September 18, 2026
By: Greater Des Moines Partnership
Fall Festivals + More Things to Do in Greater DSM This Week: Sept. 18-24
The calendar officially turns to fall this week, with a new lineup of events happening throughout the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region. Fill your weekend with festival food and live music, browse locally made finds, look to the skies for some high-flying fun or feel the excitement of a night at the racetrack. There are options for an easy family outing, a road trip beyond your usual part of the DSM region or simply an excuse to spend some time outside as the seasons begin to change. From Des Moines and Altoona to West Des Moines, Winterset and Knoxville, there’s something happening in nearly every direction. Here are five can’t-miss things to do across DSM Friday, Sept. 18 – Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
![Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals]()
Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals
Thursday, Sept. 17 – Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 | Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville
Get ready for three nights of dirt-track racing at Knoxville Raceway. The Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals brings the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series to the track Thursday through Saturday, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m., hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and racing starting at 7:15 p.m. each night. Settle into the stands and watch the late models battle it out on the famous half-mile dirt oval as the weekend builds toward Saturday night. The final night also brings the SLMR Late Model Series into the action, making this a good excuse for racing fans to point the car toward Knoxville.
LEARN MORE
![Beaverdale Fall Festival]()
Beaverdale Fall Festival
Friday, Sept. 18 – Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 | Corner of Beaver and Urbandale Avenue, Des Moines
Beaverdale is throwing a two-day neighborhood party with a packed schedule from start to finish. The Beaverdale Fall Festival kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with local shopping, food trucks, a car show, team trivia and live music to get the weekend rolling. Come back Saturday for even more, including the dog parade and the legendary parade down Beaver Avenue, plus a backyard BBQ competition, cornhole tournament and more live music. Whether you’re there to cheer from the parade route, eat your way through the festival or simply hang out with the neighborhood, it’s a fun way to spend a fall weekend in Beaverdale.
LEARN MORE
Also happening in Des Moines, see “Come From Away” at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, running Friday, Sept. 11 – Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
![K2 Marketplace Magic Vendor Market]()
K2 Marketplace Magic Vendor Market
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 | Outlets of Des Moines, Altoona
Give yourself a little extra time to shop at the Outlets of Des Moines this Saturday. K² Marketplace Magic is popping up from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. with a collection of Iowa artisans and small businesses all in one place. Browse fashion and jewelry, pick up something new for your home, check out wellness and spa products or follow the smell of baked goods to something sweet. Look for the market inside Suite 110, between Planet Fitness and Polo Ralph Lauren, and make it part of your Saturday shopping plans.
LEARN MORE
![2026 Fly Iowa Festival]()
Fly Iowa Festival
Saturday Sept. 19, 2026 | Winterset Municipal Airport, Winterset
Keep your eyes on the skies during a Saturday road trip to Winterset. The Fly Iowa Festival lands at Winterset Municipal Airport from 2-9 p.m. with an afternoon and evening dedicated to aviation, music and family fun. Get an up-close look at military, vintage and classic aircraft, see the YL-37 Flying Memorial and even take a ride in a PT-19. Back on the ground, you’ll find live music, food and drink vendors, local shops and activities for the kids. Bring your lawn chairs and stick around as the sun goes down, because the day wraps up with a fireworks show at dusk.
LEARN MORE
![Illumifest]()
Illumifest: A Fall Festival in Flight
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 | West Des Moines City Campus, West Des Moines
Illumifest is taking fall fun to new heights at the West Des Moines City Campus. From 4-7 p.m., bounce between a huge lineup of free activities, including kite building, inflatables, face painting, a kiddie train, rock climbing, carnival games, tattoos, bingo and a STEAM booth exploring the science of flight. You can also check out interactive dance and mime performances and a Chinese kite showcase, with food vendors serving up eats and treats throughout the evening. Then find a spot near the main stage from 7-9 p.m. as “Faculty Lounge” closes out the night with a free live music performance.
LEARN MORE
Looking for something to do later in the week? Head to Johnston Town Center for Tunes at Twilight on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
Fall officially arrives this week, and you can welcome the new season with free events happening across DSM.
Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.