experience

The Des Moines Arts Festival is committed to strengthening a vibrant and creative community. Dedicated to the principles of collaboration and creative expression, Des Moines Arts Festival inspires engagement with the arts, fosters and celebrates inclusion, values professionalism and quality, and champions new and emerging ideas.

The Des Moines Arts Festival produces an annual outdoor festival celebrating arts and culture, provides programming and support to artists and arts organizations, advocates for a “arts first” leadership model, and inspires individuals to find their creative voice.

Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines, Iowa

Surrounding the famed John & Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

What: The five-time Gold Grand Pinnacle Award and Bravo Encore Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide

• Juried Art Fair presented by Nationwide featuring 160 of the nation's best artists selected from a competitive jury process
• Emerging Iowa Artists Program
• Interrobang Film Festival screening films from around the world
• Community Outreach Program presented by Prairie Meadows showcasing and supporting Central Iowa non-profit organizations
• Live music on the Hy-Vee Main Stage
• Green Arts Zero-Waste Sustainability Program
• Roots Stage
• Silent Rivers VIP Club
• BOOM ART! presented by MidAmerican Energy
• Over 800 volunteers
• Student Art Exhibition presented by Hubbell Homes
• Artist Demonstrations presented by John Deere
• Over 25 Interactive Arts Activities
• Silent Rivers VIP Hospitality Suites
• Wearable art at two Arts Festival Shops
• Enjoy cocktails, wine, sangria, domestic and craft beer, and Coca-Cola products
• Eclectic Food Booths and Food Trucks
• Sculpture Garden

FREE, thanks to our incredible community of sponsors.

The Festival grounds are handicap accessible. Wheelchairs are available for check out on a first-come, first-served basis at Volunteer Headquarters.

Handicap Parking Designated handicap parking is located on north side of Walnut St. between 12th & 13th Street, just 1 block south of the Festival grounds. Parking is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Look for the handicap parking signs on the meters.

There are four ATM Locations located throughout the Festival:

• Locust West Food Court at 15th Street
• Locust East Food Court at 12th Street
• Near of 13th & Locust Street, by the DSM Radio Group
• 13th & Grand Avenue

All artists accept cash and most accept credit cards.

Food vendors accept cash and some accept credit cards.

The Festival Stores and all Beverage locations accept cash and credit/debit card.

Adventureland Campground (located 15 miles from downtown Des Moines)

305 34th Ave. NW
Altoona, IA 50009
800.532.1286 for reservations.

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. there are several parking options (the following are presented from west to east):

Nationwide Parking Ramp: From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12^thSt. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into 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. There are several parking options (the following are presented from west to east):

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.

Nationwide Parking Ramp: From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12^thSt. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into 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.

Nationwide Parking Ramp: From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12^thSt. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into parking ramp.

Nationwide Insurance is providing free parking starting at 11am on Friday, June 25th in their ramp at 1100 Walnut Street (between 10^th and 12^th streets). Enter at the south entrance off Mulberry Street. Please carpool if possible, as the streets on and around the Festival site are closed, and it will take you extra time to park on Festival days.

Bypass finding a parking spot by valet parking your car at 13th and Walnut for $10/car. To reach the valet parking: Westbound traffic from I-235 should 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. Turn left on 12th St., then left on Walnut. Take Walnut to 13th St. Eastbound traffic from I-235 should exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right. Follow the same directions as above.

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.

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.