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 Norwalk Music Fest, enjoy a stein at Oktoberfest, or go bobbing for apples at Applefest at Living History Farms. Plan your September in Des Moines today.
Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid with Hy-Vee Summer Arts | Sponsor
Address: Cowles Commons
When: August 29 – September 30
Cost: Free
Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid invites the public to step into a playful environment filled with oversized luminous dominos spread across several stations. Each station emits a distinct musical atmosphere, creating a gentle soundscape that accompanies the experience.
Visitors are encouraged to push over the giant dominos, rediscovering the universal satisfaction of setting off a chain reaction. Watching these pieces fall one after another taps into a shared childhood pleasure, amplified by their much larger scale.
More than a game, Domino Effect is a sensory installation that celebrates movement, colour and sound. With its vintage tropical palette and large-scale elements, it turns a simple gesture into a moment of shared fun: a bright, feel-good break from winter gloom. Learn more here.
Norwalk Music Fest
Address: Norwalk City Park – 907 North Ave, Norwalk, IA, 50211
When: Saturday, September 6, 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.
Day Out with Thomas
Address: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum, 225 10th Street, Boone, IA 50036
When: September 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20
Cost: Purchase tickets here
- $26.85 per ticket (Everyone 1 and older needs a ticket)
Experience a Day Out with Thomas at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum. You’ll get to go on a real train ride with Thomas, take pictures, and snag something cool at the gift shop.
There will be a Music Corner, lawn games, and hands-on activities. See our full review here.
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 18 and Saturday, September 19
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate the start of fall with 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 with the Pancake Breakfast at 8:30 AM at the Acanthus Lodge. The dog parade begins at 9:15 AM, and the main parade follows at 10:00 AM along Beaver Ave between Amick and Allison Ave. 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 19, 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 25, 3:00 PM-12:00 AM and September 26, 12:00 PM-12:00 AM
Cost: General Admission: $20 each or $30 for both days
Children 5 & under are free.
*The event is 21 and over after 8:00 PM
Oktoberfest is back 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, German drinking songs, and plenty of music to get you moving. All tickets include free parking and a commemorative pint glass.
Applefest at Living History Farms
Address: Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
When: Saturday, September 26, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Cost: Adults (13-59): $21, Children (2-12): $17
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 26, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Sunday, September 27, 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.
PorchFest DSM
Address: 4301 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
When: Sunday, September 27, 12:00 PM-6:00 PM
Cost: Free (bring cash to tip musicians)
Attend the 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 musical 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.