Enjoy an old-fashioned, unplugged Family Halloween at Living History Farms.
Stroll through the 1876 town of Walnut Hill, where you’ll trick-or-treat at historical storefronts. Plus, enjoy horse-and-wagon rides, Halloween games like pumpkin bowling, and seasonal storytelling.
Dates and times:
- Saturday, October 15, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, October 16, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, October 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, October 23, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, October 28, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 29, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $8 per person or $7 for members. Children 1 and under are free.
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For Halloween-themed events happening in the metro, check out our haunted houses guide and Halloween events guide.
Things to Do in Des Moines October 2022
October 1 | Fall Fest, Polk City Town Center
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Enjoy small-town family fun at its best in Polk City. There will be a farmers market with food trucks and kid-friendly activities, such as inflatables, trick-or-treat decorating bags, and more. There will also be superheroes and princesses stopping by. Check out the event schedule for more info.
October 1 | Run for the Badge with Mayor Andeweg, Urbandale
9 a.m.
We love free family fun. This event starts with pancakes from the Lion’s Club followed by a family-friendly bike ride. There are three different ride lengths to fit your family’s ability.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join them for their biggest outdoor market yet! A carefully curated market featuring over 70 local makers, vintage collectors, food trucks, and live music in the heart of Ames.
October 8 | Raccoon River Rally, Raccoon River Park
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Kick off the month with a free family-friendly event at Raccoon River Park. The Raccoon River Rally is the first fall festival celebrating West Des Moines’ community and waters. Attractions for the event include a morning bike ride, live music, cardboard boat races, a vendor fair with fun activities for kids, a beer tent, and food trucks.
October 3-29 | Storytime, Waukee Public Library
There are a variety of play and storytimes throughout the month at the Waukee Public Library. Check the calendar for dates and times that work best for your family.
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Join DCG Booster Club for a fall afternoon of DCG Shopping with local stores and craft vendors and grab dinner for the family. There will be chili, baked potatoes, hot dogs, cinnamon rolls, and pumpkin bars at the concession stand. Bring the kids and family for a photo with the new DCG mascot, Thunder, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
October 7, 21 | Homeschool Session, Jester Park Nature Center
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Enrich your homeschool experience with a nature lesson at Jester Park Nature Center. This program series will be delivered in a flexible format that is specially designed for homeschool students in grades K-5. The event is free, but registration is required.
October 9 | Elevate Festival, Water Works Park
10 a.m.
This event has a 5K race, yoga practice, and meditation session to raise funds for Above + Beyond Cancer. A community picnic and live music will follow the morning activities.
October 10 | Storytime with Red Panda, Blank Park Zoo
11 a.m.
Once a month, you can attend Ruby’s Story Time at the zoo! Each month there is a story and an opportunity to meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s education department. Storytime is included with regular admission.
October 15-22 | Great Iowa Pet Expo, Iowa State Fairgrounds 4H Building
If your family recently added a pet to the family (or are considering a new furry friend), you should check out the pet expo for product ideas and info on training and adoptables. Tickets are $6-$10 and available online.
October 15 | Witchcrafts Under the Stars, Wagner Park Ankeny
6 p.m.
Enjoy a fun family night at the Bandshell watching The Addams Family 2 making a craft. Bring blankets and chairs. This program is designed for ages 2-7
Pre-registration required: $12 residents/$15 nonresidents
October 16 | Paint and Sip, Color Harvest, Jasper Winery
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join in for an afternoon of painting in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine at Jasper Winery. Paint “Color Harvest” on canvas. Registration includes two hours of instruction, all supplies, and a 16×20-inch canvas to take home.
October 19 | Maker Mocktails, Reiman Gardens, Ames
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Learn how to make a non-alcoholic special Reiman Cocktail with Reiman Gardens’ staff in this after-hours program. Then you get to take the recipe home and make it a true cocktail with your own alcohol. Wrap up the night by creating a REAL pumpkin candle.
October 26 | National Pumpkin Day, Valley Community Center
Celebrate National Pumpkin Day with movies, crafts, snacks, and more!
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.
Love, all the information.