Area events
Email your event information to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com
Juneteenth Neighbor's Day Celebration
Saturday, June 20, noon to 6 p.m.
Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Everyone is invited to the free Neighbor’s Day Celebration. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, the entire family and friends for a day of live music, great food, small business shopping, health connections and community resources. A children’s play area full of fun activities will be featured. For more information, visit www.iowajuneteenth.org/neighbors-day.html.
Art on The Avenues
June 21-26
The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand
Art on The Avenues, a weeklong celebration of local art, creativity and community returns June 21-26 to The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand. This event transforms the Ingersoll and Grand Avenue corridor and the surrounding neighborhoods into vibrant spaces showcasing the talents of local artists through interactive events, performances and culinary collaborations.
All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
- Sunday, June 21 – Inger-Solstice at the Woodland Realm: Mark the Summer Solstice from 1-4 p.m. at the Woodland Realm (24th and High Streets) with family-friendly activities, food and music in an urban garden setting. This event is supported by InvestDSM.
- Monday, June 22 – Rumble Walls: This live, high-energy improvised paint battle brings artists together, puts 90 minutes on the clock and lets the crowd decide the winner. The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Vogue Vision (2405 Ingersoll) parking lot and will also include a dedication of the new mural “History Has Eyes On You” by Mollie Wallace. This event is supported by InvestDSM.
- Tuesday, June 23 – Art is Rad! Art Night: You don’t need to be an artist to make rad art. Come make a free coaster craft and enjoy a treat from 3-5 p.m. on the Palmer’s Deli patio (2843 Ingersoll) with Art is Rad.
- Tuesday, June 23 – Sidewalk Tunes on the City Sounds piano: Enjoy a live piano performance by local musician Tony Bohnenkamp from 5-7 p.m. in front of Ted’s Coney Island (3020 Ingersoll).
- Wednesday, June 24 – Mural Celebration at Star Lofts: Celebrate the corridor’s newest mural project “Nothing But Flowers" by Cat Rocketship and Dani Awesome from 5-7 p.m. at Star Lofts (2701 Ingersoll) with a special sidewalk chalk activity, remarks from the artists and refreshments.
- Thursday, June 25 – Stamp It! with the Des Moines Art Center: Join a free, family-friendly crafting event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Chamberlain Park (2134 Woodland Ave.). Create your own nature-inspired postcards using blank postcards, stamps, ink and natural materials gathered from the world around us.
- Thursday, June 25 – DART Art Shelter Ribbon Cutting: Welcome the newest art bus shelters to the corridor with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m., remarks from artist Karen Strohbeen at the shelter located at 2510 Ingersoll and reception to follow at Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design (2921 Ingersoll).
- All Week Long – A Feast For Your Eyes: Experience a fusion of culinary and visual arts as local chefs, baristas and mixologists partner with artists to create art-inspired menu items for purchase at various Ingersoll bars and restaurants. This event is made possible by Elevator.
In addition to the events listed above, attendees are encouraged to visit the corridor’s other cultural venues including the Des Moines Art Center, The Ingersoll, Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design and Moberg Gallery.
For more information and the latest updates, visit: www.theavenuesdsm.com/art-on-the-avenues-2026/.
CITYVIEW’s Summer Stirs
- Friday, June 26, Downtown Des Moines
- Friday, July 31, Des Moines East Village
CITYVIEW’s traveling cocktail parties return in 2026. For $25 advance ticket, sample 10 summer cocktails at downtown bars and restaurants. Cost is $35 at the door. For information and tickets, visit https://summerstirs.dmcityview.com.
Music Under The Stars
Various dates and locations
This summer, Iowa's professional musicians perform a series of free, outdoor concerts at Water Works Park and Jasper Winery at 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings.
- June 21 – Summer Songs: Andy Classen, trumpet. Napoleon Douglas, guest vocalist. Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, 7 p.m.
- June 28 – Heartland Horizons: James Romain, saxophone. Tina Haase-Findlay, guest vocalist. Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, 7 p.m.
- July 5 – Stars, Stripes, and Celebration: Dana Slater, clarinet. Marisa Cravero, guest vocalist. Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, 7 p.m.
- July 12 – Bourbon Street Parade: NOLA Jazz Band with Abbie Sawyer. Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, 7 p.m., Killinger Community Series.
RSVP on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MusicUnderTheStarsIowa/events. Learn more at: www.musicunderthestars.org. |
