Downtown Des Moines Festivals & Events  

You’ll find one-of-a-kind events and vibrant festivals in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), making it a true destination for food, music, art and culture year-round. Find something unique to experience and fun things to do at a Downtown DSM event or festival. Whether its one of the big names drawing national and international headlining acts, or a hidden gem festival with Indie roots, you won’t want to miss all the best Downtown DSM festivals or events!

Downtown DSM Events 

Awarded “outstanding event” by Travel Iowa and the Travel Federation of Iowa, the World Food & Music Festival brings international flavor to the Downtown DSM atmosphere every summer. With authentic cuisine and electric performance art, the event is a must-stop for all visitors and residents. Additional cultural festivals like the Latino Heritage Festival and CelebrAsian highlight global food, music and dancing amid a celebration of heritage. And the annual Des Moines Pride Fest taking place in Downtown DSM’s Historic East Village, draws 40,000 attendees each year and marked its 45th annual celebration in 2024.

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

• CelebrAsian
• Dam to DSM
• Des Moines Arts Festival®
• Des Moines Pride Festival
• Des Moines Marathon
• Des Moines Restaurant Week
• Drake Relays
• Holiday Promenade
• Iowa State Fair Parade
• IronMan Des Moines
• Juneteenth
• Latino Heritage Festival
• National Balloon Classic Flyover
• Oktoberfest
• Out to Lunch
• Principal Charity Classic
• St. Patrick's Day Parade
• Winefest
• World Food & Music Festival
• Yankee Doodle Pops
• Additional Pop-Up Activations in Downtown DSM (Follow Downtown DSM USA on social media for more information!)

Local Markets in Downtown Des Moines

Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market & Winter Market

Every Saturday from May through October, the Downtown Farmers' Market hosts hundreds of vendors from around Iowa to sell their fresh produce, handmade goods, Iowa-raised meat and more! As one of the top farmers' markets in the U.S., you're sure to find what you need. If you aren't around during the summer, no problem. Visit the Downtown Farmers' Market website to learn more about the Winter Farmers' Market, held annually over one weekend in November.

Chriskindlmarket Des Moines

Chriskindlmarket is a Christmas market that brings a bit of a 700-year-old European holiday tradition to Downtown DSM.

For more information about music and entertainment or other attractions, visit Things to Do in Downtown DSM or visit the events calendar.