Take your family to Raccoon River Park or a covered bridges fest this weekend in Des Moines

Paris Barraza, Des Moines Register
Updated ·5 min read
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While Beggars' Night and Halloween are still over two weeks away, there's plenty to do to get in the spirit for all ages. The Reiman Gardens in Ames welcomes visitors to see their display of more than 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns starting Friday night. Additional light displays, candy and hot chocolate perfect for little ones will be available on Saturday and Sunday night. The seasonal fun continues with horror movie shorts at Fleur Cinema & Cafe and a Halloween bash at Blank Park Zoo Friday night. Families can visit Winterset for a celebration of Madison County's iconic covered bridges with live music, food and plenty of activities all day Saturday and Sunday, or visit the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens in Madrid to see the fall season through fauna.

Kick off your weekend with a Grammy-winning country artist

Ricky Skaggs performs during the Tribute to Ronnie Milsap concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.
Ricky Skaggs performs during the Tribute to Ronnie Milsap concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

Thursday night: Grammy-winner and respected country musician Ricky Skaggs is performing at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines. Skaggs is a Country Music Hall of Famer behind hits like “Don’t Get Above Your Raising” and “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could.” The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30.

Take your kids for a stroll through a stunning display of jack-o'-lanterns

Hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns are on display at the Reiman Gardens.
Hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns are on display at the Reiman Gardens.

Friday night: Travel to the Reiman Gardens at 1407 University Blvd. in Ames for Spirits in the Gardens, to see more than 1,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns. The sneak peek to the pumpkin display is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, or visit Saturday or Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. for the full experience, complete with additional light displays, candy and hot chocolate for sale. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for children under 2.

Visit Valley Junction for an evening of art

Customers sit in booths with large windows overlooking Fifth Street in Valley Junction at Bix & Co.
Customers sit in booths with large windows overlooking Fifth Street in Valley Junction at Bix & Co.

Friday night: Historic Valley Junction hosts its fall gallery night, where galleries up and down Fifth Street in West Des Moines will showcase original art. See jewelry, glass, furniture and more, and catch a bite at Valley Junctions' many eateries, including The Tavern Pizza, sports bar Bix & Co., G. Mig's 5th St. Pub, or American fare from Mitzi’s. The fall gallery night is from 5 to 8 p.m. and is free to attend.

Go adult trick-or-treating at the zoo

Friday night: Adults 21 and older can visit Blank Park Zoo, 7401 S.W. Ninth St. in Des Moines, for the Halloween Zoo Brew. Dress in your best costumes for a chance at winning in a costume contest and take a ride on a haunted train ride, or see light displays throughout the zoo and go trick-or-treating and sample drinks from local breweries. Halloween Zoo Brew runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10.

Sleep with the lights on after a horror flick marathon

Fleur Cinema & Cafe hosts the 48 Hour Horror Film Project.
Fleur Cinema & Cafe hosts the 48 Hour Horror Film Project.

Friday night: The 48 Hour Horror Film Project Des Moines is coming to Fleur Cinema for a Friday the 13th movie night. See horror short films made earlier this month, and vote for your favorite flicks to help crown winners announced on Oct. 27. Showtimes include 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Fleur Cinema & Cafe is located at 4545 Fleur Drive in Des Moines. Tickets are $15.

Visit a new exhibit all about Iowa

The interior of the State Historical Building of Iowa at 600 E. Locust St. in Des Moines just underwent a renovation.
The interior of the State Historical Building of Iowa at 600 E. Locust St. in Des Moines just underwent a renovation.

Saturday morning: A new exhibit called “Civics in Action” that focuses on caucuses to court cases that shaped Iowa history debuts at the State Historical Building of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. The building fully reopens after more than five years of renovations with new hours and the exhibit on Iowa history. The State Historical Building is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the museum is free.

See fall in all its golden glory on a tour

Saturday morning: Go on a walking tour of trees and perennials that show off just how beautiful the fall season is at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Ave. in Madrid. Guests will be joined by David McKinney, curator of collections and grounds, on the mile-long walk. The tour is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 for nonmembers.

Take your family to these famous Iowa bridges

Saturday morning: The Madison County Covered Bridges Festival returns with a parade, live music, a farmers market and of course, tours of the iconic bridges. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit the Madison County Courthouse Square, 112 N. John Wayne Drive in Winterset, to catch art vendors and makers, food trucks and performances. Other activities include a Civil War reenactment at the Madison County Historical Complex, a car show and parade held on Sunday. Admission is $3 and free for children under 11.

Cheer on a cardboard boat race at a family-friendly event

Raccoon River Rally returns for its third year at Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines, on Oct. 14, 2023.
Raccoon River Rally returns for its third year at Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines, on Oct. 14, 2023.

Saturday afternoon: Take your family out to West Des Moines third annual Raccoon River Rally at Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines. Enjoy live music with country acts Joshua Sinclair and Eli Alger and the Fast Horses, catch drinks and food with food trucks on site, let your children play in the kids’ fun zone and see people take part in the cardboard boat races at 1:30 p.m. Raccoon River Rally is free to attend and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Become the ‘Dancing Queen’ with the Des Moines Symphony

Thousands pack the the State Capitol Grounds for the Des Moines Symphony's 29th Annual Yankee Doodle Pops, Monday, July 3, 2023.
Thousands pack the the State Capitol Grounds for the Des Moines Symphony's 29th Annual Yankee Doodle Pops, Monday, July 3, 2023.

Saturday night: The Des Moines Symphony presents “Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA” at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines. Celebrate ABBA’s numerous hits all evening, from “Mamma Mia” to “Waterloo,” starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40.

More: The 33 essential restaurants of Des Moines

Catch an ‘American Idol’ winner perform

Phillip Phillips heads to the East Village for a show.
Phillip Phillips heads to the East Village for a show.

Sunday night: “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips’ is coming to Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. His catchy song “Home” peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100, staying on the charts for a total of 40 weeks. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50.

More: Here are 16 of the best restaurants in Des Moines' East Village

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include 'American Idol' singer