Halloween Events in Des Moines
🎃 City Guide · IA · 2026 Season
Looking for Halloween events in Des Moines? We’ve rounded up 13 verified Halloween events across Des Moines for the 2026 season — haunted houses, parties, pumpkin patches, parades, and family fun, each with dates, tickets, and directions.
Top Halloween Events in Des Moines for 2026
Día de los Muertos
2026 Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration
ALL AGES FREE ENTRY
A vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration in Des Moines — ofrendas, music, and marigolds.
Bar Crawl
Des Moines Official Halloween Bar Crawl
21+ ONLY TICKETED
Bar-hop through Des Moines in costume with drink specials all night.
Día de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos at the Des Moines Art Center
ALL AGES FREE ENTRY
A vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration in Des Moines — ofrendas, music, and marigolds.
Haunted House
Linn's Haunted House
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
Des Moines's must-visit haunt for 2026 — extreme scares for brave souls 13 and up.
Haunted House
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
A premier haunted attraction in Des Moines with intense scares, live actors, and cinematic sets.
Haunted House
The Docks Haunted House
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
Des Moines's must-visit haunt for 2026 — extreme scares for brave souls 13 and up.
Haunted House
The Slaughterhouse
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
A premier haunted attraction in Des Moines with intense scares, live actors, and cinematic sets.
Haunted House
Future Nightmares (show)
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
Des Moines's must-visit haunt for 2026 — extreme scares for brave souls 13 and up.
Haunted Christmas
Krampus Krawl
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
Krampus-season scares in Des Moines — haunted Christmas horror in December.
Zoo Event
Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo
FAMILY FRIENDLY TICKETED
A magical family Halloween night at the zoo — candy, lights, and animals.
Haunted House
Phantom Fall Fest
13+ RECOMMENDED TICKETED
A premier haunted attraction in Des Moines with intense scares, live actors, and cinematic sets.
Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins After Dark
FAMILY FRIENDLY PAID ADMISSION
Des Moines's go-to fall destination — pumpkins, kid zones, and autumn treats.
Halloween Event
Spooky Science at the Science Center of Iowa
ALL AGES TICKETED
Halloween fun in Des Moines — seasonal event for the 2026 season.
💡 Local Tips for Halloween in Des Moines
🎃 🎃 Book haunts on weeknights — Friday and Saturday crowds in Des Moines are intense; Sunday–Thursday means shorter lines and often cheaper tickets.
🎃 🎃 Check dates before you drive — most Des Moines Halloween events run select nights only; confirm the 2026 schedule on the event page first.
🎃 🎃 Layer up — October evenings in Des Moines cool off fast; a jacket over your costume beats shivering in line.
🎃 🎃 Plan parking early — popular Des Moines venues fill their lots by 8 PM on October weekends; rideshare or arrive early.
❓ Des Moines Halloween FAQ
What are the best Halloween events in Des Moines for 2026?
The top picks for 2026 include 2026 Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration, Des Moines Official Halloween Bar Crawl, Dia de los Muertos at the Des Moines Art Center. Browse the full list above — every event includes dates, tickets, and directions.
When is trick-or-treat in Des Moines in 2026?
Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026, and most Des Moines neighborhoods trick-or-treat that evening, roughly 6–9 PM. Check your city's official page for any local guidance.
Where can I find Des Moines Halloween events near me?
Right here — this guide lists 13 verified Halloween events across Des Moines for the 2026 season, each with full details, updated as organizers announce schedules.
Run a Halloween event in Des Moines?
List it free — our editors verify every submission within 3 business days.