Downtown Community Calendar

Name: Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market
Start: 2026-10-03
End: 2026-10-03
Location: Ames Main Street Farmers Market

September

October 2026

November

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3 Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market 9:00 am – 12:30 pm Special Event: Iowa League of Heroes Sponsored by: Musician: Jake Doty Vendor List: Full-Time Vendors: Amaz 3D B+ Beards Backcountry Winery Baked by Beth Barrelly Conscious Bean Caffeinated LLC Bellbottom Moble Café Carlos Quesadillas C’est la Crepe Crafty Folk of Ames Crave A Cake Deal’s Orchar , … Witches and Wine Witches and Wine 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Get into the Halloween spirit and ready for Witches Walk with a creative evening of witchy fun! Create and decorate your own unique witch hat while enjoying a relaxed evening of art-making and socializing. Bring your friends, enjoy a glass of wine, and make something festive to wear No previous art experience is needed , …

4 Lucky Star Fall Market at Fareway Lucky Star Fall Market at Fareway 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Lucky Star’s last outdoor pop up of the season! Shop 40+ makers, artists and food artisans as we celebrate Fall in downtown Ames. Food trucks, live music and local non profits. Free admission, family-friendly, complementary market bags to the first 100 shoppers. , … Uncharted Waters Uncharted Waters 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Our season kicks off with aquatic adventures and a brilliant array of music that has rarely – or never before – been heard by audiences in Iowa. Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen opens the concert with A Mighty River, a colorful work that shows why she is a powerful new presence on the international st , …
5 Books & Bevs at London Underground Books & Bevs at London Underground 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm On first Mondays of each month, Books & Beverages will be meeting from 6 – 7 PM across the street at our favorite bar, London Underground, with co-owner Ellyn and bookseller Bailey to keep you company. This book club does not require that you read a particular book; in fact, even if you wanted to, there isn’t , … Pridefest Trivia Night Pridefest Trivia Night 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Celebrate Ames Pridefest with a fun and festive night of trivia! Get ready to test your knowledge of the spirit and history of all things Pride. We’ll supply the questions, the fun, and the chance to win prizes and trivia glory. Bring a team or fly solo and meet new friends. Light refreshments will be provided. Everyon , …
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8 2026 Witches Walk 2026 Witches Walk 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Come out for a scary good time on Thursday, October 8! Downtown businesses will be open late and hosting snacks and sips between 6:00 – 8:00pm. This event is geared towards adults, but all are welcome and costumes are encouraged. Witches Walk will also feature a Costume Contest this year! Make sure to be at Della Viti , …
9 Coffee Chat Coffee Chat 9:30 am – 11:00 am Enjoy coffee, pastries, and conversation at the museum. Peter Hallock will present a history talk on “Early Ames Canadian Connections,” exploring some of Ames’ earliest settlers who emigrated from Canada. After the talk, browse current exhibits – museum admission is included in the ticket price. , …
10 Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market 9:00 am – 12:30 pm Special Events: West Homesteads Healing Herd Community Harvest Drive Sponsored by: Musician: TBD Cooking Contest: Chili Cook Off | Sign Up Here! Vendor List: Full-Time Vendors: Amaz 3D B+ Beards Backcountry Winery Baked by Beth Barrelly Conscious Bean Caffeinated LLC Bellbottom Mob , … Ames Community Arts Council Celebrates 50 Years During the 2026 Ames Artists’ Studio Tour Ames Community Arts Council Celebrates 50 Years During the 2026 Ames Artists’ Studio Tour 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm For more information, contact: Jennifer Brockpahler, Director Ames Community Arts Council (515) 259-0494 | info@amesart.org Ames Community Arts Council Celebrates 50 Years During the 2026 Ames Artists’ Studio Tour Ames, IA – The Ames Community Arts Council will mark its 50th anniversary with a special rec , …

