What's on in Ankeny this week: the regular nights, the big dates, and where to find them.
Every town has a rhythm, and Ankeny's is easy to learn once someone lays it out for you. Trivia and game nights midweek. Live bands when the weekend hits. A Saturday market that anchors the morning. Here is the whole week, night by night, plus what's on right now, so you always have an answer to "what should we do tonight."
Two ways to use this page
The weekly rhythm below is the stuff you can count on most weeks. For the one-off events with exact dates (festivals, concerts, pop-ups), see This Week on the homepage or open the Activity Finder to filter by mood. Days and times for recurring events rotate, so confirm with the venue before you head out.
The weekly rhythm
Ankeny, night by night
Monday
The quiet one
Recharge night
Monday is Ankeny's slow night out. A good evening for a dinner in The District, a movie at the theater, or planning the week off the Activity Finder.
Tuesday
Evening
DJ Trivia at Yankee Clipper
Weeknight pub trivia with music and prizes. Bring a team. Typically starts in the evening; check the bar's page for the current night.
Morning Kids
Kids' dance & play, Market & Pavilion
Pre-K through early-elementary music-and-movement mornings at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion during the warm months.
Wednesday
6:15 pm
Social Run at Fitness Sports
A free, all-paces group run from the Fitness Sports store, with 2, 4, and 6-mile routes. All ages and abilities welcome.
Evening
DJ Bingo & game nights
Free weekly bingo runs at neighborhood bars like The Other Place, plus game leagues around town. A low-key midweek out.
Thursday
5-7:30 pm Summer
Beats & Eats, Market & Pavilion
The signature summer weeknight: free live music, food trucks, and family activities at the AMP on select Thursdays, roughly June through August. See live music.
Evening
Karaoke at The Cabaret
Sing-your-heart-out night with food and drink specials, hosted by a rotating karaoke crew. A reliable Thursday standby.
Friday
Evening
Live bands at the taprooms
Local acts play rooms like The Soggy Frog and the patios around The District. The dependable start to an Ankeny weekend.
Evening Summer
Sips & Songs & Movies Under the Stars
Summer Fridays bring free outdoor concerts at The District and free family movie nights in the city parks. Grab a blanket. Check the homepage for the current title and park.
Saturday
8 am-12 pm Summer
Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market
The heart of the Ankeny weekend from late May through late September: 100+ vendors, produce, meats, food, and crafts at the Market & Pavilion. Full details in our farmers market guide.
Evening
Weekend live music
Bands at The Soggy Frog, Goodtimes, and Whiskey River most Saturday nights. See the live music guide for the venues.
Morning Free
Yoga & fitness in the park
Free outdoor yoga and pilates classes pop up at Wagner Park and The District through the summer. All levels; bring a mat.
Sunday
Afternoon / eve
Puzzle League & music bingo
Uptown Garage runs recurring puzzle and game leagues, and spots like The Cabaret host music bingo. An easy way to close the weekend.
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Still going strong through late September, 8 a.m. to noon at the Market & Pavilion.
Sept 8 Vote
Local Option Sales Tax vote
Ankeny residents decide on a 1% local sales tax on Sept. 8, with early voting Aug. 19 through Sept. 4 and town-hall info sessions before the vote. We break down what it funds and what's exempt in our sales-tax explainer.
Where the regulars happen
Ankeny's go-to venues
The rooms behind the weekly rhythm. Tap an address for directions.
The city's event barn at 715 W 1st St: farmers market, Beats & Eats, kids' classes, and community events.
Soggy Frog
The Soggy Frog
A dependable live-music room for local bands on weekend nights.
Uptown Garage
Uptown Garage Brewing
Board games, puzzle and game leagues, and a rotating tap list in Uptown Ankeny.
The Cabaret
The Cabaret
Karaoke, music bingo, and specials most nights of the week.
Yankee Clipper
Yankee Clipper
Neighborhood bar and a regular home for weeknight DJ Trivia.
Quick answers
Ankeny this week: FAQ
What is there to do in Ankeny tonight?
It depends on the night. Trivia and game nights land midweek (Yankee Clipper, Uptown Garage), live bands play the taprooms and the Soggy Frog on weekend evenings, and karaoke runs at The Cabaret. In summer, add Thursday Beats & Eats and the Saturday farmers market. Nights rotate, so confirm with the venue.
Where is there live music in Ankeny?
Regular rooms include The Soggy Frog, Goodtimes, Whiskey River, and the taprooms around The District. Summer brings the free Beats & Eats series to the Market & Pavilion on select Thursdays. Our live music guide has the full list.
Is there a trivia night in Ankeny?
Yes. DJ Trivia runs weeknights at Yankee Clipper, and Uptown Garage hosts recurring game and puzzle leagues, with music bingo and DJ bingo at other bars through the week. Check the venue's page for the current night.
When is the Ankeny farmers market?
Saturday mornings, about 8 a.m. to noon, from late May through late September at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion (715 W 1st St). Full details in our farmers market guide.
The weekly rhythm reflects recurring events that run most weeks in season; exact nights and times rotate and some are seasonal, so confirm the current schedule with each venue before you go. Sources: the venues named above and their pages; Uptown Ankeny Farmers Market & the Ankeny Market & Pavilion; City of Ankeny Parks & Recreation. Last reviewed August 2026.