Celebrate the 4th of July around Des Moines with parades, carnivals, music, and lots of summer treats!
Where to see Fireworks in and around Des Moines
July 3 | Yankee Doodle Pops, West Terrace, Iowa State Capitol
8:30 p.m.
This family-friendly, patriotic concert concludes with the area’s premier fireworks display over the downtown Des Moines skyline, and best of all, it’s free. Bring your picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs, or purchase food from an array of vendors at the concert.
July 3-4 | Waukee Celebration, Centennial Park
Festivities include inflatables, a parade, a fun run, bags tournament, ice cream social, live music, and more! Fireworks will follow a special skydiver demonstration by the Des Moines Skydivers on July 4.
July 3-4 | West Des Moines Weekend, West Des Moines
Check out their parade, horseshoe tournament, and community band concert, and drone show over the weekend.
July 4 | Independence Day + Historic Baseball, Living History Farms
Celebrate a historic Independence Day in the town of Walnut Hill. 1876 marks the first centennial of the United States, and Living History Farms’ Independence Day activities show what this day meant to those in the 19th century, including a historic baseball game.
July 4 | Urbandale Annual 4th of July Celebration, Lions Park
The 2-mile-long parade is widely known throughout the Des Moines metro as the largest and most watched parade. Other events include a fun run, carnival, pie-eating contest, bags tournament, free kids activities, live music, fun run, and more!
July 4 | Altoona 4th of July Parade
The parade starts at 10 am on 8th Street SW, heads east, then ends at 3rd Avenue SE after turning north onto 3rd Avenue. 8th Street will be blocked at 8 am from 17th Avenue SW to Venbury Drive. Head over to Haines Park for live music and an ice cream social afterwards.
July 4 | Ames Fourth of July Parade
Ames’ Fourth of July parade will march down Main Street beginning at 11 am.
