A guide to some of the best summer festival fun in Des Moines.
Mark your calendars…It’s time for summer festivals in Des Moines! From festival food to fair rides to celebrating the amazing heritages that make Des Moines all that it is: It wouldn’t be the warm-weather season without a smattering of festivals, feasts, and fairs. We checked in with your favorite summer fests in the Des Moines area to get the scoop for 2023. Get your sunnies and sunscreen prepped and scroll through our list to make it a summer of festival fun!
To find even more family friendly activities happening in Des Moines this summer be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide and Calendar of Events.
Editor’s Note: We put this list together early in the season, so be sure to check back as we will be adding event information as its announced throughout the season. Also, please double check all information for the event before heading out, as circumstances can change.
Here’s a roundup of our favorite family friendly festivals happening this summer in the Des Moines area for 2023!
May
Greenbelt Music Festival
May 19-20, 2023, Horizon Events Center – Clive
You won’t want to miss Clive’s Greenbelt Music Festival, featuring national and local live entertainment, an outdoor stage, games, food, drinks, vendors, an indoor stage, and more. This family-friendly festival celebrates the community, Clive’s Greenbelt Trail, the arts, live entertainment, and goats.
Valley Junction Arts Festival
May 21, 2023, Historic Valley Junction, 5th Street – West Des Moines
FREE: The main focus of this arts festival is the juried exhibition of fine arts and crafts, giving the public the opportunity to meet, interact with and purchase original work by artists. There will also be musical entertainment, children’s art activities and artists’ demonstrations. Refreshments will be available from several food vendors on the street and many Valley Junction restaurants and retailers will be open as well.
CelebrAsian
May 26 – 27, 2023, Western Gateway Park – Downtown Des Moines
FREE: Kick off your summer at CelebrAsian! Experience over a dozen Asian villages where you can delight all five of your senses from the authentic Asian food, educational activities, to live cultural entertainment. Each May the festival unites the different Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Iowa. Who knew you can experience so many rich cultures of Asia without leaving Iowa?!
June
Scandinavian Days
June 2-3, 2023 – Downtown – Story City
FREE: Get your Scandi On: It’s an Uff-Da Good Time in Story City. Scandinavian Days still rings true to its roots with traditional foods, folklore and a rich pride of the community’s heritage. Festivities include a parade, 5K run, and a variety of entertainment and vendors.
Celebrate Bondurant
June 3, 2023, Downtown – Bondurant
FREE: Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy live music from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at this family-friendly community event.
Family Fest
June 3, 2023, Johnston Town Center – Yard – Johnston
FREE: Celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in The Yard! The Splash pad will be open, inflatables for the kids, face painting, family friendly entertainment and more.
Grimes Governor’s Days
June 8-10, 2023, Grimes South Sports Complex – Grimes
FREE: Held at the Grimes South Sport Complex, Governor’s Days, incorporates all the ingredients for an exciting family friendly event. Complete with concerts, parades, carnivals, car shows and much, much more; Governor’s Days has something for everyone.
PrideFest
June 9-11, 2023, Historic East Village
FREE: The 44th annual PrideFest is set to take place once again this summer in the vibrant East Village of Des Moines. This renowned festival has been steadily growing, and last year’s event saw an impressive turnout of over 40,000 attendees throughout the entire PrideFest weekend. Events include a teen zone, teen silent disco, Little Rainbow Run 5k for kids, a parade and more.
Newton Fest
June 9-10, 2023, Downtown – Newton
FREE: Newton Fest is a weekend of family-friendly, affordable fun. The festival is meant for kids, teens, families and adults to celebrate what is great about the community. Attendees will enjoy arts and crafts, food, music, and more.
Johnston Green Days
June 15-18, 2023, Terra Park – Johnston
FREE: Green Days is an annual community celebration held in Johnston and activities include a parade, carnival, live entertainment, a Bill Riley Talent Search, 5K run, interactive games for kids, and much more!
Cajun Fest Boil & Brew
June 17, 2023, Cowles Commons – Des Moines
Enjoy a family-friendly, authentic southern crawfish boil with other Louisiana staples – all garnished with Cajun music and family activities.
High Trestle Fest
June 17, 2023, High Trestle Trail – Slater, Madrid & Woodward
FREE: Experience the wonders of the High Trestle Trail and its charming towns! Immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery, with stunning landscapes and captivating vistas along the trail. Enjoy live music and entertainment, enhancing your journey with melodies and rhythm. Embrace adventure, discovery, and community as you celebrate the trail’s splendor and the unique charm of Slater, Madrid, and Woodward.
Des Moines Arts Festival
June 23-25, 2023, Western Gateway Park – Downtown Des Moines
FREE: Art lovers will not want to miss the Des Moines Arts Festival at Western Gateway Park. This festival encompasses a diverse selection of visual arts, live music, performing arts, interactive arts and a film festival. Food booths and interactive art activities will keep the whole family entertained.
