October is here! 5 Can’t Miss Events This Week in Downtown DSM

October is here, and with it – can’t-miss events and fall favorites! Mark your calendar for these unique happenings coming up this week in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). The list of events includes Oktoberfest festivities, indoor global soccer, World Wide Food Truck Tour and more! Here’s a look at five can’t-miss events in Downtown DSM taking place this week:

First Friday: A Night of Growth & Recovery

Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 | Mainframe Studios
Don't miss Mainframe’s October First Friday – A Night of Growth and Recovery! Get ready to celebrate the 20th-anniversary exhibition of Momentum’s Works of Growth & Recovery, an inspiring event hosted by Community Support Advocates (CSA). Momentum Arts, CSA’s award-winning program, empowers individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions through the transformative power of art. The exhibition, juried by artist Gabriella Torres, challenges stigmas and showcases talented artists of all abilities. Mark your calendar for this can’t-miss celebration on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy live music, art activities, food, drinks, and the powerful exhibition! (Bonus: You can read more about Momentum Arts here!)
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You might also be interested in First Fridays in Historic East Village on Friday, Oct. 4, as well! Check out special offers from the fantastic shops, restaurants and businesses throughout the district.

Oktoberfest Events

Saturday, Sept. 21 – Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 | Hessen Haus
Celebrate 20 years of Oktoberfest at Hessen Haus (pictured below) this weekend with festivities mirroring the iconic Munich celebration! Enjoy traditional German fare, delicious German bier, exciting giveaways, specials, the famous Jager Train and tons more. Raise a glass of Märzen, Hefeweizen or Festbier as we toast to two decades of Oktoberfest fun. Prost!
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Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 | Confluence Brewing Company
Enjoy an unforgettable day celebrating Oktoberfest at the Confluence taproom in Downtown DSM from Noon to 11 p.m. Put on your lederhosen and dirndl for a day of craft brews and delicious food, featuring Confluence's rich and toasty Märzen bier, brewed with German Munich, Vienna and CaraMunich malts. Sip your fall brew from a collectible mug, and celebrate with live music, traditional German fare and good company. Bring your friends and family for a festive day filled with fun, laughter and great beer. Raise a stein and make lasting memories at this year’s Oktoberfest Celebration. Oans, zwoa, g'suffa! (One, two three, drink!)
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Don’t forget – this Saturday is the first Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers’ Market in October, and that means that the Downtown Farmers’ Market hours are 8 a.m. to Noon for the rest of the month!

USA vs. Brazil World Exhibition Soccer Game

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 | Hy-Vee Hall
Experience the thrill of indoor global soccer games in Downtown DSM! Catch the USA National Team take on the Brazil National Team in this World Soccer Exhibition Game – doors open at 6 p.m. and the soccer match starts at 7 p.m. Half time entertainment will be a performance by the Isiserettes Drumming. Following the game, kids can check out the Funky Kids Glow Jam!
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World Wide Food Truck Tours

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 | Downtown Des Moines
Get ready for a day of delicious fun at the World Wide Food Truck Tours on Saturday in Downtown DSM! This fun event for all ages brings a diverse array of food trucks, including savory and sweet dishes from around the globe. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day and bring the kids to the “Zing-Zoom! Family Fun Zone,” packed with thrilling activities like bouncing, climbing and sliding. Adults can relax with a cold, refreshing drink at the beer tent. It’s a day of food, fun and excitement you won’t want to miss!
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Capital City Pride Speaker Series: Blair Imani

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 | Temple Theater
Capital City Pride’s 2024-2025 Speaker Series continues with a conversation with Blair Imani. Blair is an influential speaker, author and educator known for her viral web series Smarter in Seconds and insightful books like Read This to Get Smarter. With a focus on intersectionality, gender studies and race, her work has been praised by The New York Times for its engaging and vibrant presentation. Blair has lectured at prestigious institutions like Oxford and Harvard and has collaborated with icons such as Jane Fonda and Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw. A fierce advocate for women, global Black communities and the LGBTQ+ community, she also co-owns beauty brand Fempower Beauty and serves on the Tegan and Sara Foundation’s Board of Directors. The event is free, but you must have a ticket to get in – so be sure to reserve your spot.
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And if you’re looking for even more events and activities in Downtown Des Moines, check out this list of Free Things to Do in Downtown DSM in October.

For this week’s happenings and more, find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation. For additional events coming up in Downtown DSM, visit the events calendar. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for even more things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.