Let’s explore social events in Des Moines, IA happening this week. Local events are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Look through this page and consider going out and socializing during one of these social events.
Social events are great and offer a world of possibilities. You can make new friends, learn new skills, see things from different perspectives and it’s fantastic for your mental health. And never before has companionship and being able to spend time with others been as important as it is today.
You probably remember being a kid and going up to another person your age and saying, “Do you want to be friends?” and that was pretty much that. Friend made. Alas, it’s not quite as simple now that we’re grown up, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult or as awkward as we think. There are thousands of people out there who would love to meet up with others, finding them just takes a bit of help and that’s what we’re here for.
On this page, we hope you’ll find some interesting events in Des Moines where you can make some new friends.
Local Groups’ Events in Des Moines
Dane’s Group
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: undefined
Everyone who is reading this is welcome to come anytime. The majority of players don’t sign up on meetup so we will be playing every week even though there is no one signing up on Meetup. The game is 5e Dungeon and Dragons from 11am to 5pm every Saturday at my house on the east side of Des Moines. It is an epic game filled with magic monsters and new wonders to discover. Whether you’re a seasoned (…)
Sugar Skull Painting 🌼💀🌺
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Five Monkeys
Join us for a vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos and a fun-filled pottery painting session! 🪅
Express your creativity by painting your own sugar skulls or other traditional designs. 🌼💀🌺
Where: 131 5th Street, WDM at 2PM
Pottery Painting: Design and decorate your own piece of pottery. 🎨👩🏻🎨
Prizes 🥇🥈🥉
Snacks: Enjoy a selection of snacks and treats. 🍿🥨
Bring your friends an(…)
The Hall
◦ When: Friday, Nov 1st
◦ Where: The Hall
[The Hall (thehalldsm.com)](https://www.thehalldsm.com/)
[Food](https://www.thehalldsm.com/food)
[The evolution of food at The Hall began 3 years ago with food trucks providing a constantly rotating menu. Today, the Kitchen DSM owned by The Justice League of Food (JLF) provides 4 diverse food menus that are served daily. Choose from German fare, burgers, pub fare and pizza. All food sales at The (…)
Relax, at Starbucks in Clive
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Starbucks
Join us for an invigorating Saturday morning of social networking at Starbucks in Clive (10175 University Avenue.)
Whether you’re looking to make new friends or deepen relationships by inviting friends, this is a time and a place for connecting with like-minded individuals in a light-hearted and casual come-n-go setting.
Sip on your favorite coffee drink, enjoy some tasty treats, and engage in i(…)
Shut Up & Write!® Des Moines
◦ When: Monday, Oct 28th
◦ Where: Urbandale Library
Join us for an hour of focused writing! Write with other writers with no excuses to get in the way. Come put your fingers into action at the Urbandale Public Library
This is a meeting to just write.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, comic, fanfic, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write with us.
We’ll do some quick intros, talk about what we are wo(…)
Drinking Liberally Weekly Meetup
◦ When: Friday, Nov 1st
◦ Where: The Station On Ingersoll
We are officially starting our new format. We will be doing trivia at 7:00 PM and then start our discussion at 8:30 PM. If you would like to participate in trivia, try to arrive before 7:00 PM. On the nights when we do not have trivia, we will start at the usual time, 8:00 PM.
Please join us for fun, drinks, food and a good time with liberally minded friends! To locate our table, find our red, wh(…)
Writers Connection
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Urbandale Public Library
You MUST be officially RSVP’d via this event software to attend.
If you have tested positive for COVID in the last ten days, please protect others and refrain from joining the meeting.
Masks are no longer required but we encourage you to do whatever makes you feel safe.
