Events

Late June

The Des Moines Arts Festival is Iowa's premier celebration of the arts. Artists from all over the country will showcase their original artwork at the festival. The Des Moines Arts Festival is Iowa's premier celebration of the arts. Each year the  three-day celebration of the arts, decorates the downtown riverfront with exceptional artwork, entertainment and children's activities. Artists from all over the country will showcase their original artwork at the festival.  Admission free.

Mid-August: 

Iowa State Fair

December

Jolly Holly Light Festival with thousands of lights and animations.

 Arts and Entertainment

Des Moines Art Center

4700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312-2099
515 277 4405
Fax 515 271 0357

Branch at

9th & Walnut Streets
Street level in the Wells Fargo
Financial Building
Accessible by the Wells Fargo skywalk

The Art Center complex is composed of three buildings situated at the entrance to Greenwood Park, an impressive hilltop location for this award-winning design by the internationally known architects, Saarinen, Meier and Pei. It's a fitting structure to house the wonderful collections inside. The works of many famous artists from the 19th and 20th centuries are inspiration for taking one of the many classes offered here from painting to sculpture to photography, papermaking, ceramics and many more. Whether a family workshop or an individual project, there's a great variety to choose from. The Art Center is well known for its neighborhood outreach programs. The Arts after Hours program happens on the first Friday of each month bringing live entertainment to the Art Center. There's also a cash bar and coffee bar. A wide variety of lectures, readings, poetry and films are regularly scheduled at the Center, a gem of culture in the heart of Des Moines.

Des Moines Playhouse & Kate Goldman Children's Theatre
831 42nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515)-277-8019
One of the six oldest continuously operating community theatres in the United States, this wonderful theatre has been in operation since 1919. Its diversity of offerings include The Actors On Tour program, which brings professional performances into the communities' schools. It's an innovative way to enthrall and spark the imagination of all school children; it also provides a discussion group after the performance. The Playhouse offers other in-depth education program for schools and community groups plus a Friday Funday for 4-6 year olds.

Des Moines Symphony
221 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 243-1140
Housed in the Civic Center, the Des Moines Symphony is always engaged. The season brings seven pairs of classical concerts, family concerts, a three concert pop series, an annual Yankee Doodle Pops concert and the annual July 3rd concert. Taking its experience into the educational realm, the symphony presents many in-school ensemble performances.
 

Des Moines Metro Opera
106 W. Boston Ave
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-6221
From its beginnings in 1972, this Opera is proof that the Midwest is hungry for Opera. Sophisticated audiences welcome a diverse selection of contemporary and classic opera. The impressively high subscriber rate assures the Opera a year round operation and has helped it gain worldwide recognition. Over 10,000 opera lovers flood in from across the U.S. and the world for the renowned Summer Festival, which takes place June and July and stages world-class productions.
 

Ingersoll Dinner Theater
3711 Ingersoll Avenue,
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 274-4686
Treat yourself, friends, and family to an exciting night of theater. The Ingersoll Dinner Theater provides fun for all ages by producing Broadway musicals, rib-tickling comedies, suspenseful murder-mysteries, musical guest artists, and the Ingersoll Children's Theater. At the Ingersoll Dinner Theater, you and your friends will enjoy an award-winning four entree buffet, followed by a night of entertainment!