Day 2: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Morning
No trip to Des Moines is complete without a trip to the Downtown Farmers’ Market, recently named by Shape Magazine as the No. 2 Top Farmers Market in the U.S. The Farmers’ Market offers shopping for produce, eggs, crafts, and much more. It’s also a great stop for breakfast from one of the many vendors. After the Farmers’ Market, it's time to head back to the East Village. Here you will find the PrideFest Pet Parade starting at 9:30 a.m. and the Pride Stride 5K wrapping up at 10 a.m. The Pet Parade always draws a crowd. Here you will find all kinds of furry friends competing for some fun prizes.
Afternoon
Grab lunch at Zombie Burger, offering gourmet burgers, shakes (and new to their menu, fried chicken sammies) in a “post-apocalyptic chic” atmosphere. After lunch, head up the hill to the Iowa State Capitol for a tour of the building and grounds. Self or guided tours are available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Statehouse is world famous for its massive dome, gilded in 23 karat gold leaf and 19th century architecture. As you walk the halls of the Capitol, take the opportunity for a history lesson with the kids.
Did you know that on April 3, 2009, Iowa was the 3rd state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage?
After your tour, grab the kids and head back down the hill to the East Village where you can spend the afternoon walking through the PrideFest vendors and check out all of the unique shops of the East Village. Be sure to plan a visit to the Family and Youth Zone, the Teen Zone, and the Wellness Zones. The zones are designed to offer safe and inclusive spaces for all ages. For teens, it’s the perfect place to use their voice, hear others, socialize, and make new memories and lasting relationships. For the younger kids, there are tons of activities all day long.
Evening
The Community Stage will have a variety of acts throughout the day, and the main stage will round out the evening with headliners and fun acts!
