🌱 Des Moines Digest
Issue #63 |Monday, OCTOBER 19, 2026
Everything You Need for a Great Des Moines Week!
Happy Monday, Des Moines!
Marathon weekend brought out the best of our city! 🏃 Court Avenue turned into a giant cheering section Sunday morning, with runners, spectators, and plenty of hometown pride filling the streets. Whether you crossed the finish line or cheered from the sidelines with a coffee in hand, it was a great reminder of what makes Des Moines special.
Now, we’re heading into a week packed with Halloween fun, school-break plans, and a few important dates to keep on your radar. From a new fall attraction to the final Saturdays of farmers market season, there’s plenty happening around town.
Here’s what you need to know this week:
🗳️ Voting deadline: Today is the deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot.
🎒 School break: Des Moines Public Schools have no school Thursday and Friday.
🎃 New Halloween attraction: Pumpkins After Dark makes its debut at Water Works Park.
🍎 Market countdown: Just two Saturdays remain in farmers market season!
Let’s get into everything happening around Des Moines this week.
No judgment here. But we all have a type. Which one are you? 👇
🗳️ This Week’s Poll: Which October Type Are You?
- 🎃 The Spooky Season Sprinter: Night Eyes, pumpkin patches, and costumes by Wednesday
- 🗳️ The Civic Superstar: Ballot plan made, “I Voted” sticker already earned
- 🌤️ The Patio Holdout: Not putting the patio furniture away until it snows
- 🍎 The Last-Market Loyalist: Hunting for the final apples and cider donuts of the season
🌤️ THIS WEEK’S WEATHER
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 87°F | 76°F | 66°F | 61°F | 55°F |
Conditions | ☀️ Sunny | ⛅ Partly sunny | 🌧️ Rain likely | 🌦️ Showers | 🌤️ Sunny, windy |
Rain % | 0% | 10% | 90% | 80% | 10% |
Monday is the best day to be outdoors, with sunny skies and temperatures near 87°F. Tuesday brings cooler weather, while Wednesday and Thursday look wet, so keep an umbrella handy. By Friday, temperatures drop into the mid-50s, with sunshine returning but a chilly breeze.
📰 News Digest
📰 What's Happening in Des Moines Metro
🗳️ Ballot Request Deadline Is Today
The last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot ahead of the November 3 general election is Monday, October 19, at 5 p.m., and in-person early voting opens 20 days before Election Day. Polk County’s election office is at 2309 Euclid Ave. in Des Moines. Remember to bring valid ID. Source: U.S. Vote Foundation usvotefoundationbluewaterhealthyliving
🎒 No School Thursday & Friday
Des Moines Public Schools has professional development days on October 22–23, so students are off. Heads up for working parents: this is a four-day school week, so check in with your before- and after-school programs. Source: DMPS dmschools
🏛️ City Council Meets Today
The Des Moines City Council’s regular meetings begin at 5 p.m., and October 19 is on the 2026 calendar. If you want to weigh in, speaking requests are handled at the end of the meeting, so plan ahead. Source: City of Des Moines dsm
🏃 Marathon Weekend, in the Books
The IMT Des Moines Marathon, held Sunday, October 18, has been bringing runners downtown since 2002 and includes a free kids run. If you’re still seeing leftover cones or race signs near Court Ave, that’s why. Full results are on the race’s official site. Source: IMT Des Moines Marathon halfruns
🎃 New Halloween Tradition Debuts
The Water Works Park Foundation is introducing “Pumpkins After Dark: Jack-O-Lanterns Come Alive!” as a new Halloween event, running October 9–31. The foundation hopes it becomes an annual celebration. Grab a jacket and go see what the glow is all about. Source: Catch Des Moines catchdesmoines
🍎 Two Saturdays Left at the Downtown Market
The Downtown Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday through October, from 8 a.m. to noon. The final Saturday, October 31, is the Halloween Market. Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership dsmpartnership
💙 Bottom line: Vote (or request that ballot!), cheer on the kids’ long weekend, and soak up the last mild stretch before the cold sets in.
