Things to do in Des Moines in July 2023

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This article is sponsored by Royal Flooring.

JULY EVENTSMark your calendars for the first-ever FREE Royal Summer Market, July 22!☀️👩‍🌾 Join Royal Flooring for a fun afternoon featuring a star-studded lineup of Des Moines’ best local vendors. Enjoy live music and tons of free activities for the kids while shopping farm-fresh produce and chic boutiques!

July 22  | Royal Summer Market, Royal Flooring, 11801 Hickman Road, Urbandale
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

*Tickets will not be required for event entry, only for a reservation system to best account for an expected guest count!

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! 

  • SHOPPING: With over 30 vendors committed to being part of the Royal Summer Market, you will be able to shop chic boutiques, children’s accessories, jewelry, bookstores & more!
  • KIDS ACTIVITIES: It wouldn’t be a family event without fun for the kids! There will be plenty of FREE activities available for your littles like face painting, balloon animals, crafts and bounce houses!
  • LOCAL PRODUCE & FLORALS: Whether you are on the hunt for tomatoes, homemade salad dressings, florals, or have been dying to try bison meat – they will have all your farm-fresh favorites available for purchase!
  • LIVE MUSIC: Guests will get the chance to listen to live music during their time at the Royal Summer Market from the highly talented, Royce Johns. Swing by between 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. to enjoy!

Follow Royal Flooring on social media to be the first to know about new Summer Market vendors, activities, and fun we have planned for this family-friendly event!

Interested in being a Royal Summer Market Vendor?

Royal Flooring is still looking for more vendors who want to showcase their unique products, handmade crafts, delicious treats, or any other fantastic goods! Fill out their short vendor form if you are interested in being part of the day.

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Summer Guides for Endless Fun

July 4th Activities
Where to See Fireworks
Ultimate Guide to Summer
Pool Guide 
Spraygrounds & Wading Pool Guide
Outdoor Ideas for Toddlers
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Yoga Classes
Outdoor Concert Guide

Ongoing Events in Des Moines

Tuesday & Thursdays | Toddler Time, Get Air
10 a.m.
Little jumpers get special access to the trampolines on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Admission is $8.99 (free for a parent). It’s a great way to burn some winter energy!

Thursdays | Caterpillar Club, Reiman Gardens in Ames
Get outside and have some fun with a weekly storytime at Reiman Gardens. This program is designed for kids ages 2-5 with an adult. Program is included with general admission to Reiman Gardens.

Thursdays | Tot Town, Valley Community Center
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Bring the little ones out to play for a morning at the Valley Community Center. This event is free!

2nd Monday of the Month | Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda, Blank Park Zoo
11 a.m.
Once a month, join in for Ruby’s Story Time at the Zoo! Each month they will read a story and you’ll meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s education department.

1st Friday of the Month | First Fridays in the East Village
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The shops, businesses, restaurants, and bars will showcase products and fun events. Parking is free! 

Things to do in Des Moines in July 2023

July 1 | Dude Perfect: Panda-monium Tour, Wells Fargo Arena
7 p.m.
The Dudes from Dude Perfect will bring their laugh-out-loud antics to the stage and compete in crazy, trick-shot-themed battles. The tour will feature some of the most popular segments from their award-winning “Overtime” series like Cool Not Cool and Wheel Unfortunate with Ned Forrester, and new fan-favorite segments like Get Crafty and Top 10 are in the works as well.
 
July 1 | Independence Day & Baseball, Living History Farms
Enjoy an old-fashioned fourth with an iconic, historic Independence Day celebration in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. 1876 marks the first centennial of the United States. Be sure to arrive early to tour the historic farms, enjoy the town activities, and make time to catch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings baseball game at 3 p.m.
 
July 2 | Yoga on the Commons, Cowles Commons
9 a.m.
Shake up your yoga practice with a yoga session in Cowles Commons. Classes are offered as a free-will donation, with all proceeds benefiting Des Moines Performing Arts. Click here for more outdoor yoga classes.
 
July 6, 13, 20, 27| Summer Concert Series, Jasper Winery
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Enjoy free live music at Jasper Winery. Bring a lawn chair, blankets, and snacks. Drinks and food will also be available for purchase at the event. Check their website before the event for the most up-to-date social distancing guidelines. Click here to see more outdoor concerts.
 

July 6, 13, 20, 27 | Live Acoustic Sets, The District at Prairie Trail
Come out to the heart of Ankeny for live acoustic sets from amazing local artists at a number of patios throughout The District.

July 6 | Ladies Shopping Night, The District – Prairie Trail
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Bring your besties to The District for a fun GNO! Shop at your favorite District boutiques during Ladies Shopping Night! Stop at each location for special discounts and door prizes.
 

July 7-8 | 80/35 Music Festival, Western Gateway Park
Des Moines’ best music festival is back! Discover mind-bending music. Engage with eye-popping art. Devour delicious fest foods. Savor sweet brews. Shop local faves and so much more!

