Central Iowans can gear up for a festive Fourth of July week packed with parades, live music, classic cars, fireworks, and community traditions as Urbandale marks the 70th anniversary of its Independence Day celebration and Des Moines offers a full lineup of patriotic events.
Urbandale 4th of July Celebration: Cheers to 70 Years
July 3-4 | Lions Park, 72nd Street & Aurora Avenue
Urbandale’s iconic Fourth of July festivities are turning 70, and the celebration is bigger than ever. The two-day event features:
- Carnival rides: July 3 from 4 to 11 p.m., and July 4 from noon to 11 p.m.
- Two-mile parade: July 4 at 10 a.m.
- Entertainment garden, live music, cribbage tournament, bingo, fun runs, and more.
West Des Moines Third of July Parade
July 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Valley West Drive to Wilson Park
Grab your lawn chairs for this community favorite. The free parade winds through West Des Moines, bringing out floats, bands, and plenty of patriotic spirit.
Des Moines Symphony’s 31st Annual Yankee Doodle Pops
July 3 | Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E. Grand Ave.
A beloved summer tradition returns to the Capitol lawn. The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with performances by the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra and Des Moines Symphony Academy Youth Jazz Orchestra.
At 8:30 p.m., the national anthem will be performed by the winner of the Symphony’s “Oh Say, Can You Sing?” contest, followed by the full Des Moines Symphony and vocalist Matthew Johnson delivering favorites like the “1812 Overture” and “Stars & Stripes Forever.” Fireworks cap the evening. Food vendors will be on site.
Des Moines Metro Opera: ‘The Flying Dutchman’
July 4 | 6 p.m. | Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianola
Experience Wagner’s haunting opera “The Flying Dutchman” led by Maestro David Neely and starring Ryan McKinny. Tickets start at $20 for this gripping tale of love, legend, and redemption.
Goodguys 34th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals
July 4-6 | Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines
One of the Midwest’s biggest car shows roars into Des Moines with over 5,000 hot rods, trucks, muscle cars, and classics. The three-day event features:
- Classic Performance Products AutoCross racing series
- Optima Batteries “Duel in Des Moines” shootout
- Swap meet, Cars 4 Sale Corral, vendor midway, live music, and more
- Fireworks show on July 5
Music Under the Stars: Season Finale
July 6 | 7 p.m. | Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park
Wrap up the holiday weekend with classic big band sounds and horn soloist Kristen Ronning, alongside vocalist Max Wellman. This free concert is the final performance of the 2025 Music Under the Stars season.
