Experience the 2026 Festival: June 26-28

The 2026 Des Moines Arts Festival on June 26-28 is admission-free thanks to our community of sponsors and patrons. One of the world's most respected festivals, hosting 197 of the nation's top artists, 28 food vendors, live music on two stages, literary art performances, and over 30 interactive arts activities for all ages. You never know what you'll discover at the Des Moines Arts Festival.

Jump to Festival Guide

WHAT IS FREE?

Admission
The Live Music
Various Interactive Activities
Parking at the Nationwide Garage
Bike Valet
Viewing the Interrobang Film Festival

WHAT REQUIRES MONEY?

Art Purchases
Food
Beverages
Festival Merchandise
Silent Rivers VIP Club, purchase your tickets on our website

2026 Festival Information

Parking and Directions

FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage starting at 3 p.m., Friday June 26

1100 Walnut St Des Moines, IA 50309

From the West on Grand Ave.:

At 18th St. turn LEFT onto 18th St. traveling north (towards Ingersoll).
Right on Ingersoll Ave., it will turn into High St.
Right onto 10th St.
Left on Mulberry St.
Proceed to Garage

From the West on I-80:

Take I-80 to 1-235 east (Exit 123A, left 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 Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St. (it will turn into 12th St.).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

From the East on I-80:

Exit I-80.
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 Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St. (it will turn into 12th St).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

From the North on I-35:

Take I-35 to I-235 West (exit 137B, left 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 after passing over Ingersoll Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St. (it will turn into 12th St).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

From the South on I-35:

Exit on 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 roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll Ave. and under Grand Ave.
From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left onto 11th St.. (it will turn into 12th St.).
FREE parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Garage located on your right after crossing over Mulberry St.

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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 5% off their best rate for Des Moines Arts Festival guests. This rate can only be found using the Book Now button below.

Book Now

Handicap Parking

Handicap parking is located on the north side of Walnut Street, between 12th & 13th Streets. Look for the handicap logo signs on the covered meters. Additional free parking is also available in the Nationwide parking garage at 1100 Walnut Street (between 10th & 12th Street).

Handicap Porta Potties

Handicap porta potties can be found in the bank of restrooms at Locust & 15th and 12th & Grand. There are also indoor restrooms available during the Interrobang Film Festival, located inside the Central Library on Friday, 11 A.M. – 9 P.M, Saturday, 3 – 7 P.M. and Sunday, 11 A.M. – 5 P.M.

Accessible Stage Seating

The Main Stage is located at 1200 Grand Avenue. There is an accessible seating platform in the lawn area with a ramp for guests to access. The Roots Stage, presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery, is located at approximately 1403 Locust Street. At the front of the stage you’ll find an accessible seating space for guests.

First Aid Station

We have two First Aid Stations on-site – located at 15th & Grand and 12th & Grand

If I’ve lost my person, how can I find them?

Go to an information tower (15th, Grand and Locust // 12th, Grand and Locust) or find an Event Management Team member (Gold Shirts) with a radio. They will assist you in locating the lost person.

Quincy’s Sensory Space is too crowded at the moment….where else can I go on the Festival site to meet my sensory needs?

Visit Interrobang Film Festival in the Central Library from the hours of, Friday, 11 A.M. – 9 P.M, Saturday, 3 – 7 P.M. and Sunday, 11 A.M. – 5 P.M. The space is air conditioned and also has bathrooms with running water.
If you need a space to run off your energy, please enjoy the open space of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park or the open grass area of the Mid American Energy offices, located at 15th & Locust.
If you need some interactive activities, visit the Creative Zone on Grand Avenue between 15th & 16th street. 20 activities from spin art to rock painting are available for you to keep your hands (and mind) busy!

Where can I find shade

If you’re looking for shade, consider visiting the Roots Stage presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery (approximately 1403 Locust Street), Liquid Art – an area with patio seating and a bar - located at 1200 Grand Avenue, or a spot under one of the many trees surrounding Western Gateway Park.

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 will be comfortable in, but also give you enough support for all that walking.

Cashless

The Festival is cashless! This means that the Official Festival Merchandise stores and Beverage locations accept only touch less pay or credit/debit card.

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.

Don't Forget to Visit Interrobang

The Interrobang Film Festival will be happening each day of the Festival at the Central Library. Click here for the 2026 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!