July 7 | Farm School: Fun with Veggies, Rose Farm near Norwalk
9 a.m., 10 a.m., or 11 a.m.
Guests will learn all about veggies. Sue Honkamp, the founder & owner of Real Food 4 Kids, will have fresh, locally grown veggies on hand for a fun + interactive lesson.

July 7-9 | Ankeny Summerfest, The District at Prairie Trails
Enjoy live music, games, food vendors, and fireworks during these three days of family-friendly fun. From the Grand Parade to kick start the weekend to the fireworks at the end, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy!

July 7 | The Song of Bugs with the ISU Insect Zoo, Johnston Public Library
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join the Iowa State University Insect Zoo for a special story time from 10:30-11 a.m. Capacity will be limited due to space, but join after storytime for a hands-on, walk-through animal display of over 100 living arthropods!

July 8 | Pupchella, Paws and Pints
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The ultimate backyard carnival party featuring a foam party (with doggy-safe foam, of course), live music with DJ Lizz straight from the backyard, doggy carnival games, activities and crafts, a photo booth and so much more!
 

July 10 – 15 | Mario Kart Scavenger Hunt, Central Library
Find the Mario Kart characters hidden around the library and win a small prize. Best for ages 6+

July 12, 19, 26 | Zoo Brew
5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The camels aren’t the only ones celebrating hump day at Blank Park Zoo! On select Wednesdays in the summer, the Zoo comes to life after hours for those 21 and over. This popular fundraising event features a variety of live music and summer brews all while enjoying the animals.

July 13, 27 | Nature Story Hour, Jester Park Nature Center
12 p.m.
Pack a picnic lunch, grab a blanket, and bring your family for an hour of nature stories and activities with a naturalist from Polk County Conservation. Enjoy the fresh air, and sunshine, munch your lunch, listen to a story or two, and discover new parks with your children. The event is free.   

July 14 | Storytime at Heritage Carousel, Heritage Carousel
10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Join Ms. Alicia at the Heritage Carousel for a special storytime for the whole family! Enjoy stories, songs, and movement together. After storytime, there will be a craft available and everyone will get a FREE carousel ride.
 

July 14-15 | Waukee Arts Festival, Centennial Park in Waukee
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
Enjoy a Friday night concert by Elton and Billy – The Tribute and Saturday night by DECOY, art from more than 100 regional artists, and food vendors.

July 15 | Beaverdale Blue Grass Festival, Tower Park In Beaverdale
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of bluegrass featuring Joseph Huber, Miles Over Mountains, and more! This event is free and open to all. Beer will be available for purchase. Food trucks will be on hand. It’s recommended to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and water.

July 15 | Water Lantern Festival, Riverview Park
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Create your own water lantern and let it float on the water at this memorable event. 

July 15 | #IMOMSOHARD: Ladies’ Night, Hoyt Sherman Place
7:30 PM
#IMOMSOHARD began as a popular web series by real-life best friends, comedians, and moms Kristin and Jen. See them on stage during their latest national tour.
 

July 21-23 | SWAY’S BLOOM!, Cowles Commons
Multiple times + locations
SWAY’s Bloom! is the newest creation of SWAY (formerly known as Australia’s Strange Fruit) atop their signature 14-foot sway poles. A 20-minute performance, BLOOM! is a family-friendly, colorful, and spirited performance exploring themes of earth and nature, community, transformation, individuality, and diversity.

July 26 | RAGBRAI Des Moines, Downtown
When RAGBRAI cyclists return to Iowa’s capital city for the first time in ten years, they’ll find the stage set for an epic, potentially record-breaking party. Join in for events and entertainment including the headlining concert that night with the legendary band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

July 26–August 5 | AAU Junior Olympics
Athletes will compete in events such as baton twirling, fencing, field hockey, jump rope, karate, sport stacking, swimming, taekwondo, track and field, and more at Drake Stadium and MidAmerican RecPlex.

July 28 – August 5 | National Balloon Classic, Memorial Balloon Field, Indianola
This spectacular, 9-day event held every summer features 100+ hot air balloons. Enjoy live music on, buy a balloon ride, or enjoy the mystical glow during Dawn Patrol and Nite Glow. Enjoy food vendors, beer/wine, fireworks, Special Shapes, and so much more! Tickets ($10 for guests 6 and older) must be purchased online. Check the website for details and the full schedule.

July 29 | 2023 MLK Block Party, Friendship Center
4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bingo Tournament, inflatables and rides, live music, smoking 2 whole hogs for dinner, a raffle, free child haircuts, a food pantry, and a BBQ contest.
 
July 29, 30 | Howell’s Flower Festival, 3145 Howell Court, Cumming, Iowa
Wander through brightly colored flower fields, and soak in the picturesque views. There is so much beauty and fun to be found for all ages at Howells Flower Festival. Don’t forget to bring your family, your friends, your smiles and your camera!!

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, as COVID guidelines are always changing, 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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