The year in Grimes: the annual events worth marking.
The quick answer
Governor's DaysEarly June at the South Sports Complex; 2026 ran June 4 to 6
2027 paradeLibrary lists it for Saturday, June 5
Farmers marketSaturdays 8 to noon, Heritage Park, roughly June through September
HalloweenTrick-or-treat Sat Oct 31, 6 to 8 p.m.; Trunk or Treat Sun Oct 25
HolidaysGrimes Holiday Celebration, the first Sunday of December, with Santa
The big one
Governor's Days (June)
Governor's Days is the town's signature festival, held in early June at the South Sports Complex (750 S James St). The Grimes Chamber & Economic Development organizes it with volunteers. The 2026 dates were June 4 to 6, with the grand parade on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., and the festival ran to a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday. It packs in a carnival, live music in the entertainment garden, a bags tournament, food and craft vendors, and the Lions Club pancake breakfast. The library opens late, at noon, on parade day, and lists the 2027 parade for Saturday, June 5. Named, like the town, for Governor James W. Grimes. Dates and the full schedule are at governorsdays.com.
Summer
The farmers market and the Fourth
Grimes Farmers and Community Market: Saturday mornings, 8 to noon, at Heritage Park, roughly June through September.
Fourth of July fireworks: at the South Sports Complex. See our fireworks guide.
Fall and winter
Halloween and the holidays
Trick-or-treat: Grimes holds trick-or-treat on October 31, generally 6 to 8 p.m. Confirm the year's posting on the city calendar.
Halloween 2026: trick-or-treat is Sat. Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m., and the city Trunk or Treat is Sun. Oct. 25. Every date, plus haunted houses near town, is in our Halloween in Grimes guide.
Grimes Holiday Celebration: the first Sunday of December, with Santa arriving by fire truck. See our holiday lights guide.
Good to know
City holiday closures
Grimes city offices close for the standard holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
What's on, every week
The Grimes Brief carries the seasonal calendar and what's worth your time, free every Monday.
Governor's Days is the town's signature festival, held in early June at the South Sports Complex, with a grand parade, a carnival, live music, vendors, a pancake breakfast, and Saturday-night fireworks. It is named for Governor James W. Grimes.
When is trick-or-treat in Grimes, Iowa?
Grimes holds trick-or-treat on October 31, generally from 6 to 8 p.m. Confirm the exact time on the city calendar each year.
Sources: Governors Days (governorsdays.com); Grimes Public Library closures page; City of Grimes community events pages; Grimes Farmers and Community Market. Dates shift yearly, confirm on the city calendar. Updated October 2026.
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