July is packed with summer fun and local favorites. Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and festivities. Enjoy patio dining, outdoor concerts, and family-friendly activities all month long—summer is in full swing, so get out and soak it up!
Summer Guides for Endless Fun
July 4th Activities
Where to See Fireworks
Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Des Moines
Where to go Swimming
Spraygrounds & Wading Pool Guide
Outdoor Ideas for Toddlers
Free Outdoor Movies in Des Moines
Outdoor Yoga Classes
Summer Outdoor Concerts in Des Moines
Things to do in Des Moines in July 2025
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | Summer Concert Series, Jasper Winery
Enjoy free live music at Jasper Winery. Bring a lawn chair, blankets, and snacks. Drinks and food will also be available for purchase at the event. Check their website before the event for the most up-to-date social distancing guidelines. Click here to see more outdoor concerts.
July 3, 10, 17, 31 | Acoustics Life in The District, The District at Prairie Trail
Come out to the heart of Ankeny for live acoustic sets from amazing local artists at a number of patios throughout The District.
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.
July 3 | Junction Street Party, Valley Junction
5 pm to 10:30 pm
July 3 | Iowa Cubs, Principal Park, Des Moines
Watch the Iowa Cubs take on the Omaha Stormchasers and enjoy a holiday fireworks show following the game.
July 3-4 | Waukee Celebration, Centennial Park
Don’t miss inflatables, a parade, a fun run, bags tournament, ice cream social, live music, and more! Fireworks and a skydiver demonstration on July 4.
July 4 | Independence Day & Baseball, Living History Farms
Enjoy an old-fashioned fourth with an iconic, historic Independence Day celebration in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. 1876 marks the first centennial of the United States. Be sure to arrive early to tour the historic farms, enjoy the town activities, and make time to catch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings baseball game at 3:30 p.m.
// RELATED CONTENT: 4th of July Activities //
July 6 | Music Under the Stars: 78 RPM, Lauridsen Amphitheater
7 p.m.
Pack your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets, gather friends and family, and enjoy memorable performances of band music! Concerts feature a diverse variety of standard and contemporary works by premier composers performed by Iowa’s own professional musicians.
July 9 | Storytime Under the Green Umbrella, Cowles Commons
10:30 a.m.
Join DMPA educators for a FREE storytime Under the Green Umbrella. These events will be a playful sharing of songs and stories for toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary aged youth accompanied by their fun-loving grownups!
July 9, 16, 23, 30 | Zoo Brew, Blank Park Zoo
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The zoo roars to life after hours for those 21 and over! Grab a drink and enjoy this fundraising event featuring live music and local brews. When you buy a brew, you support the zoo! Tips and proceeds from Zoo Brew help support conservation and the care of our animals.
July 11, 18, 25 | Farm School, Rose Farm near Norwalk
9 a.m., 10 a.m., or 11 a.m.
Farm School is designed to give children a front-row seat to a modern farmstead. Excite the senses and enjoy a tour of the land. You’ll be greeted by flowers, chickens, vegetables, and honey bee colonies. A reservation is required! Rose Farm will release tickets every Monday for the upcoming Friday Farm School.
July 11-13 | Ankeny Summerfest, The District at Prairie Trail
Enjoy live music, games, food vendors, and fireworks. From the Grand Parade to kick start the weekend to fireworks at the end, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy!
July 11 | Storytime at Heritage Carousel, Heritage Carousel
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join Ms. Alicia at the Heritage Carousel for a special family storytime. Enjoy stories, songs, and movement together. After storytime, there will be a craft available and everyone will get a FREE carousel ride.
July 11 | Friday Night Skate Dates, Brenton Skating Plaza
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bring your wheels and join in on this fun family event! Enjoy limited concessions and take a skate by the river.
July 11 – July 27 | Waitress, Des Moines Playhouse
One cup courage, two cups uplifting music, and a heaping scoop of friendship. A waitress at Joe’s Diner, Jenna learns about a pie-baking contest that could change her life and offer the chance she needs to escape her husband. Based on the movie of the same name.
