Every yearDes Moines · Iowa’s capital

Every year in Des Moines: month by month.

20 events in and around Des Moines that come back every year, sorted by the month they usually start. Each one has its own page with the last dates we confirmed, and 13 already have their next dates posted. When an organizer announces new dates, they go on that page.

20 events · 13 with next dates posted

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

6 events

October

BOOtanical

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · 909 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309

Halloween2027 not announced
Usually
October
Last time
Oct 26–31, 2026
Price (2026)
Garden admission
Event pageOfficial page ↗

Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo · 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50315

Fall festivals and pumpkins2027 not announced
Usually
October
Last time
6 dates, Oct 17–25, 2026
Price (2026)
$10; members $8; under 12 months free
Ages (2026)
Ages 0–12
Event pageOfficial page ↗

8 events

November

Nov14to Jan 3

Dome for the Holidays

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA

Holiday lights2026 dates posted
Usually
November to January
Next
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Price (2026)
Adults $18; youth 1–13 $13; under 1 free; members $3 off
Event pageOfficial page ↗
Nov20to Jan 3

Jolly Holiday Lights

Iowa State Fairgrounds · 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

Holiday lights2026 dates posted
Usually
November to January
Next
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Price (2026)
$25 per vehicle; bus, limo or RV $50; season pass $65 (taxes and fees not included). Flash sale through Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Event pageOfficial page ↗
Nov29Sun

Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa

Des Moines Heritage Center · 120 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Santa2026 dates posted
Usually
November
Next
Nov 29, 2026
Price (2026)
Family tickets $80 (2) to $180 (7); with professional Santa photos $180–$280; Kids under 1 free
Event pageOfficial page ↗

6 events

December

Keep planning

More for little kids in Des Moines

November: things to do in Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in Des MoinesFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in Des MoinesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in Des MoinesStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchSledding in Des MoinesSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rulesThanksgiving weekend in Des MoinesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Des MoinesKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in Des MoinesParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Des MoinesBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in Des MoinesChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in Des MoinesChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in Des MoinesDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsPlaygrounds in Des MoinesParks with a playground, restrooms and sheltersSplash pads in Des MoinesSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in Des MoinesStarting prices, ages and what’s includedYouth soccer, basketball and learn to skate in Des MoinesSoccer, basketball and learn to skate for kids under 6, with sign-up datesMore things to do with kids in Des Moines this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Every year in Des Moines: the FAQ

Dome for the Holidays (Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027); Holiday Promenade Tree Lighting with Santa (Nov 20, 2026); Jolly Holiday Lights (Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027); Miracle on 86th Street Tree Lighting (Nov 24, 2026); Festival of Trees & Lights (Nov 25–29, 2026), plus 8 more below.

It stays up at the same address. Once the dates pass, the page shows the last confirmed dates with that year’s price and ages, and we add the next dates when the official page lists them.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Nov 12, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Des Moines that weekend.

Des Moines skyline