For the first time, Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X is hitting Des Moines at Principal Park—and you’re invited to be part of the action on August 30!
Home Run Derby X is baseball like you’ve never seen it before: a fast-paced, high-energy 3-on-3 competition featuring MLB legends like Ben Zobrist, Jake Arrieta, and Manny Ramirez and elite female softball players.
Three 30-minute games are packed with huge home runs, electric catches, and unique twists, like hitting into the “Home Run Zone” for bonus points and triggering “hot streak” at-bats where everything counts as double.
This one-of-a-kind event combines the excitement of street-style competition with the star power of MLB—and it’s happening in Des Moines. Don’t miss this historic night of home runs, hustle, and hype.
Get tickets and more details:
Things to do in Des Moines in August 2025
Through August 2 | 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 must be purchased online. Check the website for details and the full schedule.
Through Aug 3 | The SpongeBob Musical, Stoner Theater
Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world.
Aug 1-3 | Hinterland Music Festival, St. Charles, Iowa
Headliners include Hozier, Vampire Weekend, and Noah Kahan. Check out other summer music fests and outdoor concerts.
Aug 1, 8, 15, 22 | Pizza on the Prairie, Wallace Centers in Orient, IA
Head to the prairie on Friday nights for handmade-from-scratch brick oven pizza packed with straight-from-the-farm veggies and local meats! Live music plays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Walk the prairie path and enjoy the outdoor art along the way. Seating is limited, so bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Reservations required.
Aug 1, 2 | Grimes Highway 141 Garage Sales, Grimes
The sale route follows Highway 141 across beautiful west central Iowa between Des Moines on the east and Sloan on the west. The entire route is in excess of 177 miles in length. That is 170+ miles of great garage sales, countless bargains, and hidden treasures waiting to be found.
Aug 2 | Pancake Paddle, Clive Aquatic Center
8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Flap jacks and belly flops!?! Join for a pancake breakfast and morning swim. Chris Cakes will be joining the fun flipping pancakes at the pool. This event is for all ages. The price includes admission to swim, pancakes, sausage, and drinks. Sorry, no unregistered guests are allowed to attend this event.
Aug 2 | Summer Scoops, Big Grove Brewery
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
FREE ice cream for all kids 12 and under!
Aug 3 | Sundae in the Park, Johnston Commons Park
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grab a free ice cream sundae, explore hands-on activities and connect with local school and city leaders before the start of the school year. Explore a fire engine, check out a snowplow, and sit in a police vehicle!
Aug 3 | Clowns at the Carousel, Union Park
4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Have fun and learn about bike safety at this free event near the Heritage Carousel at Union Park with clowns and entertainment along with educational information about bike safety for kids.
Aug 5 | National Night Out
The goal of this event, happening in neighborhoods across both Des Moines and the whole country, is to build safe communities by getting to know your neighbors. Find an event in your neighborhood and enjoy a night out right where you live.
Aug 5 | Tropical Terrariums, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Combine plants, science, and design to create miniature worlds. Learn how to design and care for tropical terrariums, then build your own. All materials are provided. Registration required. Ages 12+
Aug 7, 14, 12, 28 | Acoustics Live in the District, The District at Prairie Trail
Kick off the weekend with music, drinks, and family fun in Ankeny. The concert and parking are free. Be sure to pack chairs or a blanket to sit on.
Aug 7 | Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series, Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Bring your own food and drinks, blankets, camp chairs, your friends and family, and enjoy a summer evening at Jester Park. Picket Fence Creamery ice cream will be on-site for purchase. Music begins at 6 p.m.
Aug 7 | Jolly Walk and Flip Flops, Gray’s Lake Park
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Celebrate a little holiday cheer in the middle of summer! Join at Gray’s Lake for the Jolly Walk and Flip Flops—a festive evening walk around the lake complete with games, treats, and special holiday surprises. This is a free event, registration required.
Aug 7-17 | Iowa State Fair
Join more than one million fellow fair-goers at the award-winning Iowa State Fair. Check the website for a full listing of events, concerts, and attractions.
Aug 8 | Family Pool Day, Des Moines
Grab the family and jump into the pool! Enjoy $5 admission at all City of Des Moines aquatic facilities.
Aug 9 | Uptown Artist Market, Uptown Shopping Center
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy a local artist pop-up market, live music, interactive art for kids, adoptable dogs and more!
Aug 9 | Star Party, Ewing Park
8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join SCI staff and volunteers to observe celestial objects, colorful double stars and star clusters, meteor showers and more through high-powered telescopes! Engage with stargazing guides to investigate the science of our solar system and beyond.
