Most trick-or-treaters in the Des Moines metro area will have to wait an extra day for Halloween festivities this year. Des Moines announced it would move Beggars’ Night from Wednesday to Thursday in anticipation of rain. This shift aims to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for children and families, as detailed in a news release Tuesday morning.
Forecast for Wednesday: Rain and Potential Severe Weather
The National Weather Service predicts that Wednesday will bring heavy rain and possibly severe weather. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 75 degrees, with a low of 44, and a 100% chance of rain in the evening. Southern Iowa may experience stronger thunderstorms, and Des Moines is under a “marginal risk” for severe weather, which could include damaging winds or even a tornado.
Halloween on Thursday promises clearer skies, with a high of 53 degrees and a low of 34, making it ideal for trick-or-treating.
Other Central Iowa Cities Also Postpone Beggars’ Night
Most cities around Des Moines have also postponed Beggars’ Night to Thursday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Participating cities include:
- Ankeny
- Altoona
- Clive
- Indianola
- Johnston
- Norwalk
- Urbandale
- Waukee
- West Des Moines
Pleasant Hill Sticks with Oct. 30 for Beggars’ Night
Pleasant Hill is the only metro area city that will keep Beggars’ Night on Wednesday, October 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. City officials cited a council resolution, which legally requires 24-hour notice to hold a public meeting, making it too late to officially reschedule. Additionally, the city noted on social media that the October 30 tradition has long been a fixture of local calendars and holiday planning.
Similarly bound by council proclamation, Waukee has scheduled a special meeting for 1 p.m. on Wednesday to officially finalize its change to October 31.
Beggars’ Night Tradition: A Unique Halloween Twist
In the Des Moines metro, Beggars’ Night has become a unique Halloween tradition, held on October 30 as an alternative to Halloween night itself. Beggars’ Night started around 80 years ago to address rising Halloween vandalism. Children participate by telling jokes in exchange for treats, adding a playful twist to the trick-or-treating experience.
While most cities maintain the October 30 tradition, Bondurant and Windsor Heights recently opted to host Halloween activities on the preceding Saturday, giving families more flexibility.