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12 events found.

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Today

May 2025

Thu 1
Featured Featured May 1 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Community Collaborations: Made in LA

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

About the Series Community Collaborations is an ongoing series of engaging cinematic events in partnership with nonprofits, advocacy groups, passionate individuals, and community organizations to generate conversation and action inspired by film. PARTNER FilmScene encourages community groups and individuals to propose topics or specific films which they believe will generate positive action in our community. SPONSOR Community...

Free – $10
Thu 1
Featured Featured May 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

I’m so hungry I could eat a PBR (Paper Back Rhino)

Public Space One Close House 538 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA, United States

Paper Back Rhino Improv Troup presents: I'm So Hungry I Could Eat A PBR

$5
Thu 1
Featured Featured May 1 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Event Series The Lifespan of a Fact

The Lifespan of a Fact

Riverside Theatre 119 E College St, Iowa City, IA, United States

GET YOUR TICKETS Select the date below to purchase tickets for that performance. Friday, April 18 @ 7:30pm Saturday, April 19 @ 7:30pm Sunday, April 20 @ 2:00pm Thursday, April 24 @ 7:30pm Friday, April 25 @ 7:30pm Saturday, April 26 @ 7:30pm Sunday, April 27 @ 2:00pm* Thursday, May 1 @ 7:30pm Friday, May...

Thu 1
Featured Featured May 1 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Season to Risk

Gabe's Iowa City 330 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA, United States

Metro Concerts Live present Season To Risk with Cougars and Otros Outros at Gabes 7:00pm Doors // 8:00pm Show

$12
Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Mellon Team Provenance Research Panel and Conversation

Stanley Museum of Art 160 West Burlington Street, Iowa City, IA, United States

Mellon Research staff, Dr. Peju Layiwola and Fernanda Campos will present their work and examine the questions that lie at the core of provenance research.

Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 4:00 pm - May 3 @ 11:30 pm

Beyond Fashion Festival

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

Beyond Festival is a powerful, weekend-long celebration of culture, creativity, and community in Iowa City. The festival features music, fashion, art, film, wellness events, and panel discussions that uplift diverse stories and spark meaningful conversations. From alleyway fashion shows to cultural workshops and performances, Beyond Fest transforms the city into a vibrant, inclusive space that...

$25
Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

FOOLS Magazine issue launch

Public Space One Close House 538 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA, United States

FOOLS SWEET SIXTEEN LAUNCH 🎂 Join us at Public Space One on Friday May 2nd from 5-8pm to get the latest edition of Fools!! There will be readings from our poets, along with Cello and Guitar performances from our friends Ethan & Sean 🎻🎶 There will be plenty of copies of volume 16 along with...

Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series Seussical The Musical Jr.

Seussical The Musical Jr.

The James Theater 213 N Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA, United States

Join Nolte Academy's youth theater for their production of Seussical The Musical Jr. at The James Theater, May 2 - 4! About Seussical, Jr. - Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people...

$15 – $20
Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Patrycja Humienik & Austin Araujo – We Contain Landscapes and At the Park on the Edge of the Country

Prairie Lights Bookstore

Join us for a double-feature reading by poets Patrycja Humienik, who will read from her new book of poems, We Contain Landscapes, and Austin Araujo, a current Iowa NWP student who will read from his new poetry collection, At the Park on the Edge of the Country. Described as a collection "haunted by questions of desire, borders,...

Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Event Series The Lifespan of a Fact

The Lifespan of a Fact

Riverside Theatre 119 E College St, Iowa City, IA, United States

GET YOUR TICKETS Select the date below to purchase tickets for that performance. Friday, April 18 @ 7:30pm Saturday, April 19 @ 7:30pm Sunday, April 20 @ 2:00pm Thursday, April 24 @ 7:30pm Friday, April 25 @ 7:30pm Saturday, April 26 @ 7:30pm Sunday, April 27 @ 2:00pm* Thursday, May 1 @ 7:30pm Friday, May...

Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Deb Talen w/ Crystal City

Englert Theatre 221 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240, IOWA CITY, IA, United States

Album Release Show for I Thought I Saw You The album “I thought I saw you” by Deb Talan (distributed by ONErpm in February, 2025) is a collection of lush, songwriter folk-pop gems. It was recorded by Deb and Bryan Vanderpool (the Well Pennies, Golden Bear Studios) over 18 months, and supported by many local...

$18 – $35
Fri 2
Featured Featured May 2 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Munk Rivers, Chrash, Second Half, and Dizzy Bridges

Gabe's

Munk Rivers, Chrash, Second Half, Dizzy Bridges 8:00pm Doors

$10
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There’s no better way to kick off the weekend th There’s no better way to kick off the weekend than with a trip to the Farmers Market. Fresh produce, local goods, homemade treats, and good vibes all around.

Grab a coffee, pick up something delicious, and start your Saturday morning off right. See you there!
National Small Business Week is all about recogniz National Small Business Week is all about recognizing the businesses that keep our community thriving–and Downtown Iowa City has some of the best.

This May, we’re celebrating our cherished Legacy Businesses—the places that have helped shape Iowa City and continue to define its character, charm, and community spirit. From favorite meals to memorable moments, they’ve been the backdrop to some of our best stories.

