11 festivals in the Des Moines area that will keep you busy all summer long

Paris Barraza, Des Moines Register
·4 min read

Festivals in the Des Moines area range from family-friendly outings that won't break the wallet to an opportunity to enjoy daytime drinks and fun eats — if you can get past the heat and humidity in Iowa, that is.

Here is non-exhaustive list of just some of the fun that awaits through the end of summer in the Des Moines metro area.

July

80/35 Music Festival, July 12-13

The 80/35 Music Festival is back, but not in downtown Des Moines. The Des Moines Music Coalition's festival will be held at Water Works Park for the first time.

More than three dozen regional and national acts will keep attendees busy throughout the festival. Headliners this year are Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike on Saturday and rock band OK Go on Friday.

Clive Festival, July 19-20

A participant cools down on a hot day during the 44th annual Clive Festival featuring the giant Slip and Slide hosted by the Clive Fire Department near the Clive Aquatic Center area, 1801 N.W. 114th St., on Saturday, July 20, 2019.
A participant cools down on a hot day during the 44th annual Clive Festival featuring the giant Slip and Slide hosted by the Clive Fire Department near the Clive Aquatic Center area, 1801 N.W. 114th St., on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Head to Clive for a family-friendly festival with food trucks, free live music, a display of fireworks and children’s activities such as art and bounce houses. Oh, and don’t forget about the giant slip and slide and the Greenbelt Goats that will be on site.

  • Where: Greenbelt Landing, 1801 N.W. 114th St., Clive

  • Cost: Free and for-purchase activities

Waukee Arts Festival, July 19-20

Des Moines artist Bethany Hiatt works on a very detailed painting while working her booth during the Waukee Art Festival on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Centennial Park in Waukee.
Des Moines artist Bethany Hiatt works on a very detailed painting while working her booth during the Waukee Art Festival on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Centennial Park in Waukee.

Browse dozens of art vendors showcasing photography, printmaking and woodworking at the Waukee Arts Festival and enjoy live music during the event. Performers this year include Central Iowa cover band Not Quite Brothers and party band The Pork Tornadoes.

  • Where: Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee

  • Cost: Free to attend

National Balloon Classic, July 26-Aug. 3

Decorating the sky will be more than a hundred hot air balloons thanks to the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. Take a ride if you aren’t afraid of heights or watch the competition flights from down below as you grab a bite to eat with food vendors on site.

Where: Memorial Balloon Field, 1136 150th Ave., Indianola

Cost: $11.50 general admission at midwestix.com

August

Hinterland Music Festival, Aug. 2-4

Take Irish singer-songwriter Hozier of “Take Me to Church” fame, add alternative Grammy winner Vampire Weekend and pair it with rising star Noah Kahan and what do you get? Three days' worth of impressive headliners for the Iowa music festival. Joining the lineup are masked country singer Orville Peck, singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine, breakout pop musician Chappell Roan and more than a dozen more artists.

  • Where: Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, 3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles

  • Cost: See tiers of ticket prices at axs.com

Adel Sweet Corn Festival, Aug. 10

Thousands of ears of sweet corn have been handed to guests at the Adel Sweet Corn Festival in previous years, and it's easy to imagine the demand will continue this year. The festival returns for its 45th year with a parade, food vendors, a car show, children's activities and of course, free corn.

  • Where: 301 S. 10th St., Adel

  • Cost: Free to attend

World Food & Music Festival, Aug. 23-25

Flags from all over the world flap in the breeze during the World Food & Music Festival at the Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021.
Flags from all over the world flap in the breeze during the World Food & Music Festival at the Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021.

Explore 59 vendors offering food and drink from 30 countries, according to the World Food & Music Festival presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. That includes food from Bosnia, Laos, Jamaica, Japan, India, South Korea, Ukraine and more. Listen to live music as you eat, with previous performers at the festival including Latin Grammy winners Flor de Toloache and the Chicago Afrobeat Project.

  • Where: Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines

  • Cost: Free to attend

Iowa Wine & Cider Festival, Aug. 24

Sample over 20 Iowa wineries and cideries at the Iowa Wine & Cider Festival at Jasper Winery. Food vendors, lawn games, live music and more round out this festival perfect for wine enthusiasts.

Where: Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines

Cost: $50 general admission at eventbrite.com

Ingersoll Live, Aug. 24

Come out for the giant block party that is Ingersoll Live, which celebrates 20 years. Enjoy live music, food and drink vendors, local business pop-up vendors, activities for children like face painting and mini golf and more.

  • Where: 300 block of Ingersoll Avenue

  • Cost: Free to attend

September

Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival, Sept. 21-22

A dancer from the Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico performs during the Iowa Latino Heritage Festival in the Western Gateway Park on Saturday, September 28, 2019 in Des Moines featuring artist displays, cultural booths, children’s activities, Latin American cuisine, live music, folkloric dance, and much more at the weekend event.
A dancer from the Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico performs during the Iowa Latino Heritage Festival in the Western Gateway Park on Saturday, September 28, 2019 in Des Moines featuring artist displays, cultural booths, children’s activities, Latin American cuisine, live music, folkloric dance, and much more at the weekend event.

Get a taste of Latino culture, from food to music and dance, at Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival. Previous years of the festival have offered children’s art activities to food vendors selling pupusas, elote and agua frescas.

  • Where: Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines

  • Cost: Tickets sold at the event

Oktoberfest, Sept. 27-28

Susan Porter of Des Moines tips her glass to receive beer during Des Moines's 18th annual Oktoberfest celebration in downtown Des Moines on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
Susan Porter of Des Moines tips her glass to receive beer during Des Moines's 18th annual Oktoberfest celebration in downtown Des Moines on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Get your fill of beer, polka music and bratwurst during Des Moines’ 20th Oktoberfest. Expect a stein holding contest, games like stein pong and plenty of traditional German dishes to enjoy.

  • Where: Water Works Park, 2551 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines

  • Cost: $20 advance tickets at eventbrite.com

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hinterland, 80/35 and 9 other Des Moines area festivals not to miss

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