The Wire — Events Calendar
July 27, 2026
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Garden Artists Summer Camp continues this week
The Botanical Garden's weeklong Garden Artists Summer Camp (ages entering 1st-5th grade) runs through Friday, July 31, 9am-4pm, with campers painting, sculpting, and designing gardens inspired by the grounds.
Good to know: this week's five-day session is already full - a waitlist is open in case a spot opens up.
When: Tuesday, July 28, 9am-4pm CDT. Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Source: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Read the original Garden Artists Summer Camp continues this week
The Botanical Garden stays open late Tuesdays and Fridays through September
Extended Summer Evenings keeps the Botanical Garden's paths, lawn, and Koehn Garden open past the usual closing time on Tuesdays and Fridays through September - golden-hour light over the walled garden, no extra ticket required beyond general admission.
Good to know: free for members and donors; general admission applies for everyone else.
When: Tuesday, July 28, 10am-7:30pm CDT (and every Tuesday/Friday through September). Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Source: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Read the original The Botanical Garden stays open late Tuesdays and Fridays through September
Build a terrarium over a glass of wine at Toast to Terrariums
A guided, 21-and-up workshop at the Botanical Garden: design and build a take-home terrarium with all materials and care instructions provided, wine included.
Good to know: $51 for members, $60 for nonmembers; participants must be 21 or older.
When: Tuesday, July 28, 5:30-7pm CDT. Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Source: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Read the original Build a terrarium over a glass of wine at Toast to Terrariums
Music in the Garden brings The Swallowtails to Koehn Garden
The Botanical Garden's Thursday-evening outdoor concert series continues with The Swallowtails performing in the Koehn Garden, alongside a pop-up poetry-and-Polaroid station from Lemonade Studios.
Good to know: single tickets range $4-$14 depending on age and membership; available in advance or at the door.
When: Thursday, July 30, 6-9pm CDT. Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Koehn Garden.
Source: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Read the original Music in the Garden brings The Swallowtails to Koehn Garden
Story Sprouts story time explores "Sun and the Clouds" for young kids
A weekly Friday story time for children ages two to five, pairing a nature-and-plants story with a themed activity in the Botanical Garden's indoor and outdoor spaces.
Good to know: included with general admission; no registration required.
When: Friday, July 31, 10:30-11am CDT. Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Source: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Read the original Story Sprouts story time explores "Sun and the Clouds" for young kids
Meet the artists behind Wild & Wonderful at a Botanical Garden reception
A reception for the group exhibition Wild & Wonderful, an all-botanical show by Iowa artists on view in the Evergreen Gallery, held during that evening's Extended Summer Evenings hours with light refreshments.
Good to know: included with admission; free for members.
When: Friday, July 31, 5-7pm CDT. Where: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Evergreen Gallery.
Source: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Read the original Meet the artists behind Wild & Wonderful at a Botanical Garden reception
Free Saturday tour walks through the Art Center's permanent collection
A docent-led Museum Highlights Tour through the Des Moines Art Center's permanent collection - paintings, sculpture, and the stories behind them - offered every Saturday.
Good to know: free, no registration required.
When: Saturday, August 1, 1-2pm CDT. Where: Des Moines Art Center.
Source: Des Moines Art Center.
Read the original Free Saturday tour walks through the Art Center's permanent collection
Art for Brunch! unpacks one work of art each month
A monthly meetup where a docent guides open-ended conversation about a single work in the Art Center's collection - no art background required, brunch itself is on your own.
Good to know: free; registration required.
When: Sunday, August 2, 11am-12pm CDT. Where: Des Moines Art Center.
Source: Des Moines Art Center.
Read the original Art for Brunch! unpacks one work of art each month