Catch a drag show during brunch or get your kids in costume for Halloween this weekend in Des Moines

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It’s practically Halloween every day this weekend in Des Moines. Families can get into costume as early as Thursday and step inside businesses in Beaverdale as part of Booverdale business district’s trick-or-treat. The little ones can continue filling up their pillowcases and bags with goodies at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Saturday afternoon or in Valley Junction Sunday. Adults can have their Halloween fun as well by spending their Friday night in Indianola catching drinks in costume or watching a drag show and brunch Sunday morning. If Halloween isn’t quite your thing, see Ballet Des Moines tell the classic story of “Jekyll & Hyde” Friday or see besties and podcasters Nat & Cat take over Hoyt Sherman Place with their hilarious and honest accounts about motherhood and life.

Say ‘boo’ to Beaverdale businesses for early Halloween fun

The Ringleader from the Circus of Freaks rolls by during the mile-long journey for the Beaverdale Fall Festival Parade in September.
The Ringleader from the Circus of Freaks rolls by during the mile-long journey for the Beaverdale Fall Festival Parade in September.

Thursday night: Visit the Beaverdale business district and stop in at more than two dozen businesses for trick-or-treating. Start at the intersection of Beaver and Urbandale avenues and work your way into participating businesses such as Grounds for Celebration, Beaverdale Books and Michael's Pizza from 4 to 6 p.m. Costumes are encouraged and it's free to attend.

See the story of 'Jekyll & Hyde' told through dance

Dancers perform during the dress rehearsal for Ballet Des Moines in 2017.
Dancers perform during the dress rehearsal for Ballet Des Moines in 2017.

Friday night: Good vs. evil takes the stage when Ballet Des Moines hosts the world premiere of Tom Mattingly’s “Jekyll & Hyde,” inspired by the gothic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson. The show will be held at Temple Theater at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines. The performance starts at 7 p.m. with shows continuing through Sunday. Tickets start at $41.50.

More: Get into the Halloween spirit. Here's the best of what's going on around Des Moines.

Have a boo-zy evening in Indianola

Friday night: Spend the evening shopping at businesses in Indianola and sample alcoholic drinks as part of Wine, Witches & Brews. Visit businesses at the Indianola Downtown Square at West Salem Avenue from North Buxton Street to North Howard Street between 5 and 9 p.m. to take part in the fun. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $15 and attendees must be 21 and over.

Start your Saturday with more Halloween festivities

The view of the East Village from the State Capitol.
The view of the East Village from the State Capitol.

Saturday morning: Families, visit the East Village in Des Moines for Halloween fun. more than a dozen businesses will be passing out candy and other special treats, including Cinnaholic on East Grand Avenue with its Halloween-themed graveyard cinnamon rolls to face painting and spooky story time at Storyhouse Bookpub on East Grand Avenue. Trick-or-treat in the East Village is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free to attend.

Get the little ones in costume for Trick or Trees

Plants are lit up at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden during their Dome after Dark event in 2021.
Plants are lit up at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden during their Dome after Dark event in 2021.

Saturday afternoon: Add a visit to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive in Des Moines, on your list of all things Halloween this weekend. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., take the family for trick-or-treating and face painting, see a costume parade and check out other family-friendly activities at the botanical garden’s Trick or Trees. Tickets are $12 for people 13 and up and $9 for ages 2-12. Seniors and active military get in for $11.

More: Here's your gore galore guide to 9 scary Halloween haunts in the Des Moines metro area

Hear the Spider-Verse come to life

Spider-Man/Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
Spider-Man/Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

Saturday night: The Oscar-winning animated film that tells the story of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is being screened with live music at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines. “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” will feature live musicians and turntables to perform the score while you watch Miles Morales become the iconic superhero. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

Have a girl’s night out thanks to Cat & Nat

Cat & Nat bring their "Unfiltered Love" show to Hoyt Sherman Place.
Cat & Nat bring their "Unfiltered Love" show to Hoyt Sherman Place.

Saturday night: The duo that brings community, honesty and hilarity to moms everywhere are headed to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines. Catherine Belknap and Natalie Telfer, a.k.a. Cat & Nat, are podcasters, authors and two best friends on tour as they continue telling audiences what it really looks like to be a mom. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $42.50.

Style your hair just right for Emo Nite

Travis Clark of We The Kings takes the stage during Emo Nite at Wooly's.
Travis Clark of We The Kings takes the stage during Emo Nite at Wooly's.

Saturday night: Dance and sing your heart out when Emo Nite returns to Wooly's at 504 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. Hear all your favorite songs from the 1990s to the 2000s and see special guest Travis Clark, the lead singer for pop-rock act We The Kings. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Sip on cocktails during a drag brunch

Sunday morning: See a drag show while enjoying Halloween cocktails and a brunch buffet at Willow on Grand, 6011 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Costumes are welcomed. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the show starts at 11 a.m. Tickets are $45.

Go trick-or-treating in Valley Junction

Sunday afternoon: Head over to Fifth Street in West Des Moines for the pumpkin walk at Valley Junction. There will be trick-or-treating, hay rides starting at First National Bank, 301 Fifth St., live performances and plenty of children’s activities. The pumpkin walk is from 2 to 5 p.m. and is free to attend.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Halloween events

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