Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Des Moines
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Des Moines
St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and Des Moines is gearing up for a vibrant celebration filled with fun events and activities suitable for the whole family. Whether you're Irish or simply Irish-at-heart, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Iowa's capital city this weekend. Here's a roundup of some family-friendly events and activities happening in Des Moines to mark the occasion:
March 16 | St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa for their annual parade, starting on Grand Avenue and Robert D. Ray Drive in the East Village. The route will proceed west on Grand Avenue and end at Eighth Street in Des Moines. The entire route is less than a mile. This year, be on the lookout for The Misty SOLDwisch Home Selling Team, adding their unique flair to the parade! Don’t forget to wear green!
March 16 | Des Moines St. Paddy’s Day Marathon & Half Marathon, Iowa State Capitol
6:45 AM to 2:00 PM
Lace up your running shoes and participate in the Des Moines St. Paddy's Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, a family-friendly fun run/walk through scenic routes in Des Moines. Dress up in your favorite green attire and enjoy the festive atmosphere along the course. This event is perfect for families looking to get active together on St. Patrick's Day. Tag your Instagram pics with #StPaddysRun and we’ll feature them in our website.
March 16 | St. Patrick’s Day Pre-Parade Celebration, The Shop DSM
7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Join them for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day parade family-friendly event at The Shop DSM! Their first open-to-the-public event, with firefighters serving pancake breakfast, kids activities, and more, right off the parade route.
March 16 | Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Foy Irish Dancers, Central Library
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Stop by the Central Library after the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade for some hot chocolate and a performance from the Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance. *Note: Performance will begin after the parade, so the scheduled time may vary depending on the length of the parade.
March 16-17 | Zing-Zoom Family Fun Tour 2024, Horizon Events Center
Time: Saturday, March 16: 10am - 8pm & Sunday, March 17: 12pm - 5pm
The Zing-Zoom Family Fun Festival: A "Joyful Extravaganza for All Ages" Immerse yourself in the spirited ambiance of our Family Fun Festival, a jubilant gathering designed to cater to every member of the family. A day where laughter, connection, and memories take center stage!
March 17 | GPS Pot of Gold Hunt, MacRae Park
1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Test your skill and your “Luck” and see what kind of “Gold” you will find. Only register the person who will be collecting prizes everyone else just needs to show up.
March 17 | Lucky Day Musical Playdate, Pied Piper Studios
9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Miss Jenn is warming up her bagpipes! This All Ages 45-minute Musical Playdate is overflowing with lucky songs, dances, pretend play, and more. Slide down the rainbow, find a pot of gold, dance a leprechaun jig, and enjoy some group drumming. Registration required.
March 17 | Hunt for Gold Hike, Brown’s Woods Forest Preserve
2 p.m.
Go on a St. Patrick’s Day-themed hike! Hikers will search for gold along the looped trail helping collect it in a bucket and then come together afterward for a few stories. Free event, no registration is required. Please follow the event for any weather updates.
March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day Family Glow Bowling Party, Waukee
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Families can enjoy 90 minutes of glow bowling, pizza, and pop for 1 low price. It includes glow-in-the-dark bowling to “MOM APPROVED” music, a large single-topping pizza, and a pitcher of a soft drink for each lane. This is an alcohol-free event, and open to all ages. Wear your Irish Green attire to bring on the luck strikes.
St. Patrick's Day in Des Moines is a time for families to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories. With a variety of events and activities to choose from, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the luck and charm of this festive holiday. So put on your green attire, gather your loved ones, and make the most of St. Patrick's Day in Des Moines this 2024!
