Downtown Des Moines: 5 Free Things to Do in June

That summer feeling has taken over Downtown Des Moines (DSM)! This month, get your fill of free things to do taking place around the city — with a heavy dose of free festivals and free music concerts all happening in Downtown DSM. Here are five free June things you won’t want to miss:

Free Downtown Des Moines Festivals in June

Capital City Pride Festival

Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8, 2025 | Historic East Village
Get ready for the 46th annual PrideFest! The weekend’s festivities include the 5k Pride Stride, the always adorable Pet pageant and Drag Queen Storytime. And don't miss the crown jewel of the weekend: the beloved Pride Parade marching through Downtown DSM. The Family and Youth Zone, as well as the Teen Zone, will be jam-packed with fun activities! And the whole family is sure to love the live music rocking all weekend long. 
LEARN MORE

Des Moines Arts Festival® and Interrobang Film Festival

Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29, 2025 | Western Gateway Park
Iowa’s largest arts and cultural event returns for three days this month in Downtown DSM. This juried art show brings together nearly 200 of the nation’s top artists, creating an unforgettable atmosphere with performing arts, a film festival, incredible local and cultural food vendors and national musical acts including headliners Tonic, Mike Skill's The Romantics, The Finesse, The Heroes, Lady Revel, The Textures, Neil Anders & The Brothers Merritt, Munk Rivers and more. Don’t miss this once-a-year free festival in Downtown DSM!
LEARN MORE

Free Music in Downtown Des Moines This June

Gray’s Station Summer Music Series

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | Gray’s Station
Featuring Avey Grouws Band from 6 to 8 p.m., along with Roadside Tacos food truck this month, with additional musicians and food trucks continuing through the summer and early fall.
LEARN MORE

 

Local Bands, Brews & Bikes Music Series

Sundays, now through October | Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park

• June 1, 2025: The Other Brothers
• June 6, 2025: Whiskey Myers with special guests Bayker Blankenship, Pony Bradshaw
• June 8, 2025: Chip Albright
• June 15, 2025: Dick Danger Band
• June 22, 2025: Velvet Trio
• June 29, 2025: Trio Aceto
• And more, continuing through October!

LEARN MORE

Music Under the Stars

Sundays | Hoyt Sherman Place

• June 8, 2025: Pirate Songs & Love Songs 
• June 15, 2025: Once Upon A Father’s Day: Music for Dads & Their Princesses 
• June 22, 2025: Historic Hoyt Sherman Place 
• June 29, 2025: Fourth of July Celebration “Let Freedom Ring” 
• Additional dates and musical acts will take place in July, also.

LEARN MORE

And many Downtown DSM restaurants and nightlife venues host live music throughout the summer as well! Check out The Cave DSM, Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern, the Continental Lounge and Confluence Brewing Co. to namedrop just a few.

Looking for more budget-friendly things to do in Downtown DSM? Check out these ideas from April and May to get more totally free ideas for your next Downtown adventure.

Plan your visit to Downtown Des Moines (DSM) with these tips for parking and navigation and follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown DSM.