🍹 The Ultimate Guide to Des Moines Happy Hours
Need a good excuse to get out this week? Des Moines has plenty of spots where you can grab a drink, a bite, and a little after-work downtime without spending a fortune. From downtown favorites to neighborhood spots, happy hour is one of the easiest ways to enjoy more of the city for less.
We rounded up the best of it — happy hour specials, local bars and restaurants, drink deals, food specials, and more — in one guide.
📚 WEEKLY STUDY TIPS
Brought to you by Camp Homework
📚 Fresh Strategies for Parents and Students — New Tips Every Issue!
With a surprise four-day week, here’s how to keep school on track:
📅 Front-load the week. Finish big assignments by Wednesday night so Thursday and Friday can be truly free.
🧠 Do a 10-minute brain warm-up. A quick math fact round or vocab review before homework makes starting easier.
🌳 Take a walk break. With the warm weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, 15 minutes outside helps kids refocus.
📖 Read for fun on the long weekend. Pick a spooky-season book and trade chapters with a sibling or friend.
🧳 Pack it up the night before. Set out backpacks and folders so Monday after the break isn’t a scramble.
Learning doesn't stop when school is out. Camp Homework helps students build confidence, strengthen skills, and stay ready for the school year ahead. Learn more at camphomework.com.
🎟️ EVENT SHOWCASE
📍 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA 50309
📅 Friday, October 23, 6–9 p.m.
💵 Tickets required. Check the garden’s site for pricing. dmbotanicalgarden
Every October the Botanical Garden’s dome transforms into one of the area’s most atmospheric Halloween destinations. The tropical conservatory looks very different after dark. Friday night pairs it with the end of the school week, which is a nice treat when the kids are off Friday. Arrive at the start of the window for the thinnest crowds, and bring your camera. It’s cozy and indoors, so you’re covered even if the weather turns.
📍 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
📅 Runs October 15–25. Verify daily hours before you go (see notes).
💵 Tickets required zoo’s site blankparkzoo.com
This is Central Iowa’s “merry, not scary” Halloween tradition. It’s perfect for little ones who want costumes and lights without the jump scares. With mild evenings in the forecast, Tuesday or Wednesday will be easier on the crowds than the weekend. Buy tickets in advance, since it tends to sell out. Wear comfy shoes, because the treat path is a real walk. Bring a flashlight for the kiddos and plan for about two hours.
BIG EVENTS
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Wed, Oct 21 | Casey’s Center, Des Moines | Tickets vary | |
Through Oct 31 | Water Works Park, Des Moines | Tickets required | |
Through Oct 30 | Center Grove Orchard | Tickets required | |
Tue, Oct 27 | Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines | Tickets vary |
🥕 Farmers Markets
Market | Day & Hours | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturdays, 8 a.m.–noon (through Oct 31) | Historic Court District, 300 Court Ave. | Free | |
Season ended in September. Returns in spring. | 100–300 blocks of 5th St., West Des Moines | Free |
🍂 Small & Local Favorites
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Thu, Oct 22, 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Tickets Required | |
Mon, Oct 26 (next week) | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | Tickets Required | |
Tue, Oct 20, 7:30-10 p.m. | Des Moines Civic Center | $45-$185 | |
Thu, Oct 22, 5-8 p.m. | Science Center of Iowa, W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy | Free |
We want to hear from you! Des Moines Digest exists to help locals find the best things to do, see, and explore across the metro — but we can only make it better with your input. Tell us what sections you love, what you skip, and what you wish we covered more. Whether it's a hidden gem, an event type, or just a quick "keep doing this" — we're all ears. Your feedback shapes every issue, so hit reply or click below and let us know. This digest is for you, Des Moines! 💬
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Thanks for starting the week with us, Des Moines. See you Thursday! 🌱
— Alex | Des Moines Digest 📘
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