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- 🌅 This week feels like peak October
🌅 This week feels like peak October
Halloween season kicks in, and DSM is buzzing
Nick Rivas
October 02, 2025
PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
One of these days it will feel like October in Des Moines — but not this weekend. Until then, I hope you’re enjoying the heat wave. For me, October means two things: baseball playoffs and Halloween. Hope you’re soaking it up too.
👉 Quick note: the DSM at Dawn giveaway we teased last week isn’t quite ready, but it’s still coming. Stay tuned!
In todays issue:
🎃 Halloween in DSM
🍽️ New spots on the DSM food scene
🍴 Meals from the Heartland Hunger Fight
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
🎃 Halloween in DSM
October is here, which means haunted houses, pop-up bars, and plenty of family fun. And yes, Beggars’ Night is still a thing…barely. The tradition started in Des Moines back in the 1930s, but many cities are now moving trick-or-treating back to Oct. 31. A few suburbs and smaller towns are hanging on, but the shift means Beggars’ Night might be fading into history. See the full city schedule here.
Here’s what you can get into this month:
👻 Haunted Houses
🍹 Pop-Up Bars
🎃 Kid-Friendly Fun
P.S. Keep an eye on Des Moines Parent for a full list of local trunk-or-treat events as we get closer to Halloween.
PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team
Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.
If you’re in the market to buy, the Springer Brothers work hard to find that house that just feels like home. Whether it’s the first home we see or the 30th , we encourage our homebuyers to always trust their gut. There’s no greater feeling in what we do than that feeling of finding “the one”.
If you’re the market to sell, our team will work with you to put together a plan that maximizes your homes value. We tailor every situation, using our suite of services, so that homeowners can feel confident when they list their home that they’ll get maximum exposure for their greatest, most-tangible asset.
No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.
Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.
THE 515 REPORT 📱📰
🍴 New on the DSM Food Scene
Three new spots are making waves in town:
The Empire (opens Oct. 2 on 4th St.) — A reimagined neighborhood bar with $5–$11 comfort food, $4–$6 cocktails, and Ritual Café’s Denise Diaz leading the coffee program.
Judges DSM (Court Ave.) — Elevated “New American with influences,” craft cocktails, and a moody-meets-whimsical judicial theme in the former Stuffed Olive space.
DM Foodhall (planned for 2026) — A 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse project with six kitchens, three pop-up kiosks, a locals-only bar, and a patio with a kids’ play area.
🚌 Greyhound Adds New DSM Routes
Greyhound has expanded service through Des Moines with new connections to Chicago and Denver. The Chicago–DSM route runs one round-trip daily, five days a week, while the Chicago–Denver route (which passes through DSM) runs seven days a week. Along the way, buses make stops in Iowa City, Ames, Grinnell, and more.
Service began Sept. 28, with buses departing from Greyhound’s DSM stop at 1641 E. Euclid Ave.
Story →
🍽️ 18th Annual Hunger Fight
Meals from the Heartland is gearing up for its biggest event of the year. The 18th Annual Hunger Fight kicks off next week, calling on 4,000 volunteers to help package 2 million meals over 5 days. Those meals will go to children and families in need here in Iowa and around the world — enough to feed nearly 7,700 kids for a full year. It’s a high-energy, community-driven event that makes a big impact.
Details →
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
🎬 Movie in the Park (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 6:15 PM
📍Colby Park
Catch The Nightmare Before Christmas under the stars. Grab a blanket, popcorn, and settle in for this family favorite.
🎤 Danae Hays (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 8:00 PM
📍Hoyt Sherman Place
Viral comedian, actress, and country parody star brings her southern characters and chart-topping comedy to DSM.
🍂 Windsor Heights Fall Fest (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday
📍Colby Park
Live music, food trucks, hayrides, crafts, and fireworks — a cozy community weekend full of autumn vibes.
🛍️ STATEM!NT Pop Up Consignment (more)
📆 Thursday–Sunday
📍Horizon Events Center
Score 50–80% off retail on name-brand and designer finds from 100+ closets. Shop guilt-free while it lasts!
🎨 Fall Harvest Art Show (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍Ted Lare Garden Center
Browse 35+ artists, enjoy seasonal treats, and soak in the fall air with live music in the garden.
🛍️ Vintage in the Valley (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍Water Works Park
Hunt for vintage treasures and handmade goods at this popular community market, paired with Harvest & Handmade Market.
🎶 Middlebrook Agrihood Fall Fest (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍Middlebrook Agrihood
Kick off fall with porch music, farm-fresh produce, local vendors, and tasty food trucks.
🍻 Confluence Oktoberfest (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 11:00 AM
📍Confluence Brewing
Raise a stein and celebrate Oktoberfest at Confluence with plenty of beer and festive fun.
