Des Moines: Halloween weekend plans - Axios

Des Moines residents looking to mark Halloween weekend have a slate of events ahead, spanning pet-friendly brunches, botanical garden explorations, and live organ concerts.

Concerts, Culture, and Community Gatherings

Plymouth Church kicks off the weekend festivities with a free organ concert featuring Halloween classics and pop favorites at 6 p.m., preceded by dinner at 5 p.m. For music enthusiasts looking toward Sunday, the Des Moines Symphony presents “Beautiful Monsters” at the Des Moines Civic Center starting at 2:30 p.m. The program includes works by John Williams, Mussorgsky, Liszt, and Berlioz, featuring Symphonie fantastique.

Illustration depicts quaint church adorned halloween elements jack o lanterns friendly ghost bats create festive

Carver Elementary hosts the Día de los Muertos Community Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event features cultural performances, community altars, local artists, food, music, storytelling, and family activities.

Pets, Roller Derby, and Botanical Exploration

Animal lovers can head to Mulberry Street Tavern at 11 a.m. for the Howl-o-ween pet-friendly brunch and costume contest. Attendees can dress up their dogs for a chance to win a hotel staycation, with a portion of cocktail sales supporting the Animal Rescue League.

Competitive spirit takes over the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center from 5 to 8 p.m., where the Des Moines Roller Derby hosts an action-packed doubleheader. The Hot Shermans, Waveland Wavers, and Beast Village will face off for hometown bragging rights. Admission is $15, while kids 12 and under get in free.

For adults aged 21 and older, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden hosts a Happy Hour at the BOOtanical Garden from 6 to 7 p.m. Visitors can explore poisonous plants, bat pollination, and carnivorous plants, watch a live feeding, and take home a plant of their own. Tickets are priced at $40.

Sunday Fundraising and Broadway Tunes

The weekend wraps up on Sunday afternoon with Showtunes Sunday at The Blazing Saddle from 2 to 6 p.m. The event invites attendees to sing along to Broadway favorites during a monthly beer bust fundraiser supporting the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus.