If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, the Des Moines Register's free weekly newsletter highlighting all the fun things to do in central Iowa. I recently wrote about pizza farms, karaoke bars, where to go to save money, where to buy crafts, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, things to do in Iowa this winter, Amana Colonies, and where to buy plants. Sign up for our newsletter and get a list of fun places to go, things to do, things to eat, and more delivered to your inbox early Thursday morning.
Des Moines Home + Garden Show
Thursday afternoon: Central Iowa's largest home show will be held for four days through Sunday at the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St. in Des Moines. The Des Moines Home + Garden Show features everything from garden exhibits to a market for home goods. Celebrities such as Attie Williams from Netflix's “Hack My Home” and HGTV's “DC Flippers” will take the stage Friday at 6 p.m. and will speak Friday at 5 p.m. pm Shows are held Thursdays from noon to 9pm, Fridays from 10am to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 8pm, and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Ticket prices range from $14 in-store to $3 off online with promo code PROJECT.
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
Friday night: Harry Potter fans, prepare for a night of sorcery and wizardry when “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is performed in concert with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. Let's. Tickets for Friday's 7:30 p.m. show and Saturday's 1:30 p.m. show range from $35 to $126 online.
benny green
Friday night: Fans can describe Benny Green as “one of the most exciting hard-swinging pianists to come out of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.'' He will take the stage at his Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this show range from $32 to $65.
comedy experiment
Friday night: The Comedy Experiment at the Tallgrass Theater, 2019 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Suite 100, features two nights of improvisational games and scenes inspired by audience suggestions. Tickets are $13 in advance for Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. $15 at the door.
shrek rave
Friday night: Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and the rest of the gang will take the stage at the rave at Woolies, 504 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. Tickets for the 9pm show start at $25.
deathkill overdrive
Friday night: Head over to xBk Live, 1159 24th St. in Des Moines, to hear Death Kill Overdrive open by Des Moines natives Greg Wheeler & The Poly Mall Cops and Odd Petz. The 8 p.m. show will feature Iowa City punk rock band Death Kill Overdrive for fans of Green Day, Elliot Page and the Cats. Tickets range from $12 in advance to $15 at the door.
russell dickerson
Friday night: Country-pop singer Russell Dickerson brings his songs “God Gave Me a Girl” and “She Likes It” to an 8 p.m. show at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway in Waukee. Masu. Tickets start at $41.
postmodern jukebox
Friday night: “Pop music in a time machine” concert act Postmodern Jukebox is celebrating 10 years of touring and 1,000 performances in 2024 with a new world tour at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue in Des Moines. The “10” tour “combines modern earworms and iconic pop hits alike” and reimagines them with classic genres such as 1920s jazz, swing, doo-wop, and Motown. Tickets for the 8pm show start at $55.
Perfect for prom
Saturday morning: Need a prom dress? Visit Pretty for Prom at 6959 University Avenue in Windsor Heights. Girls and families in financial hardship can shop, try on, and receive their prom dresses for free. We also accept donations. The pop-up shop will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2pm until March 30th.
A walk on the coldest night of the year
Saturday afternoon: Go for a 2K or 5K walk on the coldest night of the year. This is your chance to raise money for local charities supporting people facing injury, hunger and homelessness. The 4 p.m. walk begins at the Des Moines Water Department, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. For more information, visit cnoy.com/location/desmoines.
centro truffle dinner
Saturday night: Centro will host a five-course truffle dinner at 6 p.m. Executive Chef Michael Kolodzej and Centro's culinary team created dishes such as beef carpaccio with king crab and brown butter truffle aioli, egg yolk raviolo with shaved winter truffle, and milk braised pork belly. . truffle juice. Each course includes an optional wine pairing. Tickets start at $100. Check Centro's website for upcoming events such as wine dinners covering his one region of Italy.
marty stuart
Saturday night: Five-time Grammy Award winner Marty Stewart brings country music to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue in Des Moines. The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee worked in the bands of bluegrass artist Lester Flatt and famous country artist Johnny Cash in the 1970s and his 1980s. Tickets start at $36 at ticketmaster.com.
chili food
Sunday afternoon: Stop by Firetrucker Brewery, 716 SW Third St. in Ankeny, for chili dishes from 1 to 4 p.m. For $15, participants can taste the suggestions and get a pint and bowl of their favorite chili. Chefs can also register for his participation for $30. Proceeds from this event will go toward supporting the Perry Community School District and families affected by the shooting. Tickets can be purchased online.
Susan Stapleton is entertainment editor and dining reporter for the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook twitterInstagram, or send us a message at sstapleton@gannett.com..