Des Moines Fall Festivals

Des Moines Fall Festivals 2025

The leaves will begin changing colors and temperatures will be dropping, which means it is my favorite season of all, Fall! This time of year is a time for fall family fun whether that be taking a drive to take in the fall foliage, heading to the pumpkin patches and picking the perfect pumpkin, taking a bite out of a fresh apple, or horse rides, or any other fun activities. I have created a guide to Des Moines Fall Festivals the whole family will enjoy on an autumn day in the Des Moines area.

Looking for Halloween events? Keep your eyes on the Des Moines Halloween Events Guide which will include corn mazes, haunted houses, and more that will be updated later this season for 2025.

Keep an eye on our FREE events calendar for all these events and more this season. Would you like to add your fall family festival or another event to the calendar? Please fill out this form!

October 3 & 4

Colby Park in Windsor Heights

Get ready for crisp autumn air, colorful leaves, and community cheer because the Windsor Heights Fall Festival is back and better than ever! Join at Colby Park for a fun-filled day the whole family will enjoy.

The festival will feature live music, local performers, delicious food trucks, and a variety of sweet treats. Kids can enjoy crafts, games, hayrides, and pumpkin decorating, while adults can explore the artisan market and shop from local vendors.

As the sun sets, cozy up by the bonfire with s’mores and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display to end the evening. Whether you’re sipping cider, dancing to live tunes, or just soaking in the season, there’s something for everyone to love. Grab your flannel, call your friends, and celebrate the magic of fall with your Windsor Heights neighbors at this beloved community tradition!

Keep tabs on all the details here.

World Food & Music Festival

August 22-24

The 2024 World Food & Music Festival will return to Western Gateway Park for its 21st year. This annual event will host nearly 50 vendors from 27 countries across the globe and provide vibrant live entertainment and interactive culinary opportunities for visitors.

Beaverdale Fall Festival

September 20 & 21

Enjoy a fall festival with the Beaverdale community! More details will be released soon. Please keep an eye on the website for this family-friendly event including a fun parade.

Illumifest

September 20; 4 to 9 p.m.

WDM City Campus

Illumifest kicks off at 4:00 pm, enjoy fare for purchase from on-site food vendors as well as a wide array of FREE festival activities, including:

Hot air balloon rides
Airbrush tattoos
Balloon artist
Inflatables
Circus performances
WDM Community Band performance
Bingo
Paper lantern painting

Apple & Pumpkin Fest at Will’s Family Orchard

Saturday, September 13 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, September 14 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

Saturday, September 20 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, September 21 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

Saturday, September 27 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, September 28 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

On-farm Store, u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, apple cider, cider donuts, orchard-fresh food, & “Fun Farm” activities for all ages. Fun Farm activities have a low cost and include hay wagon rides, corn maze, corn pool, slides, water pump duck races, grain wagon hoops, and toss games. They also have a few barnyard animals to check out!

Vintage and Made Fair

September 20

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dallas County Fairgrounds

Support multiple local vendors at this handmade, vintage market. Similar to a flea market, but so much better! Shop vintage home décor, handmade goods, jewelry, outdoor accents, seasonal items, food trucks, live music, and everything you need to create a vintage and handmade lifestyle. Never too early to begin holiday shopping!

Applefest

September 27

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Living History Farms

Join Living History Farms for a day of family fun celebrating the apple harvest season!

Visit their historic sites to see how past cooks would prepare and serve apple treats, such as apple butter, cake or pie, and cider. Print an apple recipe in the print shop, and purchase apple goodies and tasty treats from local food vendors.

Middlebrook Farm Fall Fest

Details have not been released yet! Check back soon.

Apple & Pumpkin Fest at Will’s Family Orchard

Saturday, October 4 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 5 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

Saturday, October 11 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 12 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

Saturday, October 18 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 19 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

Saturday, October 25 (9 – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, October 26 (Noon – 6 p.m.)

Fall Fest

Details haven’t been released yet!

Polk County Sheriff’s Fall Festival

October 11

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grimes South Sports Complex

Grimes Parks and Recreation and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up once again to host the annual Fall Festival. The festival will be packed with fun activities and booths for kids of all ages, including the Candy Crawl. There will be food trucks, local vendors, games, bouncy houses, and much more. Costumes are highly encouraged! Free event, food and beverages additional cost.

Covered Bridge Festival in Madison County

October 11 & 12

Help celebrate the bridges at the Covered Bridge Festival. Crafts, food, a parade, activities, entertainment, antiques, and guided tours of the famous covered bridges. This festival is for everyone.

Fall Festival 2025

October 11

1 to 4 p.m.

Wesley Woods Camp

Join Wesley Woods Camp at camp for a free event. Explore nature, arts n crafts, inflatables, pony rides, apple cider and more!

Deal’s Orchard Fall Festival

October 11 & 12

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Deal’s Orchard

Celebrate fall with Deal’s Orchard! Live music, activities and attractions, food trucks, hard cider, freshly baked homemade apple pie, hayrides through the pumpkin patch, and more!

Rose Farm Festival

Details haven’t been released yet!

Des Moines Fall Festivals