The Des Moines summer isn't over: what's still ahead

Hinterland, the Iowa State Fair, the World Food & Music Festival, and Saturday mornings at the farmers' market. Here's what's still worth leaving the house for in Des Moines this summer.

If it feels like Des Moines empties out in July, that's a trick of the heat. The back half of summer is the best stretch of the year here, and most of it is still ahead of you. The evenings cool off, the calendar fills up, and the whole city seems to move outdoors. Here's what's worth putting on the calendar right now.

Hinterland Music Festival — July 30 to August 2

A short drive south in St. Charles, Hinterland has quietly become one of the Midwest's best festival weekends: big headliners, a genuinely beautiful natural amphitheater, and a crowd that's there for the music. Camp for the full run or drive down for a single day. If you've never made the trip, this is the year.

Iowa State Fair — August 13 to 23

The one everyone circles. Eleven days at the fairgrounds on the east side, and the food alone is a reason to go, anything you can imagine, usually on a stick. Go on a weekday if you can, park smart or take the shuttle, and come hungry. Build your day around the Grand Concourse and let the rest happen.

World Food & Music Festival — August 28 to 30

Now in its 21st year, the World Food & Music Festival takes over Western Gateway Park downtown for a long weekend of dishes from around the world and live music to match. It's free to walk in, easy to graze your way across a dozen countries, and a good excuse to end the night at a nearby patio.

Every Saturday: the Downtown Farmers' Market

Running Saturday mornings through October in the Historic Court Avenue District, the market is up to hundreds of vendors from all over Iowa this year. Go early before it gets shoulder-to-shoulder, get breakfast from a stand, and let it turn into the rest of your morning downtown.

For the full calendar and anything new that pops up, Catch Des Moines keeps the running list, and it's the first place to check when you're not sure what's on.

None of this needs a plan. Pick one, grab a friend, and go. That's the whole point of a good summer here, and there's plenty of it left.