Free events in Polk County, IA

Sapling Story Time takes place at Barista's Bouquet in West Des Moines, created in collaboration with Wandering Raccoon Books to spark little imaginations. Kids can enjoy $1 coffees and warm chocolates, and adults will find a variety of fully caffeinated beverages. This free event is at the Ashworth location.

Explore a demo event featuring treatments with no downtime, plus complimentary sessions to help you experience what each technology can offer. The lineup includes EmSella, which focuses on pelvic floor strength to support intimate wellness and address urinary incontinence. EmSculpt Neo is designed to build muscle while reducing fat at the same time. EmFace encourages collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid for facial contouring without toxins. Exion aims to tighten and refresh both the face and body. Special event pricing is available, and the first three registrants receive an extra 10 percent off. Enjoy lite bites and relaxed conversation about how these services can help build a strong foundation for wellness and strength.

Dungeon's Gate hosts casual Commander open play for Magic: The Gathering. Players bring a deck and jump into a few friendly games. Tables include a mix of power levels and experience, so newcomers and longtime players are both welcome. This free weekly meetup centers on relaxed, social Commander play.

Mitzi's hosts free DJ Bingo.

Enjoy a friendly community workout in Uptown Ankeny that welcomes people who want to run, walk, or take a relaxed stroll. This free Wednesday social meet-up is open to all ages and fitness levels, with route options of 2, 4, or 6 miles, and any distance is welcome. It is a chance to connect with others while building encouragement and accountability for health and wellness goals. The group starts from Fitness Sports in Uptown Ankeny.

Free DJ trivia takes place at The Other Place Clive in Clive. Test your knowledge in a casual, friendly competition and enjoy a relaxed night of questions and answers.

Enjoy DJ Trivia at Doug’s Pub & Grub. It is free to play.

At Striking Sparrow Lounge, DJ Trivia offers an in-person team trivia experience led by a DJ. Questions display on screens and cover categories like movies, history, and music. Participation is free, and prizes go to the winning teams. Enjoy a social setting with friendly competition and a fun way to test knowledge.

Enjoy free DJ Bingo at The Other Place Ankeny in Ankeny.

Enjoy free DJ Trivia at The Pelican Post Bar & Grille.

Many people have experienced trauma within traditional religious communities, which can leave them unsure how to rebuild a personal spiritual life and reconnect with community. This open, confidential, no-pressure support circle offers space to begin that healing process. Participants can share their stories, be heard, and connect with others on a similar path. Attendance is free. Free will donations are welcome to help keep this programming accessible for everyone. An RSVP is requested for planning. Questions can be directed to the organizer by email.

Free DJ bingo is happening at Victory Lap Pub & Grub.

Enjoy free DJ bingo at GoodSons.

The Station on Ingersoll hosts free DJ Trivia. Participants can test their knowledge at no cost in this trivia event.

Enjoy free DJ bingo at Sam's Bar & Grill in Altoona.

Enjoy free DJ Bingo at Lynn's on Merle Hay.

Geeks Who Drink hosts a live pub quiz at The Royal Mile, delivering seven rounds that blend audio and visual challenges with questions led by an on-site quizmaster. Entry is free, bonus-question winners receive prizes, and top-scoring teams earn gift cards. Teams can include up to six players based on Geeks Who Drink rules. The quiz takes place upstairs at The Royal Mile.

Total Training is a small-group program designed for cancer survivors at any stage of their journey. Guided by a trainer certified in cancer exercise, it combines goal setting, nutrition and wellness coaching, cardio, resistance work, stretching, and breathing practices. Workouts are personalized to each participant so you can move at the right pace. There is no cost to attend, and advance registration is required. This is not a drop-in class.

Iowa Home Expo features free admission and a convenient way to plan any home improvement project. Homeowners can speak directly with local and national vendors to gather practical advice, explore ideas, and find ways to save on upgrades. Whether the goal is a kitchen refresh, an outdoor living makeover, or smaller updates throughout the house, this expo brings together the resources and guidance to help get the work underway.

Admission is free and the show welcomes the general public. Because this is a club event rather than a business operation, it may conclude early without notice if turnout is low. Many members travel from out of state and may head out sooner to begin their drive home, so arriving early is recommended to make the most of the visit.

