This weekend in Des Moines, IA

Pickle For A Purpose brings players together on the courts while fueling vital services for survivors supported by Dorothy’s House. This doubles event uses a round robin format and offers divisions for recreational men and women, mixed play at both recreational and competitive levels, and a competitive men’s and women’s bracket for participants rated 3.25 or higher. Team entry is $50 and includes at least four games, with an option to enter a second bracket for $25. All proceeds go directly to Dorothy’s House, which provides safety, essential needs, access to resources, and community connections that help survivors move forward in their healing.

This free outdoor yoga session at Gray’s Lake Park is presented by Des Moines Parks and Recreation. Volunteer instructors guide an all-levels practice that emphasizes stretching, mindful movement, and relaxation in a peaceful natural setting. Sessions take place on the southeast lawn and are canceled if it rains. Certified yoga teachers are welcome to volunteer for open sessions later in the season.

A weekly Pokémon Trading Card Game league at Never Bored Games in Norwalk offers structured, beginner-friendly, community-focused play where participants can learn, build, battle, and grow. Expect three Swiss rounds each week with league points tracked and monthly leaderboard rewards, all in a welcoming yet competitive setting that is open to all ages. A free learn-to-play session is available before league play begins, and those who already have a deck can jump straight into matches. Entry is $5 per week, or included at no extra cost with the purchase of a Never Bored League Deck. The in-store Training Grounds make upgrading and building decks affordable, featuring bulk Pokémon sorted by type, a dedicated Trainer section, energy on hand, and bulk pricing that encourages experimentation. Ready-to-play preconstructed League Decks, Fire Surge and Lightning Rush, are available and each includes a complimentary league entry. The goal is simple, to prioritize playing Pokémon while fostering a consistent, welcoming competitive community in Norwalk where newcomers and returning players alike can improve and compete.

Learn how to bake a bakery-style coffee cake at home through a clear, start-to-finish demonstration led by Lana Shope, an award-winning baker from the Iowa State Fair. She will guide you through each stage of the recipe, and samples will be offered. Registration is required.

This blues program spotlights Rob Lumbard's Piedmont-style fingerpicking guitar alongside Tina Haase-Findlay's tribute to the pioneering women of 1930s blues. Door prizes will be offered, with blues CDs awarded in a drawing at the end of the session.

Book lovers can explore a wide range of clean or Christian reads from local authors across many genres. Show support for Iowa Christian writers while discovering fresh titles for yourself and thoughtful gifts for family and friends.

The Sandy McNamar Food Pantry offers free food for anyone who needs it in a friendly, welcoming setting. Donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at the church. The pantry is ready to serve the community.

Enjoy a relaxed paddle along the shoreline to watch the sun set from the water, then turn back as evening settles in and the moon rises. The pace is easy, with time to appreciate the transition from day to night and notice animals that become active after dark. The cost includes a boat, paddle, and life jacket. Reservations are required.

First Fleet Concerts presents an all ages live concert featuring Coheed and Cambria alongside The Home Team.

Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k in Des Moines brings together runners and walkers of all paces for a supportive, family-friendly day featuring multiple distances, including a half marathon, 10k, 5k, 1 mile, and a Kids Dash. Packet pickup is available before the start. Kids Dash participants meet at the start line and are guided to the starting area, the National Anthem precedes the main races, and live results with awards can be found at the registration tent after participants finish. All entries come with thoughtful perks. Expect chip-timed racing with live results, complimentary race photos, post-race snacks at the finish, and event keepsakes. Registration for the half marathon, 10k, and 5k includes a custom bib, a specially designed shirt, and a finisher medal crafted for the event. The 1 mile option is untimed and also includes a custom bib, a specially designed shirt, and a finisher medal. The Kids Dash is an untimed experience for ages 10 and under that includes a mini bib, a youth-sized shirt, and a medal designed for the kids event, and children who prefer to run the dash without the swag may do so at no cost. Youth pricing is available for the 5k and 10k, with entry for ages 12 and under set at 17 dollars. To guarantee a shirt, register by midnight two Thursdays before race day.

