Find intersectional, LGBTQ affirming and progressive events of all kinds in the The Real Mainstream Central Iowa Events Calendar. Events are color-coded:
June–July 2024
June 1 (3 events)
5:00 pm • Mr., Ms., Mx. and Teen Pageant by Capital City Pride • Des Moines–
June 1Celebrate diversity, individuality, authenticity and inclusivity at this event, as it adds a teen category for the first time. Coordinated by Capital City Pride.8:00 pm • More Pride, No Prejudice: An LGBTQIA+ Burlesque Celebration • Des Moines–
June 1Des Moines' Naughty Nerds Cabaret kicks off Pride month with a night of queer characters and queer tribute acts, living in queer joy. Tickt sare $30 to $50; get yours here.#lgbtqpride202411:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 1Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 2 (2 events)
4:00 pm • Writers Open Mic • Online–
June 2Gather with Iowa City Poetry to share five minutes of your work with "an appreciative online audience."
Online10:00 pm • THE GRAVEYARD Des Moines IA–
June 2Drag show hosted by Robin Graves, at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 4 (1 event)
9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
June 4Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 5 (2 events)
5:00 pm • Prism Tabletop Club LGBTQ+ Game Night • Des Moines–
June 5Choose from hundreds of games; all ages welcome. "Gather, play games, slay dragons, piece together puzzles, hang out and meet new friends" in a safe and welcoming space. Presented by The Rook Room.
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
June 5Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
June 6 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Covered In Melanin • Des Moines–
June 6Drag show featuring Black performers, every first and third Thursday at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's largest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 7 (4 events)
5:00 pm • Capital City Pride Fest • Des Moines–
June 7On opening night of Iowa's largest annual Pride event, enjoy the vendor fair, opening night acts, and a silent disco starting at 7:30 p.m. Check the website for the full schedule.
#lgbtqpride2024
Des Moines - DowntownDes Moines, IA6:30 pm • Pride Reveal Party • Des Moines–
June 7A night of "drag excellence and LGBTQ+ pride" presented by The Iowa Drag Awards.
#lgbtqpride2024
8:00 pm • "Just Say Gay" Pride Drag Show • Des Moines–
June 7Help raise money for the Imperial Court of Iowa's Guardian Angel Scholarship at this Pride-themed drag show.#lgbtqpride202411:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 7Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 8 (5 events)
8:00 am • Capital City Pride Stride • Des Moines–
June 8Open to seasoned runners, casual walkers, and everyone in between. Proceeds benefit Capital City Pride. Tickets are $30 before May 20 ($40 after); sign up here.Pick up your race packet featuring bib and other goodies on the Thursday before.#lgbtqpride202411:00 am • Capital City Pride Fest • Des Moines–
June 8In this second day of Capital City Pride Fest, vendor booths open at 10 a.m. and entertainment starts at noon. Also featuring Zoo to You with the Blank Park Zoo. Check the website for the full schedule.
#lgbtqpride2024
Des Moines - DowntownDes Moines, IA12:00 pm • Pride Tailgate • Des Moines–
June 8This student-friendly gathering, coordinated by Iowa Safe Schools, features food, activities, yard games, sidewalk chalk and more.#lgbtqpride2024Des Moines - DowntownDes Moines, IA5:00 pm • Drag King DSM Pride Party • Des Moines–
June 8This five-year anniversary show features talent from inside and outside of Iowa and is coordinated by DSM Drag Kings, founded in 2000. Line-up to be announced soon.#lgbtqpride202411:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 8Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 9 (3 events)
10:00 am • Capital City Pride Fest • Des Moines–
June 9The final day of Capital City Pride Fest includes the vendor fair, entertainment starting at noon, Pride Yoga at 9 a.m., and a Pride Ecumenical Worship Service at 10 a.m. Â Check the website for the full schedule.
#lgbtqpride2024
Des Moines - DowntownDes Moines, IA12:00 pm • Capital City Pride Parade • Des Moines–
June 9The parade wraps up Pride weekend in Des Moines, for Capital City Pride. Watch the Facebook page for more information.
#lgbtqpride2024
Des Moines - DowntownDes Moines, IA10:00 pm • SADDLE KING SHOW Des Moines IA–
June 9Monthly drag king show at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 11 (2 events)
7:00 pm • Fetish, Erotic and Kink Figure Drawing • Chicago, Ill. and online–
June 11Studio drawing class featuring professional models, available in person or online. Classes are $10; pre-register here. With questions, email online@leatherarchives.org.
Online9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
June 11Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 12 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
June 12Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
June 13 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Noche Latina • Des Moines–
June 13Latin-themed drag at The Legendary Blazng Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar, every second and fourth Thursday.
June 14 (2 events)
• 15th Annual One Iowa Gala • WaukeeJune 14
Gather for a night of great food and music to honor and raise money for One Iowa, Iowa's LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. Tickets are $35 to $175; get yours here.
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 14Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 15 (2 events)
12:00 pm • Neighbors Day Celebration • Des Moines–
June 15Vendors, live music, kids' fun and more at this annual event coordinated by Iowa Juneteenth.
#juneteenth2024
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 15Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 16 (2 events)
5:00 pm • Prism Tabletop Club LGBTQ+ Game Night • Des Moines–
June 16Choose from hundreds of games; all ages welcome. "Gather, play games, slay dragons, piece together puzzles, hang out and meet new friends" in a safe and welcoming space. Presented by The Rook Room.
10:00 pm • The Graveyard • Des Moines–
June 16Drag show hosted by Robin Graves, at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 18 (1 event)
9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
June 18Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 19 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
June 19Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
June 20 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Covered in Melanin • Des Moines–
June 20Drag show featuring Black performers, every first and third Thursday at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's largest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 21 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 21Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 22 (3 events)
10:00 am • Fort Dodge Pride Festival • Fort Dodge–
June 22Gather for this second annual celebration, featuring vendors and more. Coordinated by the Fort Dodge LGBTQ Alliance.
#lgbtqpride2024
4:00 pm • Ankeny Pride • Ankeny–
June 22This free, family-friendly event FREE entertainment features food, a vendor fair, children's activities, a pet parade, a magic show, and more. Presented by Ankeny Pride.#lgbtqpride202411:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 22Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 23 (1 event)
3:00 pm • Juneteenth Festival • Ankeny–
June 23Celebrate the beauty and power of Black culture at this free community event coordinated by Ankeny Community Network. Featuring vendors, artists, food trucks, live music, basketball, a kids area, and more.#juneteenth2024June 25 (1 event)
9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
June 25Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
June 26 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
June 26Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
June 27 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Noche Latina • Des Moines–
June 27Latin-themed drag at The Legendary Blazng Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar, every second and fourth Thursday.
June 28 (2 events)
8:00 am • Iowa Juneteenth Charity Golf Outing • Des Moines–
June 28This day on the greens includes your golf cart, lunch, and a raffle ticket. Registration is $125 a person, or $400 for a group of four. Sign up here.#juneteenth202411:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 28Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
June 29 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
June 29Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
July 3 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
July 3Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
July 10 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
July 10Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
July 17 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
July 17Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
July 20 (1 event)
• Mason City Pride • Mason CityJuly 20
Mason City Pride, IA LGBTQ Pride anticipates its largest annual festival yet. Enjoy food trucks, information booths and vendors, live entertainment, and a drag show to close out the day. Email MCPrideMeg@gmail.com for more information.
#lgbtqpride2024
July 24 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
July 24Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
July 31 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
July 31Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.