To list every festival happening across Iowa this summer would be nearly impossible—but if you’re looking for a few standout celebrations, these festivals deliver everything from giant hot air balloons and jazz music to Greek pastries, Viking heritage, and even hobos.
So whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or just looking for an excuse to eat funnel cake in the sunshine, here are some festivals in Iowa that are worth adding to your summer calendar.
John Wayne Birthday Celebration
Where: Winterset
When: May 23
Cost: From $10
Fans of the Duke can head to Winterset—the hometown of legendary actor John Wayne—for a birthday celebration honoring the Western icon. Hosted at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, the annual event includes the Breakfast Fly-In featuring vintage aircraft, Winterset Rotary 5K Run, a viewing of “Rooster Cogburn” at the Iowa Theater, a benefit auction, and Jennifer Wayne (the legend’s granddaughter) in concert. John Wayne’s daughter, Aissa Wayne, also plans to be in attendance.
Des Moines Greek Food Fair
Where: Des Moines
When: June 5 to 7
Cost: Free
If your ideal festival includes baklava, gyros, and spontaneous dancing, the Des Moines Greek Food Fair belongs on your calendar. Held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, the longtime festival celebrates Greek culture through traditional music, dancing, and plenty of authentic food. Admission is free, though arriving hungry is highly recommended.
Iowa Craft Beer Festival
Where: Des Moines
When: June 6
Cost: From $50
Craft beer lovers, this one’s for you. The annual Iowa Craft Beer Festival returns to the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park with unlimited samples from breweries across the state, along with ciders, nonalcoholic options, food vendors, and live entertainment. It’s essentially a summer block party for Iowa beverage enthusiasts—just remember to pace yourself.
Rock at the Grotto
Where: The Grotto, West Bend
When: June 13
Cost: Free
If you’ve been wanting to visit The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption—the world’s largest man-made grotto and home to one of the largest collections of precious stones and gems found in a single location—this is the perfect excuse. Rock at the Grotto will feature food, drinks, kids’ games, live entertainment, tours, and both silent and live auctions.
The evening kicks off with Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church at 4:30 p.m., followed by the festival at 5:30. It’s low-key, family-friendly, and wrapped up by 9 p.m.—which, honestly, feels increasingly ideal these days.
Cedar Basin Music Festival
Where: Cedar Falls
When: June 25 to 28
Cost: Free
Downtown Cedar Falls turns into a summer soundtrack during the Cedar Basin Music Festival, a multi-day event packed with live performances, food vendors, community events, and a laid-back atmosphere that practically begs for a lawn chair. The festival features a mix of local and regional musicians performing throughout the weekend, making it an easy addition to any summer road trip—or a perfect excuse to spend a weekend outside listening to live music.
Nordic Fest
Where: Decorah
When: July 23 to 25
Cost: Free
Decorah leans heavily into its Scandinavian roots during Nordic Fest, a beloved annual celebration featuring parades, folk art, traditional foods, music, dancing, and enough lefse to feed a small village. Many events are free, and the charming northeast Iowa town makes an ideal summer getaway even beyond the festival itself. Plan to camp onsite for a real immersive weekend, or just drive over for the day!
Hinterland Music Festival
Where: Saint Charles
When: July 30 to August 2
Cost: From $155
Hinterland—the largest music festival in Iowa—might just be the pinnacle of summer, growing exponentially in popularity since its founding in 2015. Set in a sprawling field south of Des Moines, the multi-day festival draws thousands of music lovers for a weekend of live music, camping, and surprisingly aesthetic Instagram stories. This year’s lineup includes headliners KATSEYE, Lorde, Mumford & Sons, and Kali Uchis, along with popular acts like Jessie Murph, MUNA, Waylon Wyatt, and Suki Waterhouse. Beyond the music, festivalgoers can check out market vendors, the intriguingly named White Claw Hammock Hang, yoga sessions, and plenty of merch.
Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival
Where: Davenport
When: July 30 to August 1
Cost: From $15
Music lovers can soak in the sounds of traditional jazz during the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport. Named after famed jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, the festival features performances from musicians across the country and pays tribute to one of jazz’s most influential early artists.
National Balloon Classic
Where: Indianola
When: July 31 to August 8
Cost: From $14
There’s something undeniably magical about dozens of hot air balloons lifting into the sky at sunrise or glowing against the night sky after dark. The National Balloon Classic in Indianola combines balloon launches with bands, vendors, competitions, and family-friendly activities. Pro tip: Bring a lawn chair and your camera.
Iowa Irish Fest
Where: Waterloo
When: July 31 to August 1
Cost: From $35
One of the largest Irish festivals in the Midwest, Iowa Irish Fest transforms downtown Waterloo into a celebration of Celtic culture. Expect live music, dancing, cultural exhibits, food, and enough bagpipes to make you feel like you’ve briefly wandered into Dublin.
Hobo Days
Where: Britt
When: August 13 to 16
Cost: Free
Possibly Iowa’s quirkiest festival, Britt’s Hobo Days celebrates the town’s unique connection to hobo history. Yes, actual hobos. The annual event includes a parade, live entertainment, vendors, and the crowning of a Hobo King and Queen. It’s weird, wonderfully Iowa, and absolutely worth experiencing at least once.
Clay County Fair
Where: Spencer
When: September 12 to 20
Cost: From $9
Dubbed “The World’s Greatest County Fair,” the Clay County Fair delivers everything you could want—and probably several things you didn’t know you needed … a bubble party, perhaps?—in a classic Iowa fair experience. This year’s event features all the staples: carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock shows, and, naturally, food served on sticks. Headliners include Martina McBride and Gabriel Iglesias, better known to many fans as “Fluffy.”
The fairgrounds are also adding something new this summer with Flagfest: Spurs and Speed Weekend on June 12 and 13, bringing professional rodeo events and endurance racing to the Clay County Fair Speedway. For a small town, Spencer certainly knows how to stay busy.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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