Des Moines Moms Guide to October 2018

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October Event Guide Des Moines Moms Blog Things to Do

Trick-or-treating family fun, pumpkin patch adventures, and all the candy we can hide in our secret stashes? October, we’re ready for you! Des Moines is bursting with fun fall events for the whole family this month. We’ve included our top October event picks for free weekend activities, family-friendly Halloween events, moms’ night outs, date nights, and more.

Grab your pumpkin-spice lattes and cozy scarves, it’s time for some fall fun in Des Moines! 

Looking for more things to do in Des Moines this fall? Check out our Fall Bucket List!

Don’t forget to visit our Central Iowa Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch round-up!

October 2018 events and activities

October 2 | Meet Pete the Cat, Various Des Moines Public Library Branches, Des Moines
Times vary
Hang out with Pete the Cat! Everyone’s favorite feline will be visiting the library all week long. Enjoy special storytimes with groovy stories, rhymes, and songs. After each storytime, Pete will take pictures with kids and families. The schedule is as follows:
Monday, October 1, 4 PM, South Side Library
Monday, October 1, 6:30 PM, South Side Library
Tuesday, October 2, 4 PM, Franklin Avenue Library
Tuesday, October 2, 6:30 PM, Central Library
Wednesday, October 3, 10:15 AM, Forest Avenue Library
Wednesday, October 3, 6:30 PM, North Side Library
Thursday, October 4, 10:30 AM, East Side Library
Friday, October 5, 10:15 AM, Central Library
Saturday, October 6, 10:30 AM, Franklin Avenue Library

October 6, 13, 20, 21, 27 | Oktoberfest, Adventureland Park, Altoona
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ready for a kid-free night out? Adventureland’s 4th Annual Oktoberfest post-season special event is a 21-years-of-age and older event. Sing along to Hanson, go on some rides, and enjoy some adult beverages. You’ll also be able to watch a hypnotist, comedians, fire-breathers, and fireworks! Cost is $40 per person.

October 6, 13, 20, 21, 27 | Pumpkin Express, Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
Times vary
Take the family on this one hour and thirty-minute journey (across the 156′ tall Bass Point Creek High Bridge, and the Des Moines River Bridge) to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s pumpkin patch. at the patch, children can select their perfect pumpkin before returning to town. On the return trip, children will receive an activity booklet and a treat.

October 12 | Family Night, Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Explore the Science Center of Iowa with your family with $5 general admission (per person), documentary IMAX films, and Food Chain Cafe specials. Kick off your weekend by building a rocket, traveling through outer space, or experiencing a larger-than-life IMAX film (for $5) with extended hours until 8 p.m.

October 14 | Fall Frenzy, Walker Johnston Park, Urbandale
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
This family-friendly, free event is hosted by the Urbandale Parks and Recreation and the City of Urbandale. Explore the park, participate in a scavenger hunt, see some live critters, enjoy outdoor games, crafts, and more.

October 14 | Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour!, Civic Center, Des Moines
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy a night out with your kids with this immersive, live concert experience. Sing along to Disney Junior’s greatest hits with your favorite characters, including Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Sofia The First, Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard, and more! Kids of all ages and their families are invited to get up and dance.

October 18 | Pumpkin Carving, Iowa Arboretum, 1875 Peach Ave, Madrid
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Take a little trip outside Des Moines to test your carving skills and enjoy a hot bowl of chili, a warm piece of cornbread, and a cool dessert. The pumpkins will be displayed during the Arboretum’s Halloween events. This event is free.

October 18-21, 25-28 | Family Halloween, Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Ave., Urbandale
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a safe, non-scary trick-or-treating at Living History Farms’ historic businesses, try your hand at pumpkin bowling, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and listen to enchanting storytellers. Living History Farms offers “teal pumpkin” stops for trick-or-treaters with allergies. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.

October 18-21 & October 25-28 | Night Eyes, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines
Thursdays & Fridays: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The 28th year of Night Eyes is sure to continue the tradition as Central Iowa’s sweetest, merry-not scary, Halloween event! Gather treats throughout the Zoo as it is transformed into a world of lights, castles, and magical characters. Non-member tickets are $6, advance tickets are $4 and are available online, at the Zoo and participating Hy-Vee locations on October 1. (Children 12 months and under are free.)