2026 Dates

Friday, June 26, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Note: Creative Zone & Mural Project is open until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

Note: Quincy's Sensory Space is open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Note: Artist Booths are open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Future Dates

June 25 - 27, 2027
June 23 - 25, 2028
June 22 - 24, 2029
June 28 - 30, 2030

Guest Policies

Please respect the original work of the artists - ask before snapping a photo.
Revenue from festival-sanctioned on-site beverage sales helps the DMAF remain an admission-free event. As a result, no outside beverages are allowed within the Festival site.
For safety reasons, glass bottles are prohibited within the Festival site. Proceeds also benefit our many non-profit vending partners’ important community programs. Please purchase your food and beverages from one of the Festival vendors.
Alcoholic beverages are sold within the Festival site to patrons 21-years and older presentingvalid identification. State laws and regulations require that alcoholic beverages purchased at the Festival remain on-site. On-site security will ask you to dispose of any alcoholic beverages before you exit or enter.
State law prohibits smoking inside any structure or in any seating or entertainment area on the Festival grounds. This includes vaping, e-cigarettes, and cannabis.
Large signs and placards that may endanger or inconvenience the public attending the Festival are prohibited. The Festival is not responsible for any injury resulting from violations of this prohibition.
Bikes, scooters, skateboards, roller blades and similar recreational items are prohibited from being ridden through the festival site or on surrounding sidewalks included in the Street Closure. Please dismount bikes, scooters, skateboards, & roller blades upon entering the Festival site. Free bike valet is available on Locust Street, just west of 10th St.. The Festival is not responsible for injury due to riding through the Festival site. This prohibition does not apply to wheelchairs or devices used for health or medical purposes.
To ensure a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience for all guests, the DMAF does not permit organized demonstrations, protests, or political campaigning that, at the festival management's sole discretion, disrupt event operations or interfere with guest access, vendor participation, or performances.
All packages are subject to search.
Be kind to your pets - leave them at home when you visit the Festival. For the safety of the pet, given the heat and the number of people, pets are highly discouraged. Pets are not allowed inside artists’ tents. City regulations state that service animals are allowed on-site but must be under the owner’s control.
No firearms, weapons, or fireworks are allowed on the Festival site.
Buskers and/or entertainers who are not contracted with the Festival are not permitted to perform within the Festival site.
By entering the Festival grounds, guests expressly grant Des Moines Arts Festival and its partners the right to use their image or likeness, or their child's image or likeness, in any promotional or advertising materials, or in any live or recorded transmission of the Festival.
Assumption of Risk: By entering the Festival grounds, Guest hereby releases, waives, and forever discharges the Festival and its Directors, Officers, Employees, Volunteers, and all sponsoring organizations from any and all liability for any damage or injury, including death suffered by Guest in connection with attending and/or participating in the festival, including but not limited to damages or injury caused by the negligence of the Festival.
Be respectful and safe. Disruptive, aggressive, or illegal behavior may result in removal from the event. Follow all instructions from event staff, security, and volunteers.
The Festival reserves the right to decline admittance to anyone who violates the policies established for public safety or to restrict activities within the Festival site.

2026 Festival Highlights

Juried Art Fair featuring 195 of the nation's best artists selected from a competitive jury process
Mural Project presented by Athene
Emerging Artists Program presented by Principal
Over 500 volunteers who are supported by Polk County Board of Supervisors, Exile Brewing Company, Thelma’s and VolunteerLocal
NEW – New York Times bestselling author Patrick Bringley, in partnership with the Des Moines Public Library and the Des Moines Art Center.
Quincy’s Sensory Space presented by DLR Group is an immersive arts experience designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their care team.
Student Art Exhibition presented by GreenState Credit Union
Community Outreach Program presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation and supporting Central Iowa non-profit organizations
NEW – Casey’s Chalk Alley welcomes Festival guests to create and color with chalk
The Main Stage features Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Letters to Cleo, and Fastball along with a variety of local music and performance art
The Roots Stage presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery features live music, literary arts programs, and much more
NEW – Children’s Storytime followed by a children’s band at the Roots Stage presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery
Interrobang Film Festival screening films from around the world
Green Arts Zero-Waste Sustainability Program
Silent Rivers VIP Club
NEW – Phantasia presented by students from the DMACC Fashion Institute, will be at the Roots Stage presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery
BOOM ART! presented by MidAmerican Energy Company
Spin Art presented by Prairie Meadows
Over 25 Live Artist Demonstrations
Drag Show at the Main Stage
Over 25 free Interactive Arts Activities
Silent Rivers VIP Hospitality Suites
Festival Merchandise at two Arts Festival Shops
Liquid Art serving mocktails, cocktails, and specialty beverages
Cedar Ridge cocktail trailer
Four beverage stations featuring Coca-Cola products, Gateway Market wine, sangria, and a variety of domestic and Iowa craft beers
Eclectic Food Booths and Food Trucks