Astrid Hermanssen

What to Do in Des Moines, Iowa

 Des Moines, Iowa may not sound like the hottest spot in the United States, but it features more than its share of fun and festivals. If you happen to live in the area or are visiting, be sure to take in one of these annual events that take place in Des Moines throughout the year.

Des Moines, Iowa may not sound like the hottest spot in the United States, but it features more than its share of fun and festivals. If you happen to live in the area or are visiting, be sure to take in one of these annual events that take place in Des Moines throughout the year.

Midwest Art Fest

If you enjoy art, you will want to take in the annual Art Festival as well as the Midwest Art Fest. You can attend both shows that take place the first weekend in May at the Fairgrounds in downtown Des Moines. If you enjoy art, this is an ideal way for you to get two art festivals for the price of one. The downtown show runs a complimentary shuttle for those who are staying in the city and is considered one of the biggest Midwest art festivals.

CelebrAsian Heritage Festival

The second weekend in May is the CelebrAsian Heritage Festival that has been taken place for over a decade. This event includes cultural exhibits, foods, entertainment, carnival rides and more and is considered to be one of the biggest family events in Iowa. This day long event takes place at the civic center in downtown DesMoines.

Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair is one of the biggest state fairs in the country and has even been celebrated on film. The fair features a large midway, entertainment, competition a rodeo and more. It is held the second and third weeks of August each year at the Iowa State fairgrounds in Des Moines.

DesMoines Renaissance Faire

Labor Day weekend is a time when you can go back in time to see what it was like back during the renaissance. There are demonstrations, entertainment, food vendors, craft vendors and artisans in costume during this annual Labor Day weekend event that takes place every Labor Day weekend in downtown Des Moines.

Festa Italiana

You can celebrate Italian culture that includes food, music and entertainment at the fairgrounds during the third weekend in September. This festival that is sponsored by the Society of Italian Americans, celebrates all things Italian and even includes contests for the best spaghetti sauce.

Festival of Trees and Lights

Celebrate the holidays in downtown Des Moines with this festival that ushers in the Christmas season. This festival features a tree lighting ceremony as well as a parade, craft and food vendors and also features Santa Claus. This event begins the day after Thanksgiving and lasts the entire weekend, with activities and entertainment in tents throughout he festival.

Inerrobong Film Festival

This annual film festival is held the last weekend of January and includes public screenings of films by local filmmakers. There is competition in many different categories and a small fee for admission to the film festival.

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