Your Weekly Fun Forecast in Greater DSM: May 16–22

From small-town charm to music festival energy, this week in Greater Des Moines (DSM) is loaded with reasons to get out and explore. Whether you’re shopping local in Perry, grooving under the stars in Clive or cruising past vintage cars in Stuart, the region is buzzing with warm-weather vibes. Art lovers, foodies and festival-hoppers alike — get ready for a lineup that makes it nearly impossible to stay home. Let’s just say… the weekend plans kind of write themselves. Read on to discover five can’t-miss ways to soak up the season from May 16-22.

Sip & Shop

Friday, May 16, 2025 | Various Businesses, Perry
Perry’s rolling out the red carpet for your next Girls Night Out or casual Friday date night with Sip & Shop! This Friday from 4–7 p.m., stroll through Perry’s charming boutiques and shops while sipping on something tasty. You’ll find spring and summer fashion, cute home décor and local gems inside spots like Backwards Boutique, The Scottish Fox, Mary Rose Collective and more. Each store has its own flair (and refreshments!), so take your time and make an evening of it. Retail therapy never looked so fun — or so friendly!
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Greenbelt Music Festival

Friday, May 16 – Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Off the Greenbelt Trail, Clive
If your perfect weekend involves music, food trucks and dancing under the stars, then Greenbelt Music Festival in Clive is calling your name. This two-day fest brings more than 20 artists to the stage — think Greensky Bluegrass, The Devil Makes Three, Shovels & Rope and more. It’s all going down right off the Greenbelt Trail, so you can bike in, jam out and chill hard. Bonus: you’ll find vendors, drinks, games and an unbeatable community vibe. Pro tip: Pace yourself — there’s a lot to love here.
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Scoop the Loop: Car Show & Cruise

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Downtown, Stuart
Start your engines! Scoop the Loop is taking over Stuart’s Main Street this Saturday. If you’re into classic cars, street food and that nostalgic small-town cruise-in vibe, this event is your jam. Stroll past vintage rides, pop into locally owned shops and fuel up with bites from nearby vendors. Once you’ve taken in the sights and smells, head to the Stuart Scoop Patio where live music keeps the good vibes rolling. Whether you’re a gearhead or just love a laid-back Saturday, this one’s a must-cruise.
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Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Historic Uptown, Ankeny
Get your art fix and soak up some sunshine at the Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival on Saturday! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Uptown Ankeny transforms into an open-air celebration of creativity, featuring artists from across the region. You’ll find everything from oil paintings and ceramics to woodwork, jewelry and digital art. It’s free to wander and perfect for finding one-of-a-kind treasures — or just enjoying a beautiful spring day. Bring your curiosity, your wallet (for those can’t-leave-without-it pieces) and maybe a tote bag or two.
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Another artsy event happening in the DSM region this week — and definitely worth a mention — is the Valley Junction Arts Festival taking place in West Des Moines.

Farmers’ Markets

Various Dates & Locations in Greater DSM
Spring means farmers’ market season is in full bloom — and this week, Greater DSM has plenty of fresh finds. Load up your tote bag and head to one of these community favorites for produce, flowers, baked goods, handmade crafts and more:

• Bondurant Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays, May – October from 6-8 p.m. on Main Street in Bondurant
• The Brightside Market – Thursdays, May 22 – Aug. 28, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. at Brightside Aleworks in Altoona
• Cartwright Downtown Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays, May – September from 4-7 p.m. in Marshalltown
• Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers’ Market – Saturdays, May – September from 7 a.m. - Noon, October from 8 a.m. - Noon in Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines
• Indianola Downtown Farmers’ Market – Saturdays, May – October from 8 a.m. - Noon at the Indianola Downtown Square
• Knoxville Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays from 3-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. - Noon, May – October at the Knoxville Square
• Norwalk Farmers’ Market – Fridays, May – October from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Norwalk Christian Church

Bonus! Don’t miss the Uptown Ankeny Farmers’ Market — it kicks off next week on Saturday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to Noon and runs every Saturday through the end of September. Add it to your radar now!

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.