Events in Ames today

This relaxed Mah Jongg meetup at Boone FLEX brings people together for coffee, conversation, and friendly games in a casual community setting. It welcomes beginners. Participation is included with a Boone FLEX membership, and nonmembers can visit a couple of times before membership is requested. No registration is required. Only one set is currently available, so seating may be limited. Attendees are encouraged to bring a personal set. Those interested in helping lead or organize the group as it grows can contact the organizers.

Young nature enthusiasts can explore the beauty and importance of native prairie plants through two creative, hands-on projects. Participants will make a flower-themed artwork to bring home as a colorful keepsake of the season, then form a prairie seed ball from clay and native seeds that can be scattered in a sunny spot to grow blooms that nourish pollinators. Designed for ages 5 to 12, this relaxed, come and go studio time welcomes curious kids and families who enjoy nature, creativity, and a bit of messy fun inspired by Iowa’s blooming landscapes.

Set aside sixty minutes for a cardio dance session featuring Jen that keeps things light and fun. Expect lively music, straightforward steps, and plenty of movement to clear your mind while you break a sweat. Rhythm is not required and there is no pressure to keep pace, so you can move in the way that feels right. Plus members can participate at no cost, and the drop-in price for nonmembers is 12 dollars. Give a class a try and you might discover a community that makes you want to return.

Chrysalis Healing Center offers a Walk-In Wednesday Clinic that provides targeted massage therapy for those seeking relief from discomfort or following a recommendation from a chiropractor or general practitioner. The clinic operates on a first come, first served basis and focuses on specific areas rather than full body work. Each visit includes a short assessment, a focused 30-minute treatment, and a brief checkout for $65. Support is available for concerns such as lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, migraines, athletic, dance, and student injuries, sciatic nerve issues, head, neck, and shoulder discomfort, and arthritis-related inflammation, among other needs. Pre-payment is requested.

Roosevelt Park hosts a City of Ames neighborhood stop for people of all ages. This relaxed, family-friendly gathering offers opportunities to meet neighbors, connect with City staff and elected officials, and enjoy activities, equipment displays, snacks, and more. It is one of several stops taking place in neighborhoods across Ames and is designed to help residents learn about City services close to home.

Experience a supportive yoga session that blends chair assistance with simple standing poses. The approach is gentle and low impact to build flexibility, balance, and strength while encouraging calm breathing and relaxation. Plus members may attend at no cost, and non-members are welcome for $12 per class. A limited number of mats are available to borrow, though bringing your own is recommended. Reserve a spot through the member app or stop by for more information.

This week’s Bee Kind theme honors Honeybee month with a special focus on local honey vendors. Take in live music at Bricktown Bakery, and let kids enjoy activities on the Nevada Public Library lawn while you explore a varied mix of vendors.

Settle in for an evening of board games at Morning Bell. Bring a favorite game to share or take a seat with fellow players. A full menu is available, along with cocktail and mocktail specials, plus beer, seltzers, cider and more.

Loosen up tight, stiff muscles with a guided stretching class led by Kara that centers on mobility. The class focuses on improving flexibility and range of motion, encouraging healthy circulation, and easing everyday aches so you can move more comfortably long after it ends. Participation is free for Plus members, and non-members are welcome for $12 per class. A limited number of mats can be borrowed, though bringing your own is recommended.

Experience high energy Chicago blues at The Maintenance Shop at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The performers aim to bring their very best for a lively, spirited set.

The market at The Milford returns with a Central Iowa Junk Jaunt edition, with more details for the September market to be announced soon. The team is taking a summer market break in August, so there is no market that month, and July served as the final market before the hiatus. Please note that the Milford stop on the Central Iowa Junk Jaunt is always closed on Sunday so the space can be refreshed and weekend guests can check out peacefully.

In this irreverent twist on fairy tales, Ella, a Cinderella who has a few more chapters behind her, storms the storybook to challenge the myth of happily ever after. Rather than repeating the familiar plots, she writes the messy aftermath, where real life collides with make-believe and the whole realm feels the shock. Former ingenues now grown and princes with frayed nerves confront what comes after that perfect moment. The production blends fast-paced farce, old-school vaudeville, the snap of sketch comedy, and a touch of Rocky Horror style for an off-the-rails adventure long past midnight.

