• 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
Track Guy Movie Premiere
Sep 14
Featured 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Track Guy Movie Premiere

Free – $15
Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Sep 14
Featured 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

$22.50 – $46.50
Community Collaborations: Bhangaar (Obsolete)
Sep 14
Featured 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Community Collaborations: Bhangaar (Obsolete)

Free – $10
Scorched Waves, Mars Hojilla, Jack, SoulTru
Sep 14
Featured 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Scorched Waves, Mars Hojilla, Jack, SoulTru

$13.06
African Diaspora: Naked Acts
Sep 14
Featured 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

African Diaspora: Naked Acts

$13 – $17.50
24+24 Composers Concert Large Concert Hall
Sep 14
Featured 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

24+24 Composers Concert

ganavya with Charlotte Leung
Sep 14
Featured 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

ganavya with Charlotte Leung

$15 – $30
Star Search Season 5
Sep 14
Featured September 14 @ 9:00 pm - September 15 @ 12:00 am

Star Search Season 5

Naomi Wood – This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
Sep 15
Featured 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Naomi Wood – This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Faculty Chamber Recital: Kozenko/Jakovcic/Lecuona Trio Large Concert Hall
Sep 15
Featured 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Faculty Chamber Recital: Kozenko/Jakovcic/Lecuona Trio

Monday Open Comedy Mic
Sep 15
Featured 8:00 pm - 11:30 pm

Monday Open Comedy Mic

Free
Portrait Drawing
Sep 16
Featured 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Portrait Drawing

$10
  • Previous Events
  • Today
  • Next Events

Search Our Site

Facebook
X
Instagram
@textilesinc is back — under new ownership! Aft @textilesinc is back — under new ownership!

After 34 years as a downtown favorite, Textiles is reopening at 105 S. Dubuque Street in the Ped Mall this September! Longtime customer Miranda Meyer is taking the helm from founder Ritu Jain, preserving the boutique’s beloved style while adding her own creative touch.

Join them for a Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, September 21, from 2–4 PM, in collaboration with their neighbors at @mosaic_iowacity. Customers can expect the same beloved brands and stylish, comfortable clothing and accessories that have made Textiles a downtown favorite for more than three decades.

Come celebrate this new chapter for one of Downtown Iowa City’s cherished local businesses! 💛
Downtown Iowa City is proud to once again be a hub Downtown Iowa City is proud to once again be a hub for Welcoming Week, a national celebration that brings neighbors together to build connections and highlight the values of inclusion and belonging. 

Launched in 2012 by @welcomingusa, the week is dedicated to creating communities where everyone feels at home. This year’s theme, “Stories We Share,” invites us to celebrate differences while discovering the common ground we all hold. From community meals to storytelling nights and cultural celebrations, Johnson County’s Welcoming Week offers opportunities for everyone to join in. Here are a few highlights happening downtown over the next week:

Friday, Sept. 12
Voice of Resilience | @tuesday_agency | 6 PM
Free community meal and storytelling with music, art, and migration stories from local neighbors.

FroYo for a Cause | @yotopiafroyo | All Day
Enjoy frozen yogurt and support the @iwn_jc. Mention IWNJC at checkout to give back.

Sunday, Sept. 14
Welcome to Printmaking | @p_s_won 
Create art prints celebrating migration and welcoming new neighbors.

Tuesday, Sept. 16
@cityofiowacity Proclamation | Council Meeting | 6 PM
Join city leaders as they officially recognize Welcoming Week.

Wednesday, Sept. 17
@greateriowacity Lunch Connection | @theairlinerbar | 12–1 PM
Learn about Welcoming Week over lunch with local leaders & professionals.

A Danish Nurse’s Journey with MSF | @iowacitypubliclibrary | 6–7 PM
Hear stories from a Danish nurse’s decades of humanitarian work with Doctors Without Borders. Hosted by @icfrc 

If you’ve walked through downtown recently, you’ve likely noticed the Welcoming Week banners hanging across the district. You can show your support at home too by picking up a Welcoming Week yard sign at Iowa City City Hall, 410 E. Washington St. (limited quantities available).

We invite you to take part in building a stronger, more welcoming community. Let’s celebrate together. A full schedule and registration details are available on the Welcoming Week website: www.welcomeicarea.org
🍻 Come for the beer, stay for the music, games, 🍻 Come for the beer, stay for the music, games, and contests! Northside Oktoberfest is packing the day with live performances and fun you won’t want to miss. The festival’s entertainment showcases both local talent and traditional German culture throughout the day:

🎶 Live Music & Performances
Brick Street Ramblers – An eight-piece, Iowa City-based traditional jazz band, often playing original charts from recordings that have passed the century mark.

Die Tiefen Keller Kinder Band – The Amana Colonies’ Original and Authentic German Blaskapelle

Iowa Alphorn Freunde – A seven-piece alphorn performance ensemble with members from across Eastern Iowa. The group showcases their beautiful and majestic 12-foot alphorns and brings the spirit of the Swiss and Bavarian Alps to Iowa’s heartland.

@iowabrass – Iowa’s only British-style brass band blends tradition with a fresh, modern twist. Since 1986, this dynamic group has captivated audiences across Iowa and beyond with their exceptional artists and thrilling performances.

@theswamplandjewels – Playing a mix of original, Gulf Coast oldies, traditional Cajun/Creole, and TexMex tunes, The Swampland Jewels are sure to get you on your feet. If you aren’t a fan of the accordion, you will be after catching this set!

🎯 Games & Contests
Keg Toss, Keg Bowling, Beer Slide, Bag Toss, Beer Puppeteering, Brat Eating Contest, Stein Holding Contest, Lederhosen & Dirndl Costume Contest, and Pretzel Bingo — all happening throughout the day and opportunity for prizes.

