Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in September
Summer is quickly coming to an official end, but the festivals are in full swing. This month, attend a music festival, Oktoberfest, or Applefest at Living History Farms. Plan your September in Des Moines today.
Des Moines Parent Family Fun Day
Address: Brenton Arboretum, 25141 260th St, Dallas Center, IA 50063
When: Saturday, September 6, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Cost: Free will donation
Join us for Des Moines Parent Family Fun Day at the Brenton Arboretum! We will have an afternoon of fun with Shanda from All Ages Music School, Mini Dreams Ranch with live animals, Squeeze Me Lemonade (for purchase), Iowa DNR, Dallas Center Library with a craft, Bricks and Minifigs with Legos, and yoga with Dennis Kelly, founder of Yoga Around Town. We hope to see you there!
Norwalk Music Fest
Address: Norwalk City Park – 907 North Ave, Norwalk IA, 50211
When: Saturday, September 13, 2:30 PM-10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Head to Norwalk for Norwalk Music Fest. This all-day festival showcases Central Iowa musicians. There will be food vendors, a beer tent, a kids zone, and more. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a day of music.
PorchFest DSM
Address: 4301 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
When: Sunday, September 14, 12:00 PM-6:00 PM
Cost: Free (bring cash to tip musicians)
Attend the FIRST annual PorchFest DSM in Waveland Park. This family-friendly free event will feature 6 musical acts performing throughout the neighborhood. The welcome tent will be at Perkins Elementary, and music acts will be on 44th Street. Performances will last 45-60 minutes. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the music on a beautiful September Sunday.
Beaverdale Fall Fest
Address: Downtown Beaverdale, on Beaver Ave and Urbandale Ave between Beaver Crest Dr to the south, Adams Ave to the North.
When: Friday, September 19, and Saturday, September 20
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate the start of fall with the Beaverdale Fall Fest. Check out the classic cars at Car Night on Friday at 5:00 PM. Then enjoy live music, food, and carnival rides throughout the weekend. Saturday starts off with the Pancake Breakfast at 8:30 AM at the Acanthus Lodge. Cost is a free will donation. Find a spot along Beaver Ave between Amick and Allison Ave to view the parade at 10:00 AM. Kids can enjoy a fall activity with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. If you are feeling competitive, sign up for team trivia or the cornhole tournament.
Illumifest
Address: WDM City Campus, 4200 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265
When: Saturday, September 20, 4:00 PM-9:00 PM
Cost: Free admission
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation presents Illumifest, a fall light festival. At the festival, you can expect inflatables, paper lantern painting, food trucks, live music, bingo, mini-train rides, and tethered hot air balloon rides. Enjoy performances by Cirque Wonderland, Des Moines Breakerz, and a Chinese Cultural presentation by the Chinese Association of Iowa. Reservations for the Hot Air Balloon Rides begin on site at 5:30 PM in front of City Hall. You can have up to 3 people per ride, and must be +42” tall to ride.
Oktoberfest
Address: The District at Prairie Trail, Ankeny, IA 50023
When: September 26, 3:00 PM-12:00 AM and September 27, 12:00 PM-12:00 AM
Cost: General Admission: $30 each
*Tickets are good for both days!
Children 12 & under are free.
*The event is 21 and over after 8:00 PM
Oktoberfest is back at a brand new location in Ankeny at The District at Prairie Trail. It all begins Friday at 3:00 PM with the tapping of the golden keg and free beer while it lasts. Learn how to polka and devour Authentic German food from Strudl Haus. The Lederhosen Lounge will have 2-liter glass boots of beer for groups. Dress in German attire, and you will be eligible to win free beer tickets and participate in the bier maiden and stein holding competitions. There will be two stages for live music, including The Leinenkugel’s Main Stage which will have polka bands, and the silent disco that will begin at 8:00 PM each night. All tickets include free parking and a commemorative pint glass. Buy a ticket for Friday and come back Saturday for free, just keep your wristband on and bring your pint glass with you for free entry.
Applefest at Living History Farms
Address: Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
When: Saturday, September 27, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Cost: Adults (13-59): $20, Children (2-12): $15, Seniors + Military + AAA: $18
Head to Living History Farms for Applefest. Get a chance to see how past cooks would prepare and serve apple treats. There will be local vendors on site for you to purchase apple goodies and other tasty treats. At 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, head to the Schoolhouse for Dr. Savage’s traveling medicine show. Each performance lasts for 30 minutes. Be sure to enjoy the rest of the farm while you are there too!
Latino Heritage Festival
Address: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
When:
- Saturday, September 27, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Sunday, September 28, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Cost: $5 for adults and free for children under 12
Head to Western Gateway Park for the Latino Heritage Festival. Latino Heritage Festival is an opportunity to celebrate Latino Heritage. At this family-friendly festival, you will find artist displays, food vendors representing the culinary traditions of Latin America, a variety of cultural booths to learn about the diversity within the Latino community, and Latino musical performances. There will also be children’s activities such as jumping castles and piñata making. Free parking is available courtesy of Nationwide at the Nationwide ramp at 1100 Walnut Street. Find more information here.
