Special Events
Des Moines Parks and Recreation provides a variety of special events that allow community members to participate in safe and organized leisure activities in an outdoor setting, recreation center or other locations throughout Des Moines. Most of these events have a minimal cost or are free.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Take a peek at the events below and discover ways to get involved!
Can't seem to find what you're looking for? Email events@dmgov.org.
Special Events
In response to recent guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and in our continued effort to keep patrons and staff safe, Des Moines Parks and Recreation will close facilities and cancel/postpone events through May 11, including Trivia Night.
For more information please call 515-237-1386 or send an email to events@dmgov.org.
For more information please call 515-237-1386 or send an email to events@dmgov.org.
Date and Location:
- February 1, 2020: Science Center of Iowa - 401 W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Cost: $10 per person
Who: Parents, relatives, guardians and/or role models are welcome to attend with their children.
Don’t miss out on this memorable opportunity at our annual Father Daughter Dance, sponsored by the Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Boesen The Florist. Dads are invited to bring their daughter(s) to our annual Father Daughter Dance. This event provides an evening of dancing, refreshments, photo opportunities, ASAP art project and exhibits. A carnation flower will be given to all daughters and a chocolate fondue station with dipping options will be available for everyone to enjoy.
Thank you for participating!
Date and Location:
- March 7, 2020: Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center - 2100 SE 5th Street
Cost: $10 per person
Who: Parents, relatives, guardians and/or role models are welcome to attend with their children.
Enjoy live animals from the Blank Park Zoo, compete on our inflatable obstacle course, enjoy a live magician, make a special take home project for mom with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, get your face painted, meet members of the Des Moines Police Department, say hi to the K-9 unit dog, tour a fire truck with the Des Moines Fire Department, test your sports skills and play laser tag. This event provides an evening of Mother and Son bonding experiences through interactive play. When you run out of fuel, grab a slice of pizza and a drink to get ready for more action!
Thank you for participating!
For event page and more details, visit Mayor's Annual Ride and Run.
In response to recent guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and in our continued effort to keep patrons and staff safe, Des Moines Parks and Recreation will close facilities and cancel events through May 11, including the Mayor's Annual Ride and Run.
For more information please call 515-237-1386 or send an email to events@dmgov.org.
In response to recent guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and in our continued effort to keep patrons and staff safe, Des Moines Parks and Recreation will close facilities and cancel events through May 11, including the Mayor's Annual Ride and Run.
For more information please call 515-237-1386 or send an email to events@dmgov.org.
In response to recent guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and in our continued effort to keep patrons and staff safe, Des Moines Parks and Recreation will close facilities and cancel events through May 11, which includes Youth Music Showcase.
For the 2020 Free Flicks schedule, visit Free Flicks!
Time: Sundown | Approximately 9:15 p.m.
Cost: Free for patrons
Free Flicks is a summer-long series of outdoor movies in neighborhood parks. The films will be shown on a 25-foot portable screen and begin after sunset. Admission is free for all. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. People are welcome to bring their own snacks as concessions will not be available for purchase. Neighborhood Association sponsor the Free Flick events in their park on Thursday nights.
No registration required.
Date and Location:
- June 15 - 18 & 22 - 25, 2020: Hoover High School - 4800 Aurora Avenue
- Hip Hop from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Rock from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 11 - 15 year olds
Who: Musicians 18 years of age or younger
Des Moines Park and Recreation and Des Moines Music Coalition collaborate to offer this camp. Choose Hip Hop or Rock Camp. Our talented teachers offer a hands-on setting, camp staff will lead students to form bands, learn songs, rehearse a program and put on a LIVE rock show! Performance is Thursday, June 25 at 6 p.m.
Registration starts: April 1, 2020
Register at dmparks.org (button above)
Date and Location:
- Saturday, August 1, 2020: Des Moines Police Station - 25 E 1st Street
Cost: Free
Bike Back to School is presented in partnership by the Des Moines Police Department, Des Moines Street Collective and Des Moines Parks and Recreation. Free bikes provided to the first 75 children (based on qualifications for free and reduced school lunch). Helmets, locks and safety lessons will also be provided.
Dates and Locations:
- Wednesdays in September 2020 (2, 9, 16, 23 and 30): Nature Trails in Des Moines Park System
Cost: Free
Runners of all levels explore nature trails in our park system, guided by volunteers from Fleet Feet Sports and Capital Striders. Each Wednesday in September at 6 p.m. (specific locations TBD), participants are invited to join the three or six mile guided runs. In the event trail conditions are not ideal, runs will be on paved surfaces.
Date and Location:
Cost: Free for activities | $10 per participant for Trikathalon
A fun filled day is planned for the whole family! Activities are open to play from 1 - 4 p.m. and include inflatable obstacle course, slide and bounce house, DJ, face painter, Police SWAT vehicle and K-9 dog, fire truck, the Rocket Slide and Heritage Carousel (rides = 50¢/person).
The Trikathalon is designed for youth aged 8 year olds or younger! Ride, run, splash! Register online. The cost is $10 to participate.
At 2 and 3 p.m. watch or participate in our Food Eating Contest! Participants can only enter one competition. This will be more about speed and accuracy over volume… but the quantity of food will still have an impressive vibe. Each competition will be six minutes in length with the person finishing all food placed in front of them first or consuming the most amount of that food in the time allotted will be declared the winner. The winning participant will be awarded a generous prize pack for their efforts. Participants will be contacted the week of the event to ensure their spot in their selected event. Interested contestants can register online prior to the event.
- Saturday, September 26, 2020: Union Park - 2009 Saylor Road
Cost: Free for activities | $10 per participant for Trikathalon
A fun filled day is planned for the whole family! Activities are open to play from 1 - 4 p.m. and include inflatable obstacle course, slide and bounce house, DJ, face painter, Police SWAT vehicle and K-9 dog, fire truck, the Rocket Slide and Heritage Carousel (rides = 50¢/person).
The Trikathalon is designed for youth aged 8 year olds or younger! Ride, run, splash! Register online. The cost is $10 to participate.
At 2 and 3 p.m. watch or participate in our Food Eating Contest! Participants can only enter one competition. This will be more about speed and accuracy over volume… but the quantity of food will still have an impressive vibe. Each competition will be six minutes in length with the person finishing all food placed in front of them first or consuming the most amount of that food in the time allotted will be declared the winner. The winning participant will be awarded a generous prize pack for their efforts. Participants will be contacted the week of the event to ensure their spot in their selected event. Interested contestants can register online prior to the event.
Date and Location:
- Date TBD: Fourmile Community Recreation Center
- Date TBD: Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center
Cost: Free | Pre-registration is required
Who: Ages 14 & under (and family members)
Registration starts November 1
- Call 248-6315 to register for the Fourmile event
- Call 248-6316 to register for the Pioneer event