🎡 Polk City Fall Fest (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍Polk City Square
Bounce houses, pumpkin painting, Touch-a-Truck, food trucks, vendors, and more — a big fall day for the family.
🍎 Rose Farm Fall Festival (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 3:00 – 7:00 PM
📍Rose Farm
Celebrate autumn with live music, pumpkin painting, charcuterie boxes, cocktails, and gorgeous fall farm views.
🎃 Pumpkins & Pints Harvest Market (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 4:00 – 8:00 PM
📍Uptown Ankeny
Shop pumpkins, browse vendors, and sip seasonal brews and cider at this evening market.
🎭 Trey Kennedy (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 7:00 PM
📍Hoyt Sherman Place
Comedian and YouTube favorite brings his newest show — and promises laughs (plus stories of touring with two kids).
🎤 Adam Sandler (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 7:30 PM
📍Casey’s Center
The comedy legend returns with new jokes, live music, and the energy of a sold-out Netflix special.
🛍️ Super Spooky Flea Market (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍Captain Roy’s
Browse a mix of spooky, vintage, and quirky finds at this Halloween-themed market along the river.
WEATHER 🌞🌡️
Thursday
High 89 🌡️ Low 64 | 🌤️ | 💧 5%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Friday
High 91 🌡️ Low 68 | 🌤️ | 💧 3%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Saturday
High 89 🌡️ Low 65 | ☀️ | 💧 3%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Sunday
High 84 🌡️ Low 56 | 🌤️ | 💧 15%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
David Watson | 5:30 | DSM Biergarten
Brian Herrin | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Nicotine Dolls | 7 | Wooly’s
Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol | 7 | xBk Live
Sqwerv | 7 | Lefty’s
Meadowbrook Circle | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Nick Leo & Co | 7 | Noce
Kansas City, Here We Come | 7:30 | Turner Center
AJ Croce | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
The Soul Searchers | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Jordan Beem | 9 | Back Roads Lounge
Friday
Fivefold | 5 | Lefty’s
David Watson | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
Barry Rutter | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
The Soul Searchers | 5:30 | DSM Biergarten
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Chad Elliott | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Malcom Well & The Two Timers | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Abimato Bandd | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
American Aquarium | 7 | xBk Live
Max Wellman plays Sinatra | 7 | Noce
Not Petty | 7 | Brightside Aleworks
Neva Alden | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Drew Fry | 7 | 36th Street Tavern
Hot Kunch & more | 7:30 | Locals Bar & Stage
Cam Cummings Band | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Decoy Trio | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Suede | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
The Sons and Sara | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Jason Kincel Band | 9 | Brick & Ivy Rooftop
Saturday
Joshua Sinclair | 10 | Middlebrook Agrihood
Bertrunken Messing | 12 | Confluence Brewing
Annalyn Vida | 1 | DSM Biergarten
Rural Route | 1 | Deal’s Orchard
Trio Aceto | 2:30 | Confluence Brewing
Kenni Falls | 3 | DSM Biergarten
Tim Mitchum and The Part Time Pirates | 3 | Kenny’s Garage
Robert Deitch | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Casey Peasley | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Dogtown Rhythm Band | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Jana West & RetroSpect | 5 | Doc’s Lounge
Trey Lewis | 7 | Wooly’s
Tough Ghost | 7 | xBk Live
Hanna Marks & more | 7 | Noce
Yubu Band | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Hudson Road | 7:30 | The Cork
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Chuck Briseno Band | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Project TDS | 8 | Down Under
Not Sisters | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Night Like This | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
ZZZ Records Anniversary Party | 9:30 | Lefty’s
Sunday
Iowa Blues Challenge | 1 | Lefty’s
Heath Alan | 1 | DSM Biergarten
Marc Bailey | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Devon Miller | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
Bob Pace & The Power | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Des Moines Symphony | 2:30 | Civic Center
Dan & Quinn Trilk | 3 | Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Il Divo | 5 | Hoyt Sherman Place
John Krantz Trio | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
DSM Vocal Ars Ensemble | 6:30 | Temple Theater
The Jonas Brothers | 7:30 | Casey’s Center
SunSquabi | 8 | Wooly’s
SPORTS 🏈🏅
College Football 🏈
ISU 🌪️ @ Cincinnati | Record: 5-0 (2-0)
📆 10/4 | 🕛️ 11Drake 🐶 VS Valpo | Record: 1-2 (0-0)
📆 10/4 | 🕛️ 12UNI 🐆 VS North Dakota | Record: 2-2 (0-0)
📆 10/4 | 🕛️ 4Iowa 🦅 Idle | Record: 3-2 (1-1)
THANK YOU! 🙌
Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.
I would love your feedback! Reply here or email me anytime!
Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].
