Labor Day Weekend + More in Greater Des Moines: Sept. 4-10

Labor Day weekend is bringing an extra dose of fun to the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region, but the events don’t stop when the long weekend ends. From festivals filled with food, music and culture to family movie nights, live horse racing and experiences that transport you to another time, there are all kinds of reasons to get out and explore. Make a day trip to a different DSM community, find something the whole family can enjoy or squeeze in one more summer night outdoors as September gets underway. Whether you’re filling up the holiday weekend or making plans for later in the week, there’s lots happening across DSM. Here are five can’t-miss things to do Friday, Sept. 4 – Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.

Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival

Thursday, Sept. 3 – Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 | Various Locations in West Des Moines
Three days, three different experiences and one big celebration of the people and stories that have shaped Historic Valley Junction. Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival returns over Labor Day weekend with history, spoken word, live music, food and a full lineup of ways to celebrate together. All three events are free and open to the public:

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at 6 p.m. | The Junction Speaks at Val Air Ballroom: Hear stories that honor and preserve the history and legacy of Valley Junction.
Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Jazzin’ in the Junction at Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge: Settle in for an evening of spoken word, local poets, live jazz, music and stories passed down through generations.
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 from 2–10 p.m. | Multicultural Street Festival at Railroad Park in Valley Junction: Bring your lawn chair and dancing shoes for global cuisine, arts and crafts vendors, a Kid Zone and live music, including headliner Guitarras ATM Salsa Band.

Pick the experience that speaks to you or make a weekend of it and experience all three.
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Also happening in West Des Moines, don’t miss the final Food Truck Friday of the season on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., featuring The Eggroll Ladies and The Outside Scoop outside City Hall.

Movie Events Across DSM This Week & Beyond

Various Dates and Locations Across DSM
Grab a blanket, pack some snacks and make it a movie night. Communities across Greater DSM are taking movie night beyond the living room this September, with several free screenings happening this week and even more coming up later in the month:

Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. | Windsor Heights: Catch “Moana” during Movies in the Park at Colby Park.
Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. | Des Moines: See “Elio” during the rescheduled Free Flicks screening at the Reichardt Community Recreation Center.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. | Norwalk: Head to Mullets in Norwalk for a free family movie night, happening every Thursday evening throughout September.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. | Johnston: Stick around after the farmers’ market for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” during Movies on the Yard at Johnston Town Center.

And if you want to plan ahead for even more family movie nights, mark your calendar for these upcoming screenings across DSM:

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Ankeny: Enjoy “Toy Story 5” during Movie Night at The District at Prairie Trail.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at 11 a.m. | Pella: Watch “The NeverEnding Story” during the Free Fall Movie Series at Pella Cinemas.
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Bondurant: Don’t miss Family Movie Night at the Bondurant Community Library.
Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Marshalltown: Watch “Wicked” during Movie Night at the Marshalltown Elks Lodge #312.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Des Moines: Catch “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” during Movie in the Village at Walnut Creek Church in Downtown DSM.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Minburn: See “Zootopia 2” during Movie on the Lawn at The Schoolhouse Estate.

With screenings popping up throughout the month, there’s always another chance to grab a seat and enjoy a movie together.

Live Thoroughbred & Quarter Horse Racing

Friday, Sept. 4 – Monday, Sept. 7, 2025 | Prairie Meadows, Altoona
Hear the thunder of the hoofbeats and spend part of Labor Day weekend at the races. Prairie Meadows has four days of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing lined up from Friday through Monday, giving you plenty of opportunities to catch the action. Find a spot near the rail and watch the horses charge toward the finish, place a friendly wager or simply soak up the excitement of race day. You don’t need to be a seasoned racing fan to have fun, either. Grab something to eat or drink, hang out on the patio and experience the speed and energy of live racing for yourself.
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Prairie Trail Labor Day Weekend Festival

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 | Prairie Trail Sports Complex and Polk County Pickleball, Ankeny
A brand-new Labor Day weekend celebration is coming to Ankeny. The inaugural Prairie Trail Labor Day Fest brings Prairie Trail Sports Complex and Polk County Pickleball together for a full Saturday of sports, food, entertainment and family fun. The three-day Labor Day Dink-Off Pickleball Tournament runs Friday, Sept. 4 – Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, while Saturday’s festival adds 3-on-3 basketball and 4-on-4 volleyball tournaments to the action. Off the courts on Saturday, explore food and beverage vendors and local business booths, catch live entertainment or take the kids to the inflatable-filled Kids’ Zone. Whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, there are so many ways to join the first-year festivities.
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The Renaissance Festival at Sleepy Hollow

The Renaissance Faire

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20, 2026 | Sleepy Hollow, Des Moines
Step through the gates of Sleepy Hollow and straight into a world of knights, magic and medieval fun. The Renaissance Faire returns for three weekends in September with live jousting, birds of prey, aerial acrobats, fire-breathers, musicians, magicians and a lively cast of characters ready to pull you into the action. Wander through a marketplace filled with more than 80 artists, crafters and vendors selling everything from jewelry and clothing to swords and armor, then refuel with festival favorites like loaded MacTaters, bubble waffles and buttered beer. The whole family can join the adventure, and kids ages 12 and younger get in free.
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Looking for a more relaxing and restorative way to spend your Labor Day weekend? Check out Middlebrook Farm’s Social, Sauna + Cold Plunge Pop-Up with Empeiria Sauna House on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

September is here, and with it come lots of wallet-friendly ways to get out, explore DSM and start the month with some fun (for free!).

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