Entertainment
18 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Halloween festivities, Brad Williams
Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, 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, Black-owned businesses, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants.
Night Eyes
Thursday night: Celebrate the Halloween season by wandering through lighted displays, going on a treat safari, or listening to live entertainment during Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo, 7401 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines. The event from 5:30 to 9 p.m. runs Friday and Saturday as well with tickets starting at $6 for members and $10 for nonmembers.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Thursday night: Listen to the scariest sounds of Halloween during Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust St., Des Moines, during two sessions at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. The night includes “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, the theme from “Beetlejuice” by Danny Elfman, “The Addams Family” theme from Vic Mizzy, John Carpenter’s “Halloween” theme, and the prelude from “Psycho” from Bernard Herrmann, all performed by the Listeso String Quartet. Tickets start at $37.
Family Halloween
Friday night: Bring the kids for a traipse through the town at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, during the Family Halloween. From 5 to 8 p.m., families can trick-or-treat at storefronts in the 1876 town of Walnut Hill, listen to storytellers in the Gothic church, have a fortune told in the Millinery, play games and do crafts in the 150-year-old barn, or watch demonstrations at the Print Shop, Drug Store, and Blacksmith. Tickets are $9 for ages 2 and older, or $8 for members. Recurs on Saturday and Sunday as well.
Jack-O’-Lantern World 5K
Friday night: Run through a course that starts through two towers of jack-o’-lanterns during the Jack-O’-Lantern World 5K at Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines. Find 15-foot inflatables along the route and decorated pumpkins lining the chute for the finish line. Get Halloween candy and pumpkin doughnuts at the end. Prices start at $39.99 for the 7 p.m. race.
Brad Williams
Friday night: Comedian Brad Williams has four specials from “Fun Size to “The Degenerates,” that ran on Showtime and Netflix, and appeared on shows including FX’s “Legit,” “Sam and Cat,” “Mind of Mencia,” “Pitboss,” a recurring role on the Hulu original show “Deadbeat,” and most recently “Reno 911: It’s A Wonderful Heist.” He takes the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $29.50.
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‘Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors’
Friday night: A mysterious new client decided to fall for Jonathan Harker’s fiancé, Lucy. He also happens to be a vampire. “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” brings a slapstick version of the vampire thriller by Bram Stoker complete with holy water, garlic wreaths and crucifixes. The show takes the stage at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, at 7:30 p.m., but check it out on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Nov. 3. Tickets start at $29.
‘Things That Go Bump & Grind in The Night’
Friday night: A burlesque show with Halloween themes takes over the Garden, 525 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, during “Things That Go Bump & Grind in the Night.” The venue promises “a cast of bewitching performers … with ghostly glamour, haunting choreography, and a dash of wicked whimsy.” Tickets start at $15 for this 8 p.m. show.
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Trick or Trees
Saturday morning: Take the kids trick-or-treating among spooky botanicals and trees during Trick or Trees at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines. Costumes are encouraged for this event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that costs $13 for those age 13 and older, $9 for children, $11 for seniors 65 and older, and free for ages 1 and under
LongShots 3×3 Basketball Tournament and Community Celebration
Saturday morning: Stop by Evelyn K. Davis Park, 1400 Forest Ave., Des Moines, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the fifth annual LongShots 3×3 Basketball Tournament and Community Celebration for what the B.WELL Foundation calls “a day filled with competition, art, music, and opportunities to give back without financial obligation.” Look for a basketball 3×3 tournament featuring Des Moines high school teams, a halftime with student athletes from Special Olympics and elementary basketball, a community art project led by local artist Siricasso, food from local vendors, including Steib’s Bayou, Joppa Experience, and Happy Home Coffee, and more.
Des Moines Whiskey Fest
Saturday afternoon: An afternoon of whiskey tastings await during the Des Moines Whiskey Fest from noon to 6 p.m. at the Horizon Events Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive. Look for tastings, live music, food pairings, master classes with whiskey experts, games, merch and more. Tickets range from $25 to $150.
The Official 7th Annual Des Moines Halloween Bar Crawl
Saturday evening: Spend your afternoon into evening on the Official 7th Annual Des Moines Halloween Bar Crawl that starts at 4 p.m. at Hessen Haus, 101 S.W. Fourth St., Des Moines. For $10, those ages 21 and older can get two to three drinks included with a ticket, pay no cover, and attend an after-party. The event includes a costume contest with $1,000 in prizes, custom stadium cups, keychain lanyards with bottle openers, and drink and food specials.
More: Where to find the essential bars that offer elevated cocktails in the Des Moines metro
Ghoul’s Night Out
Saturday night: Wander through the streets of the East Village for Ghoul’s Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Stores will offer drinks, treats, shopping and more. Costumes encouraged.
More: Spend the perfect day in Des Moines’ East Village with restaurants, bars and shopping
Trick or Treat
Saturday night: Stop by the Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Drive, Altoona, for trick-or-treating at the stores from 5 to 7 p.m. Children can visit retailers marked with orange bows for trick-or-treating. From 6 to 8 p.m., stick around to see a free showing of “Hotel Transylvania” near the food pavilion. The shopping center encourages participants to bring a canned food item for donation to Caring Hands Outreach Center.
The Papul Lichty Jazz Orchestra
Saturday night: Try something different for Halloween with The Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra when the group visits Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines. The 7 p.m. show is led by Paul Lichty, a trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator in Des Moines. The 18-piece big band performs his compositions and arrangements exclusively. Tickets start at $19.
More: Escape rooms and ax throwing: Des Moines date ideas for couples beyond restaurants or a drink
Lewis Plays Brahms with Geneva Lewis
Saturday night: Take a break from all of the pre-Halloween festivities to see the Des Moines Symphony perform Brahms with Geneva Lewis at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. Tickets range from $20 to $80 for the 7:30 p.m. show that takes the stage again Sunday at 2:30 p.m. This marks the debut in Des Moines for the New Zealand-born violinist. She’ll play Brahms’ “Violin Concerto.” “Still’s Serenade” opens the show. The orchestra also performs Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 5.”
Dia de los Muertos
Sunday morning: Get a head start on Dia de los Muertos celebrations at Jester Park, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The free event delves into the history of the tradition, explores nature connections, and includes themed crafts and activities. Register by Oct. 25 online.
Day of the Dead
Sunday morning: The Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, has its own Dia de los Muertos celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with hands-on art activities, food, music, a Catrina costume contest, and an ofrenda (altar) designed by young artists from Al Éxito with the guidance of artists Siricasso and Dawn Martinez Oropeza.
More: Siriaco Garcia overcomes a rough youth to become emerging star of central Iowa art world
Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame
Sunday night: Cap off the weekend with the Des Moines Jazz Hall of Fame ceremony at Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, at 5 p.m. with a reception and dinner. The awards ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and includes performances from this year’s winners as well as past Hall of Fame winners and special guests. Tickets run $25 at the door. Food and drinks will be available for an additional charge. Proceeds from this event fund the Community Jazz Center’s youth activities.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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