Hey Fellow Wanderlust Warriors, that first October chill hits, and suddenly every porch in Des Moines glows orange. Costumes itch in closets, kids rehearse their “trick-or-treat” pitch, and you? You’re hunting the ultimate Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa lineup for 2025. I’ve chased ghosts from Sherman Hill to Sleepy Hollow for a decade-trust me, this city doesn’t just celebrate Halloween; it possesses it. Ready to trade boring nights for epic frights? Let’s map your spooky season like pros.
Family Friendly Halloween Events in Des Moines Iowa :- Candy, Crafts, and Zero
Little monsters deserve big fun without the big scares. Des Moines overflows with family-friendly Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa that blend treats, education, and Instagram-worthy moments. Ever watched a toddler a T-Rex? It’s about to happen.
Trunk-or-Treats: Parking Lots Turned Candy Paradises
Cars become candy vaults—safe, lit, and zero doorbell drama. Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa shine brightest in these community gems.
- Grimes South Sports Complex Trunk or Treat – October 19, 2-4 p.m. Free. 100+ themed trunks, bounce houses, and a fire-truck photo op. Pro move: Bring a wagon—candy hauls get heavy.
- Urbandale PD Safe Trick-or-Treat – October 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cops in costumes hand out glow sticks and Tootsie Rolls. My nephew scored a junior badge—melted faster than the chocolate.
- Modern Custom Dreamz Glow-Up – October 25, 6-8 p.m. LED-lit muscle cars, fog machines, and a DJ spinning “Monster Mash.” $5 suggested donation feeds local shelters.
- Ankeny Lions Club Mega Treat – October 26, 3-5 p.m. 2,000+ kids last year. Sensory-friendly hour 3-4 p.m. for neurodiverse families.
Zoos, Farms & Museums: Where Learning Wears a Costume
Animals + pumpkins = pure magic. These Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa sneak education into the sugar rush.
- Blank Park Zoo Night Eyes – Oct 16-19 & 23-26, 6-8 p.m. Merry-not-scary trail with 25 treat stations, pirate ship, and dino disco. $15 kids, $18 adults. Book timed tickets—sells out by mid-September.
- Living History Farms Family Halloween – Oct 17-19 & 24-26, 5:30-8 p.m. Lantern-lit 1876 town, wagon rides, apple-bobbing, and storytellers in period garb. $12 online, $14 gate. I still quote the “witch” who predicted my future via cornhusk doll—spoiler: more candy.
- Des Moines Children’s Museum Spooky Science – Oct 23-25, 6-8 p.m. Glow-in-the-dark slime lab, pumpkin bowling, and a “boo-ble” machine. $10 kids 1-10. Sensory hour 5-6 p.m.
- Botanical Garden Trick or Trees – Oct 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Scavenger hunt through fall displays, live carving demos, and a “plant a pumpkin seed” takeaway. $10 adults, $5 kids.
Library & Rec Center Mini-Fests
Free or cheap, always chaotic in the best way.
- Franklin Ave Library Monster Mash – Oct 28, 4-6 p.m. Storytime with a real firefighter reading Big Pumpkin, then cookie decorating.
- Four Mile Community Center Glow Party – Oct 30, 6-8 p.m. Black lights, neon face paint, and a costume parade judged by teens.
Spooky Adventures: Top Haunted Houses in Des Moines Iowa
Heart racing? Good. Des Moines’ haunted Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa crank terror to eleven. I once dropped my phone in a corn maze—still haven’t found it (or my dignity).
Scream Parks & Mega-Haunts
Big budgets, bigger scares. Fast Pass = sanity saver.
- Sleepy Hollow Scream Park (Granger) – Oct 3-Nov 1, Fri-Sat 7 p.m.-midnight. 9 attractions: haunted hayride, 3D clown maze, Headless Horseman trail. $35 combo, $55 VIP. New 2025: “Crimson Carnival” with fire jugglers. Shuttle from Jordan Creek—parking nightmare avoided.
- The Slaughterhouse (Downtown) – Oct 3-Nov 1, Thu-Sun 7-11 p.m. Industrial gorefest in a real warehouse. $28 general, $45 front-of-line. 2025 theme: “Year of the Clownpocalypse.” Actors unionized—meaning zero weak scares.
- Linn’s Supermarket of Souls (Des Moines) – Oct 4-31, Fri-Sat 7-11 p.m. Grocery aisles turned nightmare. $25. Checkout lane jump scare = legendary.
Hidden-Gem Haunts & Outdoor Terrors
Intimate, raw, and gloriously unhinged.
- Ankeny Haunted Barn – Oct 10-31, Fri-Sat 7-10 p.m. Real 100-year-old barn crawling with actors. $20. Cornfield escape room add-on: $10 extra, 15 minutes of pure panic.
- Tormented Souls Haunt (Madrid) – Oct 11-31, Fri-Sat dusk-midnight. Outdoor trail with live chainsaws and a “burial simulator.” $22. 30-minute drive, zero cell service—perfect.
- The Deranged Haunt (near Adel) – Oct 17-31, select nights. Hillbilly horror on 20 acres. $30. Bonfire + s’mores between runs—genius recovery zone.
