9 Popular Festivals In Des Moines, Iowa

1. Newton Fest

Held annually in Newton, Iowa, just a 34-minute drive from the center of Des Moines, Newton Fest is a way to celebrate the town’s local community with a variety of events and festivities. There are also stalls to browse, selling local produce and arts and crafts. Live musical entertainment is provided in the streets offering a range of fun for the whole family. Other entertainment includes free movies, delicious barbeques, and other exciting food items, and more.

Newton Fest

Address: Newton, Iowa, USA

Website: Newton Fest

Takes place: June

2. Celebrate the Parks

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Celebrate the Parks is an open street event held in the Highland Park neighborhood. Several streets are shut down during the festivities, which include live music, promotions for the I Have a Dream Foundation, and more. During this family-friendly event, a variety of local artwork by youth is also on display, along with live performances of poetry, school bands, and more from the “Turnaround Arts” schools in Des Moines.

Celebrate The Parks

Address: Highland Park Neighborhood, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Website: Celebrate The Parks

Takes place: May

3. Pella Tulip Festival

Held in Pella, a 49-minute drive from Des Moines, the Tulip Time celebration is set to happen from May 7 to 9 in 2020. The event features beautiful parades and demonstrations, plenty of Dutch costumes, music performances, flower shows, quilt shows, cheese demonstrations, a craft and vendor fair and, of course, the beautiful tulip gardens of the town. Pella is a beautiful Dutch community, with architecture similar to that of the historic Netherlands and pretty parks, naturally full of the lovely signature tulips.

Pella Tulip Festival

Address: Pella, Iowa, USA

Website: Pella Tulip Festival

Takes place: May

Price: Fees vary per activity

4. Des Moines Arts Festival

The Des Moines Arts Festival is held each year during June and is one of the most distinguished festivals of its kind in the world. The event features 180 of the top US artists in a street setting around the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and in the Krause Gateway Center. The popular arts event has been awarded the Pinnacle Award by the International Festivals and Events Association and attracts around 200,000 visitors every year.

Des Moines Arts Festival

Address: 700 Locust St, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Website: Des Moines Arts Festival

Takes place: June

Price: Free

5. Boone River Valley Festival

The Boone River Valley Festival is held each year in Boone, Iowa, a 48-minute drive from Des Moines. Musical events are held in natural amphitheaters in Ledges State Park and McHose Park. While experiencing live music entertainment, visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings, with activities such as fishing in the Des Moines River close by. Other events include Arts in the Park, photography, hiking, geocaching, and more adventurous activities. The festival is run over a period of three days in May each year.

Boone River Valley Festival

Address: Ledges State Park and McHose Park, Boone, Iowan USA

Website: Boone River Valley Festival

Takes place: May

6. Johnston Green Days

Green Days is an annual community festival held in Johnston, Iowa, an 18-minute drive from Des Moines. The festival is held in Terra Park and includes a variety of events, including a lively and fun parade, live musical entertainment, a carnival, the Bill Riley Talent Search, interactive games for the children, and a 5k run. Admission to all the events of the festival is free.

Johnston Green Days

Address: Terra Park, Johnston, Iowan USA

Website: Johnston Green Days

Takes place: June

Price: Free

7. Food Truck Throwdown

Feeling hungry? The annual Food Truck Throwdown in Des Moines is an all-out culinary art event held in May of each year. The 2020 event will be the sixth of its kind and will feature approximately 15 local food trucks, including all types of cuisine, along with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The food trucks will be parked along Cherry Street, between 10th and 8th Streets. The event is hosted by the Des Moines Social Club and normally attracts around 5,000 visitors each year to celebrate the food, art, and music on offer.

Food Truck Throwdown

Address: Cherry Street, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Website: Food Truck Throwdown

Takes place: May

8. 35 Festival [Last event in 2019]

The 80/35 Festival is held each year in Des Moines during the month of July and features a mixture of great music from a variety of bands and groups, beautiful artworks, delicious local foods, and tasty brews. The event is sponsored by Principal and is a non-profit festival that allows local entertainment to display their talent to both locals and visitors. Visitors can also enjoy incredible breakdancing performances and purchase unique arts and crafts made by local artisans, including art, jewelry, clothing, body painting, and more.

80/35 Festival

Address: Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Website: 80/35 Festival

Takes place: July

9. Celebrate Waukee [Event has passed]

The annual Celebrate Waukee festival is held each year on the first Saturday in June. Waukee is a 22-minute drive from Des Moines. A variety of events are held in the Downtown Triangle and Centennial Park in the city, including the Rotary Club of Waukee Pancake Breakfast, a Farmers Market Kick-Off, and the exciting unearthing of a 50-year-old Time Capsule by the Waukee Area Historical Society. Other events include a basketball and mushball tournament, Waukee Warrior Kid Games, and Itty Bitty Olympics. Children can also have loads of fun bouncing and climbing on the colorful inflatables and the evening will conclude with a display of beautiful fireworks.

Celebrate Waukee

Address: Downtown Triangle and Centennial Park, Waukee, Iowa, USA

Website: Celebrate Waukee

Takes place: First Saturday in June

Experience the fun of the festivals in and near Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Make sure you plan your vacation visit to this lovely city during the months when local events and festivals are held. You can get to hear some of the best local music, dine on the finest cuisine, and gaze at beautiful art by local artists while attending any one of these popular festivals in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.