July 12 | Lower Beaver Summer Fest, Woodlawn Park
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer Fest has been the flagship event of the Lower Beaver Neighborhood Association. Envisioned as a way to celebrate the growing diversity of the neighborhood through a variety of ways. Look for ethnic foods, business vendors, and cultural exhibitions!
July 12 | Pupchella, Paws and Pints
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The ultimate backyard carnival party featuring a foam party (with doggy-safe foam), live music, doggy carnival games, activities and crafts, a photo booth and more.
July 12 | Mermaid Princess Pool Party, Nahas Aquatic Center
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Swim alongside mermaids and princesses for a magical and enchanting evening. Enjoy a sweet ice cream sundae and make a take-home craft to remember the night. Pre-registration is required.
July 12 | Christmas in July, Water Works Park
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Enjoy bounce houses, live music, bike raffles, and Santa himself. Bring $10 worth of donations for the Boys and Girls Club and get a free beer. This event will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa and Everybody Wins.
July 17 | Owls! With Polk County Conservation, Central Library Des Moines
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
See a live owl at the library, brought by a naturalist from Polk County Conservation. You’ll also view several taxidermy mounts and learn how different adaptations of owls enable them to be good predators.
July 17 | Touch a Truck, Urbandale Police Department
Come check out the vehicles, meet the officers, and get an up-close look at all the cool equipment used to serve the community. This event is 100% FREE! Attendees are invited to bring a donation of non-perishable food or personal care items to support the Urbandale Food Pantry.
July 18-19 | Waukee Arts Festival, Centennial Park in Waukee
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Enjoy a Friday night concert by The Nadas, then Saturday night Rock a La Carte Queen Tribute takes the stage. Plus, view art from more than 100 regional artists.
July 18 – July 19 | Clive Festival, Clive Aquatic Center
Mark your calendars for Clive’s biggest community even. Enjoy free live music, Thunder Over Clive Fireworks, the Giant Slip-N’ Slide, bounce houses, activities for kids, food trucks, Kids Art Expo, the Clive Running Festival, Touch a Truck, Cardboard Boat Regatta at Clive Aquatic Center, and more!
July 19 | Roll-Out! A Funk House Skate Jam, Brenton Skating Plaza
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Expect funky live DJ sets, live bands, breakdancing, fire dancers, and pop-up art installations that keep the energy flowing all night long. Bring your own skates, ages 14+.
July 19 | Beaverdale Blue Grass Festival, Tower Park In Beaverdale
Enjoy an evening of bluegrass featuring The Baberhood Bluegrass Band, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Weary Ramblers, and more. This event is free and open to all. Beer will be available for purchase. Food trucks will be on hand. It’s recommended to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and water. A Kid Zone featuring activities, face painting, DIY crafts and yard games for kids of all ages!
July 19 | Water Lantern Festival, Riverview Park
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Create your own water lantern and let it float on the water at this memorable event.
July 25 – 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 more. Tickets ($10 for guests 6 and older) must be purchased online. Check the website for details and the full schedule.
July 25 | Sensory Friendly Play Time, Des Moines Children’s Museum
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
A play time for children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities and their families to connect and explore in a calm and quieter space. All regular exhibits will be open. There will be sensory bins, communication boards, and a low light calming space.
July 25 – August 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.
July 26 | Wynonna Judd: The Greatest Hits Tour, Vibrant Music Hall, Waukee
8 p.m.
All Ages Show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m. Maren Morris has partnered with Ally Coalition so that $1 from every ticket sold will go directly to LGBTQ organizations directly serving youth in their communities.
July 26 | Cornbread Festival, DSM Riverview Park Amphitheater
Enjoy the best cornbread in the state, live music, and fun activities for the whole family. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the festival.
July 29 – August 3 | PARADE, The Patron Lounge
Riveting and gloriously hopeful, PARADE reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another. PARADE has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut and is a must see!
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 some winter 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.
Tuesdays & 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.
First and Third Fridays | New Moms Postpartum Support Group, Waukee Wellness & Chiropractic
A safe and welcoming space where you can connect with other new moms who are going through similar experiences.
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, as COVID guidelines are always changing, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
