5 Festive Events to Celebrate the Fourth in Greater DSM: July 4-10
Summer is hitting its stride across Greater Des Moines (DSM), and the week of July 4–10 brings a festive mix of hometown charm, historic throwbacks, culinary adventures and all-out family fun. Whether you’re chasing fireworks and parades, catching a vintage baseball game, exploring the sights and sounds of local county fairs or dining under the stars on a century farm, the region is bursting with ways to make the most of your week. From classic cars and carnival rides to farm-to-table feasts and patriotic celebrations, it’s the perfect time to dive into DSM’s vibrant communities and soak up all the summer energy. Keep reading for five can’t-miss ways to get out and enjoy this festive week!
Independence Day Celebration & Historic Baseball
Friday, July 4, 2025 | Living History Farms, Urbandale
Step back in time and celebrate July 4th the way they did in 1876! Living History Farms brings Walnut Hill to life with old-fashioned games, family fun and a historic celebration of America’s centennial. Don’t miss the quirky (and educational!) Medicine Shows at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the MidAmerican Pavilion. Then at 3:30 p.m., grab a shady spot on the front lawn for a FREE game of historic baseball — played by 19th-century rules. It’s a full day of throwback fun, perfect for making memories with the fam. Activities run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are included with general admission.
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Independence Day Celebrations, Fireworks & Parades
Friday, July 4, 2025 |Multiple Locations Across Greater DSM
The Fourth of July is going BIG this year across Greater DSM, with parades, live music, fireworks and community festivals lighting up the region. Pack your picnic blanket, round up the family and catch a patriotic celebration near you:
There’s nothing like a small-town Independence Day to spark some summer vibes.
Capital Goodguys 34th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals
Friday, July 4 – Sunday, July 6, 2025 | Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines
Get ready for chrome, horsepower and pure Americana! The Goodguys Heartland Nationals rolls into the Iowa State Fairgrounds for a weekend of vintage cars, rockin’ tunes, AutoCross racing, fireworks and more. More than 5,000 classic and custom rides — from souped-up street rods to muscle car legends — will be on display. Plus, there’s live music, a kids’ zone, a swap meet and a Cars 4 Sale Corral. Pro tip: stick around Saturday night for fireworks! Show runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, ‘til 8 p.m. Saturday and wraps at 3 p.m. Sunday.
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Call Vintners x Aaron Holt: Farm-to-Table Dinner
Wednesday, July 9 – Thursday, July 10, 2025 | Middlebrook Mercantile, Cumming
Escape to the countryside for an intimate, open-air dining experience you won’t forget. Chef Aaron Holt — named Iowa’s 2018 Chef of the Year—will treat you to three stunning courses made with hand-grown produce from his family’s century farm. Wine pairings from Capital Call Vintners elevate the evening even more. With scenic views, seasonal flavors and a hyper-local menu, this event is peak summer magic. Cost for the farm-to-table dinner is $130/person. Dinners start at 6:30 p.m. each night at Middlebrook Mercantile, just minutes from West Glen.
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County Fairs
Multiple Dates & Locations in Greater Des Moines
Nothing says summer like a county fair! From tractor pulls and funnel cakes to blue-ribbon livestock and live music, county fairs are where small-town charm meets big fun. Whether you’re cheering on a pie contest winner, wandering through 4-H exhibits or taking a whirl on the Ferris wheel, there’s no shortage of tradition and community pride. Catch these county fairs this week:
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.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with more than 400 Investors and an Affiliate Chamber of Commerce network of more than 6,700 Regional Business Members, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.