Get ready, Des Moines—Just Between Friends Des Moines is bringing you the ultimate shopping experience Sept 11-14, 2025 at the 4-H Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds!
The upcoming event is your chance to score high-quality kids’ clothing, toys, books, gear, and more—at prices that will make you want to do a happy dance. Whether you’re stocking up for the next season or hunting for those one-of-a-kind finds, you’ll discover thousands of gently-loved items from local families, all under one roof.
Shopping JBF means keeping more money in your pocket and making an eco-friendly choice by giving items a second life. Bring your wishlist, your coffee, and a friend—it’s going to be a mom’s day out you won’t want to miss. Together, we’re helping families say YES to everything their kids need (and want!) without breaking the budget.
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Get a jump on fall favorite activities and head out to a Pumpkin Patch or Apple Orchard.
Things to Do in Des Moines in September 2025
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Come wander through acres of stunning blooms, snap unforgettable photos, and soak up the best of September!
September 4 | Kids Kitchen: S’Mores Cups, Johnston Public Library
4:30 p.m.
Kids can join this monthly cooking class to learn basic cooking skills and practice following a recipe. Registration is required for this class and is open to kids in elementary school.
September 4 | Safari Soirée, Blank Park Zoo
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Join the Zoo for an evening of wild adventure and marvelous company in support of Blank Park Zoo. The party will get started with the pop of champagne before you and your guests embark on the Safari Soirée.
September 5 | Chonda Pierce Live, Hoyt Sherman Place
7 p.m.
It’s Chonda Pierce Live! Grab your girlfriends and get ready for an evening of guilt-free laughter, real talk, and stories you swear she pulled straight from your group text. Don’t miss this show!
September 6-7 & 12-14 | Day out with Thomas the Train, Boone Scenic Valley Railroad
Have a train lover in the house? Head to Boone for a day of family fun with Thomas the Train. A ticket for Day Out With Thomas includes a ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, storytelling and video viewing, temporary tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, an Imagination Station with arts and crafts, a trolley ride, museum admission, and more. Tickets start at $17 per person.
September 6 & 7, Applefest | Center Grove Orchard
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
September 6 | Touchdown Tailgate, Cowles Commons Des Moines
9a.m.
Head to the best tailgate in town and watch the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game on two Jumbotron TVs. Food trucks and local entertainment will be present. Bring chairs. No outside food or drink permitted. Admission is free. This is a family-friendly event.
September 7 | Valley Junction Vintage, Thrifted & Handmade Fair, Valley Junction
10a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate all things vintage, thrifted, and handmade! Featuring unique vendors and plenty of delicious eats from local food trucks.
See local bands at Heritage Park on Thursdays this fall. There will be multiple food trucks with food available for purchase. Please bring a nonperishable food item or a monetary donation to the Grimes Storehouse for admission.
10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Enrich your homeschool experience with a nature lesson at Jester Park Nature Center. This program series will be delivered in a flexible format that is specially designed for homeschool students in grades K-5. The event is free, but registration is required.
September 11-14 | Just Between Friends Sale, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 1/2 price presale: 9 am to 12 p.m./ Open to public: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Grab your BFF, a couple of large shopping bags, and check out this savings extravaganza. You’ll find aisles and aisles of gently used clothes, toys, baby equipment, books, and so much more.
FYI: Tickets are required for the 1/2 price presale
September 13 – October 26 | Apple & Pumpkin Fest, Wills Family Orchard
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m./ Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Festivities include u-pick apples, u-pick pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, apple cider, cider donuts, orchard-fresh food, and farm activities for all ages.
September 13 | Fall Kick Off Festival | Bentley Ridge Tree Farm and Nursery
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy some free FALL fun! There will be a bounce house, toddler corn pit, baby goats (yes, you get to hold them!), delicious food trucks, local vendors, mum & fall annuals, and some fall tree sales!
September 19-20 | Beaverdale Fall Festival, downtown Beaverdale
The annual festival is a community celebration, steeped in tradition, riddled with charm, and defined by offering an amazing experience for all ages including a carnival, car show, inflatable slides, rides, obstacles, bake sale, pie corner, and more!
September 19-20 | Uptown Ankeny Outdoor Cinema, Ankeny
7:30 p.m.
Join on Fridays in the Porch Light Coffeehouse & Uptown Garage Brewing’s Backyard for frightful throwback classics from the 80s, 90s, and 00s! Please bring chairs and blankets! No outside alcohol allowed. Free to attend, all ages welcome.
September 19 | National Stillborn Prevention & Awareness Day, Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge
7:30 p.m.
Join Healthy Birth Day for a moment of remembrance and celebration.
September 19–October 5 | Bright Star, Des Moines Playhouse
7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2 p.m. Sundays
Billy Cane, recently returned to the North Carolina from the front lines of World War II, dreams of becoming a writer. He meets editor Alice Murphy, who gives him hope by paying him for one of his stories. However, the most compelling story of Billy’s life brings him and Alice together in unexpected ways. With music by comedian / writer / actor / musician Steve Martin and Edie Brickell of the New Bohemians, this new Broadway musical tells a sweeping tale of love, loss, and hope.
September 20 | Illumifest, West Des Moines
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Illumifest, A Fall Festival of Light, offers a variety of activities and events for people of all ages! Join them for this family-friendly event from the City of West Des Moines.
September 20 | Vintage and Handmade Fair, Dallas County Fairgrounds in Adel
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the best makers and vintage finders from across the Midwest. From antiques and handcrafted goods to food vendors and music, there is much to enjoy. Get a discount on tickets if you buy them in advance online.
September 20 | Movie in the Village: How to Train Your Dragon, Walnut Creek Church Downtown
6 pm to 8:30 pm
Enjoy a movie on a giant screen along with free dinner, treats, and popcorn.
September 20 | CulturALL Ball, Hilton Downtown Des Moines
8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
CultureALL invites Iowans to participate in a milestone event – an evening of community dancing at the CultureALL BALL. The event line-up features 20 cultures and 15 performances, 4 real-time dance lessons, a fashion experience, global bazaar with pop-up street performances, interactive live art, and culinary flavors inspired by local chefs.
September 23 | Monarch Tagging, Forest Avenue Library
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Join Des Moines Parks and Rec for a FREE tagging event to learn more about the Monarch butterfly and participate in some hands-on Monarch tagging.
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
September 27-28 | Latino Heritage Festival, Western Gateway Park
Experience the diversity within the Latino community at this festival that showcases performers, artisans, and food vendors. The entire family will enjoy a variety of activities at the cultural booths that offer insights and education into the many countries and cultures that make up the Latino community.
September 26-27 | Oktoberfest, The District at Prairie Trail, Ankeny
3 p.m.
Celebrate Oktoberfest traditions in true German style at the 21st Annual Oktoberfest at its new home in The District at Prairie Trail, Ankeny with all the favorite celebrations including a huge selection of German and craft beers, delicious German food, live music, competitions, a Silent Disco, and much more.
Sept 27 & 28 | Scarecrow Fest, Center Grove Orchard
Sept 27 | The Market on Hubbell, 3232 Hubbell Ave
9 am to 3 pm
Sept 27 | Living History Farms Applefest
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the apple harvest at this fun family event. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Ongoing Events in Des Moines
Tuesday & Thursdays | Toddler Time, Get Air
10:00 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.
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.
