2024 Iowa Fall Festivals (Article)
Take an autumn adventure to one of these fall events.
Take an autumn adventure to one of these fall events.
Track your autumn adventures on this bingo card!
Founded in 1857 and known for its Fourth of July celebration, fall festival and holiday festival of lights. Quaint city park with gazebo. Original county courthouse houses a museum. Year-round outdoor fun at the Littlefield Recreation Area. The 21-mi...
Kick off the Fall Season with over 75 vendors, family activities, 8-acre corn maze, food trucks, live music and more at the 5th Annual Fall Market! Purchase pumpkins, gourds, mums and unique fall décor to help make your home or business fall f...
Embrace the changing of the seasons by treating yourself to a weekend getaway to Sioux City.
Wiegert Prairie Farmstead is an old 1800's farmstead . The Wiegert farm is a historic pioneer era farmstead that never had electricity or running water and was farmed with horses. Stepping onto the farmstead is like stepping back in time 100 year...
A favorite tourist stop in Southeast Iowa is the Kalona Historical Village, where 12 restored historical buildings are filled with interesting and informative displays depicting the years the pioneers settled the Iowa prairies. You will also be able ...
From historic bridges that provide a romantic movie-setting to American film stars, Madison County has it all.
Guthrie Center was plated in 1856. The first railroad to be built in Guthrie County was the “narrow gauge” railroad. Must Do’s There are many locally shops located in Guthrie Center including, Art on State, Bean Armory, Cabbage Ro...
The Cedar Falls Historical Society will bring history alive, celebrate the ice-harvesting industry in long ago Cedar Falls and promote their historic Ice House Museum at the Ice Harvest Festival. Activities are FREE and may include ice-harvesting dem...
The locally owned brewery is known for serving locally brewed, hand-crafted, high quality, distinctive beers. We are making more beer than ever in our new historic building. We have guest chefs on the weekends, a ballroom circa 1896 and annual festiv...
Must Do's Surrounded by the hills of the beautiful Turkey River valley, Elkader offers a relaxing escape. Explore local history at the George Maier Rural Heritage Center, Carter House Museum, Earthmoving Legacy Center and Motor Mill Historic Site...
The festival will take-over RiverLoop Expo Plaza and more, and will feature some of the best food truck vendors from throughout the region.
Peaceful and gentle - but also high-flying and thrilling.
Harvestville Farm is a fifth-generation farm located in the heart of farm country in rural Southeast Iowa featuring Farm to Table diners and flower festivals in the spring/summer. In fall we feature over 40 acres of pumpkins, a 12 acre corn maze and ...
Beer fulfills our purpose. It cultivates our community of free-spirits, oddballs and outsiders. It ties us together and builds our festivities. The product of an unparalleled commitment to innovation and quality, it's our labor of love for our uncomm...
This list of autumn adventures will give you and your family hours of fall fun.
Join us for daily hayrides, navigate through our corn maze, stroll through our picturesque sunflower and zinnia meadow, meet friendly farm animals, enjoy a scenic train ride, bounce on our jumping pillow, zip down the Honey Beeline, test your aim wit...
John Bloom a DeWitt native was an artist - painting, sketching, carving and creating lithographs in the Regionalist style. Bloom participated in Grant Wood's Stone City Art Colony of 1932-33, where he worked alongside Wood, his mentor. Original work...
Thirty plus balloons in races, plus a parade with a marching band contest, and competition after. You can also find a craft and flea market, Art Festival, balloon night glow, food booths and so much more.
Find your favorite tunes and genres with Iowa's best music festivals.
Marion is one of the Midwest’s fastest growing cities – and one of the youngest per capita. We pride ourselves on being the best place in Iowa to raise a family and grow a business. This is a place where people work smarter, set lofty go...
Millstream Brewing Co. handcrafts award-winning beers and soda daily. Come visit and enjoy a sample of medal winning beers or soda. Sip a beer in our outdoor biergarten or tap room and get a insider's view of our brewing and bottling process. The br...
Join Winneshiek County Conservation and community partners for a free and fun morning of earth-friendly activities, vendors, snacks, and more! The 2024 Earth Day Festival will be held from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26th in the Community...
Visit one of these six communities for a cultural vacation, right here in Iowa.
Make it a weekend to remember by exploring not one, not two, but three parks!
The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) has increased it's days from a 5-day event to a 7-days event, welcoming Galena, Il, as a venue partner and will bring to the area not only the finest in Independent features, documentaries an...
Located in rural southwest Iowa, Hot Air Brewing showcases a wide range of craft beers while providing a third space hang-out for community members and their families. Founded by Katie Davidson and Andy Rullestad, Hot Air is named for Creston’s...