Aug 9 | Adel Sweet Corn Festival, Adel courthouse square
Run the 5K, see the parade, enjoy the entertainment, and of course eat corn at this annual festival. See our guide to all summer festivals for more local celebrations.
Aug 10 | S’Mores Day Hike, Jester Park
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Millions of people of all ages love this gooey, toasted treat. Celebrate National S’mores Day with a hike followed by the most popular campfire treat!
Aug 14 – 17 | The Penguin Project Production of Honk JR, Des Moines Playhouse
Honk Jr is a delightful adaptation of the beloved fable, The Ugly Duckling, and the award-winning musical, Honk!
Aug 15 | Party in the Park, Walker-Johnston Park
5 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Party in the Park features fun activities for the whole family! There’s a beer garden for adults, food trucks, live music, and free kids activities including bounce houses, laser tag, and lawn games!
Aug 15 | Super Nature Brothers at Thomas Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell Park
7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Grab your explorer caps and jump back into the wild with a brand-new round of Mario-inspired nature fun! This adventure follows a video game-style storyline with YOU as the main character – leveling up through hands-on challenges, unlocking new worlds and completing wild nature quests. Registration is required.
Summer Guides for Endless Fun
Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Des Moines
Where to go Swimming
Spraygrounds & Wading Pool Guide
Free Outdoor Movies in Des Moines
Summer Outdoor Concerts in Des Moines
Aug 17 | No Foot Too Small Blooms & Butterflies, Howells Greenhouse
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Celebrate and honor NFTS angels with food trucks, kids activities, face painting, balloon artist, and more. The evening will end with a monarch butterfly release.
Aug 20 | Story Tellebration, Jester Park Nature Center
10 a.m.
Join volunteer storyteller, Carmen Epstein, for a fun, interactive tale tailored toward children ages 2 to 6 that explores the wonders of the outdoors.
Aug 20 | Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge, Des Moines Civic Center
Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge are coming to the Des Moines Civic Center next August! Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls will contribute $2 total from each ticket sold to benefit their nonprofit charitable organizations: The Etheridge Foundation and First Peoples Fund.
Aug 22-24 | World Food & Music Festival, Western Gateway Park
Sample delicious food and drink from around the world and check out cooking challenges, musical performances, dances, workshops, presentations, and more.
Aug 23 | Iowa Wine and Cider Festival, Jasper Winery
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate Iowa’s grape and apple harvest with tastings from over 20 Iowa wineries and cideries.
Aug 23 | Ingersoll Live, Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA
Ingersoll Live is a family-friendly “block party” along Ingersoll Avenue featuring live music, art, food, and entertainment. This annual event gives local organizations, businesses, and neighbors an opportunity to connect and celebrate.
Aug 23, 24, 30 | Flower Festival, Howells Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch
The fun is in full bloom! It’s time to get your tickets to wander through the brightly colored flower fields, soak in the picturesque views, and relish the experience.
Aug 24 | B4 Ride: Bras, Bike, Bars & Beers, Captain Roy’s
11 a.m.
Bras for the Cause B4 Ride: Bras, Bikes, Bars & Beers raises money to fight breast and cervical cancers in Iowa. Your participation helps bring awareness to the cause and raises funds. All proceeds stay in Iowa with the goal of providing all Iowans, underinsured or uninsured, access to mammograms, cervical screenings, and other lifesaving programs and projects.
Aug 30 | Home Run Derby X, Principal Park
Head to the ballpark to see three 30-minute games are packed with huge home runs, electric catches, and unique twists, like hitting into the “Home Run Zone” for bonus points and triggering “hot streak” at-bats where everything counts as double.
Aug 30 | Renaissance Faire, Sleepy Hollow
The Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow is a magical experience for both young and old. When you enter the gates for the first time you will go back to an era when kings and queens ruled, knights jousted, and the arts came alive!
Aug 31 | Sista Soul Fest 2025, Evelyn K Davis Park
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The purpose of Sista Soul Fest is to create a space for women (especially women of color) to offer/sell and display their talents, gifts, and businesses. It also allows women and young girls of all ages to come together as sisters to network, encourage, inspire, and show up for each other.
Ongoing Events in Des Moines
Tuesdays & Thursdays | Toddler Time, Get Air
10 a.m. to 12 p.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 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.
Mondays & Thursdays | Tot Town, Valley Community Center
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Bring the little ones out to play 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.
Each month they read a story and you get to meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s education department.
1st Thursday of the Month | Toddler Tales, Jester Park Nature Center
Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time. Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets, or a craft. This event is designed for ages 3 and up.
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 or check websites to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