We are a group of people who enjoy writing or the thought of writing. Whether you are published, still writing, or even just t(…)
Des Moines Real Estate Investing – Friday Morning Coffee Meetup
◦ When: Friday, Nov 1st
◦ Where: Smokey Row Coffee
No agenda, just casually talking about real estate investing in Des Moines Area(…)
Ham Radio Meetup
◦ When: Tuesday, Oct 29th
◦ Where: Area515
No set agenda folks! Come and chat about ham radio, bring things for show and tell, operate a radio, ask questions. This is open to the public and open to ham’s who already have their license and those who are wanting to get it!(…)
Bible Geeks
◦ When: Tuesday, Oct 29th
◦ Where: Plain Talk Books & Coffee
Progressive liberal Christians with Bibles? Weird, right? We’re discussing the old stories from a progressive lens, finding strength, courage and peace for our justice work in the world. Our conversations are casual but engaging and challenging. No prior biblical knowledge required, but welcome! Downtown Disciples are LGBTQIA+ Affriming and we proclaim #BlackLivesMatter(…)
Weekly DREAM CATCHERS Wednesday Webinar
◦ When: Wednesday, Oct 30th
◦ Where: School of Metaphysics
NEW FORMAT – CHECK US OUT!!!
Dream Catchers is your opportunity to directly engage with those who have studied and taught dreamwork for decades.
From wholistic health and healing to enhancing creativity and critical thinking, dreams are personal and reveal the significance of our waking life experiences.
Join us every Wednesday for a FREE Webinar beginning @ 6:30 pm (CT).
Attending this webina(…)
Bienvenidos a charla en Español.
◦ When: Tuesday, Oct 29th
◦ Where: El Fogon
Bienvenidos! Charlamos en Español. Somos buenas gente.(…)
Latin Dance Night @ Miss Kittys
◦ When: Thursday, Oct 31st
◦ Where: Miss Kittys
Getting excited for Wednesday Night is Latin Night at Miss Kittys!!
Whether you’re new or a veteran to Latin Dance this is the perfect night to join us for a great night.
Intro lesson at 7:00 PM w/ social dancing afterwards with a life DJ. We play Salsa, Bachata, and even Zouk!!
(No partner required! Feel free to come solo, friends or partner!)(…)
Morning Blend Networking
◦ When: Wednesday, Oct 30th
◦ Where: Ironside Axe Club
Business networking and axe throwing(…)
Tips to meet people at social events
You can make more friends at one party by showing interest in them than in a month by trying to meet people online. Meeting new people and making genuine connections in local events can be fun and easy if you go with the right mindset.
When it comes to meeting new people, nothing beats showing up in the real world. But none of the tips will work if you are not coming from the right place. Keep an open mind when attending social events. Reframe strangers as potential friends, it will make it much easier to approach conversations and fully engage in them.
When choosing an event, keep an eye on interesting themes, something you can relate to. Meeting new people in the context of mutual interest increases your chances of being friends.
Research events with the types of people you want to meet. They could be people in your age group, your field of work, or a specific neighborhood. Do not be too strict though, loosen up a little bit from your expectations.
Go where people are intentionally looking to make friends such as networking events where it feels normal and expected to walk up and introduce yourself.
In this digital era, apps and websites are the most convenient solutions for finding out about local events. If you are not sure where to look for events happening in Des Moines, you can try out Traveliowa.com, Catchdesmoines.com, or Dsmpartnership.com.
RELATED: How To Meet People In Des Moines, Iowa
2024 Decoding Dyslexia Iowa Educator Conference
◦ When: Monday, Oct 28th
◦ Where: FFA Enrichment Center, DMACC Ankeny Campus
Changing the landscape for Iowa kids with dyslexia!
Fearless Annual Celebration
◦ When: Wednesday, Oct 30th
◦ Where: Des Moines Marriott – Downtown
Roundtable discussions with Fearless Leaders relating to leadership, confidence and risk-taking.
Date me Dsm @ Wilson’s Orchard + Farm (28-40)
◦ When: Friday, Nov 1st
◦ Where: Wilson’s Orchard & Farm (Des Moines)
A fun night of meeting singles 28-40. This event is a mixer style/speed dating event led by Date me Dsm Creator Leah.