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13 An Evening with Great Reads from Great Places Author Denise Williams An Evening with Great Reads from Great Places Author Denise Williams 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Join the Ames Public Library for a visit with Denise Williams, Great Reads from Great Places author of The Re-Do List. The Re-Do List is the Iowa Center for the Book’s 2026 selection for adult readers. Written with Williams’s characteristic humor and relatability, this is a sweet romance (with a little spice) abo , …
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15 3rd Thursday Fit Night 3rd Thursday Fit Night 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Join us for a community event focused on enjoying the outdoors and staying active. Follow a set route at your own pace – run or walk as far as you like. Every 3rd Thursday from May through October, meet at Brown’s Shoe Fit Ames. Bring friends and enjoy refreshments, giveaways, and a fun midweek boost to you , … Board Game Night 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 , … Dog-Eared Presents Iowa Weird Dog-Eared Presents Iowa Weird 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Dog-Eared Books is excited to welcome back Hayseed Press to celebrate the release of the Dog-Eared fave, Iowa Weird Vol. 2! This event will feature a moderated discussion with several of the Iowa Weird authors alongside the opportunity to get your book signed. Iowa Weird asks the questions: What is lurking in the corn , … Learn with the League Learn with the League 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Join the League of Women Voters of Ames & Story County, in partnership with the Ames Public Library, for free, community-driven programming that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States. Presentations are held at 7:00PM on the third Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome to attend (no RSVP required , …
16 Rick Exner on Guitar Rick Exner on Guitar 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Rick Exner is a local Ames musician known for his cowboy western style of music. , …
17 Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market 9:00 am – 12:30 pm Special Event: Pet Costume Contest & Trick or Treat Community Harvest Drive Sponsored by: Musician: Denise Forney Vendor List: Full-Time Vendors: Amaz 3D B+ Beards Backcountry Winery Baked by Beth Barrelly Conscious Bean Caffeinated LLC Bellbottom Moble Café Carlos Quesadillas C’est l , … United Women in Faith Fall Fair United Women in Faith Fall Fair 9:00 am – 1:30 pm Be sure to check out the Fall Fair at First United Methodist Church and get your pies, tea rings, homemade noodles, numerous other baked goods, and handmade items. There will be coffee in the morning and a soup luncheon at 11:30. All proceeds go to help local and global missions. , … Opioid Overdose Education and Narcan Training Opioid Overdose Education and Narcan Training 9:30 am – 11:00 am Opioid Overdose Education and Narcan Training will teach participants the basics of opioids, signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, the science behind Narcan, and Narcan administration. A free box of Narcan will be available for each participant while supplies last. Register in advance to guarantee receiving yours a , … Ames: A Glimpse Inside Ames: A Glimpse Inside 10:00 am – 3:00 pm This unique, behind-the-scenes experience transforms familiar streets into living history, allowing participants to step inside the vintage homes, heritage businesses, restored civic buildings, and sacred spaces of Ames’ historic resources. Each location offers a new perspective on Ames’ evolution, architec , … International Friendship Fair International Friendship Fair 10:30 am – 12:00 pm The International Friendship Fair offers a unique opportunity for community members and ISU international students to dispel stereotypes and gain a better intercultural understanding of one another. International volunteers will share their cultures in a fun and educational atmosphere through informal presentations, pi , … Beyond the Hoop: Creepin’ It Cute Needle Minders Beyond the Hoop: Creepin’ It Cute Needle Minders 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Get into the Halloween spirit by creating your own spooky needle minders! Stop by anytime during this drop-in event and choose from adorable ghosts, black cats, pumpkins, witches, and more to turn into a magnetic stitching companion. No experience is needed, and each needle minder takes just a few minutes to make—perfe , …

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21 Bored? Games! 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 , … Bargello Bookmark Bargello Bookmark 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Create a colorful stitched bookmark while learning the basics of Bargello embroidery! This beginner-friendly class will introduce you to simple, repeating geometric stitches that create beautiful patterns with depth and movement. You’ll leave with a handmade bookmark that’s perfect for marking your place in , …
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23 History Happy Hour: Jack the Ripper History Happy Hour: Jack the Ripper 5:30 pm Join in a chilling evening at the museum! Explore the mystery of Jack the Ripper with Laurie Law, sip on two themed drinks, and enjoy exclusive after-hours exhibit viewing. This event is for ages 21+. Advance reservations required. For over 138 years, the mystery of Jack the Ripper has captivated historians, criminolog , … October DJ Set October DJ Set 9:00 pm Live DJ Set with The New Sincerest at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters! We’ll have alcoholic and NA drinks available. , …
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25 Halloween Fun House Halloween Fun House 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Come join the Halloween fun at First United Methodist Church located at 516 Kellogg Avenue. There will be indoor trick or treating, games and funhouse style rooms, “spooky” music played on our 1400+ pipe organ. All spaces are fully accessible and this event is open to ALL ages and abilities! , …
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27 4th Tuesday Free Open Write 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. , …
28 Cross Stitch Keychain Cross Stitch Keychain 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Learn the art of cross stitch while creating an adorable keychain featuring a charming Robin Pickens Petites design! This beginner-friendly cross stitch class is the perfect introduction to counted cross stitch and a fun project for experienced stitchers looking for a quick, satisfying finish. During this hands-on work , …
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30 2026 Downtown Trick or Treat 2026 Downtown Trick or Treat 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Calling all ghouls, ghosts, goblins, and characters of all kinds…come trick or treat in Downtown Ames! Babies, toddlers, kids and parents… everyone is encouraged to dress up! Join our friendly businesses in Downtown Ames and enjoy a fun afternoon with the kids while getting to know our community. We’ , …
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