Des Moines has undergone a remarkable transformation, and its event venue scene reflects that evolution. The East Village and downtown corridor now feature stylish lofts, restored theaters, and modern event centers that rival much larger cities.
23 venues, ranked by our editors on space, reviews, and event fit.
Our top pick of 23 A restored 1913 Masonic temple in downtown Des Moines with grand architecture and dramatic event spaces.
Seats 300 · up to 500 standing
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A full-service downtown hotel with large ballroom space, on-site catering, and skyway-connected convenience.
Seats 400 · up to 600 standing
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A large suburban event center west of Des Moines with flexible ballroom space and modern amenities for major events.
Seats 500 · up to 800 standing
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A well-established Des Moines banquet facility with classic ballroom elegance and comprehensive event packages.
Seats 250 · up to 350 standing
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A riverside venue in downtown Des Moines with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Des Moines River and Principal Park.
Seats 200 · up to 300 standing
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A craft brewery in Clive with a taproom event space perfect for casual celebrations and corporate gatherings.
Seats 80 · up to 150 standing
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An acclaimed East Village tapas restaurant offering intimate private dining experiences for special celebrations.
Seats 60 · up to 100 standing
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A legendary Des Moines-area ballroom with decades of history, large dance floor, and classic event atmosphere.
Seats 400 · up to 800 standing
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An amusement park resort east of Des Moines with unique event spaces, on-site hotel, and entertainment built in.
Seats 300 · up to 500 standing
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An urban winery in Des Moines with vineyard views, tasting room event space, and a relaxed wine-country atmosphere.
Seats 150 · up to 250 standing
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A modern conference and event center in Ankeny with state-of-the-art facilities and a distinctive agricultural heritage.
Seats 350 · up to 500 standing
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Riverside botanical garden with conservatory ceremonies and indoor-outdoor event rooms north of downtown Des Moines.
Historic Tudor mansion museum in Des Moines renting indoor rooms and grounds for weddings and private gatherings.
Seats 100 · up to 250 standing
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Downtown Des Moines science museum hosting birthdays, receptions, and weddings among its exhibit halls.
Seats 400
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Des Moines zoo with indoor event centers, covered pavilions, and after-hours full-zoo rentals for private groups.
Seats 450 · up to 600 standing
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Restored 1925 Younkers ballroom on the sixth floor of downtown Des Moines' Wilkins Building, hosting up to 300.
Up to 300 standing
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Downtown Des Moines Italian restaurant with private dining for groups from 6 to 120 in banquet or reception setups.
Seats 120
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Sixth-floor restaurant and patios atop the AC Hotel in Des Moines' East Village, with skyline-view event spaces.
Seats 60 · up to 100 standing
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West Des Moines eatertainment venue with pickleball, axe throwing, and event spaces for groups of 10 to 700.
Up to 700 standing
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Two-story all-inclusive reception hall in Ankeny's Prairie Trail district with in-house catering and full bar.
Urbandale open-air history museum renting a barn, church, conference center, and lawns for events up to 330.
Seats 156 · up to 330 standing
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34,000-square-foot events center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, with 20+ rooms, chef catering, and on-site hotel.
Up to 2,000 standing
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Sherman Hill brewery taproom with a private Crescent Room and patios hosting groups up to 250.
Seats 110 · up to 250 standing
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Beyond downtown, the suburbs offer sprawling venues like Horizon Events Center and destination spaces like Jasper Winery with vineyard views. The city's central Iowa location makes it an easy drive-in destination for guests, and the cost of hosting here is significantly lower than in Chicago or Minneapolis. Whether your vision calls for an industrial-chic brewery space or a grand ballroom with old-world charm, Des Moines delivers options that surprise first-time planners.
Top-ranked picks include The Temple for Performing Arts, Des Moines Marriott Downtown, and Horizon Events Center. Our editors rank 23 party venues in Des Moines by space, reviews, and event fit.
Des Moines venues host wedding, corporate event, birthday party, anniversary, holiday party, retirement party, reunion, graduation party, and private dining events, among others.
Capacity ranges widely; the largest spaces in Des Moines hold up to 2,000 guests, with smaller rooms for intimate gatherings.
Pricing spans budget-friendly to premium. The exact cost depends on your date, headcount, and catering, so request a quote for a real number.