Support your favorite DMPS school at the 7th annual DMPS Foundation OneRun at Water Works Park. Enjoy a free 2-mile fun run or walk, or cheer on the DMPS community from the sidelines. Registration is free, and each participant selects the DMPS school they want to support. Sponsors provide the funding, and participation helps determine how much each chosen school receives, so every runner, walker, and supporter can make a difference.

Trick-or-Treat Night at Outlets of Des Moines offers a festive chance for children to collect candy and give back to the community. Kids 12 and under can visit participating stores to pick up treats, with availability limited on a first come, first served basis. Look for orange bows on exterior door handles to find the stops. Please bring a trick-or-treat bag and a canned food item for the Caring Cauldron, benefiting the Caring Hands Outreach Center to help families in need. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Inappropriate costumes and toy weapons are not permitted. Event details may change without notice.

Admission is free for a country music performance by Royce Johns at the Finish Line Show Lounge. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Dungeon's Gate hosts casual Commander open play for Magic: The Gathering. Participants bring their own decks and settle in for one or two games. Deck power and experience levels vary, and new players are welcome. This is a free, weekly meetup focused on relaxed, social play.

No Coast BJJ in Urbandale is hosting a free open mat that welcomes practitioners from any gym and at every experience level, including those from outside central Iowa. Wear what suits your training style, whether gi, no gi, or a singlet, and expect plenty of live rolling.

The inaugural Heartland Harvest with Heartland Youth Choir offers a family-friendly afternoon of seasonal fun. Admission is free, with an indoor trunk-or-treat, autumn crafts, games, and other activities to enjoy. Look for freshly baked goodies and a family dinner option, plus select food items and additional activities available for purchase. The event celebrates fall and also supports the choir’s singers.

The CJC Big Band spotlights the legacy of Iowa composers and performers with a swinging jazz program. Expect selections connected to figures such as Glenn Miller, Bix Beiderbecke, Meredith Willson and more, presented over a three hour performance. Presented by the Community Jazz Center of Greater Des Moines, the CJC Big Band concerts on the third Sunday of the month are free and open to everyone.

A drive-thru fall experience tailored for individuals with autism and other special needs, enjoyed entirely from the comfort of a vehicle. Admission is free. To ensure there are enough goodies for everyone, advance registration is requested.

A LifeServe community blood drive at Anytime Fitness in Altoona will welcome donors at a bloodmobile on site. Donations made through LifeServe go directly to hospital patients who need blood for treatment, creating an immediate impact. If you have already scheduled a donation, please keep your appointment, as local patients are depending on it. Inviting a friend or coworker to donate can help fill the schedule and expand the support for the community.

Practice English conversation in a relaxed setting with guidance from a native speaker. This group welcomes non-native speakers who want to build confidence while discussing current news, timely events, and aspects of American culture. Sessions are available in person and through Zoom for those who prefer to participate virtually. The program is free. Registration is not required, though advance sign-up is appreciated. For sign-in details to the online session, contact Library Staff.

GoodSons on Beaver Ave hosts a DJ trivia event that is free to play.

Yankee Clipper hosts no-cost DJ Bingo.

Enjoy complimentary DJ bingo at The Pelican Post Bar & Grille.

Lynn's On Merle Hay hosts free DJ trivia.

Enjoy a monthly Movie Matinee on the library’s large screen, featuring everything from recent hits to classic favorites. Screenings are free, and snacks are provided. To learn which movie is playing this month, check with the front desk.

This recurring board game night at Dungeon's Gate offers the chance to bring favorite titles to play and share, join a game even if you do not bring anything, or choose from a wall of more than 400 demo games ready to play. There is no cost to participate, and everyone is welcome, from first-time players to experienced gamers of all ages.

Learn the essentials of Social Security and Medicare in a one hour, no cost workshop designed for adults 19 and older. Hosted in the Clive Public Library Greenbelt Room and presented by The Society for Financial Awareness, a national nonprofit, this session focuses on clear, practical guidance. Participants are encouraged to bring questions. Topics include how to determine an appropriate Social Security filing age, how other retirement income can influence Social Security taxes, and ways to align benefits with pensions or savings. The Medicare segment reviews key rules, important deadlines, and enrollment choices, explains the differences among Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap supplements, and Part D prescription coverage, and outlines how premiums and income related adjustments can affect overall retirement costs. Advance registration is required. Multiple offerings cover the same material.

Enjoy free DJ Bingo at Bevy's Tavern.

Enjoy free DJ Bingo at The Other Place in Clive.

Play free DJ Trivia at Yankee Clipper and test your knowledge.