• DOWNTOWN GIFT CARD
  • About Us
  • What We Do
    • Advocacy
    • Business Resources
    • Clean & Safe
    • Events
    • Placemaking
  • Experience Downtown
    • Arts & Culture
    • Eat & Drink
    • Events
    • Museums
    • Shop
    • Services
    • Stay
    • Venues & Meeting Rooms
    • All Listings
  • Locate Here
  • Get Around
Experience Downtown
All ListingsEat & DrinkShopServicesEventsStayDowntown Venues & Meeting RoomsGet Around
Arts & Culture
Arts & CulturePublic ArtLive Music MuseumsArt GalleriesAll Listings
Menu
  • Experience Downtown
    • Arts & Culture
    • Eat & Drink
    • Events
    • Museum
    • Services
    • Shop
    • Stay
    • Venues & Meeting Rooms
    • All Listings
  • Locate Here
  • Get Around
  • What We Do
    • Advocacy
    • Business Resources
    • Clean & Safe
    • Events
    • Placemaking
Get Around
  • Experience Downtown
    • Arts & Culture
    • Eat & Drink
    • Events
    • Museums
    • Shop
    • Services
    • Stay
    • Venues & Meeting Rooms
    • All Listings
  • Locate Here
  • Get Around
12 events found.

Featured

  1. Events
  2. Featured

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

  • List
  • Photo
Today

June 2025

Mon 9
Featured Featured June 9 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Share Your Voice

Prairie Lights Bookstore

Monday, June 9, 2025 -6:30pm to 7:30pm +  Digital Media Lab Register1 of 10 registered Using Adobe Illustrator, turn the phrase of your choice into a striking and legible sign that could be held at a rally or posted in a window of your home. Illustrator has text features that go beyond ordinary, flat lines of text....

Mon 9
Featured Featured June 9 @ 8:00 pm - 11:30 pm Event Series Jok-e-Oke Comedy Mic

Monday Open Comedy Mic

Alley Cat 13 S Linn St, Iowa City, I, United States

Every Monday! Join us at Alley Cat for a night full of comedy, karaoke and fun! Doors open 8pm and comedy at 9:30 pm! Karaoke after the mic!

Free
Tue 10
Featured Featured June 10 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

How-To Tuesday: Draw Pokémon with Casey

Iowa City Public Library 123 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, United States

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 -1:00pm to 2:00pm +  Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C Elementary-age kids are invited to join us each Tuesday at 1:00 to learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe they haven’t tried before! We have experts from the community here to teach you the basics!...

Tue 10
Featured Featured June 10 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

06/10/2025 | Portrait Drawing

Artifactory 120 N Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA, United States

10 June 2025 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Lower Level | 120 N. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA This is a long-pose, uninstructed open session for drawing portraits from life. Anyone is welcome of any ability level and you can work in any non-toxic medium you choose. The model will sit clothed in one...

$10
Tue 10
Featured Featured June 10 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty – Sea of Grass

Prairie Lights Bookstore

Veteran journalists Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty will read from and talk about their new book, Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie. Described by its publisher, Penguin Random House, as a "vivid portrait of a miraculous ecosystem that makes clear why the future of this region is...

Tue 10
Featured Featured June 10 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Pride at FilmScene: I Am My Own Woman

FilmScene (at the Chauncey) 404 E College St., Iowa City, IA, United States

About the Series A year-round partnership between FilmScene and Iowa City Pride showcases queer cinema's past, present and future with monthly screenings. Presenting Sponsor In partnership with Iowa City Pride, FilmScene presents one film a month, showcasing the best in new and classic LGBTQIA+ from around the world. Join us at FilmScene for Pride at FilmScene,...

Wed 11
Featured Featured June 11 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am Event Series Read on the Rug

Read on the Rug

University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums Iowa City, IA, United States

Read on the Rug is back with monthly offerings! Join us on the second Wednesday of each month in Iowa Hall at the UI Museum of Natural History for Read on the Rug. Ideal for families with kiddos aged 2-5, all are welcome to this free educational program. This program series was designed with our youngest...

Wed 11
Featured Featured June 11 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series Trivia Wednesday at Wilder

Trivia Wednesday at Wilder

Graduate Iowa City 210 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA, United States

Join us at Wilder inside Graduate Iowa City every Wednesday at 7PM for trivia! Treat yourself to a $10 single patty Graduate Burger and 1/2 priced beer!

