Downtown Community Calendar

January 2026

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1st Saturday FREE Write Together
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us at Fifth Street Writers on the 1st Saturday of each month from 10 AM to Noon. Together we’ll write in community on our writing projects. What’s an Open Write? Bring your laptop or whatever you write with to work on your creative writing projects—novels, memoirs, poems, project outlines, your to-do list for the , …
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Fifth Street Writers | 1st Saturday Write Together
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Join us at Fifth Street Writers on the 1st Saturday of each month from 10 AM to Noon. Together we’ll write in community on our writing projects. What’s a Write Together? Bring your laptop or whatever you write with to work on your creative writing projects—novels, memoirs, poems, project outlines, your to-do list&#82 , …
Embroidered Intention Bag with Life Distilled
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
In this creative class, students will hand-embroider their own Intention Bag—a personal pouch meant to hold meaningful items or tools for mindfulness. Students will learn basic embroidery techniques and apply them to decorate their bag. They will then work with Jenny from Life Distilled to blend an essential oil roller , …
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Healthy Sheet Pan Meals
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Watch as we prepare a vibrant, healthy sheet pan meal – poultry, veggies and a starch. You’ll see how to balance flavors and textures while keeping things simple and nutritious. Learn the techniques for roasting everything together on one pan to maximize flavor and minimize cleanup. This class is perfect if , …
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2026 Winter Sidewalk Sales
Get ready… Set… Shop local! Winter Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames are a semi-annual sale held by businesses in the Downtown district. Not only will you find great deals, you’ll be supporting the local community by shopping local! You’ll find discounts, promotions, sales and many other good deals! Take a s , …
Mexican Sweet Bread Pasty – Rosca de Reyes
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Watch as Maria demonstrates the art of making Rosca de Reyes, a traditional Mexican sweet bread. You’ll see how this festive pastry comes together from dough to decoration, learning the techniques that give it its signature flavor and texture. Discover the cultural significance behind this special bread and pick , …
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2026 Winter Sidewalk Sales
Get ready… Set… Shop local! Winter Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames are a semi-annual sale held by businesses in the Downtown district. Not only will you find great deals, you’ll be supporting the local community by shopping local! You’ll find discounts, promotions, sales and many other good deals! Take a s , …
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2026 Winter Sidewalk Sales
Get ready… Set… Shop local! Winter Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames are a semi-annual sale held by businesses in the Downtown district. Not only will you find great deals, you’ll be supporting the local community by shopping local! You’ll find discounts, promotions, sales and many other good deals! Take a s , …
Saturday Stitchers
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Celebrate the weekend with a special weekend stitching group. Show off finished projects, find great new patterns, and maybe even get a stitch or two on your current WIP at this fun monthly event. , …
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2026 Winter Sidewalk Sales
Get ready… Set… Shop local! Winter Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames are a semi-annual sale held by businesses in the Downtown district. Not only will you find great deals, you’ll be supporting the local community by shopping local! You’ll find discounts, promotions, sales and many other good deals! Take a s , …
Sound Bath Meditation
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Join us for an immersive evening of relaxation, reflection, and renewal. Led by Amy, a Certified Therapeutic Sound Bath Facilitator and passionate advocate for holistic wellness, this experience invites you to reconnect with your inner calm through the transformative power of sound. Amy has been guiding sound bath expe , …
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Rainbow Stitch & Bitch
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Ames Pride and Prairie Rose Needleworks are partnering for a special craft meetup for LGBTQIA+ crafters! Bring your craft project and join the fun! , …
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Nature’s Kiss: DIY Zero-Waste Acorn Cap Lip Balm
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Discover the simple magic of turning acorn caps, herbs, and beeswax into your own nourishing lip balm! In just one hour, you’ll learn to infuse, blend, and pour your balm using natural, zero-waste ingredients and a little help from our crockpot. Each attendee will leave with their personalized lip balm—perfect for dry , …
Spiral Sampler Workshop
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
This course is for beginners. Students will learn about embroidery supplies as well as basic stitches to get them started on their stitching journey. The sampler includes: Woven wheel roses Fly stitch Back stitch Split stitch Chain stitch Fern stitch Stem stitch Detached chain stitch Straight stitch French knots All su , …
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Board Game Night
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Morning Bell will be open late, offering our coffee menu plus a special cocktail and mocktail with board games available to play , …
Winter Mocktails & Small Plates
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Roll up your sleeves and dive into crafting refreshing winter mocktails paired perfectly with flavorful small plates. This hands-on class is designed to get you mixing and matching ingredients to create vibrant, alcohol-free drinks alongside bite-sized dishes that bring out the best of the season. Ideal for girls’ nigh , …
Third Thursday Snack, Sip and Sparkle: Jewelry Night
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The first Third Thursday of 2026 will honor Martha Benson, one of the founders of the Octagon and a renowned metalsmith. Join us for a metal jewelry demonstration by Terrie Hoefer and an opportunity to make your own jewelry. For $5, adults have an opportunity to create a metal piece with Terrie – pre-registratio , …