ISI Rising: To Bring Them Home
◦ When: Monday, Oct 28th
◦ Where: Meadows Events & Conference Center at Prairie Meadows
Join Iowans Supporting Israel’s annual banquet as we remember October 7th and the loved ones stilll missing.
Law Update (In-person 8 CEUs #256-102-ML)
◦ When: Monday, Oct 28th
◦ Where: Concepts Real Estate School
Mandatory Law Update
Ethics (In-person 4 CEUs #256-101-ME)
◦ When: Tuesday, Oct 29th
◦ Where: Concepts Real Estate School
Mandatory Ethics.
The Recon Ripper Halloween Bash 2024
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Recon Roofing & Construction, Southwest 5th Street, Des Moines, IA, USA
Get ready for an epic Halloween bash. Join us for the second-ever — Recon Ripper. Limited $50 tickets. Costume contest, cash bar, food, etc.
Junkin’ Market Days Fall Event Des Moines, IA (VENDORS)
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Horizon Events Center
The market features unique products such as
boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, and
lots more!!
Murder Mystery Mixology: Halloween Themed – Ankeny
◦ When: Thursday, Oct 31st
◦ Where: B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling
Get ready for a fun night out at our Murder Mystery Halloween event, where you’ll try to uncover the mystery while enjoying 3 cocktails!
Sweet & Sip: Candy Bar and Wine Pairings
◦ When: Wednesday, Oct 30th
◦ Where: Middlebrook Mercantile
We’re blending seasonal joy (candy!) with wine pairings, matching sweet, salty, and rich chocolate flavors with fall wine releases.
FREAKOUT 2024 – Halloween Costume Party “Freakout with Face-Melting Bass
◦ When: Friday, Nov 1st
◦ Where: Lefty’s Live Music
Get ready to freak out at our Halloween Costume Party with face-melting bass in 2024!
Culture Index Session
◦ When: Friday, Nov 1st
◦ Where: West48
Using data to ensure the right people are in the right seats.
Dare to Lead™ Des Moines
◦ When: Tuesday, Oct 29th
◦ Where: Hotel Renovo Des Moines Urbandale Tapestry by Hilton
This in-person, 3-day course will be held at the beautiful Hotel Renovo in Des Moines, IA October 29 – 31, 2024.
Junkin’ Market Days Horizon Events Center Fall Vendor Fair November 2nd
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Horizon Events Center
Come shop ’til you drop and support small business at the Junkin’ Market Days Fall Vendor Fair – find all your fall favorites in one place!
Junkin’ Market Days Fall Event Des Moines, IA (CUSTOMER)
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Horizon Events Center
The market features unique products such as
boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, and
lots more!!
Junkin’ Market Days Des Moines Metro Fall Vendor Fair
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Horizon Events Center
Come shop ’til you drop and support small business at the Junkin’ Market Days Fall Vendor Fair – find all your fall favorites in one place!
Session Six: Laozi on Harnessing the Power of the Dao
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: Gravitate Coworking (Downtown)
Join us for a series with acclaimed philosopher Scott Samuelson to discover the greatest ideas of civilization.
Night of Celebrity Illusions – 10pm Table Reservation
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 2nd
◦ Where: THE GARDEN
A phenomenal celebrity-illusion drag show with phenomenal performers!
Des Moines Professionals: Start Your Own Business? Or Remain a Corporate Citizen?
◦ When: Monday, Oct 28th
◦ Where: Des Moines
OnLine, OnDemand, EverGreen & No Waiting! Start learning as soon as you register! Take it whenever you want! As many times as you want!!!
Des Moines Business: Top 7 Deadly Mistakes That will DESTROY Your New Business
◦ When: Monday, Oct 28th
◦ Where: Des Moines
OnLine, OnDemand, EverGreen & No Waiting! Start learning as soon as you register! Take it whenever you want! As many times as you want!!!