February may be cold in Des Moines, but the calendar is full of ways to feel the love. From Galentine’s gatherings with friends to standout local events, there are things for families to look forward to happening in Des Moines all month long.
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!
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.
Things to do in Des Moines in February 2026
February 3 | George Washington Carver Day, World Food Prize Foundation
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrate the life and legacy of George Washington Carver at this free event.
February 5 – 8 | 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.
February 6 | KPOP Skate Night, Skateland
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Join us for a special night at Skateland! Enjoy glow lights, skating games, concession stand, arcade, and a photo op. Cosplay is encouraged—come dressed to impress!
February 6 – March 1 | Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Des Moines Playhouse
What happens when a snowstorm traps seven strangers—and one of them is a murderer? In a remote English guesthouse, secrets swirl and suspicion runs high in this classic whodunit from the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie. With everyone a suspect and no one above suspicion, the guests must unravel the mystery before the murderer strikes again.
February 6 | Galentine’s Party, Rollins Mansion
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Celebrate Galentine’s Day with your friends at the historic Rollins Mansion during a chic, feel-good evening featuring a guided cheese and wine tasting, delicious bites, and plenty of time to mingle.
February 6, 13, 16, 20, 27 | Homeschool Days on the Slopes, Seven Oaks Recreation near Boone
Get your homeschool group together for a fun outing on the slopes. See their site for details on group rates.
February 7 | Snow Ball Dance, Science Center of Iowa
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.
February 7 | Bald Eagle Day, South East 6th Street Bridge
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Enjoy viewing and learning about the Bald Eagles in downtown Des Moines. Staff will be on the bridge with spotting scopes, binoculars and answers to questions you may have.
February 7 | I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa, Horizon Events Center, Clive
12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Iowa’s Premiere African American Festival is pleased to celebrate 28 years of showcasing African American Culture in Iowa.
February 7 | National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Over the Top
Celebrate Ice Cream for Breakfast Day with donut sundaes, cinnamon rolls, cold brew shakes, and breakfast-inspired ice cream flavors.
February 7, 8 | DesMoiNTrak Model Train Exhibit, Grimes Public Library
A fun, free event for train lovers!
February 12 | Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, Casey’s Center
7 p.m.
The famous ballers show off their skills in a game against their rivals, the Washington Generals, as part of their centennial tour.
February 12 | 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.
February 12 | Gabby’s Dollhouse Live Presented by Walmart, Hoyt Sherman Place
In this a-MEOW-zing new live show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a color cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right.
February 13 | Iowa Wild Women in Sports Night, Casey’s Center
Join for Women in Sports Night presented by Capital Orthopaedics
February 15 | Bowlin’tines Family Glow Bowling Party, Warrior Lanes
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
One lane. One price. All the love-filled glow fun. Each lane includes unlimited glow bowling on one lane (up to five guests), shoe rental, pizza, a pitcher of pop, and mom-approved music only.
February 12 – 15 | 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.
February 13 – 15 | Valentines Skate Days, Brenton Skating Plaza
Love is in the air, and so is the sound of skates on ice! Join us for a spectacular Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Whoops I Forgot Valentine’s Day Skate at Brenton Skating Plaza!
February 13 | Adventure Clubhouse: Snow White, Des Moines Playhouse
Don’t miss this interactive theatre show for children ages 4-6!
February 14 | Iowa Wild Pink in the Rink, Casey’s Center
6 p.m.
The Iowa Wild’s Pink in the Rink event is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer and benefit the John Stoddard Cancer Center and its Oncology Navigator Program.
February 14 | Discover the Wild Days: Big Cats, Blank Park Zoo.
Blank Park Zoo is home to Lions, Tigers, and Snow Leopards. Discover how we care for the big cats that call the Zoo home and learn how to take action, to positively impact wildlife and habitats.
February 15 | Kid’s Cupcake Decorating Class, Molly’s Cupcakes
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Each class includes a beverage, a chef’s hat to decorate, a “Molly’s Cupcakes” patch and a tutorial on filling, frosting and decorating four cupcakes.
// RELATED CONTENT: Winter Activities in Des Moines //
February 16 | Day Camp: Disaster Island, Little White Schoolhouse
7:45 a.m.
Inspired by the bestselling “I Survived” book series, this action-packed island turns some of the most famous disasters in history into engineering adventures. Titanic Seas, San Francisco Earthquake, Grizzly Bear Campground, and Mount Vesuvius Eruption are just a few of the thrilling destinations on Disaster Island.
February 20 – 21 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1™, Des Moines Civic Center
Experience the magic of the movie accompanied by The Des Moines Symphony.
February 20 – March 1 | Winnie the Pooh, Stoner Theater
Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre is delighted to announce its upcoming production of Winnie-the-Pooh, a charming and whimsical stage adaptation that will transport audiences of all ages to the beloved world of the Hundred Acre Wood. This wonderful collection of stories filled with the characters you know and love is a theatrical adaptation of A.A. Milne’s first book. And don’t listen to Eeyore – it won’t rain, and it will end well!
February 20 – March 8 | Oliver! Jr., CAP Theatre in Altoona
Consider yourself at home with Oliver! JR., the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
February 22 | Kids in Science Day, Big Grove Brewery
1 pm to 3 pm
Bring your little scientists in for a day of learning at the brewery!
February 24 – March 1 | The Outsiders, Des Moines Civic Center
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
February 27 | Snowshoe Hike, MacRae Park
Take a hike through the park on a set of snowshoes and enjoy the IOWA winter! Snowshoeing is fun and easy to do, if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Registration is required.
February 28 | Girls in Science Festival, Science Center of Iowa
9 am to 4 pm
A day of discovery for girls and their families of all ages.
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.
Mondays and Thursdays | Tot Town, Valley Community Center
9:30 a.m. – 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!