Where to watch fireworks shows on Fourth of July weekend in central Iowa
Virginia BarredaGet ready for an explosive summer. July 4 weekend and summer fireworks shows are back in full force in central Iowa.
This year, Des Moines will welcome back the first in-person Des Moines Symphony's Yankee Doodle Pops since 2019. The patriotic, family-friendly concert, billed as Iowa's largest annual gathering, hosts upward of 100,000 people for music and fireworks on the ground of the state Capitol.
Here is a list of Independence Day and other July fireworks shows in the Des Moines metro:
July 1
Des Moines Symphony's 28th Annual Yankee Doodle Pops
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- Time: 8:30 p.m.
- Location: West Terrace, Iowa State Capitol
- Price: Free
Iowa Cubs game vs. Columbus Clippers
- Game time: 7:08 p.m., fireworks show to follow
- Location: Principal Park, 1 Line Dr., Des Moines
- Price: Fireworks show included with game admission. Check here for ticket prices.
The event is part of a free, weekly summer concert series.
- Time: Performance by Standing Hampton and fireworks are between 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Prairie Meadows Riviera Stage at Riverview Park, 710 Corning Avenue, Des Moines
- Price: Free admission
More:Where can you set off July 4 fireworks in the Des Moines metro? Here's what Iowa laws say
July 2
Goodguys Car Show's 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals
The event will run July 1-3 featuring more than 4,000 classic, muscle, rod cars; a dragster exhibit; a swap meet; and kids zone. The fireworks show and twilight cruise will be July 2 after live music.
- Fireworks show time: 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines
- Price: For day admission, $10 for children ages 7-12; $20 for ages 13 and up.
Iowa Cubs game vs. Columbus
- Game time: 7:08 p.m., fireworks show to follow
- Location: Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
- Price: Fireworks show included with game admission. Check here for ticket prices.
Winterset Cidery's DogHouse Daisy band and Fireworks Display
- Concert time: 5:30- 9:30 p.m., fireworks show to follow
- Location: Winterset Cidery, 1638 Hwy 169, Winterset
- Price: $10 cover charge per vehicle (up to six people per vehicle)
July 3
Iowa Cubs game vs. Columbus
- Game time: 6:08 p.m., fireworks show to follow
- Location: Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines
- Price: Fireworks show included with game admission. Check here for ticket prices.
Fireworks at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
- Time: Dusk (around 8:30 p.m.)
- Location: 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona
- Price: Free
More:Three nights of over-the-top fireworks light up the Iowa Speedway in Newton this summer
July 4
- Time: Summer's On! concert starts at 8 p.m., with fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Adventureland Park, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
- Price: Admission to the park includes the fireworks show. Check here for park admission prices.
Earlham Freedom Fest
- Time: Dusk (around 9 p.m.)
- Location: Fireworks will take place on the Earlham
- Price: Free
Grimes "Home Base Iowa" July 4th Fireworks Show
- Time: 10 p.m.
- Location: Grimes South Sports Complex, 750 S James Street, Grimes
- Price: Free
- Time: Dusk (about 9:30-10 p.m.)
- Location: Fireworks will launch from 618 5th Street, Minburn; fireworks will be visible throughout town
- Price: Free
More:Iowa's new fireworks law means more places to buy, but fire officials worry
Newton's Fourth of July Celebration
- Time: 3 p.m. with fireworks show at dusk
- Location: Agnes Patterson Memorial Park, 3000 N 4th Avenue E, Newton
- Price: Free
- Time: Parade at 10 a.m.; Party at city park at 11 a.m.; fireworks show at dusk
- Location: McAninch Park, 200 Wright Road, Norwalk
- Price: Free
Perry's Fourth of July Celebration
- Time: Parade at 10 a.m., with fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m
- Location: Pattee Park, West 3rd Street and Willis Avenue, Perry
- Price: Free
Urbandale 4th of July Celebration
- Time: 10 p.m.
- Location: Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas Avenue, Urbandale
- Price: Free
Waukee's Celebration of Independence
- Time: Parade at 10:30 a.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
- Price: Free
West Des Moines fireworks display
- Time: West Des Moines Community Concert Band at 7 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Location: West Des Moines City Campus, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
- Price: Free
Windsor Heights Foundation's Celebrate America
- Time: 6 p.m., fireworks show to follow performance by Faculty Lounge
- Location: Colby Park, 6900 School Street, Windsor Heights
- Price: Free
More:55 summer shows in central Iowa from Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani to 'My Fair Lady'
July 10
The event will run the weekend of July 8-10, with parade floats, a carnival, food and drink, and live music. A fireworks display is scheduled July 10.
- Time: 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Promenade Park at the District at Prairie Trail, SW District Dr, Ankeny
- Price: Free
Did we miss any upcoming firework displays? Let us know.
Virginia Barreda is a trending and general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached or at vbarreda@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.