Bring your wallets and have your Venmo ready. Nearly 200 artists will be showcasing work you’ll want to take home during the Des Moines Arts Festival.
The annual juried art fair, one of the best art festivals in America, returns to Des Moines this weekend, offering attendees the chance to browse numerous artist vendors, grab a bite and a drink and enjoy live music.
Here’s what to know about the Des Moines Arts Festival as it celebrates its 27th anniversary.
What are the Des Moines Arts Festival dates?
The art festival is from June 28-30. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
What kind of art can I find at the Des Moines Arts Festival?
Attendees will find work that spans wood, glass and metal and meet jewelry makers, photographers, painters and more, as well as talented college students and recent graduates based in the state with the Emerging Iowa Artists juried showcase of visual artists, according to the festival.
Throughout the weekend are demonstrations led by artists for viewers to learn skills such as how to throw pottery on a potter’s wheel or use a camera in manual mode.
The Des Moines Arts Festival has plenty of activities if you prefer to participate rather than watch.
That includes the Mural Project, where attendees can create just one small square of art to help build a larger mural; creating a suncatcher with a CD with Creative Habitat; customize a sketchbook with Iowa Artists and more, according to the festival.
Visit the Des Moines Central Library at the Western Gateway Park for the Interrobang Film Festival. The juried, three-day show will screen 50 films from 14 countries and host talkbacks with directors, according to the festival. The Register’s “Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary” is among the films in the festival and will be screened at 11 a.m. Sunday.
What can I eat at the Des Moines Arts Festival?
Choose from over two dozen food vendors for your next meal at the festival. Vendors include Caribbean Kitchen, Puerto Rican street food with Puerco Loco, Asian cuisine with The Eggroll Ladies, Mediterranean food with Greek Flame Foods and more.
Find the new Liquid Art beverage spot on 12th Street and near Grand Avenue for a menu of mocktails, cocktails and specialty beers, according to the festival.
What is the Des Moines Arts Festival music schedule?
There are two stages for live music at the festival. Find the Hy-Vee Main Stage between 12th and 13th Streets, and the Roots Stage along Locust Street and after 13th Street.
Hy-Vee Main Stage:
- Sharane Calister and The Feel Right Band, June 28 at 5 p.m.
- Halfloves, June 28 at 6:45 p.m.
- St. Paul and The Broken Bones, June 28 at 8:30 p.m.
- 28 Days Later, June 29 at 2 p.m.
- Some Friends, June 29 at 3:30 p.m.
- Allegra Hernandez, June 29 at 5 p.m.
- Brother Trucker, June 29 at 6:45 p.m.
- The Marshall Tucker Band, June 29 at 8:30 p.m.
- Luke Fox & the Mangled Roots, June 30 at 3 p.m.
Roots Stage:
- Chip Albright, June 28 at 5 p.m.
- Weary Ramblers, June 28 at 6:30 p.m.
- The Deslondes, June 28 at 8 p.m.
- Mia Prosperi, June 29 at 12:30 p.m.
- Andersen Coates, June 29 at 3:30 p.m.
- Soultru, June 29 at 5 p.m.
- The Bird Hunters, June 29 at 6:30 p.m.
- Sunny War, June 29 at 8 p.m.
- Cedar County Cobras, June 30 at 1:15 p.m.
Where is the Des Moines Arts Festival?
The festival takes place at Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Expect portions of Grand Avenue and Locust Street to be closed off for the Des Moines Arts Festival as you approach the park. Portions of 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th Streets will be closed as well, according to the festival’s map.
How much does the Des Moines Arts Festival cost?
There is no cost to attend the festival.
Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
