IOWA Magazine | 04-30-2024
Fun and Free: Summer Festivals, Concerts, and Events in Iowa City
By Ellen Yandel
2 minute read
From movies in the park to Herky on Parade, Iowa City offers plenty to keep you busy this summer.
With most of the college students gone for break, Iowa City could easily get slow and quiet in the summer. Instead, the town comes together, working overtime to beat boredom with numerous free movies, performances, festivals, and events from May to September. Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax or get out and explore, check out this list of what the city has to offer.
Herky on Parade
Starting in MayThroughout Johnson County
Hunt for 100 new Herky statues in and around Iowa City in the third installment of the public art display. The 2024 Herkys feature a new pose and designs by regional artists.
Farmers Market
7:30 a.m.–noon, Saturdays, May 4–Oct. 26Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp
Stroll and shop for local goods, from farm-fresh produce and bakery treats to bouquets and handcrafted items.
Friday Night Concert Series
Fridays, May 10–Sept. 20Ped Mall Stage (rain location: Chauncey Swan Park)
Local musicians take the stage in downtown Iowa City.
FilmScene in the Park
Every other Saturday, beginning May 25Chauncey Swan Park
Settle in on the grass outside FilmScene for showings of classic and cult movies.
Free Movie Series
Saturdays, May 25–Sept. 21Various Locations
Find fun and often family-friendly movies at different parks and outdoor spots around town each week.
Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings
Last Saturday of each month, May 25–Sept. 28Riverfront Crossings Park
A new series brings music to the banks of the Iowa River.
Iowa Arts Festival
June 7–9Downtown Iowa City
Drawing over 100 local and national art vendors, the festival also features food stalls, live music, and family activities alongside the artwork.
Riverside Shakespeare Festival
June 14-30Festival Stage at Iowa City’s Lower City Park
Watch a free performance of Julius Caesar during this year’s production of Shakespeare under the stars.
Pride Festival
June 15Downtown Iowa City
Kicked off by a colorful parade, this annual celebration features vendors, performers, and live music.
Downtown Block Party
June 22Downtown Iowa City
Fun for all ages, this sprawling festival takes over 14 blocks of Iowa City with dueling pianos, a silent disco, roller skating, and much more. Of course, food, drinks, and live music are a staple.
Jazz Festival
July 5-7Downtown Iowa City
With three days of live performances from two stages, the long-standing festival offers plenty of established and emerging musicians to choose from and ends in a spectacular fireworks show on the Pentacrest.
Soul & Blues Festival
Late September (TBA)Downtown Iowa City
Two days of music and dancing in the streets close out Iowa City’s full festival season with a bang.
PHOTOS: SUMMER OF THE ARTS, JUSTIN TORNER/UI OFFICE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION, Iowa City Farmers Market, and Think Iowa City
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