Now it’s your turn to say thanks! Write a Legacy Love Letter to a business that’s made a positive impact on you. Pick up one of our adorable vintage postcards at the ICDD office, MERGE, or any of our Legacy Happy Hours, then drop it back off or mail it to 103 E. College St. #200.

Notable letters may be shared to show these businesses just how much they mean to us. Let’s fill the mailbox with memories, spread the love, and celebrate Iowa City’s amazing small businesses! 💛

Legacy Happy Hour Schedule | 5-6pm
– May 15: @donnellysic 
– May 22: George’s Buffet
– May 29: @bojamesbar 

Learn more: www.downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses
☀️ Summer vibes are rolling into Downtown Iowa ☀️ Summer vibes are rolling into Downtown Iowa City, and that means it’s time for one of our favorite traditions — the Summer Shop Crawl!

Join us on Friday, May 30th from 4:00–8:00 p.m. to stroll through your favorite local shops, drink in hand, snag some deals, catch up with friends, and maybe even find a new favorite spot. 🌼🛍️

We say it every year, but it’s true — this event always sells out. So if this sounds like your kind of evening, grab your $15 ticket now! It comes with a custom glass, a tote bag, a surprise gift, and access to all the sips and deals along the way.

It’s the perfect way to kick off summer and have a fun night out downtown.

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in our bio!
Raise a glass to a legacy! Legacy Happy Hours are Raise a glass to a legacy! Legacy Happy Hours are here–every Thursday in May from 5:00–6:00 p.m.–and we’re kicking it off today with a stop at the one and only Micky's Irish Pub.

A true Iowa City icon, @mickysic has been holding down Dubuque Street since 1980 with good food, cold beer, and a legendary bar that dates back to 1870. This storied pub has hosted everyone from college students to literary legends like Tennessee Williams and Kurt Vonnegut, and it’s still a favorite for lunch, bingo nights, and catching the game. With over four decades of history, Micky’s continues to be a cornerstone of downtown’s legacy dining scene.

Want more behind-the-scenes stories? Tune in to the Downtown Dish podcast to hear the owners talk about the bar’s wild journey, how they almost bought a firetruck, and why Micky’s remains one of Iowa City’s most beloved institutions.

Join us to celebrate one of downtown’s longest-standing hangouts and swing by after work to grab a drink. Don’t forget to bring your Legacy Dining Passport to earn a sticker and get one step closer to winning a $200 ICDD Gift Card + exclusive swag!

📍 Passports, happy hour locations, and Legacy Month details at downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses
Celebrate Iowa City’s culinary icons all month l Celebrate Iowa City’s culinary icons all month long with the Legacy Dining Passport, a fun and flavorful way to support the long-standing bars and restaurants that have shaped our downtown.

ICDD is encouraging office teams, downtown workers, and lunch crews to make Tuesdays a tradition by dining out for Legacy Lunches, and to unwind on Thursdays with Legacy Happy Hour. These weekly outings are the perfect excuse to enjoy a mid-day or after-work break, connect with colleagues, and support local businesses.

Passports and can be picked up at any Legacy dining location, the front desk at MERGE (136 S Dubuque St), or printed at home from our website. It’s the perfect excuse to revisit longtime favorites and explore new flavors.

Collect a sticker each time you dine at a Legacy location during May. Once you’ve visited five, snap a photo of your completed passport and submit it online for a chance to win a $200 ICDD Gift Card—plus exclusive Legacy swag!
Downtown Iowa City makes gifting easy — with fre Downtown Iowa City makes gifting easy — with fresh blooms, one-of-a-kind jewelry, handmade goods, and relaxing self-care favorites from our local shops and boutiques.

🌸 Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and our downtown retailers have everything to make Mom feel extra loved. Shop sweet, stylish, and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

And don’t forget: free delivery is available! Send a gift or have one delivered at no cost with Downtown Delivers. Just check with any of our shops when making your purchase or look for the delivery option when checking out online.

Deliveries go out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Iowa City, Coralville, Solon, Tiffin, and West Branch areas.
Legacy Lunch is on! Every Tuesday in May, we invit Legacy Lunch is on! Every Tuesday in May, we invite downtown workers, office teams, and lunchtime crews to take a break and support the long-standing restaurants and bars during Legacy Business Month!

– Visit longtime favorites or try something new
– Soak up the midday vibes downtown
– Make it a weekly outing with your coworkers
–  Dine out and support the local flavors that have shaped our community

Tag your lunch crew and comment where you’re headed today! 

📍 See the full list of Legacy Lunch spots at downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses
Spring continues to take over Downtown Iowa City a Spring continues to take over Downtown Iowa City and you can feel it in the air. Trees are budding, flowers are bursting with color, and storefronts are stocked with spring arrivals.

From fresh fashion and new merchandise to updated menus and sunny patios, downtown shops and restaurants are buzzing with the energy of the season. It’s the perfect time for patio lunches, window shopping, and exploring all the seasonal displays popping up around the district.

Take a lap around the block and let spring in downtown surprise you.
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