Iowa’s Capitol City Closes Door On 90-Year Beggars’ Night Tradition

A tradition in Des Moines won't happen in October 2025 or ever again.

We know Halloween is trick-or-treating on October 31st, and if you're from Iowa, you're probably familiar with Beggars' Night. It's trick-or-treating too but on October 30th. It originated in Iowa in the 1930's.

This year, the tradition is 87 years old. In March, the Des Moines City Council voted to move Beggars Night from October 30th to Halloween, and most central Iowa cities that once observed it have also voted to move trick-or-treating to Halloween itself.

Last October, severe weather pushed back Beggars' Night trick-or-treating to Halloween, marking the first time since 1938 that Des Moines-area kids went trick- or-treating on Halloween.

Beggars' Night was started by a former city parks director to curtail vandalism and promote wholesome fun for kids. Originally, kids were encouraged to sing a song, recite a poem, or offer some kind of entertainment, though the most common thing became telling a joke. Beggars' Night has since become practiced in cities across the country, observed in upstate New York, Texas, Ohio, and more.

Nowadays, Altoona, Ankeny and Waukee also voted to move trick-or-treating from October 30th to Halloween night. Bondurant and Dallas Center voted to do trick-or-treating on the last Saturday in October.

However, some Iowa cities are holding onto October 30th, including Newton, Patterson, Runnells, Story City, and Van Meter.