Prepare for a high-energy rock and roll show that keeps the momentum up and the dance floor moving. The music has even stretched late into the night before, a nod to how lively it can get. It is a dance-forward set, so comfortable shoes are a good idea.

A live performance featuring a blend of blues and classic rock, a touch of country, and a selection of original songs. The set moves through these styles for a varied mix.

A lively round of bingo returns with irreverent humor, sarcastic banter, and prizes that lean toward the questionable. Despite the name, it is not in a back alley. It takes place inside Daisy’s, where air conditioning and cold drinks set a comfortable scene. Expect plenty of chaos and questionable choices. Early arrivals can grab a massive 12-inch, half-pound footlong and a drink before settling in for bingo that probably will not make a grandma proud.

Iowa State Cyclones Football faces Utah Football at Jack Trice Stadium. Children younger than 2 do not need a ticket. A general public sale is planned for this event.

Purple Ribbon Beef sets up at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market with high quality, dry aged beef, surrounded by a larger lineup of vendors offering fresh produce, baked treats, flowers, and handmade goods from Iowa-based small businesses. The scene includes live music and free activities for children, adding to a welcoming community atmosphere. For extra convenience, preordering is available for quick pickup at the Purple Ribbon Beef stand.

Stop by the Ames Farmers Market on Main Street.

Remy’s Fun Walk/Run is a family-friendly walk and run at Hickory Grove County Park for the entire family, including furry family members. The event is hosted in memory of Remy, a beloved Greater Swiss Mountain Dog who passed away from bone cancer on June 16, 2018 at age 7. Participants can enjoy a beautiful fall walk around the trail at Hickory Grove Lake, then grab lunch from Alley’s Sandwiches and Wraps food truck after the walk. All money from registrations goes to the Chase Away K-9 Cancer Foundation.

Now in its 14th year, the Ames Psychic & Paranormal Expo is billed as one of the Midwest’s standout gatherings, featuring more than 40 vendors. Explore readings with psychics and mediums, appearances by paranormal teams, information on haunted locations, and a marketplace that includes healings, reiki, reflexology, stones and gems, drums, tarot cards, shamanic practices, candles, herbs, and books. Admission is $5 per day and also includes access to presentations throughout the day at no additional charge. Talks may feature ghost hunters, gallery readings, and sessions on developing intuition. Seating for speaker sessions is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Updates are shared on the Psychic and Paranormal Expo page and the Ames Psychic & Paranormal Expo - 14th Annual 2026 page, and all posts are subject to host approval.

The event features original country music from Madison Kolbet, shaped by her small-town roots and strong family ties. An Iowa native who discovered her love of music in middle school, she has continued to hone her craft through songwriting and frequent co-writing with collaborators across the country.

A new celebration of nonfiction storytelling arrives in Ames as the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, Octagon Center for the Arts, and Ames Main Street launch the Ames Documentary Film Festival in conjunction with the longstanding Octagon Arts Festival. The event spotlights compelling real-world narratives through short documentaries, each running under 40 minutes. Set in a university community, it nods to the academic strengths of Iowa State University and brings filmmakers, scholars, and the public together to honor the craft of documentary and the influence of higher education on this art form. Supported by the Discover Ames Community Grant Program, the rollout included a public announcement, a call for films and outreach to creators, the unveiling of final selections, and the release of the festival schedule leading up to its debut.

The 55th annual Octagon Art Festival fills Main Street in downtown Ames with original work by approximately 100 artists from across the Midwest. Explore ceramics, jewelry, paintings, fiber art, photography, garden art, sculptures and more, alongside live music and other entertainment. Food trucks and additional food vendors are on hand, and families can stop by a children's art area for hands on creativity. This outdoor event is held on pavement and will proceed in all weather. There is no admission fee. Organized by the Octagon Center for the Arts, a nonprofit community art center in downtown Ames.

Enjoy a free community screening of ParaNorman. The concession stand will be open with items available at cost. Please note that the start time may change.