Des Moines, IA, United States

Free events in Des Moines

Find upcoming in-person events in Des Moines explicitly listed as free. Check the date, venue and registration instructions before going: free admission can still require an RSVP, and food, materials or optional activities may cost extra.

Unknown prices and listings with a conflicting paid price are excluded. This is a selection from tracked sources, not every free activity in the city.

20 upcoming listings

Listed as free
Kramp-ish Christmas
Mon, Nov 16 · 11:00 a.m. CST
Hessen Haus · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Discover Ways to Strengthen Wildlife Habitat Conservation in Ag. Landscapes, with Dr. Adam Janke
Tue, Nov 17 · 5:00 p.m. CST
The Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Headshot Day Fall 2026
Fri, Nov 20 · 9:00 a.m. CST
Old Main · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Drake University
Listed as free
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market
Fri, Nov 20 · 10:00 a.m. CST
Downtown Capital Square · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Holiday Anime & Game Art & Cosplay Expo: Free Wichita Event
Fri, Nov 20 · 5:00 p.m. CST
Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
The Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase
Fri, Nov 20 · 8:00 p.m. CST
Beechwood Lounge · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Youth Mental Health Symposium
Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 a.m. CST
United Way Conference Room · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Conserve Iowa's Future: Screening, Panel, Reception
Sun, Nov 22 · 4:00 p.m. CST
Drake · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Luma
Listed as free
Des Moines Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026
Wed, Nov 25 · 7:00 p.m. CST
Downtown Des Moines · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
FIRST ANNUAL ALL BLACK AFFAIR
Sat, Nov 28 · 2:00 a.m. CST
2503 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Always Ready: Getting Ready
Tue, Dec 1 · 3:00 p.m. CST
The Iowa Center · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Unveil: Presented by the Museum Shop
Wed, Dec 2 · 5:00 p.m. CST
Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Des Moines Art Center
Listed as free
Umeri Alumni Choir Concert
Fri, Dec 4 · 7:30 p.m. CST
St. Ambrose Cathedral · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Drake University
Listed as free
Lightedge Holiday Party - Des Moines
Tue, Dec 8 · 5:30 p.m. CST
Allora Cafe · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Open Books: The Role of Art on Mental Health
Thu, Dec 10 · 4:30 p.m. CST
Mainframe Studios · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Social Saturday: Make Believe
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 a.m. CST
Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Des Moines Art Center
Listed as free
A First Look at the New DSM | Employee Friends & Family Day
Sun, Dec 13 · 11:00 a.m. CST
5600 Fleur Dr · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
THE DES MOINES REDEMPTION MUSIC AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 a.m. CST
2875 University Ave · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
The Christmas Bar Crawl - Des Moines
Sat, Dec 19 · 4:00 p.m. CST
Hessen Haus · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Eventbrite
Listed as free
The Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase
Sun, Dec 20 · 8:00 p.m. CST
Beechwood Lounge · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents

Before you head out

Confirm that the free admission applies to your date, age group and activity.
Complete any required registration; saving an event does not reserve a place.
Check the original listing for changes, accessibility details and anything you need to bring.

How to find free events and check what is included →

Des Moines, IA, United States

Free events in Des Moines

Unknown prices and listings with a conflicting paid price are excluded. This is a selection from tracked sources, not every free activity in the city.

20 upcoming listings

Listed as free
Kramp-ish Christmas
Mon, Nov 16 · 11:00 a.m. CST
Hessen Haus · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Discover Ways to Strengthen Wildlife Habitat Conservation in Ag. Landscapes, with Dr. Adam Janke
Tue, Nov 17 · 5:00 p.m. CST
The Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Headshot Day Fall 2026
Fri, Nov 20 · 9:00 a.m. CST
Old Main · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Drake University
Listed as free
Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market
Fri, Nov 20 · 10:00 a.m. CST
Downtown Capital Square · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Holiday Anime & Game Art & Cosplay Expo: Free Wichita Event
Fri, Nov 20 · 5:00 p.m. CST
Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
The Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase
Fri, Nov 20 · 8:00 p.m. CST
Beechwood Lounge · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Youth Mental Health Symposium
Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 a.m. CST
United Way Conference Room · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Conserve Iowa's Future: Screening, Panel, Reception
Sun, Nov 22 · 4:00 p.m. CST
Drake · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Luma
Listed as free
Des Moines Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026
Wed, Nov 25 · 7:00 p.m. CST
Downtown Des Moines · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
FIRST ANNUAL ALL BLACK AFFAIR
Sat, Nov 28 · 2:00 a.m. CST
2503 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Always Ready: Getting Ready
Tue, Dec 1 · 3:00 p.m. CST
The Iowa Center · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Unveil: Presented by the Museum Shop
Wed, Dec 2 · 5:00 p.m. CST
Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Des Moines Art Center
Listed as free
Umeri Alumni Choir Concert
Fri, Dec 4 · 7:30 p.m. CST
St. Ambrose Cathedral · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Drake University
Listed as free
Lightedge Holiday Party - Des Moines
Tue, Dec 8 · 5:30 p.m. CST
Allora Cafe · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Open Books: The Role of Art on Mental Health
Thu, Dec 10 · 4:30 p.m. CST
Mainframe Studios · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
Social Saturday: Make Believe
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 a.m. CST
Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Des Moines Art Center
Listed as free
A First Look at the New DSM | Employee Friends & Family Day
Sun, Dec 13 · 11:00 a.m. CST
5600 Fleur Dr · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
THE DES MOINES REDEMPTION MUSIC AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 a.m. CST
2875 University Ave · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents
Listed as free
The Christmas Bar Crawl - Des Moines
Sat, Dec 19 · 4:00 p.m. CST
Hessen Haus · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: Eventbrite
Listed as free
The Bomb Shelter Comedy Showcase
Sun, Dec 20 · 8:00 p.m. CST
Beechwood Lounge · Des Moines
Details and registration Source: AllEvents

Before you head out

Confirm that the free admission applies to your date, age group and activity.
Complete any required registration; saving an event does not reserve a place.
Check the original listing for changes, accessibility details and anything you need to bring.

How to find free events and check what is included →