Looking for something to do this weekend? Or, want to try out a new place to grab a bite to eat?Check out these events and activities happening across the metro, Aug. 2-4Previous video above: Valley Junction's untold history now on display Friday, Aug. 30Story Sprouts Story Time at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.Cost: Free Join the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for a fun, interactive story time that explores nature and plants. During each program participants will enjoy stories and an activity based on the week’s theme. Story Sprouts is geared toward children ages two to five. Included with general admission. Indiana Fever game watch, Jethro's BBQ All Stars, 721 Third St. in Des Moines6:30 p.m. FridayWatch former Hawkeye superstar Caitlin Clark play with the Indiana Fever and score your own triple-double: you get a half order of onion rings, a full order of boneless wings and two domestic beers for $22. Saturday, Aug. 31Plant Yoga at Art Terrarium, 520 Euclid Ave., Suite 1019 a.m. to 10 a.m.Cost: $20 per participantJoin Clara, the owner of Zen AF Yoga, as she will guide you through a beginner level class to help gently stretch out your body, Zen your mind, and enjoy the fresh plants around you.All ages are welcome to sign up. Plus enjoy a 15% discount on any plants you purchase after class. Japanese Summer Festival at Franklin Junior High, 4801 Franklin Ave.3 p.m. to 5 p.m.Cost: Free for current and new JASI members, $10 for non-membersThe Japan America Society of Iowa, or JASI, is hosting its annual Summer Festival on Saturday at Franklin Junior High School. Natsumatsuri (夏祭り) is a colorful day of dancing, eating, and playing games for all ages. Join JASI to learn Bon Odori - a traditional Japanese dance! Along with food and prizes, everyone works together to smash a watermelon. Wear your favorite yukata, kimono, cosplay, or summer outfit. RSVP here. Sunday, Sept. 1Family Read Aloud with Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood, 520 Euclid Ave., Suite 10210:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.Cost: FreeJoin a trio of local speech-language pathologists for an interactive & educational storytime with an emphasis on language expansion & family coaching!Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood aims to "cultivate an inclusive and safe environment where kids lead, connection is the most important, and neurodiversity is affirmed. You can bring your little along to simply have a fun storytime experience, or you can use this as an opportunity to connect with qualified professionals who can help you take the first steps to tackle speech language, social communication, or cognitive communication challenges. Des Moines Symphony's Water Works Pops, Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Cost: FreeBring your picnics and blankets and join the Symphony for free, family-friendly performances at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park.On Sunday, you’ll hear symphonic and pop favorites side-by-side in our Dance Away With Me program featuring guest vocalists Scarlett Stratton and Ben Davis. Yung Gravy: The Grits & Gravy Tour with Carter Vail, Vibrant Music Hall2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy, Waukee8 p.m.Cost: Tickets still available range from $53-$114Rapper Yung Gravy brings his Grits & Gravy Tour to Iowa. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.Other eventsTaste of the Junction Multicultural Festival, Valley Junction, West Des MoinesAll weekend. Full schedule here.Celebrate a vibrant community of different cultures in Valley Junction. Tai Village Labor Day Festival, 4200 MLK Jr. ParkwayAll weekend. Full schedule here.Cost: $10 per vehicle with all proceeds going to the non-profit. Cash/card or Venmo payments accepted.Tai Village was established in 2003 by the Tai Dam community to persevere their heritage, and tell their unique story of immigration to Iowa starting in 1975. This non-profit entity is scaling and they have poured a lot of resources into the festival grounds in hopes that it can create a revenue stream to help them make an impact Many central Iowa farmers markets are in full-swing for the season. We've compiled a list of markets around the area. See it here.Looking for live music concerts and other shows? Check our extensive concert list here.We also have a list of comedy shows here.Weekend weatherFriday: Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High around 82F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.Friday night: Partly cloudy skies. Low 59F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.Saturday: Mostly sunny. High 85F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.Saturday night: Mostly clear skies. Low 62F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.Sunday: Sunny. High 78F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Have a weekend event or favorite place to grab a bite on the weekend? Share it with us by emailing web@kcci.com.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Looking for something to do this weekend? Or, want to try out a new place to grab a bite to eat?