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Build Your Own Plant Terrarium Workshop
10:00 am – 11:00 am
In this creative, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to build and care for your very own terrarium, whether you prefer a lush, self-sustaining closed terrarium or an airy, desert-inspired open one. These living landscapes bring a bit of nature indoors and make beautiful, low-maintenance décor. We’ll walk you through e , …
Sourdough 101 with Alex
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Watch as Alex breaks down the art and science of sourdough, showing you how to nurture your starter and craft the perfect loaf. You’ll see the techniques behind mixing, folding, and shaping that give sourdough its signature texture and tang. Learn the fundamentals that set sourdough apart from other breads and ge , …
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Sweet & Savory Scones
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to make scones that hit all the right notes. You’ll work with dough to create both sweet and savory versions, including raspberry white chocolate and bacon gruyere. This is your chance to master the art of flaky, tender scones that are anything but ordinary. Along the way, you&# , …
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Lunch Bunch Stitching Meetup
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
De-stress during the work day with our new lunch time stitching group! Bring a project, bring lunch, and join us for stitching fun. Every Third Wednesday of the Month, 12-2 p.m. , …
Focaccia & Soup
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty as you make focaccia from scratch with Liz. You’ll learn the secrets to achieving that perfect crispy crust and airy crumb while working alongside a creamy tomato soup that’s as comforting as it is flavorful. This class is all about mastering simple, hearty dishes tha , …
Bored? Games!
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Will you punch your Ticket to Ride or will your Splendor attract noble patrons? Join us for adult game night every month to find out! Tabletop games will be available to play, or bring a favorite to share. All gaming experience levels are welcome. Snacks will be provided. Everyone 18 or older is welcome. Supported by t , …
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Stress Hacks: Nutrition, Breath & Body Basics
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
To effectively manage stress, we need to address multiple lifestyle practices such as diet, quality sleep, movement, mindfulness, the breath, and mental health strategies. The more tools in your self-help toolbox, the better you will be able to address stressful events. In this class, we’ll discuss actionable lifestyle , …
Sola Wood Flower Reed Diffuser Workshop
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll design a beautiful, everlasting wood flower arrangement that doubles as a natural essential oil diffuser. Using sola wood flowers, reeds, and a decorative vase, you’ll craft a piece that’s both functional and stylish—perfect for adding a touch of fragrance and charm to any r , …
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Vietnamese Pho with Anilisa
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Watch as Anilisa breaks down the art of making authentic Vietnamese pho, from crafting the rich, aromatic broth to assembling the perfect bowl with fresh herbs and noodles. You’ll learn the techniques that bring this iconic dish to life without ever leaving your seat. This class offers a deep dive into the flavor , …
Embroidered Sweater Class
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to make one of those cute and trendy embroidered sweaters? Seriously, no experience necessary! Owner of Handful of Made, Karlie Hunter, will walk you through embroidering a sweater with yarn. Price includes the use of embroidery supplies (needle, yarn, design, etc.) and instruction. Visit us online , …
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Community Volunteer Fair
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through giving back to the community. Join organizations that utilize volunteers to help achieve their mission.  A wide variety of organizations will be on site to share about available volunteer opportunities. , …
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4th Tuesday Free Open Write
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Join Ana McCracken for our Open Write Tuesday on Zoom or in person at Fifth Street Writers. WHAT’S AN OPEN WRITE? We join together, share what we’re working on, and write for ~90 minutes. At the end, we share our successes, and sign off. Easy peasy. Email Ana, ana@ameswriterscollective.org to register for the event. , …
Dog-Eared Presents Denise Williams
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Denise Williams, our hometown romance-writing hero, is dropping another life-affirming happily ever after and we cannot wait to share it with you all. Join us on Tuesday, January 27th to celebrate the release of The Re-Do List, hosted by two other fantastic midwestern romance authors, Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone! Ma , …
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Plant-Based Mushroom Bourguignon
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Watch as we transform hearty mushrooms into a rich, plant-forward take on the classic Bourguignon stew. Learn the techniques to build deep, savory flavors without meat, using simple, wholesome ingredients that come together in a comforting, healthy dish. This demonstration will show you how to balance textures and seas , …
Sashiko Workshop
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery great for mending, is a fun and interesting way to extend the life of your textiles or just add some pizzazz to your clothing. We’ll learn more about the history of sashiko, the different types of sashiko designs, and practice four hitomezashi designs that can be turned , …
View from the Margins Book Group
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Check out this book group for fresh insights and lively discussion about topics relating to society, identity, and culture. Book selections include fiction and non-fiction from a wide variety of perspectives and marginalized identities. This month we are reading The Message, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This event is hybrid. T , …
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