Don’t let the winter chill stop you from feeling the love in February! Get together with friends at Galentine’s events or take the family to a dance, there are events for the whole family all month long.
February is also Black History Month. Many metro libraries have events like Explore Visual Black History at the Forest Avenue Library. If you’re looking for other ideas for discussing the importance of Black history with your kids, check out this post for ways to celebrate Black History Month.
Don’t forget about seasonal activities like ice skating or annual events like Iowa’s RV Show and the Des Moines Home and Garden Show.
Things to do in Des Moines in February 2025
Feb 1-28 | Des Moines Art Center
Strolling through the Des Moines Art Center is a great way to take a break from the cold and take in some beautiful pieces of artwork. Admission is free (museum is closed on Mondays).
Feb 1-28 | Greater Des Moines Botanical Center
Warm up and beat the winter doldrums with a visit the Botanical Center, open Tuesday-Sunday. Cost is $12 for adults and $9 for kids 2-12.
Feb 1-28 | Ice Skating, Brenton Skating Plaza
Channel your inner figure skater and go ice skating downtown. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for kids 12 – 6, and 5 and under are free. You can rent skates for $5 or bring your own. Online registration is recommended. Walk-up admission is available if under capacity.
Feb 1 | Lunar New Year Celebration, 543 28th St, Des Moines
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Enjoy milk bread, dumplings, sponge cakes, milk tea, temporary tattoos, and red envelope raffles!
Jan 30 – Feb 2 | Iowa’s RV Show, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Interested in learning more about camping? Check out what’s new in RVs and camping gear at Iowa’s RV Show. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children.
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Parents, relatives, guardians and/or role models are invited to bring their kids to the Ball. This event provides an evening of dancing, refreshments, photo opportunities, art projects, and exhibits.
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Skate alongside Snow White, Moana, Tinker Bell, Rapunzel and Mirabel. Wear your favorite princess costume to receive a wand upon arrival! Enjoy Disney hits mixed with family-friendly music and capture unforgettable moments with your favorite characters.
Middle school is the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. Jeff Kinney’s much loved character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical.
8 a.m.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate the life and legacy of George Washington Carver at this free event.
In celebration of Black History Month, join every Wednesday in February as they host a watch party, viewing Iowa PBS’ Telling Our Own Story.
Join Sisters in Cheese for a Galentine’s Party. Enjoy complimentary snacks and adult beverages (must be 21), plus awesome shopping and a perfect opportunity for a friends’ night out.
Feb 7 | Galentine’s Party, Rollins Mansion
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
On this special evening, they’ll be celebrating sisterhood with a hands-on cocktail-making class where you’ll learn to craft two delicious signature drinks. Plus, you’ll take home a chic new cocktail shaker.
Get your homeschool group together for a fun outing on the slopes. See their site for details on group rates.
Feb 7 | Member Sweetheart Dance, Blank Park Zoo
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join your friends at Blank Park Zoo for their Member Sweetheart Dance. Enjoy a night of dancing, sweet treats, crafts, and, perhaps, some animal visitors. This is a members-only event.
Feb 8 | I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa, Horizon Events Center, Clive
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Iowa’s Premiere African American Festival is pleased to celebrate 27 years of showcasing African American Culture in Iowa.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
During the first intermission of the Buccaneers’ game, the Bucs and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa are bringing “wiener dog” racing to Des Moines once again.
All aboard! Trains are taking over the Central Library. Visit the library to see a huge model train display set up by the DesMoiNTrak modular railroad club. The N scale model railroads will be featured in the meeting rooms for train lovers of all ages to drop in and enjoy.
12 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.
Join Cha Cha’s Hyland Bakery for this fun adult and child class at Kids Create. Participants will learn royal icing techniques, decorate 10 vanilla /almond sugar cookies, and make special memories. Divide your cookies as you wish. Adults and children are invited to get creative!
Island Fever is a jam-packed day camp full of lots of hands-on activities for the budding influencers and YouTubers in your lives. Our young students will build Islandtube Studio, Film their studio tours, create their own Engineer Surprise Mystery Balls, and compete in a Mystery Wheel Challenge.
6 p.m. – 8 p.m
Each spot includes two beverages, chocolate-covered strawberries to snack on, and a tutorial on designing your own heart-shaped three-layered 6-inch cake together.
Feb 13 | Galentine’s Day Swiftie Skate, Brenton Skating Plaza
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Calling all Swifties! Grab your gal pals and join them for an unforgettable Taylor Swift-themed Galentine’s Day celebration at Brenton Skating Plaza!
Feb 13 – 16 | Des Moines Home and Garden Show, Iowa Events Center
Meet the pros at the Des Moines Home and Garden Show and get inspired to make home updates. Get ideas for your space and get your project started.
Experience the tale as old as time in this musical based on the original Broadway production.
11 a.m.
6 p.m.
// RELATED CONTENT: Winter Activities in Des Moines //
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Join in for these after school laser tag sessions at Harbach Center in Clive. They’ll dim the Recreation Bay lights, set up 10 battlefield bunkers, and split into teams to have a laser tag tournament.
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Experience the Jester Park Nature Center after dark. The hour will include storytelling, crafts, open Nature Center exhibits, and a short program on the theme of the night.
Feb 21 – Mar 2 | Mary Poppins Jr., Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre, Stoner Theater
Based on one of the most popular Disney movies of all time and the beloved Broadway musical.
10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Experience the oral tradition of storytelling as featured storytellers share personal stories and traditional tales. Enjoy family-friendly activities, like face painting, a scavenger hunt, and a craft.
Feb 25 – Mar 2 | Life of Pi, Des Moines Civic Center
Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world class puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation of LIFE OF PI creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
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 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 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.
Once a Month on Wednesdays | Knee-High Naturalists, Jester Park Nature Center
Are you ready to get outside and explore? Come and hear a story followed by some outdoor fun! As naturalists, you will hike, investigate, and navigate the trails and grounds of Jester Park as you learn what makes the outdoors such an amazing place. Dress to be outside. Cost is free; registration is required.
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.
Great post! As someone who is planning to visit Des Moines in February, I’m excited to check out the Iowa State Fairgrounds and see the beautiful gardens and flower exhibits. The chef-led cooking class at the Des Moines Social Club also sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the recommendations!