Enjoy These 5 Can’t-Miss Events in Downtown Des Moines: Aug. 23-29
Get out and enjoy these events in Downtown Des Moines (DSM)! Take your pick of events and activities, including the World Food & Music Festival, Dancing on Cowles Commons, an old-fashioned ice cream social at Des Moines Heritage Center and more. This week is full of options to add to your calendar. Don’t miss the fun in Downtown DSM!
World Food & Music Festival
Friday, Aug. 23 – Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 | Western Gateway Park
Celebrate tastes and sounds from around the globe at the World Food & Music Festival in Downtown DSM! The Festival makes its return for the 20th year for a vibrant three-day cultural experience. Enjoy an impressive variety from over 50 food vendors that represent more than 30 countries or culinary regions. Fun Fact: This Festival has been voted among the Top 10 Best City Food Festivals across the nation by USA Today readers!
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Jamey Johnson
Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 | Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park
Don’t miss your chance to see 11-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson live at Water Works Park in Downtown DSM! Coined as “one of the greatest country singers of our time” by The Washington Post, Johnson’s show will feature songs from his award-winning lineup as well as new music. Special guests Whitey Morgan, The 78’s and Mae Estes will also take the stage during the evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m.
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Notable Women of Early Des Moines Cemetery Tours
Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 | Woodland Cemetery
Visit the final resting place of Des Moines’ pioneer women that shaped the city’s history and culture over the years. Join the walking tour led by Lorna Truck and Kat Rinken and listen to the stories of these resilient women who were devoted to improving their community through betterment organizations such as the Home of the Aged, the first preschools, the first public art gallery, the first orphanage, the first free public library and the first city plan.
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Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social
Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 | Des Moines Heritage Center
You’re invited to the second annual old-fashioned ice cream social at Des Moines Heritage Center! Learn about the surprising history of ice cream in Des Moines, including fun facts about Bauder's, AE, Reed's, drug store soda jerks, ice cream bicycle and truck vendors and more ice cream-related subjects. And the cherry on top of this event is the $5 ice cream sundaes available from Pints By Beth made with DSM-famous nutty fudge sauce!
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Dancing on Cowles Commons
Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 | Cowles Commons
Join the dance party at Cowles Commons this Sunday, hosted by Des Moines Performing Arts. Get your heart rate up with fitness program MixxedFit®, featuring a blend of high energy dance moves and bootcamp exercises that are geared to tone. Bring a friend and your water bottle for an outdoor morning workout that will make you sweat and bring a smile to your face!
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We think you might also be interested in these events happening just outside of Downtown DSM:
And mark your calendar and plan for the upcoming Latino Heritage Festival in Downtown DSM! The Festival takes place in one month at the Western Gateway Park, Sept. 21-22, 2024.
For these upcoming events and more, find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation. For additional upcoming events, visit the Downtown DSM events calendar. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
DSM USA is the regional identifier for Greater Des Moines (DSM). DSM USA is a bold statement to the world: This is a welcoming, diverse and vibrant community with affordable and accessible amenities for residents and businesses. This regional identifier is the result of significant quantitative and qualitative research.
The Partnership will champion the DSM USA message, and encourages its Investors, its more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and DSM USA Ambassadors to help share the region's story with One Voice.