July
80/35 Music Festival
July 7-8, 2022, Western Gateway Park – Downtown Des Moines
80/35 is a music packed two-day festival showcasing musicians, artists and fantastic food from around the Des Moines area and beyond. And, it’s not just for adults; 80/35 is for the entire family. Again, this year the festival will offer a Kids Zone featuring a variety of FREE activities specifically for kids from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday and 1:00 to 7:00 pm on Saturday.
Ankeny Summerfest
July 7-9, 2023, The District at Priarie Trail – Ankeny
FREE: Bring the entire family for a taste of good old-fashioned fun! Ankeny SummerFest includes activities for the whole family with a community parade, carnival rides, lots of food, fun, games, live music and a fabulous fireworks finale.
Waukee Arts Festival
July 14-15, 2023, Centennial Park – Waukee
FREE: The Waukee Arts Festival will be held again this year in Centennial Park. Attendees can enjoy over 50 artists booths, a variety of food vendors, musicians playing throughout the day, and much more.
Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival
July 15, 2023, Tower Park – Beaverdale
FREE: The Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival is back for its eighth annual event! Join the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association at Tower Park, where food trucks and beer will be available for purchase. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and water to fully enjoy the fantastic, free event that brings together neighbors and friends to appreciate great music in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
Des Moines Water Lantern Festival
July 15, 2023, Riverview Park – Des Moines
The Des Moines Water Lantern Festival unites people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to celebrate life together in a single, emotional night. Witnessing the beauty of thousands of lanterns reflecting on the water is an unforgettable experience that you’ll always treasure.
Clive Festival
July 21-22, 2023, Greenbelt Landing at Clive Aquatic Center – Clive
FREE: The Clive Festival will be here before you know it! The festival celebrates Clive’s beautiful Greenbelt Trail. This year’s schedule is packed with activities for both kids and adults to provide a well-rounded event for the entire Clive community.
National Balloon Classic
July 28 – August 5, 2023, National Balloon Classic Memorial Balloon Field – Indianola
Make the trip to Indianola for this incredible 9-day event. Live bands and entertainment nightly with fabulous food offerings, Nite Glow Extravaganza, fireworks, and of course spectacular hot air balloons from all over the country.
August
Hinterland
August 4-6, 2023, Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater – St. Charles
Three days of music curated for all who love both music and the outdoors. True to its name, Hinterland is held in St. Charles, a beautiful rural escape just outside Des Moines. The annual fest features a blend of music, camping, art, craft vendors, family activities and more.
Adel Sweet Corn Festival
August 12, 2023, Downtown Square – Adel
FREE: Celebrate summer at the Adel Sweet Corn Festival. The event is held the second Saturday in August in downtown Adel and features more than 7 tons of FREE sweet corn, live entertainment, a parade, various vendors, a beer garden and more.
World Food & Music Festival
August 25-27, 2023, Western Gateway Park – Downtown Des Moines
FREE: An annual showcase of food and music from around the world. The Festival commemorates Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage and endorses Buy Fresh, Buy Local. This popular fest hosts a variety of attractions, including: food vendors, music and entertainment, cultural and cooking demonstrations, international and craft beers, fireworks and free bike valet.
Ingersoll Live
August 26, 2023, 2800 Block of Ingersoll Avenue – Des Moines
FREE: Ingersoll LIVE is a celebration of the Ingersoll and Grand District in Des Moines. This family-friendly street festival offers live music throughout the afternoon and evening, inflatables, rides and activities for kids, arts and crafts for browsing and buying, food and beverage vendors, street performances, and much more.
Altoona Palooza!
August 26, 2023, Sam Wise Sports Complex – Altoona
FREE: Altoona Palooza is back and bigger than ever. There’s something for everyone – music, inflatables, art show, car show, mud volleyball, kickball tournament, kids’ activities, festival food and so much more.
September
Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire
Weekends – September 2-4, September 9-10 & September 16-17, 2023, Sleepy Hollow Sports Park – Des Moines
Experience the “Age of Enlightenment” at the Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire. Attend the spectacle of the coronation at the Royal Court. Shout the battle cry of your favorite knight at the jousting arena. Partake in demonstrations by glass blowers, blacksmiths, potters, wood carvers, and painters. Come Hungry! The irresistible aromas of the various vendors’ baked goods, smoked meats, stir fry, roasted nuts and caramel corn will delight even the pickiest eater.
Art on the Lake
September 16, 2023, Copper Creek Lake – Pleasant Hill
FREE: Art on the Lake art festival is a family-friendly event that is free to the community and features music by local musicians, food from local vendors, interactive kids’ crafts and showcases over 50 artists.
Did we miss one of your favorite Des Moines area summer festivals? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!
