Mark your calendar: 27 Iowa festivals happening in 2025

Discover 27 Iowa festivals you won’t want to miss in 2025.

From bacon and books to music and art, there’s an Iowa festival for all sorts of hobbies and interests taking place in 2025. Keep reading to learn about the best Iowa festivals you’ll want to add to your calendar ASAP.  

Food and beverage

Dubuque On Ice Brewfest

Wet your whistle at the 13th annual Dubuque On Ice Brewfest. At this event, you can sample craft beer, wine, liquor, and coffee from more than 60 vendors. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to the National Brewery Museum, Camp Albrecht Acres, and Research for the Kids.  

When: Feb. 22

Where: Five Flags Center, 405 Main St., ​Dubuque

Cost: Early bird general admission tickets cost $39. After Feb. 1, the price increases to $44. 

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival 

Bacon lovers, this one’s for you. The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival—named the best food festival in Iowa by National Geographic—returns for its 17th year in 2025. There will be plenty of bacon samples and other bacon-centric food to try, live music, and other fun events, including a bacon-eating competition.  

When: May 3

Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines

Cost: $29 for general admission

Oktoberfest Des Moines

Get your dirndl or lederhosen ready—Oktoberfest Des Moines is set to take place on Sept. 26-27. Sample German-style beers and indulge in traditional German dishes like bratwurst and schnitzel. You can also listen to Polka music, play German games like Koenigschlagen and stein pong, and test your strength during the stein holding competition. 

When: Sept. 26-27

Where: Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines

Cost: Tickets aren’t on sale yet

World Food & Music Festival

Experience culinary delights and entertainment from across the globe at the World Food & Music Festival. Information about the 2025 festival hasn’t been shared yet, but in 2024, the event featured about 60 food vendors representing more than 30 countries, musical performances and dancers, local merchants, and a cultural activity pavilion with workshops, presentations, and activities.   

When: 2025 festival dates haven’t been released yet, but 2024’s event took place Aug. 23-25

Where: The 2024 festival took place at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines

Cost: The 2024 festival was free to attend

Music

Mission Creek Festival 

Mission Creek Festival is a multi-day music and literature festival featuring performances by more than 20 well-known and emerging artists, a literary capstone event, and a VIP lounge with food and drinks. Country duo Julien Baker & Torres is headlining the event. 

When: April 3-5

Where: Multiple venues throughout downtown Iowa City

Cost: Early bird three-day passes are on sale for $120 until Jan. 16. 

Greenbelt Music Festival 

Greenbelt Music Festival is a multi-day, family-friendly outdoor music festival. The 2025 lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but last year’s event featured performances by about 20 bands, including Railroad Revue with Lindsay Lou, Umphrey’s McGee, and Tall Tall Trees. In addition to music, there was also a kids zone and activities, a silent disco, food trucks, and product vendors. 

When: May 16-17

Where: Clive

Cost: 2025 festival tickets aren’t on sale yet

Tailgate N’ Tallboys

Tailgate N’ Tallboys is an outdoor music festival that brings together country music lovers for three days of performances, food and drinks, and camping. This year’s headliners include Whiskey Myers, Riley Green, and Jason Aldean.

When: June 5-7

Where: 537 Ballpark Dr., Clinton

Cost: Single-day general admission tickets start at $99.99, and weekend passes start at $139.99.

Iowa City Jazz Festival 

Enjoy three days of musical performances at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. This outdoor jazz extravaganza features national and international artists—both well-known and up-and-coming—performing on two stages in downtown Iowa City. There will also be artist booths, food, and a beverage garden.  

When: July 4-6

Where: Downtown Iowa City

Cost: Free

Hinterland festival attendees watching a performance. (Ismael Quintanilla).

Hinterland 

Hinterland is another multi-day outdoor music festival with several stages, on-site camping, and food and drink vendors. The 2025 lineup hasn’t been released yet, but last year’s headliners included Hozier, Vampire Weekend, and Noah Kahan. 

When: Aug. 1-3

Where: Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, 3357 St. Charles Rd., Saint Charles

Cost: Tickets aren’t on sale yet

Art and culture 

Farm to Film Fest 

Despite the name, all the films shown at Farm to Film Fest aren’t about farming. Rather, the name is a nod to Washington’s agricultural roots. Films range from about 10 minutes to an hour in length and cover topics including travel, adventure, food, and the environment.  

When: April 12-13

Where: Multiple venues in downtown Washington

Cost: Free

CelebrAsian

CelebrAsian is a two-day event featuring authentic Asian food, cultural exhibits, live entertainment, and activities for the entire family. The festival’s website isn’t updated with 2025 event information yet, but organizers encourage anyone interested in attending to follow Iowa Asian Alliance on Facebook for updates. 

When: May 23-24

Where: Western Gateway Park, Des Moines

Cost: Free

Iowa Quilt Festival 

Learn to quilt, refine your skills, or mingle with other quilting enthusiasts at the 2025 Iowa Quilt Festival. There will be lectures and workshops, as well as the Airing of the Quilts, where bridges, churches, and historic buildings throughout Winterset are adorned with quilts.  

When: June 4-7

Where: Iowa Quilt Museum, 68 E. Court Ave., Winterset

Cost: 2025 festival tickets aren’t on sale yet

Iowa Arts Festival 

Art lovers won’t want to miss the Iowa Arts Festival. Now in its 42nd year, this event features artwork from more than 100 local, regional, and national artists. There is also live music, food vendors, and educational, kid-friendly activities. 

