EVENTS

Downtown Des Moines pulses year-round with a dynamic lineup of events that celebrate its rich culture, creativity, and community spirit. From the vibrant Downtown Farmers’ Market, which returned on May 3, 2025, featuring 48 new vendors and an expanded footprint along Fifth Avenue , to the Des Moines Arts Festival®, an award-winning event attracting over 200,000 visitors annually , there's always something happening. Music enthusiasts can look forward to the 80/35 Music Festival, showcasing a diverse mix of artists, while foodies can indulge in global flavors at the World Food & Music Festival . Seasonal highlights include the Capital City Pride Festival, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, and the Iowa State Fair, one of the nation's largest state fairs, drawing over a million attendees each August .

For a comprehensive list of upcoming events, visit the Downtown Des Moines Events Calendar.

Red Bull Soapbox Race Iowa 2025 Instagram Highlights Reel
Des Moines Farmers Market 5.31.25 Instagram Reel
Des Moines Farmers Market 5.24.25 Highlights Instagram Reel
CelebrAsian 2025 Highlights Instagram Reel
Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market 5.10.25 Instagram Reel
Chloe Kibbee holding a bouquet of pink flowers and a cup of iced beverage at an outdoor market on a sunny day, at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market
Downtown Living Des Moines Farmers Market Bulldog
A bouquet of mixed flowers in a paper cup with a 'Barnswallow Flowers' label, placed on a black surface outdoors at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market.Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
People enjoying the Des Moines Farmers Market on Court Avenue with the courthouse under a partly cloudy sky. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A woman holding a box of flowers with a man and a golden retriever dog sitting on the street during the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Rows of clear plastic cups filled with fruit salad, topped with crushed graham crackers, with white plastic forks inserted, on a black table at the Des Moines Farmers market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A small white dog sitting inside a pink pet stroller with a mesh front, on a sidewalk at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Vendor stall at an outdoor farmers market selling jars of pickles and salsas on a red tablecloth, with people browsing in the background. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Red radishes with green leaves, displayed at a farmer's market with blurred background. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Three women selling flowers at an outdoor market under a white canopy. Two women are standing beside a table piled with pink and white roses, smiling at the camera. The third woman, on the right, is making a peace sign and smiling. There are various
People attending the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market with vendor tents, some pedestrians with strollers, and two basset hound dogs on leashes. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Colorful potted flowers on market stall at an outdoor flower market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Outdoor event with a decorated flower display booth, metal fencing, patio heaters, and a crowd of people gathered under a wooden canopy. A red banner advertises the Anne's Rockin Country Party happening every Saturday night. Downtown Living DSM
Large black dog, possibly a Cane Corso, standing on a street with its tongue out, surrounded by people at the Des Moines Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A table with a purple tablecloth displaying various bags of granola at an outdoor market. Several people are seen browsing in the background under a tent, surrounded by green trees. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A busy farmers' market with tents, vendors, and shoppers. A road is closed ahead with a sign that reads 'ROAD CLOSED, FARMERS' MARKET AHEAD.' There are yellow barriers and a crowd of people browsing and shopping, with a city building visible in the b
Several bouquets of pink and red peonies with green foliage wrapped in brown paper, displayed on a black surface at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A small brown dog with a happy expression inside a gray pet carrier backpack in a crowded outdoor setting. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Man with sunglasses and a black cap holding a plush dog costume, standing in front of an ATM kiosk and a bike rack outside a building at CelebrAsian 2025 DSM. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Close-up of a brown and white spaniel dog with floppy ears, blue eyes, wearing a colorful bandana, standing on pavement at CelebrAsian 2025 DSM. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Blue electric bicycle parked on sidewalk with colorful bags attached to the frame, at an outdoor event with tents and people in the background at CelebrAsian 2025 DSM. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Pile of chopped sugarcane stalks at a market stall with blurred background of vendors and shoppers at CelebrAsian 2025 DSM. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Festival entrance decorated with floral archway featuring large pink and red roses and a banner reading 'Celebrate Asian in Full Bloom.' Two large posters of women in traditional Asian attire and crowns are displayed on the sides of the archway, with
A girl holding a small dog smiling at an outdoor event with other people in the background, some eating and others walking at CelebrAsian 2025 DSM. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
People gathered outdoors at a festival or event, with a person in a panda costume interacting with the crowd and a woman taking a photo of the panda at CelebrAsian 2025 DSM. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A curly-haired dog sitting on grass in front of a stone building, attached to a pink leash, with trees and a park setting in the background at the Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A young girl sitting in a stroller surrounded by a crowd of people outdoors on a sunny day at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Sign celebrating 50 seasons of Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market with illustrations of vegetables and numbers indicating 1976 and 2025, at an outdoor market on a sunny day with people and city buildings in the background.
Crowd of people at an outdoor festival with vendor tents, trees, and a historic building with a clock tower in the background on a sunny day at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
Two dogs on leashes on a sidewalk, with a person standing nearby. One dog is a brown Dachshund and the other is a white and brown Dachshund mix.
A young black and tan German Shepherd puppy sitting on a concrete surface with people standing around in the background at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photography.
A man and woman standing together smiling at an outdoor event, with a large historic building with a clock tower in the background, and many people and tents around at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Photogra
A leopard print dog, sitting on a concrete surface, panting with its tongue out, wearing a white harness, surrounded by people at an outdoor event at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. Downtown Living Des Moines Street Phot
Downtown Living Farmers Market Barista