Adult Halloween Events in Des Moines Iowa: Boos, Brews & Bar Crawls
Kids asleep? Time to misbehave (responsibly). Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa for 21+ are next-level debauchery.
Haunted Pop-Up Bars
Instagram dreams, liver screams.
- Nightmare on Ingersoll – Through Nov 2. 30+ horror cocktails—try the “Exorcist” green pea soup shot. Trivia nights (Oct 22, 29). $12-15 drinks.
- Exile Brewing’s Haunting – Through Nov 1. “Grim Reaper” burger with syringe cheese. Beggar’s Brunch Oct 26: bottomless mimosas + costume contest. $45.
- Disturb at Hello Marjorie – Through Nov 9. Speakeasy vibes, 20+ smoky cocktails. Live jazz Oct 31. Reservations essential.
- Wicked Heights Rooftop (AC Hotel) – Through Nov 1. Skyline views, “Pumpkin King” old fashioned. Heated tents—weatherproof partying.
Bar Crawls & Parties
Costume mandatory, shame optional.
- Official Halloween Bar Crawl – Oct 31 & Nov 1, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. 10+ bars, free entry, $3 spooky shots. $26 early bird. Starts at Tonic Court Ave.
- Zoo Brew: Spirits of the Wild – Oct 31, 6-10 p.m. 21+ zoo romp with 30 craft beers, haunted train, and lion feeding at dusk. $50 GA, $75 VIP.
Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating Hotspots in Des Moines Iowa
Door-to-door remains king. Beggars’ Night rules: October 30, 6-8 p.m. citywide (except Windsor Heights: Oct 25). Tell a joke, get candy—tradition since 1938.
- Sherman Hill Halloween on the Hill – Oct 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Victorian mansions decked like Hollywood sets. Live Thriller dance, food drive for DMARC. Free.
- Beaverdale Fall Festival Parade & Treats – Oct 25, 10 a.m. parade, treats till noon. 1950s vibe—think poodle skirts and classic cars.
- South of Grand Porch Party – Oct 30, 6-8 p.m. Mansions hand out full-size bars. Bring a wagon; hills are brutal.
Free & Low-Cost Halloween Events in Des Moines Iowa
Broke but spooky? We got you.
- Valley Junction Ghost Walk – Oct 24, 6 p.m. Free guided tour of haunted historic district.
- East Village Pumpkin Palooza – Oct 26, 1-4 p.m. Free carving contest, live music, dog costume parade.
- Capitol Complex Lantern Tours – Oct 29, 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP. Ghosts of legislators past.
Pro Tips to Dominate Halloween in Des Moines Iowa
- Layer costumes—40°F at 6 p.m., 65°F by 8 p.m. Iowa laughs at weather apps.
- Download the “DSM Halloween” app—real-time wait times for haunts.
- Buy haunted house tickets mid-week online—save $10+.
- Uber surge pricing = evil. Carpool or shuttle.
- Glow sticks > flashlights—kids spot candy faster.
Halloween Events in Des Moines Iowa – FAQs
Q :- When is Beggars’ Night in Des Moines?
October 30, 6-8 p.m. citywide (except Windsor Heights: Oct 25). Tell a joke for candy—classic DSM tradition.
Q :- Are there sensory-friendly Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa?
Yes! Ankeny Lions (Oct 26, 3-4 p.m.), Children’s Museum (Oct 23, 5-6 p.m.), and Zoo Night Eyes quiet hour (Oct 16, 5:30 p.m.).
Q :- What’s the scariest haunted house near Des Moines?
Sleepy Hollow Scream Park—9 attractions, live actors, and a 20-minute hayride through hell. Bring backup underwear.
Q :- Where can I find adult-only Halloween parties in Des Moines?
Zoo Brew (Oct 31), Official Bar Crawl (Oct 31-Nov 1), and pop-ups like Nightmare on Ingersoll.
Q :- Are there free Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa?
Tons! Valley Junction Ghost Walk, East Village Pumpkin Palooza, and Capitol Lantern Tours—all $0.
Q :- Can I bring toddlers to Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo?
Absolutely—“merry-not-scary” vibe. Strollers welcome, but arrive early for parking.
Q :- What’s the best neighborhood for trick-or-treating in Des Moines?
Sherman Hill—epic decor, full-size candy, and zero cars on closed streets.
Q :- Do haunted houses offer group discounts?
Yes—Slaughterhouse and Sleepy Hollow give 10% off for 8+ tickets booked together online.
Q :- Where’s the dog-friendly Halloween event in Des Moines?
East Village Pumpkin Palooza (Oct 26)—pup costume contest at 2 p.m.
Conclusion: Your Des Moines Halloween Awaits
From glowing zoo trails to bar crawls that end in blurry selfies, Halloween events in Des Moines Iowa deliver every flavor of fright and fun. I’m already plotting my route—Sherman Hill for nostalgia, Sleepy Hollow for screams, and a nightcap at Nightmare on Ingersoll. Grab your crew, charge your phone, and make 2025 the year Des Moines remembers your costume. What’s your first stop? Drop it below—let’s keep the spooky convo alive. 🎃👻
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Disclaimer: Information is accurate as of October 2025 but subject to change. Always check with the hotel or booking platforms for the latest details.