Every year, Webster City comes alive with the magic of the holiday season, as the entire community unites to create a festive celebration full of joy and warmth. Local organizations, families, and businesses come together, transforming the town into ...
An internationally recognized independent film festival held in the historic lower Main Street area of Dubuque. The festival takes place for five days during the last full week of April each year. Filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and industry profession...
From light displays to cultural festivities, embrace the holiday season and celebrate with these family activities happening across Iowa.
Chris Janson, proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and multi-platinum songwriter and artist, is part of Country music's new breed. In touch with the lighter side of life with self-penned No. 1s "Fix A Drink," "Good Vibes," and t...
Gorgeous farm scenery, mom and pop shops, one-of-a-kind restaurants, amazing murals and museums among some of the oldest towns in Iowa.
Meredith Willson is honored annually at the North Iowa Band Festival, which is celebrated as a tribute to his life and his love of music. He will be remembered throughout the world for his famous melodies, but in Mason City we remember our "Musi...
Hosted by students and faculty of the School of Music of the University of Iowa, “Jane and Her Music” will provide a unique window into Austen and her times. Festivities will take place in the historic Senate Chamber of the Old Capitol, e...
Must Do's Nicknamed "The Pocket City," McGregor is nestled between the Mississippi River and its surrounding river bluffs. Take in the Driftless Area's unique scenery by visiting one of the overlooks at Pikes Peak State Park. Spend ...
Enjoy a kids day full of games, music and more.
Saturday, January 25, 2025, 1-3 p.m., at the Vesterheim Commons. This event is free and open to the public. Vesterheim Commons, 508 West Water St., Decorah, Iowa, 52101. All ages are welcome! Festivities will include: Community seed swap plus seeds f...
Join Uptown Ankeny and the Ankeny Art Center as we host the Ankeny Art Center Arts Festival! On May 17, 2025, the streets of Uptown Ankeny will be filled with fine artist vendors, live artistic demonstrations for the kiddos, music, mini golf, caricat...
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Clear Lake, Iowa, at the Color the Wind Kite Festival, the largest and most vibrant event of its kind in the Midwest. Watch as the sky comes alive with massive, intricately designed inflatable kites, skillfully f...
Please join the Madison County Chamber of Commerce as it hosts the 3rd annual Paint Madison County (A Plein Air Festival). The public can visit over 24 curated artists as they artistically capture the gems of Madison County. Activities and locations ...
The Beyond Fashion Festival is Iowa City’s premier cultural event, taking place on May 2nd and 3rd in the heart of downtown. This dynamic festival brings together art, music, fashion, comedy, poetry, and education, while driving economic develo...
Bevington is located adjacent to Interstate 35 on state Highway 92 along Middle River. The majority of the city is located in Madison County. Bevington was laid out in 1872. It was named for C. D. Bevington, a prominent local businessman. It's ho...
Welcome to the Ottumwa International Film Festival, a vibrant celebration of cinema held at the stunning Bridge View Center theater on March 21 and 22, 2025. Over the course of two days, we will showcase an eclectic mix of short and feature films fro...
When the leaves begin to change colors and crisp autumn scents fill the air, it means one thing... It's time for our Villages of Van Buren Scenic Drive Festival and it's going to be a weekend to remember! Arts and crafts vendors, antique vend...
The Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park is putting its German spin on St. Paddy's Day with our 8th annual Rib & Soup Cook Off! Save the date and join us for fantastic food, live entertainment; silent auctions and plenty of fun! Please call the Hausbar...
Washington is the home of the historic State Theatre, the longest continuously operating movie theater in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Frank Brinton, one of the earliest exhibitors of movies and magic lantern slides in t...
Always the last full weekend in January! For over 40 years, when the temperatures drop, things heat up on the frozen waters of Lake Okoboji. This weekend is a winter tradition that bringing tens of thousands of people to the Iowa Great Lakes Area for...
The 2021 Summer Festival features Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades, Rameau's Platée, Spears/Pierce's Fellow Travelers and The John Holiday Experience.
Join us for our 2nd Annual Emerald Run 5K! Runners, walkers, and strollers are all welcome for this festive event! The race starts and finishes at the beginning of the Lower Road 9am: Same Day Registration/Packet Pickup 10am: 5K Run begins Online reg...
Save the dates! Join us for the 58th annual Nordic Fest July 24-26, 2025 in Decorah, IA. Nordic Fest, held annually the last full weekend of July, is a celebration of Scandinavian heritage, culture, and food. Since 1967, Nordic Fest has offered fun a...
