🌱 Des Moines Digest
Issue #46 |Monday, August 24, 2026
Everything You Need for a Great Des Moines Week!
👋 Morning, Des Moines!
If you've got outdoor plans this week, pencil them in for Monday and Thursday — we're looking at the kind of blue-sky, low-humidity stretch that makes late August in Iowa feel like a bonus round of summer before the leaves start turning.
This issue is a good one. We're introducing you to a muralist who's quietly transforming East Village alley walls one panel at a time, popping into the new Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery space taking shape on Locust Street, and giving you the full rundown on the World Food & Music Festival, which lands at Western Gateway Park this Friday.
Grab your coffee, we've got a lot to cover. Let's get into it.
No judgment here. But we all have a type. Which one are you? 👇
🗳️ What's pulling you out of the house this week?
☀️ This Week’s Weather
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 80°F | 85°F | 86°F | 83°F | 85°F |
Conditions | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | ☀️ Sunny | ☀️ Sunny | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny |
Weekly note: Monday may see a few early showers, but the week improves quickly. Wednesday and Thursday look like the best outdoor days, with sunny skies and comfortable conditions. Friday stays warm and mostly sunny, with a chance of showers developing Friday night.
📰 News Digest
🏗️ $42.5M mixed-use tower gets the green light on Vine Street The Des Moines City Council approved preliminary terms for a five-story development at 900 Vine St., featuring 160 residential units over 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The project will receive up to $4.5 million through Tax Increment Financing. Source: Business Record
🍷 Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery is moving into the old Americana space The Council also approved a $160,000 forgivable loan to help Cedar Ridge build out a restaurant, tasting room, cocktail lounge, and event space at 1312 Locust St. The company plans roughly $1.3 million in improvements. Source: Business Record
🥯 The Bake Shoppe is opening a second location — in Waukee The popular local bakery is expanding beyond its original shop with a new outpost planned for Waukee. Source: Axios Des Moines
🏙️ The Market District just got a $9.5M state boost The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved $9.5 million from the Iowa Reinvestment Act toward the Market District, a 43-acre riverfront-adjacent redevelopment east of downtown between East Walnut, East 14th, and Scott Avenue. A six-story, 258-unit apartment building is expected to be the district's first construction project, with more announcements promised later this year. Source: Business Record
🧱 27 new building permits issued across the metro this summer A review of July and August permits found 27 new construction projects valued at more than $58 million across 13 area communities and Polk County, plus 49 remodel or addition projects worth nearly $90 million more. Source: Business Record
🏢 Noll Wilson Group opening new West Des Moines office The leadership development and consulting firm will host a ribbon-cutting September 10 at its new office at 3408 Woodland Ave., Suite 201. Source: Business Record
🎭 Willis Broadway Series kicks off its new season Friday Des Moines Performing Arts opens the season with a special event at Temple Theater on Friday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m., ahead of Wicked landing at the Civic Center September 2–20. Source: Des Moines Performing Arts
🌳 Two Rivers Park continues to take shape near the Market District As Market District development ramps up next door, city planners expect the adjacent park to help draw an estimated 200,000 visitors a year to the area once both are further along. Source: Axios Des Moines
🍹 DES MOINES HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL SECTION
Des Moines has a real happy hour scene — not just chains doing the bare minimum. Here's a locals' map of who's pouring the good stuff, by neighborhood.
🏙️ Downtown
Centro — half-price pizza & select beer, Mondays 4pm–close
The Walnut — $1 off drinks, Tues–Fri 3–5pm
Hessen Haus — German beer hall, weekday afternoon happy hour on well drinks & house beers
300 Craft & Rooftop — skyline views above Principal Park
The Bartender's Handshake — $5 Aperol Spritzes, wine & pepper poppers, daily
🎨 East Village
Bar Nico — daily happy hour, 3–5pm
Coa Cantina — half-price margaritas & draft beer, weekdays 3–6pm
Up-Down — "777 Happy Hour," 7 specials for $7, weekdays until 7pm
Noce — Thursdays only: no cover, live jazz 7–10pm, drink specials all night
🌉 West Des Moines
Wellman's Pub & Rooftop — $1 off drafts, $5 mules/margaritas/wine, $5 shared plates, weekdays
Smash Park — $4 drinks, half-off shareables, weekdays (plus cornhole & bocce)
🏡 Beaverdale & Drake
Beaver Tap — half-price starters, weekdays 2–6pm
Cooney's Tavern — pouring since 1984, generous weekday window
Eatery A — half-price wood-fired pizza, beer & wine, daily — great patio on Ingersoll
📅 If you're planning your week: Monday = Centro's pizza night · Tues–Fri = The Walnut's afternoon deal · Daily = Bar Nico's 3–5pm window · Weekdays = Coa Cantina's 3–6pm window
⚠️ Prices and hours shift often — confirm before you go, especially since HiFi Brew Lounge in Valley Junction closed this June.
👉 Read the full guide: desmoinesdigest.com/guide/des-moines-happy-hours
📚 WEEKLY STUDY TIPS
Brought to you by Camp Homework
📚 Fresh Strategies for Parents and Students — New Tips Every Issue!
🧠 Use the "Teach It Back" Method: After learning something new, have your child explain it in their own words. Teaching someone else is one of the best ways to strengthen understanding.
🎒 Pack Backpacks the Night Before: A 5-minute evening routine reduces morning stress and helps kids start the day feeling organized.
💧 Keep a Water Bottle Nearby: Even mild dehydration can affect focus and energy. Encourage regular water breaks throughout the day.
🎯 Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Praise persistence, problem-solving, and improvement. It helps build resilience and a growth mindset.
📅 Create a Family Calendar: Keep school events, practices, and appointments in one shared place so everyone knows what's coming.
Learning doesn't stop when school is out. Camp Homework helps students build confidence, strengthen skills, and stay ready for the school year ahead. Check it out at camphomework.com.
🎟️ EVENT SHOWCASE
This Week's Must-See
World Food & Music Festival
📍 Western Gateway Park 🗓️ Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30
This is one of the biggest food festivals of the year in Des Moines, and Friday's opening day tends to be the most relaxed time to go before weekend crowds show up.
Willis Broadway Series Season Opener
📍 Temple Theater, downtown Des Moines 🗓️ Friday, August 28, 6:30 p.m. Des Moines Performing Arts
kicks off its new Broadway season with a special event ahead of Wicked's run at the Civic Center next month. If you've been on the fence about season tickets, this is a low-commitment way to get a feel for what's coming.
🎯 Big Events
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri Aug 28 – Sun Aug 30 | Western Gateway Park | Free entry; food priced individually | |
Fri Aug 28, 6:30 p.m. | Temple Theater | Ticketed | |
Sat Aug 29 | Jasper Winery | Ticketed |
💛 Small & Local Favorites
Event | Date | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturdays, 7 a.m.–noon | Court Avenue District | Free | |
Live Music Night | Wednesdays, evenings | Various East Village bars | Free–$10 |
Fareway Farmers Market Pop-Up | Thursdays, afternoon | Cowles Commons | 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! 💬
DesMoinesDigest.com/feedback
Thanks for starting the week with us, Des Moines. See you Thursday! 🌱
— Alex | Des Moines Digest 📘
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