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Experience

Navigate the Festival with ease and get ready for fun!

 

 

 

 

2024 DATES

  • Friday, June 28, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • Saturday, June 29, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • Sunday, June 30, 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 (2023)

The Official Festival Guide helps you navigate the Festival in 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

  • General Admission to the Festival

  • The Live Music

  • Various Interactive Activities

  • Parking at the Nationwide Garage

  • Our Bike Valet

  • Viewing the Interrobang Film Festival

WHAT REQUIRES MONEY

  • Art Purchases

  • Food

  • Beverages

  • Festival Merchandise

  • 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 in 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 FESTIVAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @DMArtsFestival
Instagram: @desmoinesartsfestival
or follow the Festival on Facebook and Pinterest


CONSIDER BECOMING A FESTIVAL 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

  • Juried Art Fair presented by Nationwide featuring 190 of the nation's best artists selected from a competitive jury process

  • Emerging Artists Program presented by Principal

  • Interrobang Film Festival screening films from around the world

  • Community Outreach Program presented by MidAmerican Energy Company and supporting Central Iowa non-profit organizations

  • Live music on the Hy-Vee Main Stage featuring The 502s, Sister Hazel and Satsang

  • Strolling entertainment featuring Roberto the Magnificent and the comedic antics of Bill Robison

  • Green Arts Zero-Waste Sustainability Program

  • Roots Stage with Joshua Ray Walker and Buffalo Nichols headlining

  • Silent Rivers VIP Club

  • BOOM ART! presented by MidAmerican Energy Company

  • Over 800 volunteers

  • Student Art Exhibition presented by GreenState Credit Union

  • Over 20 Live Artist Demonstrations

  • Over 25 Interactive Arts Activities featuring the Billboard Mural Project presented by Athene

  • 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

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

2023 DMAF

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. 

hotel fort des moines.jpg

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