5 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Greater Des Moines (DSM): Aug. 22-28

Summer isn’t slowing down in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and neither should you! This week is loaded with flavor, music and plenty of ways to savor those last golden days of the season. You can taste your way around the globe at a major Downtown DSM festival, cheer on a beloved Iowa PBS staple, celebrate culture through food and music or dive into a small-town party that caps off with fireworks. From international eats and live performances to tractor displays, parades and pickleball showdowns, this week has “only in Greater Des Moines” written all over it. Keep reading for five can’t-miss events across the region worth marking on your calendar.

World Food & Music Festival

Friday, Aug. 22 – Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 | Western Gateway Park, Downtown DSM
Don’t forget to pack your appetite! The World Food & Music Festival is back and bigger than ever. For three delicious days, Western Gateway Park transforms into a global playground where you can snack, sip and sway your way through flavors and sounds from 25 different countries. Think sizzling street food, colorful desserts, international beverages and live music that will have you dancing in the grass. Kids can join in cultural activities, while adults can enjoy everything from cooking demos to authentic performances. Whether you’re adventurous enough to try something totally new or you just want a fun afternoon of food and people-watching, this festival is the highlight of summer in DSM. Bring your crew, your appetite, and maybe a few extra napkins — you’ll need them!
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Another event you should have on your radar: the “I Am Africa” Gala on Saturday, Aug. 23. Part of the Ubuntu Leadership Summit, it’s a vibrant celebration of African heritage featuring cultural performances, awards and community pride.

Market to Market 50th Season Tour

Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 | Iowa PBS, Johnston
Here’s a reason to nerd out about agriculture (and maybe get a little starstruck, too). Market to Market is turning 50 and Iowa PBS is throwing a party to celebrate this beloved program’s half-century of covering the stories that shape rural America. The fun kicks off at 2 p.m. with a reception featuring refreshments, photo ops on the Market to Market and MtoM Podcast sets and even a tractor display courtesy of the Central Iowa Tractor Club. At 3 p.m., the Market to Market team takes the stage for a live podcast discussion with market analysts, reflecting on five decades of reporting. Whether you’re a longtime viewer, part of the ag community or just love Iowa traditions, this free event is a perfect mix of nostalgia and forward-looking celebration.
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Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival

Friday, Aug. 8 – Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 | Valley Junction, West Des Moines
Valley Junction knows how to throw a party and the Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival is proof. Now in its 13th year, this celebration packs three days with art, food and performances that showcase the heart and soul of the community. Thursday kicks off with The Junction Speaks, an evening of storytelling and history. Friday brings Jazzin’ in the Junction, where live music and spoken word create a one-of-a-kind vibe at Tallgrass Theatre. And on Saturday, Railroad Park comes alive with the Multicultural Street Festival, a mashup of food vendors, craft booths, music and dancing from 2–10 p.m. It’s free, it’s vibrant and it’s an incredible way to experience DSM’s diversity. Pro tip: Come hungry and ready to dance!
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Orient Pumpkin Days

Friday, Aug. 22 - Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 | Orient
Small-town festivals just hit different, and Orient Pumpkin Days proves it in the best way. This little town of fewer than 400 people knows how to throw a big party, packing the weekend with charm and nonstop fun. Think carnival rides, face painting and food trucks. And don’t miss live tunes from The Mike Walsh Band on Friday from 7-10 p.m. Saturday ramps things up with a car show, bubble-blowing contest, volleyball and bags tournaments, a hair contest, plus a craft and vendor show to wander through. Don’t miss the 4 p.m. parade, then stick around for The Fun Pianos dueling pianos show at 6:30 p.m. and a fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m. Quirky, classic and full of small-town Iowa magic, this is one tradition you’ll want to mark on your calendar year after year.
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¡Viva Perry! Latino Festival & Parade

Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 | Pattee Park, Perry
¡Viva Perry! is the kind of event that makes an entire town come alive. Kick off the day at 10 a.m. with a colorful parade marching down Willis Avenue, then head straight to Pattee Park for a full lineup of food, music, dancers and kids’ activities that run from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Expect mouthwatering Latino cuisine, live performances that will keep your toes tapping and plenty of fun for all ages. With the park buzzing around the bandshell, this festival is both a celebration of culture and a community block party rolled into one. Whether you come for the food, the dancing or just the welcoming vibe, you’ll leave with a full stomach and a happy heart.
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For additional events and seasonal festivities coming up in Greater Des Moines (DSM), visit the calendar of events. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series. Plus, follow @DSMpartnership on Instagram for even more things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around DSM.