Check out these events and activities happening across the metro, Aug. 2-4
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Previous video above: Valley Junction's untold history now on display
Friday, Aug. 30
Story Sprouts Story Time at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for a fun, interactive story time that explores nature and plants. During each program participants will enjoy stories and an activity based on the week’s theme. Story Sprouts is geared toward children ages two to five. Included with general admission.
Indiana Fever game watch, Jethro's BBQ All Stars, 721 Third St. in Des Moines
6:30 p.m. Friday
Watch former Hawkeye superstar Caitlin Clark play with the Indiana Fever and score your own triple-double: you get a half order of onion rings, a full order of boneless wings and two domestic beers for $22.
Indiana Fever schedule: How to watch every Caitlin Clark WNBA game
Saturday, Aug. 31
Plant Yoga at Art Terrarium, 520 Euclid Ave., Suite 101
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Cost: $20 per participant
Join Clara, the owner of Zen AF Yoga, as she will guide you through a beginner level class to help gently stretch out your body, Zen your mind, and enjoy the fresh plants around you.
All ages are welcome to sign up. Plus enjoy a 15% discount on any plants you purchase after class.
Japanese Summer Festival at Franklin Junior High, 4801 Franklin Ave.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free for current and new JASI members, $10 for non-members
The Japan America Society of Iowa, or JASI, is hosting its annual Summer Festival on Saturday at Franklin Junior High School.
Natsumatsuri (夏祭り) is a colorful day of dancing, eating, and playing games for all ages. Join JASI to learn Bon Odori - a traditional Japanese dance! Along with food and prizes, everyone works together to smash a watermelon. Wear your favorite yukata, kimono, cosplay, or summer outfit. RSVP here.
Sunday, Sept. 1
Family Read Aloud with Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood, 520 Euclid Ave., Suite 102
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Cost: Free
Join a trio of local speech-language pathologists for an interactive & educational storytime with an emphasis on language expansion & family coaching!
Des Moines Therapy Neighborhood aims to "cultivate an inclusive and safe environment where kids lead, connection is the most important, and neurodiversity is affirmed. You can bring your little along to simply have a fun storytime experience, or you can use this as an opportunity to connect with qualified professionals who can help you take the first steps to tackle speech language, social communication, or cognitive communication challenges.
Des Moines Symphony's Water Works Pops, Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring your picnics and blankets and join the Symphony for free, family-friendly performances at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park.
On Sunday, you’ll hear symphonic and pop favorites side-by-side in our Dance Away With Me program featuring guest vocalists Scarlett Stratton and Ben Davis.
Yung Gravy: The Grits & Gravy Tour with Carter Vail, Vibrant Music Hall
2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy, Waukee
8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets still available range from $53-$114
Rapper Yung Gravy brings his Grits & Gravy Tour to Iowa. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
A month-by-month concert lineup around Des Moines in 2024
Other events
Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival, Valley Junction, West Des Moines
All weekend. Full schedule here.
Celebrate a vibrant community of different cultures in Valley Junction.
Tai Village Labor Day Festival, 4200 MLK Jr. Parkway
All weekend. Full schedule here.
Cost: $10 per vehicle with all proceeds going to the non-profit. Cash/card or Venmo payments accepted.
Tai Village was established in 2003 by the Tai Dam community to persevere their heritage, and tell their unique story of immigration to Iowa starting in 1975. This non-profit entity is scaling and they have poured a lot of resources into the festival grounds in hopes that it can create a revenue stream to help them make an impact
Many central Iowa farmers markets are in full-swing for the season. We've compiled a list of markets around the area. See it here.
Looking for live music concerts and other shows? Check our extensive concert list here.
We also have a list of comedy shows here.
Weekend weather
Friday: Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High around 82F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday night: Partly cloudy skies. Low 59F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High 85F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Saturday night: Mostly clear skies. Low 62F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny. High 78F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Have a weekend event or favorite place to grab a bite on the weekend? Share it with us by emailing web@kcci.com.