Empeiria brings the first mobile wood-fired sauna and cold plunge experience to Des Moines with a social, restorative pop-up at Water Works Park. Each 60-minute contrast therapy session rotates through a traditional wood-fired sauna that can reach about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a cold plunge around 50 degrees, and intentional rest. The setup is located just south of the Lauridsen Amphitheater and Biergarten. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early with swimwear, a towel, and sandals. Amenities on site include changing tents, lockers, a pull-cord shower, and places to reset between rounds. Staff will be on hand to guide the flow and support a comfortable experience. Empeiria is also available for private bookings, additional pop-ups, and community collaborations.

Southside Sunday Market offers a lively community marketplace set up outside Genesis Health Club at Southridge Mall. Shoppers can explore fresh local produce, homemade baked goods, and a variety of handcrafted art, jewelry, and other goods. Hot food and food trucks are part of the experience, with more than 30 local vendors to discover. Admission is free and the atmosphere is kid and family friendly. Paying with cash is appreciated because it helps small vendors avoid processing fees and keep more of each sale, though most also accept credit or debit.

Talk face to face with local breeders and reptile businesses while exploring a show packed with thousands of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and feeders. A large selection of supplies will also be available to the public, including enclosures and tanks, bedding, toys, and decorative items. Families are welcome to explore together. VIP and general admission tickets are sold at the door and do not sell out. Vendors accept credit cards and cash, and there is an ATM on site. The organizers host this as a community event, and all vendors are required to follow federal, state, county, and city laws regarding what they display or sell.

A celebratory brunch honoring Iowa’s newly crowned monarchs takes place at the Garden Restaurant and Show Bar. The newest Wuzzies of Iowa will present awards, and attendees will hear plans for Reign 34. Tickets are $35 if not part of an Early Bird Weekend package.

Spend time with the G & C crew at a relaxed guitar get together. Try out amps and rigs that will be set up, and talk shop about strings, pedals, and other guitar gear.

Porchfest Des Moines heads back to the Waveland Park neighborhood with a bigger footprint after last year’s strong turnout, filling the afternoon with free live music, food, and community spirit. Both 44th and 45th Street will be closed to make room for additional stages and performances. The lineup features The Blues Bureau, B. John Burns, Bridges 2 Harmony, Central Iowa Music Lab Student Band, Scott Davis, Ducharme-Jones Band, Scott Eggleston, Eric and the Dancing Foxes, Seth Hedquist, Marilyn Jerome, Major Blues and the Mugshots, Anne Lorelle and Tim Earp, The Night Lights, Bob Pace, RiverCity Opry, and Matt Terronez with Dave Bohl. Food vendors announced include Faustinos Taqueria, Porchswing Ice Cream, and Wheatgrass Girl. Admission is free. Bringing cash for musician tips is encouraged, and a lawn chair or blanket makes listening more comfortable. Bike racks will be available, and bringing a lock is recommended. Event merchandise such as T-shirts, stickers, and koozies will be on sale with Venmo and major credit cards accepted. The festivities also include a celebration with Invest DSM in recognition of seven years of support for the neighborhood. The event website will carry schedule updates, and a map with performance times and locations is available.

Spend Sunday at Skate South for a family-friendly skating session that keeps everyone moving. Enjoy lively music, an upbeat atmosphere, and time on wheels for skaters of every age. Make it a new tradition with skating available throughout the day, great tunes, and plenty of smiles as you create lasting memories together.

The new Monarchs of Iowa host their first fundraiser of Reign 34 at The Garden Restaurant and Show Bar. The show features a Drag Roulette format, with the option to make a donation to request a specific song. Admission is free.

First Fleet Concerts presents an all-ages concert at Wooly's featuring Alana Springsteen with Erin Kinsey. Tickets are available online or at the Wooly's box office.

Once known as Summer Sundays, this outdoor series offers free live music on Sunday evenings from mid August through early October, making it a relaxed way to take in cooler fall weather with performances by local bands and a changing lineup of food trucks. Plan to sit on the grass with lawn chairs or blankets because there is no permanent seating. Look for a different food truck each week, or pack your own picnic. Outside beverages are allowed, and the City of West Des Moines beverage policy outlines the guidelines for alcohol and glass.

Every Sunday, Locals Bar & Stage hosts karaoke with a live band. This weekly event pairs karaoke performances with live music on stage.