms

Address: 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322

When: 

  • Friday, October 23, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 24, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
  • Sunday, October 25, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM

Cost: 

  • Advance admission: $11 for ages 2+ ($10 for members), under 2: free
  • Admission at the door: $12 for all visitors ages 2+, Under 2: free

Celebrate Family Halloween at Living History Farms.  Trick-or-Treat at the storefronts in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill, listen to storytellers in the Gothic church, have your silly fortune told in the Millinery, and watch demonstrations at the Print Shop, Drug Store, and Blacksmith. Finish the day with a horse-drawn wagon ride! 

Spooky Science

Address: Science Center of Iowa, 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50309

When: Saturday, October 31, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM 

Cost: Purchase tickets

  • Free for members 
  • $15 for ages 2-12
  • $20 for everyone 13-64
  • $15 for ages 65+  

Mix education and fun with Spooky Science at the Science Center of Iowa. Be amazed by experiments, interact with creepy-crawling critters, and enjoy other spooky programming. All activities are included with admission.