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Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: Capital City Pride Fest, free fishing weekend and more

Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: Capital City Pride Fest, free fishing weekend and more
Scott Reister explains the landmark decision in later in sports. New tonight --- It's a big weekend for the city of Des Moines. A number of events are happening all across the Des Moines metro area. That means there will be some road closures to navigate. vlog's Ophelie Jacobson is LIVE in downtown Des Moines tonight with what you need to know. Stacey... There really is no excuse to stay inside this weekend here in Des Moines. It seems like there is an event for everybody over the next few days --- from Greek food to Capital City Pride. <CLIP 5758 TIME 4:26:24 "CAN I GET YOUR HELP PLEASE?"> Erica Axiotis is one of the many volunteers at the 45th annual Greek Food Fair. <CLIP 5758 TIME 4:26:47 "WE ARE GOING TO PRICE IT."> She's getting everything set up at the souvenir table while others --- <NAT POP OF FOOD> are prepping delicious Greek delicacies. <CLIP 5757 TIME 4:21:50 " WE'RE HERE ALL WEEKEND SELLING WONDERFUL GREEK FOOD AND FUN DANCING AND MUSIC AND JUST FELLOWSHIP."> A line spanned the entire block of the street ahead of opening Friday afternoon. Axiotis says the festival grows every single year. <CLIP 5757 TIME 4:22:48 "WE BLOCK OFF DIFFERENT AREAS HERE AND WE ALSO HAVE A SHUTTLE SERVICE THAT IS BRAND NEW THIS YEAR. SO THAT IS AT FRANKLIN JUNIOR HIGH."> Cottage Grove Avenue from 35th Street west to the Greek Orthodox Church Driveway will be closed until three Sunday afternoon. It's not the only road closure. <CLIP 4070 TIME 10:22:03 "LOTS AND LOTS OF ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE METRO."> Catch Des Moines president and CEO Greg Edwards says it's a big weekend in Des Moines. He says bring your walking shoes to get around downtown. <CLIP 4070 TIME 10:22:33 "THERE ARE A LOT OF ROAD CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND, ESPECIALLY FOR IRON MAN AND PRIDE FEST."> East Locust Street in the East Village is closed for Capital City Pride. City officials ask that you drive carefully downtown this weekend. <CLIP 2907 TIME 13:38:21 "WE'VE GOT A LOT GOING ON THIS WEEKEND AND SPECIFICALLY STARTING TOMORROW."> Capital City Pride is already underway. The parade will be Sunday. <CLIP 2907 TIME 13:38:57 "if you have never been to pride before, we encourage you to come down. Maybe this is a perfect opportunity to educate yourself."> The Ironman race also is Sunday. For the competition, Walnut Street from 3rd to 4th Streets downtown is blocked off through Tuesday. Let's talk economic impact. Catch Des Moines says the Ironman race is expected to bring in four million dollars. And Capital City Pride --- millions of dollars to
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Updated: 9:20 PM CDT Jun 6, 2025
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Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: Capital City Pride Fest, free fishing weekend and more
vlog logo
Updated: 9:20 PM CDT Jun 6, 2025
Editorial Standards
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out these events and activities happening across the Metro June 6-8, but make sure you check the weather before you head out. Friday, June 6Movies Under the Stars with Ankeny Parks & Recreation, 410 W. 1st St., Des MoinesMovie starts at dusk.Cost: Free.Bring your favorite movie snack and a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Coolers are allowed.Friday's movie is "Moana 2."Food Truck Friday at Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Parkway, Clive5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. FridayCost: Free to attendLive entertainment and food presented by Clive Parks and Recreation and the Clive Chamber of Commerce. Click here for more information.Saturday, June 7Raccoon River Palooza, Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines8 a.m. to 8 p.m. SaturdayCost: Free.Raccoon River Palooza is a unique summer festival at Raccoon River Park celebrating West Des Moines' community and waters. Attractions for the event include live music, cardboard boat races, fun activities for kids, local food trucks, a variety of beverages, and much more. Summer Science Day at Big Grove, 555 17th St., Des Moines11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Cost: FreeWhat do AI, gravity, and zoo animals have in common? They’re all taking over Big Grove on Saturday for a day of science, fun, and discovery.Bring your curious kiddo, or your inner child, for a free hands-on science adventure designed for ages 4–12 (but fun for all ages). More information here.Iowa Craft Brew Festival at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des MoinesNoon to 4 p.m. Full schedule here.Cost: $65 VIP, $50 general admission, $22 designated driverThe Iowa Craft Brew Festival is a celebration of all things brewed in Iowa. Breweries, cideries, wineries, and distillers from all over Iowa come together to share their craft with passionate craft brew lovers.Sunday, June 8Iowa Arboretum classic car show, 1875 Peach Ave., Madrid11 a.m. to 2 p.m. SundayCost: FreeJoin the Iowa Arboretum for its annual classic car show. All classic cars are welcome. Participants showing a car should arrive after 10 a.m. Food trucks will be available.Matt Rife: Stay Golden Tour, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines7 p.m. SundayCost: Tickets start at $49.Popular stand-up comedian Matt Rife will be performing at Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday.Other events Ironman 70.3, Des MoinesThousands of athletes, fans and volunteers will flood central Iowa on Sunday for the Ironman 70.3 race. See a list of road and trail closures.Capital City Pride Festival, East Village, Des MoinesIowa's largest LGBTQ+ event will take over Des Moines' East Village Friday through Sunday for the 2025 Capital City Pride Festival. Events include the 5K Pride Stride, Pride Ride, Pet Parade, two Silent Discos, the Parade, and free headline performances.Saturday's headliners include Bob the Drag Queen and pop music duo Aly & AJ. Find the full schedule of events and activities here.Free fishing weekend in IowaIowa's free fishing weekend returns June 6-8, when you don't need a license to fish in Iowa's ponds, lakes and rivers. As part of the special weekend, hands-on fishing events will be offered across Iowa to help anyone who is new to fishing get started. These events include children's fishing derbies at Lake Petocka in Bondurant (5-6 p.m. Friday) and Copper Creek Lake in Pleasant Hill (8-11 a.m. Saturday). For more fishing derbies, clinics and tournaments, check out the Iowa DNR fishing calendar.Polk County Conservation is hosting a free family fishing basics lesson from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Easter lake.Des Moines Greek Food Fair, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 35th St., Des MoinesCome celebrate a weekend of delicious food, music & dancing at the 2025 Greek Food Fair Festival. Admission to the festival is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Please note the event is cashless.Parking and free shuttle service are available at the Franklin Jr. High Events Center.Festival hours: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. SundayThe Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park has opened for the season. Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere, beer, food and live entertainment every Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.Many area farmers markets have kicked off the season already. Find our guide to central Iowa markets here.Looking for live music concerts and other shows? Check our extensive concert list here. Weekend weatherFriday: Partly to mostly cloudy. An isolated afternoon shower, especially over northern Iowa. High 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds are light and variable.Friday night: Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. A chance of rain by morning. Low 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds are light and variable.Saturday: Rain showers early with a few isolated storms. Otherwise, partly cloudy skies are expected later in the day. High 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Low around 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.Sunday: Partly cloudy. An isolated shower or storm in the afternoon, especially for eastern Iowa. High 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.Sunday night: Clear skies. Low 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.Have a weekend event or favorite place to grab a bite on the weekend? Share it with us by emailing web@kcci.com.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Check out these events and activities happening across the Metro June 6-8, but make sure you check the weather before you head out.

