May is one of the best times to explore Des Moines, with a full calendar of family-friendly events and spring activities. From popular festivals like CelebrAsian and Tulip Time to the return of local farmers markets, there’s no shortage of things to do. Celebrate Mother’s Day with special events around the city, enjoy outdoor fun, and take in everything spring in Des Moines has to offer.
Things to Do in May 2026
May 1 | Movie in the Park: Princess Diaries, Colby Park
7:45 pm
Enjoy this free family movie under the stars.
May 2 | Kites on the Green, Johnston Commons Park
10 am – 5 pm
Enjoy giant show kite displays, kite fighting, free kite building, bol racing, live music, an inflatable obstacle course, learn about stormwater best management practices, visit with Johnston Police and Fire, draw with sidewalk chalk and much more.
Starting May 2 | Downtown Farmers Market, Historic Court District, Downtown Des Moines
Find produce, meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, plants, flowers and artisan packaged food, handmade art, ready-to-eat prepared food, and more every Saturday May through October.
May 2 | DSM Book Festival, Franklin Event Center
11 am to 9 pm
Book lovers will enjoy author programs, panels, workshops, and children’s activities.
May 2 | Tulip Bloom Boutique Birthday Party, Valley Junction
10 am to 5 pm
Enjoy snacks, drinks, and deals you won’t want to miss!
May 2 | Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk, Neal Smith National Wildlife
9 am
A guided walk along the ½-mile Oak Savanna loop trail and search for some of the earliest blooming wildflowers of the season.
May 2 | Mayor’s Annual Ride
10 am
Kick off the warmer season by riding alongside Mayor Connie Boesen and support the trails at the same time!
May 2-3; 10-11; 17-18 | 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 in time to an era when kings and queens ruled, knights jousted, and the arts came alive!
May 3 | Spring Festival, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, 3900 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines
2 pm to 5 pm
A free, family-friendly event is open to the entire community and is a great opportunity to relax, have fun, and connect with friends and neighbors.
May 3 | Pedal with Police, Ankeny Market & Pavilion
12 pm to 3 pm
Join the Ankeny Police for a morning of bicycle safety fun and a bike ride!
May 7-9 | Tulip Time, Pella
You won’t regret making the drive to Pella (located an hour southeast of Des Moines). This charming Dutch town goes all out for its annual Tulip Time Festival, the first weekend of May. While you’re there, be sure to get a famous Dutch Letter pastry from Jaarsma Bakery on the square.
Starting May 7 | Valley Junction Farmers Market
4 pm to 8 pm
Enjoy live music, food, fresh produce and more. It is every Thursday evening May through September.
// RELATED CONTENT: Guide to Farmers Markets Around Des Moines //
May 7 | Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Valley Junction
5 pm to 8:30 pm
Celebrate the neighborhood’s past and present connections to Latino culture with live entertainment and delicious food.
May 7, 24, 21, 28 | Summer Concert Series, Jasper Winery
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bring the whole family or plan a grown-up night out at Jasper Winery. This event is free, and you can bring a picnic or purchase food from onsite food trucks. Plan to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Wine, beer, and sangria are available for purchase.
May 8-24 | Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, Des Moines Playhouse
This fun show reminds us that our differences make us awesome.
May 9-10 | Mothers Day Celebration, Ted Lare Garden Center
Grab your mom, your friends, or make it a solo treat-yourself weekend! Register for a workshop and enjoy tasty treats, live music, and beautiful blooms. Find more details here.
May 9 | Aesop Bops, Des Moines Civic Center Temple Theater
11 am
This show is fast-paced, funny, and packed with audience participation.
May 10 | Mother’s Day Bouquet Bar, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
10 am to 2 pm
Create a personalized petite bouquet to give to someone important to you.
May 9, 10 | Plant Sale Extravaganza, Reiman Gardens in Ames
Plants for sale include perennials for sun and shade, herbs and vegetables, Iowa natives, woody plants including trees, “Quick Turn” shrubs and Buck roses, container and bedding annuals, houseplants and more.
May 16, 17 | Maifest, Des Moines Biergarten in Water Works Park
Celebrate warmer weather with maypole dancing, live music, food, games, and more.
May 16 | Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival, Uptown Ankeny
10 am – 4 pm
The streets of Uptown will be filled with fine artist vendors, live artistic demonstrations, music, and more!!
May 16 | Adventureland Opens for the season
May 16, 17 | Ballet Des Moines: Cinderella, Des Moines Civic Center
In the first ever collaboration between Ballet Des Moines and the Des Moines Symphony, audiences of all ages will be swept away by Tom Mattingly’s Cinderella, the timeless ballet classic set to Sergei Prokofiev’s iconic score.
May 16 | Smoke & Sip BBQ Festival, Middlebrook Farm in Cumming
12 pm to 4 pm
Sample from local pitmasters and smokers, beer sampling, yard games, and live music at this free event.
May 17 | Historic Valley Junction Arts Festival, Valley Junction
10 am to 4 pm
Walk through Historic Valley Junction and meet the artists who’ve created original works for this festival. There will be art activities for the kids, live music, and food vendors.
May 22-23 | CelebrAsian, Western Gateway Park
11 am to 10 pm
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month and experience more than a dozen Asian Villages where you can delight all five of your senses with authentic Asian food, educational activities, and live cultural entertainment.
Starting May 22 | Fridays at the Farm, Middlebrook Farm Grounds, 4300 Cumming Ave., Cumming, IA
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Enjoy free live music while the kids play every Friday night.
// RELATED CONTENT: More Summer Outdoor Music //
May 23 | Decoration Day & Historic Baseball, Living History Farms
9 am to 4 pm
Learn about America’s early Memorial Day traditions. March in a procession to the town cemetery for a moving pageant of Victorian ceremony and speeches, honoring the Union’s fallen heroes. At 3:30 pm, watch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings compete in an 1870s-rules baseball game.
May 23 | Heritage Carousel Opening Day, Union Park
11 am to 7 pm
Kids can ride this classic carousel for 50 cents.
May 26 | Grays Lake Park Sprayground Grand Opening
12 pm to 2 pm
Celebrate the completion of the new playground and sprayground, and dock improvements at Gray’s Lake Park.
May 27 | Grimes Food Truck Fest, Grimes Public Library
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Enjoy dinner at the library and sign up for the summer reading program!
May 29-June 7 | Venardos Circus, Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona
Don’t miss this unique Broadway-style Circus.
May 30, 31 | Pre-Season Aquatic Weekend
Don’t miss Des Moines pool’s pre-season weekend at Ashworth, Birdland, Teachout, Nahas & Northwest.
May 31 | Kick-Off to Summer Event, Creative Connection in Ankeny
This free event celebrates the kickoff to summer! The first 75 guests receive FREE Kona Ice FREE visor making and summer themed sensory play, spin-to-win prizes, and a chalk station.
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 am to 11:30 am
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 am
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.
Fridays | Story Sprouts, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
10:30 am – 11 am
A fun, interactive story time that explores nature and plants. During each program participants will enjoy stories and an activity based on the week’s theme. Story Sprouts is geared toward children ages two to five. Included with general admission.
Send us an email if we missed any fun things to do in Des Moines, 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.
