2024 DATES
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Friday, June 28
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Saturday, June 29
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Sunday, June 30
2023 DATES AND TIMES
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Friday, June 23 - 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
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Saturday, June 24 - 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
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Sunday, June 25 - 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Note: Creative Zone closes at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
ADMISSION
FREE, thanks to our incredible community of sponsors.
OFFICIAL FESTIVAL GUIDE
The Official Festival Guide helps you navigate the Festival in one one downloadable PDF.
CASHLESS
The Arts Festival has gone cashless! This means that the Festival Stores (Official Festival Merchandise), and Beverage locations accept only touchless pay or credit/debit card.
What is Free
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General Admission to the Festival
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The Live Music
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Various Interactive Activities
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Parking at the Nationwide Garage
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Our Bike Valet
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Viewing the Interrobang Film Festival
What Requires Money
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Art Purchases
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Food
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Beverages
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Festival Merchandise
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Silent Rivers VIP Club, purchase your tickets before the Festival on our website
LOCATION
Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines, Iowa
Surrounding the famed John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
2023 FESTIVAL MAP
FESTIVAL TIPS AND TRICKS
Here are a few pro tips for you to have a fabulous Festival experience:
Accessibility
-Handicap parking *north side of Walnut between 12th & 13th
-Accessible seating next to the stage
-Handicap porta-potties located at restroom banks at 15th & Locust and 12th & Grand
-Indoor restrooms available at the Interrobang Film Festival (Central Library, 11 am-6 pm)
Wear Sturdy Shoes
It is no surprise that you will be walking a lot throughout the Festival as it spans a five-block radius. Wear shoes that you know you can be comfortable in, but also give you enough support for all that walking.
Bring Sunscreen and Hand Sanitizer
Sunburns are not fun, so it is helpful to bring sunscreen with you so that you can reapply it throughout the day.
Stay Hydrated
Bottled water will be available for purchase at the Festival so make sure to stay hydrated. Don't wait till you're thirsty to drink. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already slightly dehydrated.
Leave Your Pets at Home
There will be a lot of loud sounds for their little ears, and the streets will be too hot for their paws. Service animals are permitted to be at the Festival.
Create a Game Plan
It is always good to have a plan for your trip to the Festival so that you do not miss anything you would like to see. You can create a game plan a few different ways. Check out our Experience tab and Artist Gallery, download a preview guide, or pick up a Festival guide at one of our information booths during the Festival to help you plan. You can also check out our calendar for a full list of events throughout the three-day Festival.
Don't Forget About the Interrobang Film Festival
The Interrobang Film Festival will be happening each day of the Festival at the Central. Click here for the 2023 schedule. It is also a chance to get off your feet during the Festival and enjoy a bit of air conditioning to cool off.
Be a Good Guest
Never photograph an artist's work without their permission, be patient when lines get a little longer, and leave the bad attitudes at home. Arrive ready to have fun!
Follow the Arts Festival on Social Media
Twitter: @DMArtsFestival
Instagram: @desmoinesartsfestival
or follow the Festival on Facebook and Pinterest
Consider Becoming a Festival Friend/Patron
It only costs $110 to become a Patron or $210 to bring a friend, and you get a ton of perks all Festival weekend (including access to the Silent Rivers VIP Hospitality Suite). It also comes with the best perk, which is the knowledge that you are supporting the Festival. Check back to purchase Patron Packages in March.
HIGHLIGHTS
What: The five-time Gold Grand Pinnacle Award and Bravo Encore Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide
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Juried Art Fair presented by Nationwide featuring 190 of the nation's best artists selected from a competitive jury process
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Emerging Artists Program presented by Principal
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Interrobang Film Festival screening films from around the world
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Community Outreach Program presented by MidAmerican Energy Company and supporting Central Iowa non-profit organizations
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Live music on the Hy-Vee Main Stage featuring The 502s, Sister Hazel and Satsang
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Strolling entertainment featuring Roberto the Magnificent and the comedic antics of Bill Robison
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Green Arts Zero-Waste Sustainability Program
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Roots Stage with Joshua Ray Walker and Buffalo Nichols headlining
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Silent Rivers VIP Club
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BOOM ART! presented by MidAmerican Energy Company
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Over 800 volunteers
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Student Art Exhibition presented by GreenState Credit Union
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Over 20 Live Artist Demonstrations
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Over 25 Interactive Arts Activities featuring the Billboard Mural Project presented by Athene
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Silent Rivers VIP Hospitality Suites
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Wearable art at two Arts Festival Shops
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Enjoy cocktails, wine, sangria, domestic and craft beer, and Coca-Cola products
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Eclectic Food Booths and Food Trucks
FIRST AID
First Aid is provided by Hawkeye First Aid. Tents are located on the SE corner of Grand & 12th, and the NE corner of 15th & Grand.
CAN I BRING MY TURTLE?
Here is the link to our pesky policies. Here you will find answers to things like "Can I bring my own beverages?" and "Are pets allowed?"
FUTURE DATES
June 27 - 29, 2025
June 26 - 28, 2026
June 25 - 27, 2027
June 23 - 25, 2028
June 22 - 24, 2029
June 28 - 30, 2030
Host Hotel
The Des Moines Arts Festival is proud to partner with the Hotel Fort Des Moines. Located just one block from the Festival site, the Hotel Fort Des Moines is a modern hotel with over 100 years of history. The perfectly preserved hotel pays tribute to its illustrious past with each room and suite adorned with 1920s inspired bronze light fixtures, eclectic art and luxuries that inspire and invigorate.
The Hotel Fort Des Moines is proud to offer 20% off their best rate for Des Moines Arts Festival guests. This rate can only be found using the Book Now button below.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS HEAVY CONSTRUCTION ON THE WESTBOUND SIDE MARTIN LUTHER KING PARKWAY. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY GIVING YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME.
PARKING & DIRECTIONS
Getting to and from the Festival is easy because all good parking options are located North and South of the Festival site.
PARKING
Nationwide Insurance provides FREE parking for all three days of the Festival in their ramp at 1100 Walnut Street (between 10th and 12th streets). Enter at the south entrance off Mulberry Street. Please ride your bike or carpool if possible.
BIKE VALET
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 on Locust between 16th & 15th Streets. Bike valet closes at 30 minutes after the Festival closes.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From the West on I-80
Take I-80 to I-235 east (Exit 123A, left 2 lanes)
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines
Exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right. Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll and under Grand Ave. Along Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12th St. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into the Nationwide parking ramp.
From the East on I-80
Exit I-80 onto I-235 west (Exit 137A, far left lane)
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a left.
Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll and under Grand Ave. Along Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12thSt. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into the Nationwide parking ramp.
From the North on I-35
Take I-35 to I-235 west (Exit 137B, left 2 lanes)
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines
Exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a left. Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines. From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12th St. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into the Nationwide parking ramp.
From the South on I-35
Exit I-35 onto I-235 east
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines
Exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right. Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow the roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines. From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12th St. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into the Nationwide parking ramp.
RIDE DART
The free D-Line Shuttle runs in a loop every 10 minutes from the Iowa State Capitol to Western Gateway Park. The Shuttle operates 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Running through the heart of downtown and the East Village, the D-Line provides access to restaurants, shopping and attractions, including Court Avenue and the Iowa Events Center. For more information, visit www.ridedart.com.
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