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Friday, June 6

Movies Under the Stars with Ankeny Parks & Recreation, 410 W. 1st St., Des Moines
Movie starts at dusk.
Cost: Free.
Bring your favorite movie snack and a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Coolers are allowed.
Friday's movie is "Moana 2."

Food Truck Friday at Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Parkway, Clive
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
Cost: Free to attend
Live entertainment and food presented by Clive Parks and Recreation and the Clive Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, June 7

Raccoon River Palooza, Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free.
Raccoon River Palooza is a unique summer festival at Raccoon River Park celebrating West Des Moines' community and waters. Attractions for the event include live music, cardboard boat races, fun activities for kids, local food trucks, a variety of beverages, and much more.

Summer Science Day at Big Grove, 555 17th St., Des Moines
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
What do AI, gravity, and zoo animals have in common? They’re all taking over Big Grove on Saturday for a day of science, fun, and discovery.
Bring your curious kiddo, or your inner child, for a free hands-on science adventure designed for ages 4–12 (but fun for all ages).

Iowa Craft Brew Festival at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: $65 VIP, $50 general admission, $22 designated driver
The Iowa Craft Brew Festival is a celebration of all things brewed in Iowa. Breweries, cideries, wineries, and distillers from all over Iowa come together to share their craft with passionate craft brew lovers.

Sunday, June 8

Iowa Arboretum classic car show, 1875 Peach Ave., Madrid
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free
Join the Iowa Arboretum for its annual classic car show. All classic cars are welcome. Participants showing a car should arrive after 10 a.m. Food trucks will be available.

Matt Rife: Stay Golden Tour, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
7 p.m. Sunday
Cost:
Popular stand-up comedian Matt Rife will be performing at Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday.

Other events

, Des Moines

Thousands of athletes, fans and volunteers will flood central Iowa on Sunday for the Ironman 70.3 race. See a list of road and trail closures.

Capital City Pride Festival, East Village, Des Moines
Iowa's largest LGBTQ+ event will take over Des Moines' East Village Friday through Sunday for the 2025 Capital City Pride Festival. Events include the 5K Pride Stride, Pride Ride, Pet Parade, two Silent Discos, the Parade, and free headline performances.
Saturday's headliners include Bob the Drag Queen and pop music duo Aly & AJ.

Free fishing weekend in Iowa
Iowa's free fishing weekend returns June 6-8, when you don't need a license to fish in Iowa's ponds, lakes and rivers. As part of the special weekend, hands-on fishing events will be offered across Iowa to help anyone who is new to fishing get started. These events include children's fishing derbies at (5-6 p.m. Friday) and (8-11 a.m. Saturday). For more fishing derbies, clinics and tournaments, check out the .
Polk County Conservation is hosting a from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Easter lake.

Des Moines Greek Food Fair, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 35th St., Des Moines
Come celebrate a weekend of delicious food, music & dancing at the 2025 Greek Food Fair Festival. Admission to the festival is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Please note the event is cashless.
Parking and free shuttle service are available at the Franklin Jr. High Events Center.
Festival hours: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

The Des Moines Biergarten at Water Works Park has opened for the season. Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere, beer, food and live entertainment every Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.

Many area farmers markets have kicked off the season already. Find our guide to central Iowa markets here.

Looking for live music concerts and other shows? Check our extensive concert list here.

Weekend weather

Friday: Partly to mostly cloudy. An isolated afternoon shower, especially over northern Iowa. High 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds are light and variable.

Friday night: Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. A chance of rain by morning. Low 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds are light and variable.

Saturday: Rain showers early with a few isolated storms. Otherwise, partly cloudy skies are expected later in the day. High 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Low around 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. An isolated shower or storm in the afternoon, especially for eastern Iowa. High 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.

Sunday night: Clear skies. Low 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.

Have a weekend event or favorite place to grab a bite on the weekend? Share it with us by emailing web@kcci.com.