Take advantage of Iowa’s beautiful summers with these fun summer events.
Summertime holds an almost mythical status in the minds of many people. Gorgeous weather that spreads its warm, sunny joy through your soul. Days at the pool or lake smelling like Coppertone. Dining alfresco downtown with great people-watching. Evenings where the sunlight lingers and the sounds of neighborhood children playing outdoors drifts through the air. Fireflies flickering through the backyard and campfires with marshmallows and friends—what’s not to love?! I encourage you to take advantage of the nice weather and participate in some of the numerous community events around Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and beyond—it’s a great way to become connected and involved, meet new people and have fun.
Here are just some of the various markets, festivals, events and celebrations to make it a summer well lived!
May Events
May 4-6, Pella, Tulip Time
May 3, Iowa City, opening Wednesday of the Iowa City Farmers Market @ Chauncey Swan Ramp 5-7 pm
May 6, Iowa City, opening Saturday of the Iowa City Farmers Market @ Chauncey Swan Ramp 7:30 am-noon
May 6-7, Mt. Vernon, Chalk the Walk
May 6-7, Amana Colonies, Maifest
May 7, North Liberty, opening Sunday of the North Liberty farmers market @ Pacha Parkway, 11 am-2 pm
May 8, Coraville, opening Monday of the Coralville Farmers Market @ Coralville Aquatic Center parking lot 5-7 pm
May 27-29 Middle Amana, Iowa Renaissance Festival (following weekend as well)
June Events
June 2, Coralville, Park It At The Movies @ ST Morrison Park
June 2-4, Iowa City Summer of the Arts, downtown
June 3-4, Middle Amana, Iowa Renaissance Festival
June 10, Farmington, Strawberry Festival
June 10, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Star Trek Beyond” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
June 17, Amana Colonies, Wurst Festival
June 17, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar” @ sunset, Mabride Hall lawn
June 18, Burlington, Snake Alley Art Fair
June 20, Cedar Rapids, Balloon Glow @ Brucemore
June 21, Cedar Rapids, Summer Solstice Celebration @ Ushers Ferry Historic Village
June 22-25, Cedar Rapids, BBQ Roundup @ McGrath Amphitheatre
June 23-24, Riverside Trek Fest XXXIII
June 24, Fairfax, USA Days
June 24, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “10 Things I Hate About You” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
June 28, Cedar Rapids, Freedom Festival Free Village Tour @ Ushers Ferry Historic Village
June 30-July 1, Davenport, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival
June 30-July 2, Iowa City Jazz Festival
July Events
July 1, Cedar Rapids, Freedom Festival Parade @ Czech Village/Newbo
July 3, Coralville 4thFest Concerts
July 4, 10 am, Coralville 4thFest Parade
July 6-8, Mt. Vernon, Heritage Days Festival
July 7-8, North Liberty Blues & BBQ
July 8, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Captain America: Civil War” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
July 15, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Young Frankenstein” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
July 19-23, Monticello, Great Jones County Fair
July 20-23, Iowa City downtown sidewalk sales
July 21-22, Solon Beef Days
July 22, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “The Princess Bride” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
July 22-23, Amana Colonies, Kinderfest
July 24-27, Iowa City, Johnson County Fair
July 28-29, Davenport, Bix 7 Run/Walk and Downtown Davenport Street Fest
July 28-29, Swisher, Fun Days
July 28-29, Tiffin TIFFUN Creek Fest
July 29, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Bridge of Spies” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
August Events
Aug. 1-6, Davenport, Great Mississippi Valley Fair
Aug. 3, Dubuque, National River Museum, Taste of Dubuque
Aug. 4-5, West Branch, Hoover’s Home Town Days
Aug. 5, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Home” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
Aug. 10-12, LeClaire, Great River Tug Fest
Aug. 10-12, Lisbon, Sauerkraut Days
Aug. 12, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Pitch Perfect” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
Aug. 12, Middle Amana, Festival of the Arts
Aug. 19, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Finding Dory” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
Aug. 19, North Liberty, Salute to Summer
Aug. 20-20, Des Moines, Iowa State Fair
Aug. 23, Taste of Iowa City, downtown district
Aug. 26, Iowa City, Free Movie Series, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” @ sunset, Macbride Hall lawn
Aug. 26, Amana Colonies, Woodfest
Aug. 31- Sept. 1, Mount Pleasant, Midwest Old Threshers Reunion
September Events
Sept. 1, Coralville, FRYfest
Sept. 16, Amana Colonies, Apfelfest
Sept. 16, Davenport, Riverssance Festival of Fine Art
Sept. 22-24, Guttenberg, Germanfest
Sept. 29-30, Kalona, Fall Festival
Sept. 29-30, Ladora, Creepy Camping
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Amana Colonies, Oktoberfest
Sept. 30, Iowa City Northside Oktoberfest
