What’s Happening in DSM This Week: April 3-9
April is in full swing across the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region, and this week brings a mix of creative workshops, family-friendly outings and live entertainment worth checking out. You can get hands-on with a DIY project, take a stroll through a storybook-inspired downtown experience or hear from a creative professional whose work has shaped some of your favorite films and shows. There’s also live music to kick off the weekend and plenty of Easter fun popping up across the region. Whether you’re planning something with friends, family or just looking for a reason to get out of the house, these events are a great way to explore what’s happening around DSM this week. Here are five can’t-miss events happening April 3-9.
Marshalltown Central Business District Storybook Walk
Wednesday, April 1 – Sunday, May 3, 2026 | Downtown Marshalltown, Marshalltown
This is one of those simple-but-genius ideas that turns a regular walk into something way more fun. The Storybook Walk in downtown Marshalltown invites families to explore local businesses while taking part in a scavenger hunt centered around children’s books. As you stroll, you’ll spot featured book covers displayed in storefronts and collect clues along the way. Turn in your completed sheet and you’ll earn a free book (plus a chance at a grand prize). It’s a great way to get kids excited about reading while also supporting local shops. And it gives you a reason to slow down and explore downtown.
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Live Music at The Merc: Damon Dotson
Friday, April 3, 2026 | Middlebrook Mercantile, Cumming
Looking for an easy Friday night plan? Head to Middlebrook Mercantile for live music, good food and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Damon Dotson will be playing from 6 to 9 p.m., bringing his signature sound to the stage while you kick back with a glass of wine or grab some BBQ from General Lee’s Smoke Shack. It’s the kind of night where you can show up, settle in and let the evening unfold, with no big plans required. Whether you stay for a set or the whole show, it’s a solid way to start the weekend.
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Easter Fun in Greater Des Moines
Friday, April 3 - Saturday, April 4, 2026 | Various Locations Around DSM
Celebrate Easter weekend across the region with egg hunts, family-friendly activities and festive outings. Whether you’re planning a full day of hopping from event to event or just picking one to check out, there are options popping up all over DSM.
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Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt – Friday, April 3, 2026, at Downtown Grinnell in Grinnell
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Glowtastic Egg Hunt – Friday, April 3, 2026, at Des Moines Children’s Museum in West Des Moines (shown below & above)
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Hop Into Uptown – Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Uptown Ankeny in Ankeny
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Knoxville Noon Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the corner of Lincoln and Madison Streets in Knoxville
Grab your baskets, bring the family and enjoy a weekend full of springtime fun.
Wine'd Down Wednesday Pick Your Project Workshop
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | Board & Brush, Clive
If your ideal midweek plan involves getting creative with a drink in hand, this one’s for you. Board & Brush’s Wine’d Down Wednesday workshop is all about making something custom while hanging out with friends or family. You’ll pick your own wood project, choose your paint and stain colors and get step-by-step guidance to bring it all to life. No experience needed, just show up ready to have fun and maybe discover your inner DIYer. It’s equal parts creative outlet and social hang, and you’ll leave with something you actually want to display at home.
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United Way of Jasper County’s Voices of Inspiration: Adam Van Wyk
Thursday, April 9, 2026 | DMACC Newton Campus, Newton
Ever wondered what it’s like to work behind the scenes on movies and shows you actually recognize? This event with illustrator and storyboard artist Adam Van Wyk gives you a peek into that world. With a career spanning major studios like Warner Bros., Disney and Illumination, he’s worked on everything from Despicable Me to Scooby-Doo. During this talk, he’ll share how he got started, what the creative process looks like and some behind-the-scenes stories from projects you’ve definitely heard of. It’s a cool, low-key way to hear from someone who’s helped shape pop culture.
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April has arrived in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region, bringing a few free ways to get out, explore and enjoy what’s happening around you.
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