Have fun all weekend with Kids Games, Dog Show, Pioneer Museum Open House, Live Entertainment, Flea market, New Vendors, Crafters, and more. Color Run on Saturday at Indian Lake Park and Kenny Hamburg Car Show on Sunday. FREE Strawberries and Ice Cre...
Join us for a Woodland Winter as you stroll through beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and tabletop trees and all the decorative items, many of which are hand-crafted by area residents. There will also be special performances from local music and ...
Loess Hills Lavender Farm offers a gift shop with all hand made lavender products, teas and luncheon options. The third weekend in July is our annual Lavender Stock festival where visitors can cut a lavender bundle, attend a craft class, enjoy live m...
A festival celebrating German heritage, music and food in downtown Waterloo. Dress in your dirndls and lederhosen, grab your stein and your friends, and get your Prost on at Iowa Oktoberfest! The polka party happens around Anton’s German Bier G...
The Moonlight Chase is one of Eastern Iowa’s most unique road races. The fun run is held on the streets of Eldridge with the entire 4-mile course lined with luminaries. The evening includes 1/4 mile and 1-mile runs for kids, as well as the 4-mi...
Located at 1109 2nd Street in Perry, Iowa. Atelier at 1109 is a space to create, not a place to work. This artist co-op features art in stained glass, blown glass, fiber and textiles, as well as relief printing, and silk screen printing. Join us for ...
AACTFest 2025 is the national community theatre festival hosted by the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), bringing together theatre lovers from across the country for an unforgettable celebration of live theatre. Taking place June 25-2...
On the second weekend in June, visitors and entertainers from around the world will converge in Clarinda, Iowa, the Birthplace of Glenn Miller, to celebrate the music and memory of Alton Glenn Miller- American bandleader, trombonist, composer and arr...
Must Do's This thriving business community also offers a variety of outdoor recreation and entertainment opportunities for all ages to enjoy. Lake Mills is home to the Winnebago County Freedom Rock, a breathtaking Arlington Veterans Park, downtow...
When the cold arrives, Clear Lake knows how to celebrate the season in style. This lake community embraces its frozen waters by turning the ice into the ultimate event space – where anglers fish, snowmobiles glide and kites fly.
Some pretty awesome stuff, made by some pretty awesome people from Jewell, IA. We offer over 70 different bath and body care products, a full line of home décor and apparel. We proudly sell our products online, in our brick and mortar shop and...
Designated as one of Iowa's "Great Places," Perry boasts a combination of arts, history, culture, commerce and recreation, unmatched to any other of its size! Perry's walkable downtown is home to more than 30 buildings on the Nation...
Bloomsbury Farm is an Agritourism destination located in Atkins, IA. We host seasonal festivals throughout the year, corporate events, field trips, and more! We strive to provide a family farm for the community to feel connected to, and a place for f...
Enjoy unique vendors, delicious food, and cultural festivities while you shop for the perfect gift at Iowa's best holiday markets happening this winter season.
Iowa communities celebrate their multicultural heritage with festivals throughout the year.
The whole family will enjoy these holiday displays.
Nothing illustrates perseverance quite like Iowa's historic theaters.
Whether you’re on a girlfriends' getaway, shopping for a special gift, or just wanting to sample some local color, you’ll find that these shopping districts are tourist destinations in their own right.
Welcome to Speakeasy Comedy Night with Matt Banwart!! Get ready for an amazing night of comedy! Featuring a comedy show nestled inside the beautiful Ideal Theater with unfiltered comedy, accompanied by dim lights, great drinks, and a Saturday outing ...
If you like to hike and want an incredible view, you have to see this cabin! Perched atop a loess bluff, the front porch of the cabin overlooks the Big Sioux River and Missouri River valleys. This one-room cabin with a lofted bed and futon, sleeps 3...
Welcome to Speakeasy Comedy Night with Matt Banwart!! Get ready for an amazing night of comedy! Featuring a comedy show nestled inside the beautiful Ideal Theater with unfiltered comedy, accompanied by dim lights, great drinks, and a Saturday outing ...
Nestled in the Little Sioux River Valley, Cherokee offers recreational fishing, canoeing and a beautiful park system. Cherokee's Historic Downtown features unique shopping and is a designated Cultural District. Live music and entertainment can be...
Must Do's Nestled in a valley on the Raccoon River and Historic U.S. Route 6, Adel offers a chance to experience Iowa's past. Explore the brick streets, historic courthouse, downtown turn-of-the-century architecture and distinctive shops thro...
Whether you're a beginner looking to get started in the hobby or an experienced birder seeking new spots, this list of birding spots and events offers a great check list as you explore Iowa.