Wed 11
Featured Featured June 11 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Event Series AlleyCat Writers Slam

AlleyCat Writers Slam

The AlleyCat 13 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA, United States

A poetry open mic, brought to you by Iowa City Poetry Slam and Alley Cat. Mic at 8:30! Sign up in person! Karaoke after poetry!

Thu 12
Featured Featured June 12 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Garry Klein and Sabrina Claman in conversation w/ David Gould

Prairie Lights Bookstore

Authors Garry Klein and Sabrina Claman will read from their new book, What Happened on the Garden Street Bus, and will be joined in conversation by David Gould. What Happened on the Garden Street Bus is a "super cool graphic novel" on friendships and community. The Garden Street bus is mostly filled with strangers until...

Fri 13
Featured Featured June 13 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Event Series A Very Serious Art Show | Justin Scroggins

A Very Serious Art Show | Justin Scroggins

Public Space One 229 N Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA, United States

on view June 6-28, 2025 open gallery hours Fri 4-6p and Sat 12-3p or by appointment opening reception: Friday June 6, 5-8p ARTIST STATEMENT: Lately I have been making work that blurs the lines between precious and inexpensive, sculpture and jewelry, as well as art and toy. This very serious art show challenges preconceived ideas...

Sat 14
Featured Featured June 14 @ 7:30 am - 12:00 pm Event Series Iowa City Farmer’s Market

Iowa City Farmer’s Market

Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp 405 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA, United States

The Iowa City Farmers Market is managed by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. It is an open-air market held in the Chauncey Swan parking ramp, Chauncey Swan Park, and on E. Washington St. in downtown Iowa City. The market runs from May through October. We strive to serve all populations by providing access to...

  • Previous Events
  • Today
  • Next Events

Search Our Site

Facebook
X
Instagram
Put your mind to the test and dive into some frien Put your mind to the test and dive into some friendly competition at this year’s Downtown Block Party. This part of the party is all about puzzles, strategy, and games that bring out your inner challenger—from fast-paced chess matches to giant games and hands-on fun for all ages.

♟️ Blitz & Bullet Chess Tournaments with the Iowa Chess Association. 

Think fast, move faster. These high-speed chess tournaments are perfect for sharp minds and quick thinkers. Open to all skill levels, the Blitz & Bullet matches give players the chance to win prizes and earn bragging rights. Prefer to take it slow? Pull up a chair at the casual play tables and enjoy a friendly match with a new opponent.

🧩 Puzzle & Gaming Plaza with @diversions.ic 

Get your game face on and head into a playful zone packed with brainy fun! Try your hand at the Speed Puzzle Tournament solo or with a team and race against the clock for a shot at the leaderboard and some sweet prizes. Take on CornChecks, a hilarious, life-sized blend of checkers and cornhole that’s just as fun to watch as it is to play. Or kick back with oversized yard games and classic tabletop board games.

Bring your thinking cap and get ready to play!
Yesterday marked the final day of @textilesinc und Yesterday marked the final day of @textilesinc under the leadership of longtime owner Ritu Jain—closing out an incredible 34-year chapter in Downtown Iowa City.

Ritu has been a catalyst for progress, collaboration, and creativity in our downtown, and a true force in shaping our retail community. From mentoring fellow business owners and creating cornerstone retail events like the Shop Crawl and Sidewalk Sales to helping launch the Retail Caucus, Ritu’s impact has been both deep and lasting. That first meeting, sparked by her determination to bring retailers together, laid the foundation for many of the support systems our district relies on today.

Ritu has never been short on energy or ideas. She’s the visionary behind initiatives like the Tree Huggers art project, kids’ window painting, and countless other creative efforts that helped position downtown as a vibrant and welcoming destination to visit and shop.

Last month, we were proud to honor Ritu with a Person of Impact award at the ICDD Annual Meeting, recognizing her decades of dedication to local business, community building, and making downtown thrive.

While we say goodbye to this inspiring era, we’re excited to share that Textiles will soon reopen under new ownership. Stay tuned for more details, and thank you, Ritu, for 34 years of fashion, heart, and transformative impact.

