Check out Monster Jam, see 'The Lion King' and more things to do in Des Moines this weekend

Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register
Updated ·6 min read
Sunflowers with bumblebees is one of the 50 displays at the Wild Lights Festival, returning to Blank Park Zoo in April.
Sunflowers with bumblebees is one of the 50 displays at the Wild Lights Festival, returning to Blank Park Zoo in April.
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This weekend in Des Moines brings so many opportunities to hear live music, whether it's country, choirs or sounds from artists from across Iowa. Take the family to see gigantic Chinese lanterns lit up at night or big trucks smashing things. Or head out to a happy hour with friends or brunch with family. Here, a look at 10 things to do in Des Moines this weekend.

If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we've written about where to go thrifting, Black-owned businesses, learning how to ice skate, and where to buy plants. If you sign up for our newsletter, you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.

Head out to happy hour

Berry Bramble at Fresko
Berry Bramble at Fresko

Thursday afternoon: Head to Fresko, 909 Locust St. in Des Moines, for a happy hour every Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the bar area. Pick up $6 cocktails, such as the Fresko mule, vodka smash, sangria or margarita. Or try $7 cocktails such as the Lavender Butterfly with Tito’s Handmade vodka, lemon juice, lavender and butterfly pea flower simple syrup or Berry Bramble with Revelton gin, mulberry gin, blackberry-sage simple syrup, and grapefruit juice. Snacks such as hummus and nachos go for $8, while flatbreads and a burger cost $10 each.

See writer R.F. Kuang

Rebecca F. Kuangy, the bestselling author of the acclaimed fantasy series, "The Poppy War" trilogy, and 2022’s "Babel: An Arcane History," will appear at the Des Moines Central Library in April.
Rebecca F. Kuangy, the bestselling author of the acclaimed fantasy series, "The Poppy War" trilogy, and 2022’s "Babel: An Arcane History," will appear at the Des Moines Central Library in April.

Thursday night: Rebecca F. Kuang, the bestselling author of the acclaimed fantasy series, "The Poppy War" trilogy, and 2022’s "Babel: An Arcane History," visits the Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines, at 7 p.m. Her novel "Babel" debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list, and is set in an alternate 19th century, where the professional work of translation generates magic that fuels and perpetuates an imperialist empire. Her free appearance comes ahead of the debut of her upcoming novel, "Yellowface," arriving in May.

Listen to a choir

Friday night: Head to Plymouth Congregational Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, for the Heartland Youth Choir’s 14th Meet the Composer Festival on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and features high school choirs, including HYC’s Chamber Choir, Grinnell High School, and Valley Southwoods School Choir. Saturday’s concert begins at 3:30 p.m. and features singers in grades 4-8 with unchanged voices, including performers from Heartland Youth Choir ensembles (Cantemus, Chante, Cantilena, Melodie, and Musica), Walnut Hills Fifth Grade Choir, and Summit Select Choir. Individual singers are also invited to participate as part of the festival choir. Concert tickets can be purchased online or at the door starting at $10.

Walk through Chinese lanterns

An octopus is one of the 50 displays at the Wild Lights Festival, returning to Blank Park Zoo in April.
An octopus is one of the 50 displays at the Wild Lights Festival, returning to Blank Park Zoo in April.

Friday night: Grab the kids and see giant pandas, an enormous octopus, cheerful sunflowers and big bumblebees at the Blank Park Zoo's Wild Lights Festival. The event features 50 handmade, larger-than-life, illuminated, animal-shaped lanterns including a 75-foot-long sunflower tunnel and a giant 33-foot-wide octopus from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets for the festival at 7401 SW Ninth St., Des Moines, range from $19 to $25 online. Also takes place Wednesdays through Saturdays through May 29.

Be a little bit country

Ian Munsick heads to Clive this weekend.
Ian Munsick heads to Clive this weekend.

Friday night: Rising country singer-songwriter Ian Munsick headlines a show at the Horizon Events Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive, at 7 p.m. The Wyoming-born Munsick, known for tracks like "Long Haul" and "Horses Are Faster," performs with special guest Ned LeDou. Tickets start at $39.50.

Hear some Iowa talent

Audience members listen as a band performs during the 2017 Gross Domestic Product music festival.
Audience members listen as a band performs during the 2017 Gross Domestic Product music festival.

Saturday night: Get to know artists from all across Iowa at the Gross Domestic Product Festival. The annual all-Iowa music festival, which is coordinated by volunteers and the Des Moines Music Coalition, first started in 2006 and features Ames rockers The Envy Corps, Des Moines hip hop star B.Well, indie rockers Annalibera, Des Moines-born violinist Geneviève Salamone, modern rhythm and blues/soul band from Iowa City James Tutson, Des Moines country singer EleanorGrace, and Des Moines-based soul singer Lani. You may find a new favorite at this show at 5:30 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Tickets start at $24.50 online at hoytsherman.org/events.

Hear Gina Chavez's Spanish-language anthem 'Siete-D'

Saturday night: Latin Grammy nominee Gina Chavez lights up the Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines, with an uproarious sound that blends grit and grace. The Texas native's popular NPR Tiny Desk concert has garnered more than 1.3 million views and Chavez has been hailed for her recent EP "Lightbeam." Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show start at $20.

Brunch at Louie's Wine Dive

Salmon Benedict at Louie's Wine Dive
Salmon Benedict at Louie's Wine Dive

Sunday morning: If you’re in the mood for a late breakfast, make a date with Louie’s Wine Dive, 4040 University Ave., Suite A, Des Moines, for brunch. Start with a basket of beignets followed by a salmon Benedict, a Rise & Shine flatbread (do swap out marinara for sausage gravy) with eggs done your way and breakfast sausage, or the Blue Plate special with two eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and choice of toast, English muffin or biscuit. The kids will like the French toast. The adults will like the bloody Mary or mimosa. Brunch runs on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rev up your engines

Monster Jam rumbles into Wells Fargo Arena this weekend.
Monster Jam rumbles into Wells Fargo Arena this weekend.

Sunday afternoon: Monster Jam crashes and smashes into Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines, with family-friendly activities. Each day begins with the Monster JamPit Party fan experience, where participants can view an immersive experience, meet drivers and crews, collect autographs, and even more. Tickets start at $23 on hyveetix.com. Stop by on Saturday at 1 or 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Bid 'The Lion King' adieu

Disney's "The Lion King" roars its way to the metro this spring at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Disney's "The Lion King" roars its way to the metro this spring at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Sunday afternoon: Hakuna matata. Catch the final day of Simba, Nala, Mufasa and more when one of the most beloved musicals in Broadway history ends its performance at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. "The Lion King" tells the story of Simba, his evil uncle Scar, succession, pals Pumbaa and Timon, Pride Rock and the Circle of Life with a mix of nostalgia, top-notch costuming, and next-level storytelling. The show takes the stage through April 16 with ticket prices varying depending on performance on dmpa.org.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: Monster Jam, 'Lion King,' more