You won’t want to miss these 7 spring festivals in Iowa

The promise of spring weather helps motivate us through the cruel winters.

And with spring, there are so many exciting things to look forward to: warmer temperatures, longer days, fresh blooms, and best of all, spring festivals!

This spring, mark your calendar to attend these spring festivals in Iowa. (Did we say “spring” enough?)

1. Iowa Tulip Festival – Spring 2025

You can experience the beauty of the Iowa Tulip Festival with over 200,000 tulips in bloom. Although the official dates have yet to be announced, you can expect a family-friendly experience this spring. With baby farm animals, mini golf, duck races, and specialty food and drinks, Get insider details and the official 2025 dates by joining their email list here!

2. St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – March 13-15, 2025

Head to Emmetsburg for a celebration of St. Patrick and Ireland’s legendary Robert Emmet. This three-day celebration includes a bean bag tournament, a fish fry, craft beer tasting, chainsaw art, and most importantly, the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Check out the full schedule here.

3. Maple Syrup Festival – March 29-30, 2025

Enjoy all things maple syrup and maple-flavored during the Maple Syrup Festival in Cedar Rapids. Hosted by the Indian Creek Nature Center, the Maple Syrup Festival is a weekend filled with tasty treats, such as the pancake and sausage breakfast with the maple syrup handcrafted right at the Indian Creek Nature Center. Buying tickets in advance saves you a bit of money, so be sure to make your plans for the 42nd Annual Maple Syrup Festival this spring!

4. 5th Annual Central Iowa Trans Lives Festival – March 29, 2025

The fifth annual Trans Lives Festival in Des Moines honors the International Transgender Day of Visibility. This festival is open to everyone and admission is FREE. Come and support artists, musicians, poets, dancers, and comics!

5. Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair – March 2025

Celebrate Sioux City’s diverse population at the Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair. This free event is hosted by the Sioux City Human Rights Commision and honors the various races and ethnicities who make up Sioux City. With music, dance, art, and food, this event is one of the largest annual community events. 

6. Maifest – May 4-5, 2025

Maifest is a German tradition of celebrating spring’s arrival, and the Amana Colonies uphold that tradition with the annual Maifest event. This small-town tradition involves a parade, which features the Amana Maipole Dancers who have been performing for over 30 years! Enjoy dance performances, German music, and delicious food

7. Tivoli Fest – May 23-24, 2025

Tivoli Fest is typically held over Memorial Day Weekend, and it’s a weekend filled with celebrating the Danish community. The Danish Communities of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa is the largest rural Danish settlement in the United States. The village has an authentic Danish Windmill and a sculpture of The Little Mermaid. Enjoy this Danish-American celebration!

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