Artwork by @kierstencarts
Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s First Round conversation about ICDD’s 2026–2036 SSMID renewal and expansion. It was an energizing evening at @trumpetblossom as we discussed the future of our district and what continued investment through the Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) means for our community.

Special thanks to our speakers:
– Jennifer Miller from @uihealthcare, who shared thoughtful insights on the integration of the downtown medical campus and its role in the district’s future
– Karen Kubby of @beadologyiowa, SSMID Renewal Committee Co-Chair, who reflected on the creation of the SSMID in 2012 and why its renewal is a critical step forward
– Bill Nusser of @handsjewelers, a founding member of ICDD, for hosting and helping shape this important conversation

Over the next year, ICDD staff and members of the SSMID Renewal Committee will be connecting with downtown property and business owners to talk about petition signing and the collective impact of this model. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved and learn how we’re working to keep Downtown Iowa City clean, safe, vibrant, and thriving for years to come.

Learn more here: 
https://downtowniowacity.com/icdd-ssmid-renewal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyURjRNDv_Q
@silentdiscodsm is back on Dubuque Street at this @silentdiscodsm is back on Dubuque Street at this year’s Downtown Block Party and it’s ready to light up the night with beats, bops, and non-stop dance moves! 

Sponsored by our friends at @greenstatecu, this fan-favorite experience brings 1,000 headsets, three DJ channels, and a whole lot of good vibes. Grab your crew, pick your playlist, and dance the night away.

Whether you’re in the middle of the action or just passing by for some people-watching, this is one Block Party moment you won’t want to miss.

Show us your moves on June 28th!
Our new pickleball vending machine in the Ped Mall Our new pickleball vending machine in the Ped Mall is officially up and running and ready for action!

🎾 Free paddles and balls are available to play. Just grab what you need and hit the court! When you’re finished, we kindly ask that you return any borrowed items to the return slot on the side of the machine. 

🧤 Looking to level up? The machine is also stocked with other pickleball gear available for purchase.

Game on, Iowa City!
The latest episode of the Downtown Dish is here an The latest episode of the Downtown Dish is here and it’s all about the bright red shirts, friendly faces, and hardworking team keeping downtown clean, safe, and welcoming.

In Episode #12, Anna is joined by guest co-host Betsy Potter, Executive Director of ICDD, as they chat with Keyon Shelby, Operations Manager of the Downtown Iowa City Ambassador Program.

Keyon shares his journey from a career in film and video production in Chicago to leading the Ambassador team here in Iowa City through Block by Block, a national service management company operating in over 170 cities across the U.S. In just the first year, the local Ambassador team has removed over 191,000 pounds of trash, responded to more than 1,000 biohazard cleanups, and built a visible, trusted presence in our community. From curbside cleanup and snow shoveling to helping jumpstart cars and giving directions, these Ambassadors are changing how service and hospitality show up downtown.

You’ll also hear about their smart system for logging work, ongoing staff trainings, and new initiatives like a summer youth program with the Iowa City School District, designed to teach high school students hands-on job skills while working side-by-side with the Ambassador team.

Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon to hear the full story.
Programmed by @downtowniowacity, @thinkiowacity, a Programmed by @downtowniowacity, @thinkiowacity, and @cfjc_ia, a new mural will soon be brought to life in the heart of Downtown. @xolp, an artist who specializes in whimsical illustrations, has worked on thousands of custom projects and we can’t wait for this project to be added to her list of accomplishments. Her mural will serve as a lasting piece of public art, fostering creativity, community engagement, and a sense of place that reflects the spirit of Johnson County. 

As a key feature of the Downtown Block Party on June 28th, the mural’s final touches will be completed with the help of event attendees. Leave your mark on Downtown Iowa City by filling in the doodles with beautiful pops of color!

See you on the streets on June 28th!
Come on down to Block Party on Saturday, June 28th Come on down to Block Party on Saturday, June 28th and bring out your inner child with these extra large tricycles. We promise you’ll be laughing out loud and reliving your childhood summer days. 

@briar_ridge_bikes will be organizing the races and cheering on the chaos. Thank you, @briar_ridge_bikes , for participating your first-ever Block Party! 

See you on the streets on June 28th!
Follow on Instagram
  • Downtown Gift Card
  • About Us
  • Job Board
  • Leasing
  • Add Your Event
  • Business Resources
  • Contact Us
© Copyright Iowa City Downtown District | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Sitemap