September Roundup: 10 Food & Drink Events in Downtown DSM

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is cooking up something yummy this month! Here’s your roundup of 10 major food and drink events taking place over September — from Oktoberfest biers and wine sampling to farmers’ markets, cultural festivals and everything in between.

1. Okto Bru Fest
   Wednesday, Sept. 7 – Sunday, Oct. 2 | Craft Bru Taproom
   Every Wednesday, Craft Bru will add seven (yes, SEVEN!) Oktoberfest beers to their lineup. Enthusiasts can grab an Okto Bru Fest passport and win prizes for trying 15 different beers. Bavarian-style pretzels will also be available for purchase.
   LEARN MORE
2. World Food & Music Festival
   Friday, Sept. 16 – Sunday, Sept. 18 | Western Gateway Park
   Experience dozens of food vendors from around the world, plus $1 samples, live music, cultural entertainment, cooking demos, beer, wine, cocktails and headliner Southern Avenue! Free admission.
   LEARN MORE
3. Exile Oktoberfest
   Friday, Sept. 16 – Sunday, Oct. 2 | Exile Brewing Co.
   Spanning three weekends, celebrate the season with German-style beer, food, live music, games and more. Prost!
   LEARN MORE
4. Lua Oktoberfest & Parking Lot Party
   Saturday, Sept. 17 | Lua Brewing
   Lua’s largest event of the year is finally here! Join the fun with two to-be-released Oktoberfest-style beers, Munich-style foods, a beer tent, live music, bags tournament, sausage toss, prizes and more! Plus, family-friendly hours will feature face painting, balloon animals, airbrush tattoos and henna.
   LEARN MORE
5. Vegan Market
   Sunday, Sept. 18 | Cowles Commons
   Come shop an assortment of local farmers, growers and businesses in this event organized by VegLife Des Moines — where vegan food is at the center of it all!
   LEARN MORE
6. Des Moines Oktoberfest
   Friday, Sept. 23 – Saturday, Sept. 24 | 4th Street, South of Court Ave.
   Even if you don’t own a pair of dirndl or lederhosen, this event is for you! Oktoberfest is open to anyone 21 and older and will take place rain or shine. You’ll love the German-themed entertainment and contests, bier gardens, food trucks, games and plenty more. Cheers!
   LEARN MORE
7. WineFest Sips & the City and Grand Tasting
   Friday, Sept. 23 – Saturday, Sep. 24 | Capital Square and Cowles Commons
   Friday, sample wine and delicious appetizers from restaurants and wineries around Greater Des Moines (DSM) along with live, local music at the Sammons Financial Group Sips & the City event. Then taking place Saturday, the Holmes Murphy Grand Tasting is an intimate evening showcasing high-end restaurants and the finest wines.
   GET TICKETS
8. Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival
   Saturday, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Sept. 25 | Western Gateway Park
   Make your way to Western Gateway for food vendors representing traditional fare from Latin America! Attendees will find vibrant artist displays, fun children’s activities, engaging exhibitors, live music and entertainment. Admission is free at this two-day celebration of Latino culture.
   LEARN MORE
9. Des Moines Biergarten
   Thursday, Sept. 1 – Sunday, Oct. 30 | Water Works Park
   This first-ever pop-up beer garden at Water Works Parks is family friendly, featuring German-inspired food and steins of beer. The Biergarten takes place Thursday through Sunday each week throughout September and October.
   LEARN MORE
10. Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
    Every Saturday through Oct. 29 | Historic Court District
    Fall is in the air! Stroll the streets of Court Avenue and shop local vendors from DSM and across the state of Iowa. You’ll find seasonal produce like apples, pumpkins and squash, farm fresh eggs, meat and cheese, autumn flowers and plants, handcrafted art and décor, jewelry, apparel and tons more. You won’t want to miss out on all that The Market has to offer this month!
    LEARN MORE

For even more upcoming Downtown Des Moines (DSM) events, visit the Downtown DSM events calendar. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.