Originally from South Carolina, Amy has been a longtime performing musician in the Twin Cities. She’s been slinging her keyboard and mic at local breweries, bars, festivals and events since packing up and heading west after college. Amy has sha...
DeWitt is located at the crossroads of four-lane Hwys. 30 and 61 and is a part of the historic Lincoln Highway. Hometown to artist John Bloom, DeWitt is the second largest community in Clinton County, Iowa and is full of opportunities for all ages. Y...
Play tug-of-war over a river and pedal for bacon at these events.
Welcome to Bennigan's, an upbeat and relaxing place to kick back and experience the genuine spirit of Irish Hospitality while enjoying craveable, crowd-pleasing food and a bountiful selection of ice cold beers, specialty drinks and wines. Our men...
Six destinations with great celebrations and hotel availability.
We celebrate the fact that people with ties to Iowa are in the production industry EVERYWHERE. We search for films from anywhere and by anyone, who just happen to have an Iowa connection. That could be a crew or cast member who lived, worked or went ...
Welcome to Cedar Bridge Park, located west of Osage, Iowa at 1876 Hwy #9. This beautiful park offers a range of amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy. With 19 designated campsites, including 9 specially designed for equestrian use, Cedar Bri...
An easy stopping point for travelers in northwest Iowa. The award-winning Econo Lodge® hotel in Sioux Center is easy to book, easy on your wallet and easy to find off Highway 75. Our convenient location means you'll be less than a mile from popu...
Venture off the beaten path and experience the communities that define true Iowa. The 142-mile Western Skies Scenic Byway parallels Interstate 80 and joins Interstate 29, offering you an easy way to discover all that western Iowa has to offer. Begin...
Visiting a winery or brewery is already the perfect summer experience, but when paired with food, games, live music and more, that's next level.
As a part of the Loess Hills of western Iowa, historically, this land was grazed by elk and bison. The hills provide an ecosystem similar to the drier western plains. Western plants and animals have made their homes in the hills, such as yucca, prick...
Experience the adrenaline of your feet lifting off the ground and admire Iowa's beauty from breath-taking heights.
Belmond is proud to feature our Main Street shopping and business district, which is covered by a unique arcade to provide shade for shoppers and a clean, unified look to our downtown. Main Street is known for its impressive flags on July 4th and fes...
Make it a weekend to remember by exploring not one, not two, but three parks!
Loop trails offer the best way to explore Iowa biking. Here are options to please everyone from families to avid cyclists.
Welcome to the charming town of Wesley, founded in 1872 and located in the heart of the Midwest, with a population of 391 and steeped in rich history. One of Wesley's defining features is its connection to the railroad. The first buildings cons...
Recently named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of America’s best small towns, Fairfield is big on culture and thriving on creativity. Fairfield lives like a metropolitan community, earning distinctions such as one of Iowa’s “Great Pl...
Must Do's Explore our vibrant downtown district featuring award-winning museums, locally-owned restaurants, and an impressive riverside amphitheater. Tour the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, visit the Isle Casino and catch exciting games with...
Early settlers, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Morris arrived from Wisconsin, where fruits and flowers grew in abundance. Despondent, because the prairie was so barren, the Morris family sent to their home state for “Mulberry” trees. The “Mulber...
Must Do's Onawa is the gateway to the Loess Hills and is also the home of the Eskimo Pie, the widest main street in the USA and the only authentic life-size replica of Lewis & Clark's keelboat Discovery. Admire the keelboat and their extraord...
Welcome to Soldier, Iowa, where community spirit thrives! Nestled along the Loess Hills, our town beckons with warmth and hospitality. Join us at our vibrant Community Club, where monthly fish fries, holiday celebrations, and craft fairs bring neig...
The Loess Hills, along the western border of Iowa, provide some of the most beautiful scenery, wildlife and overlooks in the country.
Must Do's This college town has so much more to offer than sporting events. Visitors also come for attractions such as the award-winning Reiman Gardens and Ames Main Street, which is home to over 50 locally-owned specialty retail shops, art galle...
The third Saturday of June was established as Iowa’s official day of recognition for Juneteenth in 2002. Today, events across the state celebrate our country's history and community unity.
Must Do's Art is the heart and soul of Malvern! Stroll the town to view its public art and delight in the many murals and sculptures. Local artist Zach Jones has created the stunning Art Church in the 1873-build Presbyterian Church. And be sure t...
No matter the season, Iowa offers endless possibilities. Whether it’s a family getaway, an outdoor adventure, or anything in between, we know a place.
EXPLORE WITH US