Free community festival features live music, wrestling, dance performances, and street entertainment on Saturday, June 28
(Iowa City, IA) – June 4, 2024 – The Iowa City Downtown District announced Wednesday the complete entertainment and live music lineup for the 2025 Downtown Block Party. Taking place Saturday, June 28, from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. throughout 14 blocks of downtown Iowa City, this year’s festival promises an eclectic mix of free entertainment with live music, professional wrestling, dance performances, and interactive street programming for attendees of all ages to enjoy.
Curated by The Englert Theatre and sponsored by iBev, the festival’s main stage will showcase three distinctive musical acts throughout the evening on the Weatherdance Fountain Stage in the Ped Mall. Opening the main stage programming at 4:00 p.m. is BYOBrass, a collective of Iowa musicians and educators, which will bring their high-energy blend of original compositions and reimagined classics. The Des Moines-based group, originally founded at the University of Northern Iowa in 2017, has built a statewide following with its eclectic musical influences and dynamic live performances.
At 6:00 p.m., Chicago-based La Rosa Noir will take the stage with their unique fusion of surf, post-punk, and Latin rhythms. The band’s debut album “Arellano,” named after frontwoman Yeshi Regalado’s grandmother, explores themes of relationships, loss, and self-discovery through storytelling lyrics set against dreamy dissonance and punk energy.
Headlining the evening from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., Nashville alternative rock band HOUNDS will close out the main stage programming. Known for their memorable melodies, intricate vocal harmonies, and innovative use of synthesizers, HOUNDS create music that bridges past and future musical landscapes.
The Iowa Avenue Stage will host continuous programming throughout the event, beginning at 3:00 p.m. with a talent show with ChildServe featuring an exciting array of dance and musical performances. The Pomtastiks will dazzle audiences with their repertoire of choreographed dances spanning multiple eras and genres, featuring poms and props performed by dancers spanning four decades in age from the Iowa City Senior Center. Iowa City Swing Dance will transport festival-goers back to the jazz age with performances and mini-lessons in vintage swing styles, including Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa, celebrating the African-American jazz dance tradition born in 1920s Harlem. Snack Break Movement will showcase diverse street dance styles, exploring the intersections of freestyle, breakin’, Hip Hop social dance, House dance, and funk styles while championing Hip Hop’s cultural philosophy of “peace, love, unity, and having fun!”
A special highlight of the Iowa Avenue Stage will be Chicago’s rising indie/folk/alt rock quartet The Braymores. Fresh off the release of their debut album Who You’d Have Been in September 2024, The Braymores will bring their distinctive sound to Iowa City at 7:00 p.m. Closing out the stage will be the crowd-favorite Studio 13 Drag Show at 8:30 p.m. with Hollywood Hope, Hazel Sanchez, Daphne Danger, India Love, and Myling Belle.
Additional street programming will create an immersive festival atmosphere with performances including Nolte Dance Academy tap dancing demonstrations, brass ensemble performances, DJ sets, and puppet shows with the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company, running throughout the afternoon and early evening hours. Professional wrestling fans can enjoy SCW Pro Wrestling matches and photo ops at the intersection of Washington Street and Linn Street. Dueling Pianos, sponsored by Hills Bank, will return to Washington Street from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m., and Gabe’s will host local band The Beaker Brothers from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The evening will conclude with special aerial performances by Mimi Ke & Elaine McCague at the intersection of Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue at 9:45 p.m.
All programming at the Downtown Block Party is free and open to the public. Tickets are only required for attendees who plan to consume alcohol during the event. Following tradition, each ticket includes a commemorative 2025 Downtown Block Party cup sponsored by RDG Planning & Design and an event wristband sponsored by Thompson & Co. Salon Parlor.
Event cups and wristbands are available now for pre-purchase online for $10, with prices increasing to $15 at the event. Tickets will be available at cup stations throughout the festival area. Only attendees with official event cups and wristbands will be permitted to consume wine and beer on the streets during the Downtown Block Party. Downtown restaurants and bars will be open with special offers throughout the event.
The Downtown Block Party represents Iowa City’s commitment to fostering community engagement through accessible arts and entertainment programming. The festival showcases both local and touring artists while supporting downtown businesses and creating opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the vibrant culture of Iowa City’s Downtown District. This year’s festival is possible thanks to this year’s sponsors: GreenState Credit Union, iBev, Hills Bank, Thompson & Co. Salon Parlor, RDG Planning & Design, Chase, McGrath Toyota of Iowa City, Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Iowa Speedway, Raising Cane’s, The Learning Grove Academy, and Lionheart Early Learning.
For more information about the 2025 Downtown Block Party, including ticket pre-purchase options and detailed programming schedules, visit the Iowa City Downtown District website or follow social media channels for real-time updates.
