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DSM Activities & Events 10/31 – 11/6

A lot of FREE events going on this weekend for your kiddos! Also, this is the last weekend for the Des Moines area Haunted Houses!

Also, do not forget we FALL BACK this weekend! Do not forget to change your clocks!

1. Wonder of Words

When: November 2nd – November 12th

What and Where: This is a unique event that connects writers, readers, and publishers in several events around the Des Moines area. There are several events scheduled within the ten days. Please check the Wonder of Words website for a complete schedule and more information about Wonder of Words!

2. Wicked 

When: Thursday, October 31st – Sunday, November 10th

What and Where: Wicked is at the Des Moines Civic Center! If you have not seen this amazing show, now is the time! Tickets may still be available for various times. Please check the Des Moines Performing Arts website for times and ticket availability.

3. Mixology Night

When: Friday 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

What and Where: A fun date night! The Science Center of Iowa is hosting another Mixology Night. There will be drinks, science, experiments, entertainment, and lots of mingling! Admission is $5 BUT if you are a Science Center of Iowa member it is FREE!

4. Fall Back Festival 

When:  Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm

What and Where: Grimes United Methodist Church is holding a Fall Festival! There will be horse rides, relay races, bounce houses, fall snacks, and much more! This whole event is FREE! So bring out the entire family and celebrate!

5. Magickal Costume Party

When: Saturday at 1 pm

What and Where: Beaverdale Books is hosting a Magickal Costume Party! Dress up in your best wizard costume! There will also be a book signing by Alan Lance Anderson and activities. Costume judging begins at 1:30 pm and you can win some awesome prizes! The is event is FREE!

6. Kanzi’s Carnival

When: Saturday 2 pm – 4 pm

What and Where: Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary is celebrating Kanzi’s 33rd brithday! This is a great event for the whole family, especially for the little ones.  Kanzi will be having a carnival themed birthday party with popcorn, face painting, clowns, balloons, and more! All the proceeds for this event will directly benefit Kanzi and his family! Tickets are $10 per person, kids 2 and under are FREE! Reserve your tickets today at the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary site.

7. Halloween Hot Chocolate Run 5k and 5 Mile Race

When: Sunday at 9 am

What and Where: A fun run to help benefit Above & Beyond Cancer. This run will take place at Principal Park. $38.00 for early bird registration and for the Kids Fun Run is $5.00 registration. A great event for the whole family to get some fresh air and be active!

8. Crafty Readers

When: Tuesday at 4 pm

What and Where: The Franklin Avenue Library and Central Library are hosting a fun reading event for preschoolers to second grade. Come listen and read “The Dot” and do a fun craft to take home! Another great, FREE event for the kiddos!

 

Plan Ahead … 

Yes, the Holiday season is just around the corner and NOW is the time to start planning for some of those special events!

1. Nutcracker at Hoyt Sherman Place

When: December 12th – 15th

Where: These tickets are now on sale! Make sure to purchase soon if you are wanting to see this Holiday classic! Go to Hoyt Sherman Place for information on show times and ticket prices.

 2. Santa Express 

When: November 29th – December 14th

Where: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is offering the Santa Express again this year! A perfect event for your little ones. You will travel to the “North Pole” while singing Christmas carols, have hot chocolate and a cookie, meet Santa and receive a silver bell! Tickets are on sale today! Make sure to reserve your ticket soon, because they will go fast. Check out the website for times and prices.

DSM Activities & Events 10/3 – 10/9

 

Don’t forget to check out the events calendar on the right hand side of my page! Lots of fun things going on in the Des Moines area!

1. Mixology Night 

When: Friday 5:30 – 9 pm

Where and What: Perfect date night activity! Located at the Science Center of Iowa. Come for drinks, live entertainment (The Parlours), and adult-themed presentations. Admission is $5 and FREE to Science Center members.

2. Slaughter House

When: Friday and Saturday

Where and What: This haunted house is located in Pleasant Hill. Definitely not recommended for the kiddos, but if you are a fan of terrors and haunted house, this is a definite must this Halloween season! Check out their website for times and also a $2 off coupon.

3. Soap Box Derby Association Haunted House

When: Friday and Saturday 7 – 10 pm

Where and What: This is the 29th year for the spooky haunted house! Located at Linn’s Supermarket, the tour takes approximately 20-25 minutes. The admission is $12 which also includes a free line of bowling at Plaza Lanes AND a coupon for Trophy’s. There are $4 off coupons available at Plaza Lanes and other Halloween shops around the metro area.

4. New Moms Event by Des Moines Moms Blog

When: Saturday 10 – 12 pm

Where and What: Located at the Valley Community Center in West Des Moines. There will be food, drinks, giveaways and a great chance to meet other new moms. There will also be swag bags valued at over $300! Oh yeah, and FREE massages! Do NOT miss this! $15 and reservations are required. Click here to purchase tickets. Also, check out the Des Moines Moms Blog. It is a great blog to follow!

5. DSM Sushi Roll

When: Saturday at 11:45 am

Where and What: Do you LOVE sushi? This is the perfect event for you! Make it into a date activity also. A party bus will pick you up at Appare Steakhouse and drop you off at about 4 pm at Appare Steakhouse. You will travel around the Des Moines area, traveling to different sushi restaurants including: Sakura Sushi, Wasabi Tao, Wasabi Chi, and Waterfront. $45.00 per ticket and reservations are required. Check out here for reservation information and schedule.

