Free Events in Des Moines
Event list last updated
Upcoming events in Des Moines and the suburbs whose admission is listed as free. An event is only listed here when its price says free or $0; one with no listed price is left out rather than guessed at.
Food, parking and extras can still cost money, so check the event's own page before you go.
Free Events by Category
Upcoming Free Events (10)
Time not listedExile Brewing CompanyDowntown / Court Ave
Free Holiday Portraits
Free holiday portraits at Exile Brewing Company
12:00 PM CTHope Ministries Bethel Mission
Hope Ministries Thanksgiving Meal Volunteer Registration
Volunteer registration for the Hope Ministries Thanksgiving meal. Recurring daily until November 25, 2026.
Time not listedIowa State Fairgrounds - Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center
Free Dental Clinic
Free dental clinic at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
12:00 PM CTHope Ministries Bethel Mission
Hope Ministries Thanksgiving Meal Volunteer Registration
Volunteer registration for the Hope Ministries Thanksgiving meal. Recurring daily until November 25, 2026.
3:00 PM CTStaplin Performing Arts Center
MEMORIES, MUSIC AND MISTLETOE A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family
MEMORIES, MUSIC AND MISTLETOE. A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family. Looking for a Christmas concert or family-friendly holiday event in Des Moines? Celebrate the season with the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble at Memories, Music and Mistletoe! Join us Sunday, December 13, at the Staplin Performing Arts Center in West Des Moines for an afternoon filled with beloved Christmas music, festive favorites, and heartwarming seasonal classics. A special highlight of the concert will be a presentation of The Snowman, the beloved animated holiday film that has captured the imaginations of generations. Experience this timeless story of friendship and imagination accompanied by the warmth and beauty of live symphonic wind ensemble music. Gather your family and friends for a memorable holiday outing featuring live music, Christmas nostalgia, and the magic of the season. Whether you're continuing a favorite holiday tradition or discovering something new, this concert is a wonderful way to celebrate together. EVENT DETAILS. Sunday, December 13, 2026. 3:00 PM. Staplin Performing Arts Center. 3650 Woodland Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Presented by the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Gather your family and friends and reserve your seats today! GET YOUR FREE TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/memories-music-and-mistletoe. Learn more about the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble at https://ciwe.org.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
Tips for Free Events in Des Moines
Check the event page first
Prices and times change. Each card links to the event's own page, which links to the organizer.
Plan for parking and food
Free entry doesn't always mean free parking or free food. The event page usually says what to expect.
Bringing kids?
The kids and family events page lists family events and marks the free ones.
Arrive early for popular events
Free events with limited space fill up. If the event page mentions a capacity or registration, plan for it.
Free Events in Des Moines FAQ
Common questions about free activities and events in the Des Moines metro area
What free events are happening in Des Moines?
This page lists upcoming events in Des Moines and nearby suburbs whose listed price says free or $0, with the date, time and venue on each card.
Are these events really free?
They are listed as free by the venue or organizer. Food, parking and add-ons can still cost money, and organizers do change prices, so check the event's own page before you go. Events with no listed price are left off this page rather than assumed free.
What types of free events are available?
It depends on the calendar. The category breakdown on this page counts the free events in each category right now.
How do I find family-friendly free events?
The Kids & Family events page lists family events and marks the free ones, and the playgrounds guide covers parks and play areas across the metro.
Do I need to register for free events?
Some free events ask you to register, especially workshops and anything with limited space. The event's own page says whether it does.
How often is this list updated?
New events are collected daily from venue and organizer calendars. All times are Central Time, and each list shows when it was last updated.
Discover More Des Moines Activities
Kids & Family
Family-friendly activities for all ages
Date Night
Romantic outings and couple activities
Today's Events
What's happening right now
This Weekend
Weekend activities and entertainment
Open Now
Restaurants currently serving
Dietary Options
Vegan, gluten-free, and more
Planning dinner too? Check out restaurants open now or explore dietary-friendly options.