Category: Entertainment

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Everything You Need to Know About the Des Moines Art Festival 2025

The Des Moines Art Festival is one of the Midwest’s premier arts and culture events, and The Des Moines Art Festival is one of the Midwest’s premier arts and culture events, and it’s returning to downtown Des Moines from June 27–29, 2025. This award-winning festival celebrates creativity with world-class visual arts, live music, interactive experiences, and more. Whether you’re a lifelong art lover or just looking for a vibrant summer event, the Des Moines Art Festival is a must-visit!

What Is the Des Moines Art Festival?

Held annually in Western Gateway Park, the Des Moines Art Festival showcases work from 195 nationally recognized artists. The festival is a juried event, meaning only the best of the best are selected to display their paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, and jewelry. Set against the backdrop of landmarks like the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the Krause Gateway Center, the festival offers a truly inspiring setting for art enthusiasts.

Activities at the Des Moines Art Festival

There’s more to the Des Moines Art Festival than just incredible art! The festival features:

  • Live music on the Main Stage
  • Interactive art activities for kids and families
  • The Interrobang Film Festival, showcasing short films and documentaries
  • A wide variety of local food trucks and beverage gardens

With something for every age and interest, it’s easy to see why the Des Moines Art Festival attracts over 200,000 visitors every year.

Sustainability and Community Focus

The Des Moines Art Festival is committed to being a sustainable event. Through its Green Arts Program and partnerships with local organizations, the festival actively reduces its environmental impact. It’s a true community event that brings together local businesses, volunteers, and artists to create a positive, lasting impact on Des Moines.

Plan Your Visit

Admission to the Des Moines Art Festival is completely free! To make the most of your visit, check out the full schedule, parking information, and artist lineup at the official website: Des Moines Art Festival.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable way to experience the best of art, music, and community spirit, don’t miss the Des Moines Art Festival 2025. Bring your family, your friends, and your love for creativity to this iconic Des Moines event!

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Why Shop Local? A Des Moines Take.

Since 2018, I have come to realize the importance of shopping locally. Whenever I spend my money at a local business or an owned business. One of my articles focuses on local bookstores(shout out to The Little Book and Beaverdale Books). I don’t think I should be the only one passionate about this, so I wanted to share with you three reasons why you should also care about shopping locally versus big corporations. This is all my opinion, but I believe there are very good reasons.

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You are Keeping Money in the Community

Keeping money in the community is good because it creates jobs. Not only that, but many local businesses also support other smaller companies in their own endeavors. I know The Slow Down Coffee Co. sources its puzzles from local artists. They host smaller businesses, such as Chain & Spoke, which hosted DSM Flea as one of their monthly events.

You are Supporting a Dream

Many of the local businesses aren’t millionaires but normal people like you and me. A 9-5 can be great. However, it is not for everyone. A lot of creatives want to work, but not in a traditional sense. When you shop local, you are supporting them and helping them make a living from their craft. Not only are you supporting the owners, but also the people who work for them. According to Hombase, workers at small businesses tend to like their jobs more than those at large companies. Whether we want to have our own business or not, we all want a job that we don’t mind going to. 

You get More of an Experience

Could this be the next third place? We are in a loneliness epidemic. There are several factors, but one is the lack of community. Many of these businesses host free events, allowing you to meet like-minded people. Are you an artist? Check out First Friday at MainFrame Studios’ monthly open house. Are you in Poetry? Go to the Des Moines Slam Poetry every third Thursday of the month. Alot of the bookstore hosts author readings and other events. Many communities want to see you there.


I hope I convinced you of the importance of shopping local. If not, I hope you learned something new. Many times, we worry about what is convenient, forgetting what matters most. People. There is a saying that having a community means being inconvenienced. Inconvenience gets a bad rep, but it means that people matter to you. If going to spend your money try to spend it in your community!

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Discover the Des Moines Botanical Garden: A Year-Round Urban Oasis

Written by Drake Student

Nestled along the east bank of the Des Moines River, the Des Moines Botanical Garden offers a lush, immersive experience for plant lovers, families, and curious explorers alike. This 12-acre urban garden is more than just a scenic retreat—it’s a vibrant hub of horticulture, education, and community connection in the heart of downtown Des Moines.

Explore the Conservatory and Rare Plant Collections

At the heart of the garden is its iconic geodesic dome conservatory, which houses more than 1,200 plant species from all over the world. Visitors can wander through towering tropical palms, colorful orchids, and striking succulents, all thriving in a climate-controlled space that provides a warm escape from Iowa’s chilly winters.

The garden’s impressive plant collections include one of North America’s largest Plectranthus (coleus) collections, as well as a historic bonsai display, featuring a Ginkgo biloba tree that dates back to 1865. Outdoor gardens surrounding the dome feature native Iowa plants, water gardens, rose gardens, and seasonal blooms that provide something new to admire throughout the year.

Events and Programs for Every Season

The Des Moines Botanical Garden is alive with activity all year long. Popular seasonal events include “Dome After Dark”, where the conservatory transforms into a glowing tropical escape with music and drinks on Friday nights during the winter months. In spring, the annual Spring Garden Market brings together plant lovers, local vendors, and expert gardeners for a weekend of shopping, learning, and community fun.

Other events include yoga in the garden, live music series, family-friendly festivals, and even botanical-themed art exhibits. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing evening or an educational experience, there’s always something going on.

Learn and Grow with Educational Opportunities

The garden offers a wide range of classes and workshops for all ages. The “Learn on Saturdays” lecture series invites horticulturists, environmentalists, and gardening experts to share tips and insights on sustainable gardening practices, native planting, and more.

They also offer programs for kids and schools, making it a perfect place for hands-on learning outside the classroom.

Plan Your Visit

The Des Moines Botanical Garden is located at 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, just minutes from downtown. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for youth, with memberships available for frequent visitors.

Whether you’re a lifelong gardener or simply seeking a peaceful place to unwind, the Des Moines Botanical Garden is a must-see destination in Iowa’s capital city.

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