🎟️ Remember, strolling through the festival and enjoying the live music, contests, and entertainment is free. You’ll only need a ticket if you plan to drink. Purchase a BrewFest ticket to sample 140+ brews from 40+ vendors or grab a $5 Bier Hall general admission cup to purchase wine and beer from Northside businesses and sip while you enjoy the performances.

📅 Saturday, September 20th | Iowa City’s Northside Neighborhood

Bring your friends, grab your lederhosen, and celebrate 29 years of Iowa City’s biggest fall tradition at Northside Oktoberfest! 🍂🎺🥨
Bring the whole family to SodaFest during Northsid Bring the whole family to SodaFest during Northside Oktoberfest next Saturday, September 20th.

Hosted in partnership with the @iachildrensmuseum, SodaFest runs from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and this year it’s moving to Market & Linn Street, making it easier for families to enjoy the full Oktoberfest experience together while kids dive into age-appropriate activities.

For just $5, kids receive a custom SodaFest mug and unlimited soda samples, plus access to FREE family-friendly activities like pumpkin decorating, bubble stations, big block building, art projects with @p_s_won, music, games, an inflatable obstacle course, and so much more hands-on fun. SodaFest mugs can be purchased at the booth on the day of the festival.

The forecast is calling for a beautiful fall day, so get outside, sip some soda, and make the most of this family-friendly celebration. It’s the perfect way for kids to enjoy their own slice of Oktoberfest. Don’t miss it!l
What a season on the Ped Mall! This spring and sum What a season on the Ped Mall! This spring and summer, the pickleball court in Black Hawk Mini Park was full of action and we loved seeing players of all ages get out and play.

Our new vending machine made it easier to get on the court with free pickleball paddles, balls, and equipment available for the public to use. We hope it helped more community members enjoy the game downtown.

This weekend is your last chance to play before the court comes down for the season on Monday, so grab a friend, borrow some equipment, and get in one more rally while you can. 🏓

Thanks for making pickleball downtown such a hit! 💛
🍻 Northside Oktoberfest is almost here! Join us 🍻 Northside Oktoberfest is almost here! Join us next Saturday, September 20th, as we celebrate 29 years of Iowa City BrewFest. With 40+ vendors pouring their best, your ticket gets you unlimited craft beer samples, a custom Oktoberfest glass, and access to all the Oktoberfest fun. 🙌

This year, we heard you and lowered the BrewFest tickets to just $60 with sampling from 11AM–3PM. Plus, we’re partnering with @untappd so you can preview the full list of brews before the fest and plan your tasting adventure. Check our event website at the link in our bio for all the details and tickets.

And don’t forget, Northside Oktoberfest is also packed with free live entertainment all day long. No ticket is needed to enjoy the music and activities, only if you want to sample! Catch performances from @iowabrass, Brick Street Ramblers, and Die Tiefen Keller Kinder Band from the Amana Colonies. Watch the Maypole Dance with the @iowaconservatory, cheer on the Brat Eating Contest, and hear the Iowa Alphorn Freunde fill the streets with traditional sounds. Plus, test your strength in the Keg Toss and Stein Holding Contests or show off your best Bavarian style in the Lederhosen & Dirndl Costume Contest — with prizes for the best dressed! 

🍻 Looking for another way to celebrate? The Bier Hall is our general admission option, where you can purchase a $5 cup and enjoy beer and wine from Northside bars and restaurants right in the street. Bier Hall tickets are available at the door.

Mark your calendars, grab your tickets and your friends, and get ready to PROST with us next weekend. 🍂🍻

Northside Oktoberfest is made possible thanks to support from @fly_cid, @johnsgrocery, and @newpioneercoop
We’re thrilled to introduce Ian as our new Direc We’re thrilled to introduce Ian as our new Director of Place Management! This exciting new role was created as part of our updated strategic plan and expand our placemaking opportunities.

Ian will be leading comprehensive efforts to create a welcoming, safe, and vibrant downtown environment. He’ll oversee our signature programs, including Black Hawk Mini Park activations like the pickleball court and Holiday Pop-Up Shops, North Linn Street programming and summer street closure, and our holiday lighting projects. Plus, he’ll manage our Block by Block Ambassador services in partnership with the City, coordinate public art initiatives that reflect downtown’s unique character, and collaborate with our Cultural & Entertainment District Committee.

An Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate, Dunbar came to Iowa City to pursue his studies in environmental policy and planning. His passion for public sector work was further influenced by time spent living in Germany, where he developed a deep appreciation for accessible cities and inclusive public spaces. From his environmental planning background to his commitment to creating inclusive, walkable spaces, he’s the perfect fit to lead our placemaking initiatives, support local businesses through grant programs like our Retail Build-out and CoSign+, and foster the community connections that make downtown special.

Ian will work closely with local stakeholders, artists, community groups, businesses, and city departments to deliver impactful programs that engage visitors and create an even stronger sense of place. We’re excited for the enhanced public spaces and creative community programming ahead. 

Please help us give Ian a warm Iowa City welcome!
The first-ever Iowa City @songwritersfestival brou The first-ever Iowa City @songwritersfestival brought downtown to life this weekend with three days of music, conversation, and community. From artist showcases to panel discussions, the festival celebrated the craft of songwriting and the voices behind the music.

Talented artists like @jefftweedy, @buffalonicholsmusic, and @courtneymarieandrews filled our downtown stages with original work, while the conference component gave musicians, writers, and fans a chance to connect and dive into the art of storytelling through song. With its theme of celebrating songwriters as both creators and performers, this inaugural festival set the tone for a new Iowa City tradition.

We’re grateful to @englerttheatre for hosting and leading the way in bringing this festival downtown, and we can’t wait to see it grow in the years ahead!

Take a look at some of the photos from the festival and conference.
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