Downtown Des Moines: 5 Free Things to Do in June

That summer feeling has taken over Downtown Des Moines (DSM)! This month, get your fill of free things to do taking place around the city — with a heavy dose of free festivals and free music concerts all happening in Downtown DSM. Here are five free June things you won’t want to miss:

Free Downtown Des Moines Festivals in June

Capital City Pride Festival

Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9 | Historic East Village
Get ready for the 45th annual PrideFest! The weekend’s festivities include the 5k Pride Stride, the Ms. Mr. Mx. Capital City Pride pageant and, of course, the much-loved and highly anticipated parade winding its way through Downtown DSM. The family and youth zone will be jam-packed with fun activities! And the whole family will love the pet parade, too. 
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Des Moines Arts Festival® and Interrobang Film Festival

Friday, June 28 – Sunday, June 30 | Western Gateway Park
Iowa’s largest arts and cultural event returns for three days this month in Downtown DSM. This juried art show brings together nearly 200 of the nation’s top artists, creating an unforgettable atmosphere with performing arts, a film festival, incredible local and cultural food vendors and national musical acts including headliners St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Marshall Tucker Band, Sunny War and The Deslondes. Don’t miss this once-a-year free festival in Downtown DSM!
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Free Music in Downtown Des Moines This June

Gray’s Station Summer Music Series

Wednesday, June 26 | Gray’s Station
Featuring Brian Congdon & Dueling Guitars from 5 to 7 p.m., along with Hot Off the Press food truck this month, with additional musicians and food trucks continuing through the summer and early fall.
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Local Bands, Brews & Bikes Music Series

Sundays, now through October | Water Works Park

• June 9: 10 Watt Robot
• June 16: The Drama Kings
• June 23: Neva Alden
• June 30: NOLA Jazz Trio
• And more, continuing now through October!

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Music Under the Stars at the Iowa State Capitol

Sundays | Iowa State Capitol

• June 2: New Orleans Masquerade with the NOLA Jazz Band Combo and guest vocalist Tina Haase-Findlay 
• June 9: Going for Gold with the Des Moines Metro Concert Band & Big Band, Dana Sloter on clarinet and guest vocalist Marisa Cravero 
• June 16: Music In Our Schools with the Des Metro Concert Band & Big Band with Irving Ray as a guest euphonium soloist and vocals by Max Wellman
• June 23: Piano Men with the Des Metro Concert Band & Big Band with Gina Gedler as a guest vocalist and Maureen Yuen as violin soloist
• June 30: U.S. Coast Guard Band
• Additional dates and musical acts will take place in July, also.

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And many Downtown DSM restaurants and nightlife venues host live music throughout the summer as well! Check out The Cave DSM, Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern, the Continental Lounge and Confluence Brewing Co. to namedrop just a few. Check out the full list of concert series around the region, too!

Looking for more budget-friendly things to do in Downtown DSM? Check out these ideas from April and May to get more totally free ideas for your next Downtown adventure.

Plan your visit to Downtown Des Moines (DSM) with these tips for parking and navigation and follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown DSM.