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
AI Tech Conference @ Ankeny Kirkendall Library
◦ When: Tuesday, May 14th
◦ Where: Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
Join us at the Kirkendall Library for our AI-Tech Conference, a gathering of other enthusiasts, developers, and visionaries dedicated to turning ideas into reality. From experienced developers to those simply fascinated by the technology changing our world, this meetup welcomes everyone.
**Agenda:**
* **Welcome and Introductions:** A brief round of introductions to get to know each other.
* **Pr(…)
Building a Community of Insights through Analytic Maturity at Casey’s
◦ When: Friday, May 17th
◦ Where: 750 Park St
Casey’s has been on a journey to empower their organization with data-driven decision making and analytic platforms & capabilities. Pierre Hakim, VP – Data & Analytics and Brett Ellerbroek, Manager – Analytics COE, will share how they approached their strategy, prioritization, and execution.
\*\* This a rescheduled date from the original date of April 12, 2024. We hope you can still make it and j(…)
Clyde’s Fine DIner
◦ When: Friday, May 17th
◦ Where: Parking lot
[Clyde’s Fine Diner (clydesfinediner.com)](https://www.clydesfinediner.com/)
CLYDE’S FINE DINER, 111 E GRAND AVE, DES MOINES, IA, 50309, UNITED STATES515-243-3686 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Clyde’s Fine Diner has gotten some good reviews. Thought we’d try them out.(…)
Des Moines Real Estate Investing Networking (Monthly)
◦ When: Tuesday, May 14th
◦ Where: The Keg Stand
Join us for our second Tuesday Night Meetup. For this meetup, we will have Becky Hiu to share her story about business, the economy and growth in the real estate industry.
Agenda:
5:30-6:00- Check in/Networking
6:00-6:15 – Local Market update by Darson Grantham
6:15\-6:45 \- Creative Financing \| Derek Tidball with DropZone Investments
7:00-8:00 – Networking for attendees
Location:
The Keg Stand
(…)
Bird Walk in Brown’s Woods
◦ When: Saturday, May 18th
◦ Where: Brown’s Woods
This is our fifth Birding for Life Walk of 2024. We will be exploring ths small forest of Brown’s Woods that borders the Raccoon River. Our theme will be Multispecies Intelligence and how birds can help us go beyond human culture to a world where we find ourselves immersed in a beautiful biotic community.
During the walk we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as seeki(…)
Relax, at Smokey Row Coffee
◦ When: Saturday, May 18th
◦ Where: Smokey Row Coffee
Join us for an invigorating Saturday morning of social networking at Smokey Row Coffee.
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 interesting conversations.
D(…)
Open Boardgame Nights at Ironside Axe Club
◦ When: Tuesday, May 14th
◦ Where: undefined
Join us for a night of tabletop fun at Open Board Game Nights at Ironside Axe Club!
What: Open Board Game Night.
When: Second Tuesday of every month
Time: 6:00PM-9:00PM
Where: Ironside Axe Club Lobby
Host: The Board Game Cooperative
Games are Provided and there are people on hand to help teach the games. This is a great opportunity to try some new games and meet new people. There are games of vary(…)
Pickleball Monday
◦ When: Tuesday, May 14th
◦ Where: The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex
Advanced Beginners or Beginner player
Please prepay through venmo or cash app. bruno-eliazord or bring cash day of event.
cost 5$
**Personalized Guidance:** If you’re a beginner, having a rented court allows you to receive personalized instruction and guidance from your teammates without the pressure of rotating partners.
**Guaranteed Playing Time:** When you rent a court for one hour, you have (…)
AgileIowa Lean Coffee (IN PERSON)
◦ When: Thursday, May 16th
◦ Where: Machine Shed Restaurant Urbandale
Please join us for our next Lean Coffee event at the The Machine Shed in Urbandale. No virtual option will be provided.
The format of this meeting is simple:
• Show up
• Eat breakfast (optional)
• Suggest topics (scrum, kanban, product management, DevOps, cultural/organizational change)
• Vote on topics
• Discuss topics with the most votes
We hope to see you there!
(image credit: https://www.f(…)
Los Oradores Toastmasters Club
◦ When: Thursday, May 16th
◦ Where: Urbandale Public Library
Work on your public speaking, communication and leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment! Los Oradores is a bilingual Spanish/English Toastmasters club dedicated to enhancing the knowledge of both languages in a friendly environment. Los Oradores was formed in 1990 as one of the first bilingual Spanish/English Toastmasters clubs in the U.S.