When: June 6-8

Where: Downtown Iowa City

Cost: Free

Newton Fest

Newton Fest is a celebration of Newton and its community. The family-friendly event features live music and entertainment, a barbecue competition, activities for the kids, and more.  

When: June 13-14

Where: Maytag Park, 301 S. 11th Ave. W., Newton

Cost: Free

Hinterland festival attendees watching a performance. (Ismael Quintanilla).

Des Moines Arts Festival

Des Moines Arts Festival is an award-winning festival that attracts more than 200,000 attendees every year. Almost 200 artists from across the country display their work at the festival. There is also a juried art fair, interactive activities like mural painting, film screenings, live music, and food and drink vendors. 

When: June 27-29

Where: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des Moines

Cost: Free

Nordic Fest

Celebrate Scandinavian culture, heritage, and food at Nordic Fest. Taste traditional Nordic dishes, shop for handmade jewelry, woodwork, embroidery, and more in the arts and crafts center, watch a parade and fireworks, participate in Nordic sports like Kanoløpet (a canoe race), and listen to live music. 

When: July 24-26

Where: Decorah 

Cost: Free

Iowa Irish Fest 

Transport yourself to Ireland without leaving home at the Iowa Irish Fest. This three-day festival features live music, Irish dance classes, and a family fun area where visitors can take Irish language classes, play Irish instruments, learn about Ireland’s history, and more. Festivalgoers can also participate in sporting events like Gaelic football, a rugby tournament, and sheep herding. 

When: Aug. 1-3

Where: Downtown Waterloo

Cost: $35 (children 15 and younger can enter for free with a ticketed adult)

Hinterland festival attendees watching a performance. (Ismael Quintanilla).

Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival

Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival is a two-day festival with Latin music, food vendors serving traditional Latin American dishes, exhibits showcasing Latino arts and crafts, cultural booths, kids activities like pinata making, and other exhibitors showing off products and services. 

When: Sept. 27-28

Where: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des Moines

Cost: $5 (children 12 and younger are free)

Other

Color the Wind Kite Festival 

Put on your winter gear and head to Clear Lake for the Color the Wind Kite Festival. Watch as kite enthusiasts from across the country fly massive, colorful kites over Clear Lake. You can also bring your own kite to fly at the event or purchase one on-site. There is even a designated area for those who want to view the kites without getting out of their car.   

When: Feb. 15

Where: Clear Lake

Cost: Free

A group of people at a table covered with board games at Gamicon. (John Johnson).

Gamicon

Gather with fellow gamers at Gamicon, an annual gaming convention in Eastern Iowa. In addition to plenty of games—computer and video games, board games, card games, etc.— there will be tournaments, seminars, and other activities throughout the weekend. 

When: Feb. 28-March 2

Where: Hyatt Regency, 300 E. 9th St., Coralville

Cost: $70

Tulip Time Festival 

Tulip Time Festival isn’t just about tulips—though the pretty perennials are in full bloom during the event. Now in its 90th year, the festival celebrates Pella’s Dutch heritage with traditional Dutch attire, food, and multiple parades. Be sure to visit the Dutch Market to browse more than 100 booths selling crafts, clothing, food, and more.  

When: May 1-3

Where: Downtown Pella

Cost: Free (some exhibits and shows charge a separate entrance fee)

PrideFest

PrideFest is returning to Des Moines for its 46th year in 2025. While this year’s schedule of events hasn’t been released yet, PrideFest 2024 featured plenty of entertainment on multiple stages, a designated food truck area, health and wellness activities, including a 5K, blood drive, and lifting competition, a pet parade, a drag queen makeup tutorial for teens, a silent disco, and much more.

When: June 6-8

Where: Downtown Des Moines

Cost: Free 

National Balloon Classic

Watch as skilled pilots from around the world fly more than 100 hot air balloons through the sky at the National Balloon Classic. Enjoy competition flights in the morning followed by evening flights, live music, and other special events, including fireworks and drone shows. You can also book a balloon ride to enjoy the event from above. 

When: July 25-Aug. 2

Where: Memorial Balloon Field, 1136 150th Ave., Indianola 

Cost: Tickets aren’t on sale yet

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is a weeklong celebration now in its 42nd year. This event attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year and culminates with a fireworks show on July 4. Other activities throughout the week include a pancake breakfast, a car show, a parade, a flag-raising ceremony, and more. 

When: June 26-July 4

Where: 51 1st Ave. Bridge, Cedar Rapids

Cost: Some events are free; others require a Freedom Festival Button that cost $10 in 2024

Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair attracts more than one million visitors annually—including many presidential hopefuls and other politicians. There’s tons to do and see at the fair, from live music and carnival rides to agricultural experiences and competitions. And don’t forget the food. Indulge in classic fair food like deep-fried Twinkies, funnel cakes, and corn dogs, or try one of the 50+ food items available on a stick ranging from cherry pie to bologna. 

When: Aug. 7-17

Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines

Cost: Advance admission (available until Aug. 6) costs $11 for adults and $7 for kids 11 and younger. 

Iowa City Book Festival

The Iowa City Book Festival is a celebration of books and ideas. The 2025 schedule hasn’t been released yet, but in 2024, events and activities included author readings, lectures, panel discussions, performances, a book sale, and more. Who knows, you might just meet an Iowa author!

When: Oct. 6-12

Where: Multiple venues throughout Iowa City

Cost: Free 

Scenic Drive Festival

Experience small-town life and explore the charming villages that make up Van Buren County during the Scenic Drive Festival. The festival includes a parade, a car and motorcycle show, garage sales, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and more family-friendly fun. 

When: Oct. 10-12

Where: Villages of Van Buren

Cost: Free

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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