It’s a special weekend in Des Moines. The Des Moines Arts Festival is back again and we couldn’t be more excited for its 25th year. Check out these seven events (including two brand new events) to go to as a girl’s night, date night, or solo date night for yourself!
- THURSDAY: 7:30 p.m.
- FRIDAY + SATURDAY: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- SUNDAY: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Check out our Instagram stories as we’ll be sharing content live from the event itself.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please reference the Des Moines Arts Festival’s full events calendar. All photos used with permission of Des Moines Arts Festival.
✨7 Things To Do At the Des Moines Arts Festival✨
FREE: 25th Anniversary Kick Off Concert
- Thursday, June 23, 7:30 p.m.
What’s better than free live music after two long years without it? NOTHING. To celebrate Des Moines Arts Festival’ 25th Anniversary, head down this Thursday night for a free concert at the Roots Stage with roots-folk favorite William Elliot Whitmore. A Festival Beverage Station will be open serving beer, wine, cocktails and Atlantic Bottling Company products. The Beverage Station accepts touchless pay or credit/debit cards only. Festival food vendors will not be open. Check out a downtown restaurant before the show to make this the perfect date night or girl’s night.
Looking for more free live music? There are free performances all weekend long. Seating is casual and available on a first come, first-serve basis; early arrival is encouraged for each night’s headline acts. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. See the full lineup here.
NEW: 2022 Drag Brunch
- Sunday, June 26, 10:30 – 1 p.m.
If you’ve been trying to go to a drag brunch this year, and haven’t booked it yet – this is your chance! Grab your friends and book end this amazing weekend with a drag brunch in celebration of Pride Month on Sunday on the HyVee Main Stage. Tickets are still on sale for $40, which gets you brunch, non-alcoholic drinks, and access to an exclusive mix and mingle with the performers. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase!
Grab Your Favorite Craft Beer + Cider and Eat Your Way Through The Festival
- All weekend, throughout the festival!
Speaking of drinks, what’s better than wandering through the Arts Festival with your favorite food and drink in hand? If you’re not as familiar with art, use this as an excuse to wander through the festival as if you’re at Epcot, trying and tasting as much as possible. The Curated Crafts tent will have 14 selections to choose from including Exile’s commemorative Citra Sky Hazy IPA, picture above,, Kinship Dear Annie IPA, and Lua Brewing’s special DMAF Push Pop! Choose from 28 local food vendors with everything from Thelma’s Cookies to Karam’s Grill to The Outside Scoop to Hotsy Totsy.
Interrobang Film Festival
- Central Des Moines Public Library, 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
We’ve missed watching movies with more than just our dog. Just us? The Interrobang Film Festival, the film arm of the Des Moines Art Festival, is here to give us an air-conditioned activity at the Festival. Cinema enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike can experience curated screenings from artists around the globe in the comfort of the air-conditioned South Wing of the Des Moines Central Library. This year’s Film Festival highlights include 40 selected films, representing 7 countries. This is the perfect activity for when the weather gets a little rainy or humid this weekend!
Art in Action: Artist Demonstrations
What’s better than seeing art? Seeing art come to life. Professional and emerging artists will be sharing their knowledge and passion for their work throughout the weekend with live demonstrations, making it the perfect experience to gain a deeper understanding of the work. They’ve truly got everything from a digital art creation, to live water color painting, to melodic percussion instrument performances. There’s tons of opportunities to watch these, so check out the lineup at the button below to find the one you’re most excited for!
Yoga at the Roots Stage with Haylee Skow
- Saturday, June 26, 9:15 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Trying to go to the festival before it’s too hot? Start off with a Saturday morning outdoor yoga class. Des Moines is so good at weekend morning yoga classes and nothing can beat a beautiful summer morning near the Sculpture Park. Grab your closest friends and start your day off right with this session led by Haylee Skow at the Roots Stage on Saturday morning, approximately 1416 Locust Street.
Shopping: Buy Art from 7 Emerging Iowa Artists
Shopping for art on a budget? Aren’t we all? If so, check out the seven Emerging Iowa Artists booths will be located on Grand Ave. near 13th Street for a showcase of promising visual artists from Iowa. These seven students from Iowa State, Drake, Kirkwood, Central, Grand View University, and Univesidad de Antonio Nebrija (Spain) were selected for this year’s Festival, alongside 180+ other artists exhibiting and selling work. If you want to feel incredibly old and blown away by young talent, definitely go say hi.
Being very on-brand for Des Moines and riding your bike? They got you covered too.
Take your favorite trail and ride it downtown, knowing you can valet your bike for free! Just take your bike to the bike corral hosted by Friends of Central Iowa Trails at the intersection of Locust Street and 16th Street. The Bike Valet closes 30 minutes after the Festival closes.
