Des Moines Arts Festival

Started in the late-1990s after promoters decided to replace the 40-year running "Art in the Park." Attendance of around 250,000 people each year. Over 150 artists--from all over the country--bring their original creations to be seen and purchased. In addition to the various forms of art you'll see, there are also stages offering entertainment and food vendors selling their own edible creations.

Getting there: downtown in Western Gateway Park
Hours: 3-day weekend in June
Price: Free
Website: desmoinesartsfestival.org (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Des Moines, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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