5 Can’t-Miss Events in DSM: Feb. 27 – March 5
We’re officially stepping into that late-winter stretch where cabin fever starts knocking. And thankfully, Greater Des Moines (DSM) is answering with trivia nights, dance floors, brain-teasing games and even a little nature meditation. This week is all about connection: connecting over a pint while you battle it out in Pictionary, connecting with culture through music and food, connecting with your competitive side at trivia and reconnecting with nature in a peaceful arboretum setting. Whether you’re in Indianola, Urbandale, Grinnell, Dallas Center or Des Moines, there’s something happening that’ll get you out of the house and into the community. Ready to make plans? Here are five can’t-miss events happening across DSM this week.
Celebrate Black Stories Scavenger Hunt
Now – Monday, March 2, 2026 | Urbandale Public Library, Urbandale
Don’t miss your chance to join this fun and meaningful scavenger hunt at the Urbandale Public Library before it wraps up Monday, March 2. Drop in anytime during open hours and search for hidden pictures of incredible books celebrating Black History Month. Once you’ve found them all, sign the champion’s log and claim your bragging rights. It’s low-pressure, family-friendly and a great way to discover new reads while honoring powerful stories. Whether you swing by after school or make it a weekend mission, this is a quick, engaging way to celebrate and explore before it’s gone.
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Dine & Dance with CultureALL
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | Palms DSM, Des Moines
Dinner and a show? Yes. Dinner and a dance lesson? Even better. CultureALL’s Rhythm and Roots: an Afro-Caribbean Dinner is a full-sensory night at Palms DSM. Hosted by Chef Amara Sama, you’ll enjoy vibrant African and Caribbean flavors, then get up from your seat and learn some moves with JamIowa and the Kakaleka African Culture Dance Team. It’s interactive, joyful and just the right amount of outside your comfort zone. Tickets are $60, and it all kicks off at 6 p.m. Come hungry. Leave inspired. And maybe a little sweaty from dancing.
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Trivia Night
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | The Groggy Dog, Indianola
Looking for a reason to love Tuesdays? The Groggy Dog has you covered with DJ Trivia Tuesdays. And yes, it happens every single week! From 7-9 p.m., grab your smartest (or at least most confident) friends, order a cold drink and put your random knowledge to the test. Expect great questions, plenty of laughs and just enough competitive tension to keep things interesting. Bragging rights are on the line, and there might even be prizes. If you’ve been meaning to check out this cozy Indianola hangout, this is your sign. Tuesdays just got way more fun.
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Brewhouse Pictionary
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | Grinnell Craft Brewhouse, Grinnell
If you’ve ever thought, “I could totally draw that better,” this is your moment. Pictionary at Grinnell Craft Brewhouse happens every other Wednesday, and it’s equal parts hilarious and competitive. Three rounds, ten clues each, different categories every round. Grab a pint, rally your team and prepare for some wildly creative (and wildly questionable) sketches. The projected images give you hints, but it’s still up to your brain and your doodling skills to seal the deal. It’s laid-back midweek fun with just enough rivalry to keep it spicy and have you coming back for more.
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Experience Nature’s Healing
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | The Brenton Arboretum, Dallas Center
Need a reset? Head to The Brenton Arboretum for a peaceful mid-morning meditation in nature. Every Wednesday at 10 a.m., Dennis Kelly of Meditation Around Town leads this free, low-impact session designed to help you slow down and breathe a little deeper. No registration. No equipment. No pressure. Just fresh air, quiet reflection and a beautiful natural setting. It’s perfect for anyone who can sit or stand comfortably and wants to trade stress for stillness. Consider it your weekly reminder that sometimes the best plans are the calm ones.
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Longer days are on the way, and March in Greater Des Moines (DSM) is full of free opportunities to get moving, get outside and get inspired.
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