All are welcome. Proficiency among members (…)
Evening Board Games at Ironside Axe Club
◦ When: Tuesday, May 14th
◦ Where: Ironside Axe Club
The Board Game Cooperative has joined forces with Ironside Axe Club’s Open Board Game Night!
Like the other open game days we host, board games for all levels of experience will be provided, along with friendy instruction.(…)
Book Discussion, The Woman They Could Not Silence, by Kate Moore
◦ When: Wednesday, May 15th
◦ Where: Greenwood – Ashworth Park
We will finalize the location for meeting closer to the event. Keep your eyes posted here for updates or contact me at [email protected]
From the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Radium Girls comes another dark and dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman hero whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women’s rights(…)
Sacred Bridges CUUPS: Olympian Gods: An Introduction With William
◦ When: Friday, May 17th
◦ Where: First Unitarian Church
🚨 THIS IS THE RESCHEDULED DATE AND TIME! 🚨
🌟 Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through the realms of Greco-Roman mythology with Sacred Bridges CUUPS! Join us on May 16th at 7:00 pm for an immersive event titled ‘Olympian Gods: An Introduction with William.’ Whether you’re able to join us in person or prefer to participate via Zoom, get ready to delve deep into the enchanting tapestry (…)
Writers Connection
◦ When: Saturday, May 18th
◦ Where: Valley Community Center
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(…)
Weekday Walk: Urbandale Trails
◦ When: Monday, May 13th
◦ Where: McDivitt Cemetery
We’ll meet at the entrance to McDivitt Cemetery, 7001 Meredith Drive in Urbandale. Parking is available on either side of 70th Street. We will walk west on Meredith Drive to meander through the residential area and walk a section of the Urbandale trail system.(…)
Des Moines Real Estate Investing – Friday Morning Coffee Meetup
◦ When: Friday, May 17th
◦ Where: Smokey Row Coffee
No agenda, just casually talking about real estate investing in Des Moines Area(…)
Experience Nature’s Healing
◦ When: Wednesday, May 15th
◦ Where: The Brenton Arboretum
Join Dennis Kelly, founder of Meditation Around Town, as he leads **EXPERIENCE NATURE’S HEALING** and explores new ways to heal in the beautiful nature at the Brenton Arboretum, conducive to allowing miracles to happen.
This gathering is every **WEDNESDAY, 10:00** a.m. at the panoramic **BRENTON ARBORETUM**, Dallas Center, IA. We will meet in the quiet beauty of **EDDY WOODS** as the weather allo(…)
Drinking Liberally Weekly Meetup
◦ When: Friday, May 17th
◦ 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(…)
Pop Up Word Up
◦ When: Wednesday, May 15th
◦ Where: Des Moines
We’re popping up around the metro this summer for intriguing faith discussions, acts of justice and mercy, progressive bible study, game nights and more! 6pm Wednesdays. Check out our social media platforms or subscribe to our E-Newsletter for weekly locations and topics. [downtowndisciples.org ](https://www.downtowndisciples.org/) or email [[email protected]. ](mailto:admin@downtowndisc(…)
Tips to meet people at social events
One of the best ways to meet new people at social events in Des Moines is by choosing a common theme or interest. If you like movies, why not go see a screening with people who also like movies! Then you already have something to talk about. Or if you’re into coffee or beer, a Coffee and Beer Garden Meet and Greet could be perfect for you. And keep in mind that smaller group settings can be less intimidating and easier to start conversations in.
Another thing that might worry you is introductions. Some people aren’t as keen on introducing themselves and others worry or get nervous about it. Why not level the playing field and go to an event where everyone is expected to introduce themselves and talk? It could be a networking event, an acting class, a singles event, or a book club. Not only are people looking to introduce themselves at these events but they’re also there to make friends.
Our final tip is on the age of the people you are going to meet. If you have your heart set on meeting people close to your own age, then research events so that you can find your chosen demographic. At the same time, we want to encourage you not to limit yourself. An age gap doesn’t necessarily mean a disconnect and the great thing about different age groups is that they can learn from each other!
You can find even more events in Des Moines on Traveliowa.com, Catchdesmoines.com, or Dsmpartnership.com.