October 20-21 | Great Iowa Pet Expo, Varied Industries Building, State Fairgrounds, Des Moines
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are your kids animal lovers? The Great Iowa Pet Expo welcomes anyone who loves animals and pets. Whether you’re a current pet owner or just thinking about bringing a companion animal into your home, the Great Iowa Pet Expo is for you. It’s a great event for family entertainment, including free contests and the largest pet-related trade show in the state.

October 21 | Family Fun Festival Presented by Iowa C.O.P.S, Valley Community Center, West Des Moines
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Looking for some free indoor fun? Iowa C.O.P.S. is hosting its third annual Family Fun Festival, featuring inflatables, bounce houses, face-painting, glitter tattoos, superheroes, princesses, and more.

October 21 | Mother-Son BallScience Center of Iowa, Des Moines
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Mother-Son Ball is a great way to foster a special bond between you and your loved ones. Create magical memories together at a special evening where several photographers will be on board to capture the red carpet. Formal wear is strongly encouraged but not enforced. Tickets available online.

October 23-24 | The Great Pumpkin PartyTwo locations: Valley Church, 4343 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines and Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Rd., West Des Moines
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Get the kids in their non-scary costumes and enjoy giant inflatables, pony rides, carnival games, free popcorn, and more. Plus, the Iowa League of Heroes is back and the princesses are joining them! Don’t miss this free event. Special Needs Night, a special Great Pumpkin Party for children with special needs and their families, will be Oct. 22 at the Valley Church location.

October 24 | Trick or Treat with First Responders, Fire Station 38 and The Bridge Church, 10225 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fire Station 38, in conjunction with The Bridge Church in Johnston, is hosting a trick-or-treat with first responders. The Police and Fire Departments will hand out treats from their squad cars and fire trucks, and The Bridge will host a free bouncy house, hayride, and even more trunk-or-treating. Come in costume – the Police and Fire Chiefs will vote on the best-dressed child!

October 25 | Homemakers Trick-or-Treat NightHomemakers, 10215 Douglas Ave., Urbandale
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Put your Halloween costumes on and bring the whole family for our 9th annual Homemakers Trick-or-Treat Night! Kids can show off their costumes and fill bags with fun toys, treats, and goodies. Gather your pirates, superheroes, and princesses to stop by Homemakers for a free indoor Trick-or-Treat extravaganza.

October 25 | Halloween in UptownAnkeny
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Go trick-or-treating at Ankeny’s uptown businesses marked with a lit pumpkin. For children 12 years old and younger.

October 25 | Coco on the Art Center LawnDes Moines Art Center
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
To celebrate the community’s participation in the museum’s 18th annual Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) celebration, the Art Center will host a screening of the 2017 Pixar film Coco on the lawn. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and refreshments.

October 26 | Trick-or-Treat Around the Lake, Copper Creek Lake Park, Pleasant Hill
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wear your costume to this free community event. Local businesses will hand out candy and goodies, and kids can enjoy face-painting and inflatables.

October 27 | Mysteries of the Castle, Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda Dr., Des Moines
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This family-friendly Halloween party encourages children to come in costume and enjoy interactive craft activities, the Iowa State University Insect Zoo, Magician Jonathan May, princess meet-and-greets, face-painting, storytelling, magic show, live children’s entertainment, and more. This is a fun, festive, and safe activity for the whole family to enjoy. Cost is $5 a person; children two and under are free. 

October 28 | Pumpkin Walk, Historic Valley Junction, West Des Moines
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Join the Halloween fun as children show off their costumes and walk through Historic Valley Junction for this free event. Attractions include a hayride, interactive activities for kids, and trick-or-treating.

October 28 | Trunk ‘N TreatLutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Get your little ones dressed in their friendly Halloween costumes and experience the fun of fall with Lutheran Church of Hope’s annual Trunk ‘n’ Treat! Children in sixth grade and under are invited to trick-or-treat in the church parking lot in a safe, free, and family-friendly environment. Photo opportunities will add to the fun, too.

October 29 | Trick or Treat at Jordan Creek Town Center 
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bring the kids trick-or-treating throughout the mall on the lower level near Sephora.

October 30 | Trick or Treat EventValley West Wall, West Des Moines
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Enjoy inflatable rides by Midwest Inflatables, crafts, temporary tattoos, and more! All activities are located on the lower level and are free to Valley West Mall customers. Children can come in costume to trick-or-treat from store to store. For more information, call Guest Services at 225-3632.

Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add your event to the list.


We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.

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