Entertainment
12 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Oktoberfest, GalaxyCon, the symphony
If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we’ve written about where Clown from Slipknot dines in Des Moines, former Datebook Diner Wini Moranville’s new book, karaoke bars, where to go thrifting, where to buy crafts, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants. If you sign up for our newsletter, you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.
Dashboard Confessional
Wednesday night: Val-Air Ballroom owner Sam Summers took a date to see Dashboard Confessional at the venue years ago. Now he owns the place. The band returns to 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, to see the band behind “Vindicated,” “Screaming Infidelities,” and “Hands On” with Boys Like Girls and Taylor Acorn opening. Tickets start at $52.50 for the 6:30 p.m. show.
Bread & Puppet Theater
Wednesday evening: The Bread & Puppet Theater brings its circus to Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, at Lauridsen Amphitheater for “The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus.” The 7 p.m. show combines the best of the circus with issues of the day through stilt dancers, paper maché beasts of all sizes and a brass band. Stick around after for the circus’ famous sourdough rye bread with aioli and “cheap art” — books, posters, postcards, pamphlets and more. Tickets range from $10 to $25, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
More: Rock climbing, boat races, wildlife and more kid-friendly adventures in Des Moines
Des Moines Storytellers Open Mic
Thursday night: Stop by an open-mic night with the Des Moines Storytellers when it comes to The Slow Down Coffee Co. at 3613 Sixth Ave., Des Moines. Anyone is invited to tell a three- to five-minute story that captures the joy, exhaustion, hurt, and expansion of the human experience from 6 to 8 p.m. at this free event.
More: Where to shop, eat and drink coffee in the Highland Park neighborhood in Des Moines
GalaxyCon
Friday afternoon: GalaxyCon presents Animate! & Nightmare Weekend at the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines, through Sunday. The event includes three days of anime, animation, cosplay, and more with entertainment, Q&As, video and tabletop gaming, panels, and costume contests. The Nightmare Weekend Des Moines includes three days of celebrities, petrifying parties, villainous vendors, ghastly gaming, creepy cosplay contests, and fearful fun. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Single-day tickets start at $40.
More: The 27 essential restaurants in the Des Moines metro: 2024 edition
Oktoberfest 2024
Friday afternoon: Stop by Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, for Oktoberfest from 3 p.m. to midnight. The event on Friday and Saturday includes a German-style celebration with Bavarian beers, ‘kraut and more.
‘Voix de Ville — A Modern Vaudeville Cabaret’
Friday night: Max Wellman and the crew at Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, perform their new “Voix de Ville — A Modern Vaudeville Cabaret” during a 7 p.m. show that features original music and new arrangements from the 1920s to the 2020s. Look for a jazz orchestra under the direction of Jason Danielson alongside drag and ballet professionals. This initial run will feature performances by Wellman along with Napoleon Douglas, dancers Amelia and Logan Hillman, drag queens Tyona Diamond and Domita Sanchez, and more. Tickets start at $25.
‘Jersey Boys’
Friday night: “Oh, What a Night!” Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons went from a corner du-wop group to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” follows the group’s 40-year friendship with a collection of hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and many more played along the way. See it at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, at 7:30 p.m., with shows through Sept. 29. Tickets start at $29.
Phantom Fall Fest
Saturday afternoon: Spooky season gets started with Phantom Fall Fest taking over Adventureland Park, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona. Fans can jump on rides, then keep the scares going at four haunted houses. Prices start at $29.99 and up. Gates open from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m., and then on various dates through Oct. 27. See the full schedule online.
More: Six apple orchards to visit this fall near the Des Moines metro
Oktoberfest
Saturday afternoon: Prost! Hessen Haus, 101 S.W. Fourth St., Des Moines, celebrates 20 years of Oktoberfest with traditional German fare, bier, giveaways, specials and more. Stop by starting at 11 a.m. through Oct. 6. Hear live music from 6 to 8 p.m. with Fritz Schnitzel’s Walkabout Polkas.
More: Escape rooms and ax throwing: Des Moines date ideas for couples beyond restaurants or a drink
Sherman Hill walking tour of homes
Saturday afternoon: The 2024 Sherman Hill Association brings Doors to the Past, A Walking Tour of Homes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The tour starts at the Hoyt Sherman Place box office at 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. The guided tour showcases the history and architecture of about 15 homes, gardens and buildings. Tickets start at $15.
More: Your guide to 20 Des Moines metro breweries, taprooms and their craft beers
Des Moines Symphony season debut: ‘The Emperor’
Saturday night: The Des Moines Symphony kicks off its new season at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, with a 7:30 p.m. show. Kevin Day’s “Lightspeed” kicks off the concert, followed by Beethoven’s “Emperor Piano Concerto” featuring renowned Russian pianist Olga Kern. Bruckner’s majestic “Symphony No. 7” caps off the show. Tickets start at $20. See it Sunday at 2:30 p.m. as well.
More: These are some of the biggest concerts near Des Moines in 2024, from Slipknot to Alabama
Second Annual Banned Books Fair
Sunday afternoon: Beaverdale Books offers an afternoon of banned books from noon to 4 p.m. at the Franklin Event Center, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines, inside Franklin Junior High. The event includes story time for the kids and children’s books at a pop-up store, as well intel on the status of Senate File 496 and multiple lawsuits at a panel discussion with educators, attorneys, and advocates. The afternoon also includes a free showing of “Banned Together,” which features three young activists. Of course, a collection of banned books will be available for purchase.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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