Downtown Des Moines Festivals & Events  

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a year-round destination for food, music, art and culture. From internationally recognized festivals to beloved local traditions, Downtown DSM keeps a full calendar. The Downtown Farmers’ Market, one of the largest farmers markets in the country, hosts hundreds of vendors and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every Saturday from May through October, with a Winter Market held each November. The World Food & Music Festival, named a Top 10 Cultural Festival (USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, 2026), brings international cuisine and vibrant performances to Downtown DSM every summer. Other annual events include the Des Moines Arts Festival®, Latino Heritage Festival and CelebrAsian, all held in Western Gateway Park, as well as Capital City PrideFest in the Historic East Village.

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Downtown DSM Events

Whether it's to celebrate arts, culture, food or music, you can find events of all kinds throughout the year:

• Capital City Pride Fest
• CelebrAsian
• Chriskindlmarket Des Moines
• Dam to DSM
• Des Moines Arts Festival®
• Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market 
• Des Moines Downtown Winter Farmers' Market
• Des Moines Marathon
• Des Moines Restaurant Week
• Drake Relays
• Holiday Promenade
• Iowa State Fair Parade
• Juneteenth Jubilee
• Latino Heritage Festival
• National Balloon Classic Flyover
• Out to Lunch
• Principal Charity Classic
• St. Patrick's Day Parade
• Winefest
• Winter Blues Fest 
• World Food & Music Festival
• Yankee Doodle Pops

Stay connected with Downtown DSM by visiting the events calendar, following Downtown DSM USA on social media or signing up for the Downtown DSM USA newsletter.