6. Corn Harvest: Living History Farms

When: Saturday 10 am – 3 pm

Where and What: Discover how hard it is to harvest 80 bushels of corn a day! There will be horse drawn wagon rides and demonstrations on how corn is harvest! You can also see what tools are used in person. Check out here for more information!

7. DSM Zombie Walk 

When: Saturday at 1 pm

Where and What: Event will start at 1 pm downtown in the East Village at Zombie Burger! This is something you will NOT want to miss. Starting 1 pm go get your make up done, check out the vendors, and eat some crazy burgers and drinks. There will also be a costume contest beginning at 3 pm with CASH prizes. At 4:30 pm the Zombie Walk will begin through downtown Des Moines ending at Zombie Burger. For adults, enjoy the Zombie Pub Crawl which starts at 6:00 pm. Bars that will be included are El Bait Shop and High Life Lounge. This is truly an event for the whole family! For more information check out their website.

8. Cat-N-Around Cat Club 

When: Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 4pm

Where and What: This event is for all you cat lovers! It will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There will be over 200 cats and 30 different breeds being judged. There will also be lots of different vendors for food, treats, beds, toys, and other fun cat products. Admission is $10 for a family, Adulst $5, and Children $4. Children 4 and under are FREE!

9. Apple Pumpkin Fest

When: Saturday 9 am – 6 pm & Sunday 1 pm – 6 pm

Where and What: Come out to Wills Family Orchard! Lots of events, activities, and entertainment! Pick pumpkins, pick apples, go on a hay rack ride, meet some farm animals, paint gourds, and much, much more! Check out our visit from last weekend, we had so much fun!

Check out their website here for more information!

10. Star Wars Reads Day

When: Saturday at 1 – 3 pm

Where and What: For ages 3 – 1o come to the Franklin Library to celebrate Star Wars Reads Day. Dress like your favorite character, participate in games and trivia. There will also be special appearances from the galaxy far, far away! All of this is FREE! You do NOT want to miss it!

11. Oktoberfest

When: Saturday 2 – 6 pm

Where and What: Located in Windsor Heights at Colby Park. Lots of fun things to do including: inflatables, live music from a Polka band, costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, balloon animals, food & drinks, and more! Check out here for time of certain events and contests.

12. Craftoberfest 

When: Saturday 6 pm – 12 am

Where and What: Located at Keg Stand this is the first year of Craftoberfest! There will be 20 seasonal beers available with live entertainment. Advance tickets are $6 and include a commemorative mug and first beer of choice. You can also purchase tickets at the door for $10. Check out here to purchase tickets before!

13. Pumpkin Train 

When: October 5 & 12 at 10 am and October 8 & 9 at 6 pm

Where and What: Located at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum in Boone. Seating is limited so make sure to make your reservations ASAP! Ride the train, across the Bass Point Creek High Bridge, to the pumpkin patch and have your kiddos pick out their own pumpkin for FREE. $15 for all ages 2 and up. Check out their website for reservations.

14. Nature Friends: Bats

When: Monday 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Where and What: Located at Quail Cove Park in West Des Moines, all preschoolers with an adult are welcome! Guided exploration, art activities, and snack provided. Reservations are required at it is $7 per child with adult. Check out here for reservation information.

DSM Activities & Events 9/5-9/11

 

Make sure to take a look at my calendar of activities and events on the right hand corner of the page!

1. College Football!

NFL Football also starts this week! 🙂

  • Nebraska vs. Southern Miss in Lincoln @ 5 pm on the Big Ten Network
  • Iowa vs. Missouri State in Iowa City @ 11 am on the Big Ten Network
  • Iowa State has an off week this week!

 

2. Latino Heritage Festival

When: Saturday 10 am – 11 pm and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Where and What: At the Simon Estes Theater. Music, dancing, costumes that represent the Latino Heritage. There will also be food, exhibitors, artwork and kids activities including breaking pinatas! For more information check out the official site here.

3. Puppy Up! Dog Walk

When: Saturday 9 am – 1 pm

Where and What: This is a great event for the whole family, including your furry friend! The proceeds for this walk go to cancer research in dogs. The walk will take place at Gray’s Lake Park. It’s $25 and you can either register at the walk or at the official site here.

4. Make and Take Craft 

When: Saturday 10:30 am – 4 pm

Where and What: Come to the children’s area at the Johnston Library to complete a craft! Come anytime between 10:30 and 4 pm. No registration needed!

5. Renaissance Fare 

When: Saturday 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Where and What: If you missed it last weekend, you need to get out to Sleepy Hollow Sports Park where the Renaissance Fare is being held! Lots of food, entertainment, and activities. There is surely something for everyone!

6. Fall Antique Jamboree

When: Sunday 8 – 4 pm

Where and What: Located in Valley Junction and it is FREE! Lots of antique dealers from all over including furniture, quilts, glassware, stoneware, toys and much more! There will also be food vendors available.

7. Pumpkinville Corn Maze

When: Daily mid July through October 31st, 10 am – 8 pm

Where and What: Are you itching to get a head start on fall activities? The Pumpkinville Corn Maze in Mitchellville is open! The pumpkin patch is not quite open yet, but this would be a fun activity to do get prepared for fall and Halloween! Check out their website here.

PLAN AHEAD … 

1. Day out with Thomas the Tank Engine

When: September 14 & 15 and September 20-22

Where: Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum

What: Take a ride on Thomas and meet Sir Topham Hatt! Tickets are on sale now and may sell out so purchase soon! Check out the official website here for more information and to purchase tickets.