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Downtown Block Party - June 24, 2023

Iowa City’s biggest event of the year returns this summer! The 6th Annual Downtown Block Party is Saturday, June 24th, 2023 from 5:00 – 11:00pm and will take over 14 blocks in Downtown Iowa City. All of the programming activities and participation at the event are completely free and targeted toward all ages participation. The event instead sells event cups that allow attendees 21+ and older to purchase and take drinks from the bars and restaurants into the streets.

Many fan favorites such as Dueling pianos sponsored by Hills Bank, Silent Disco sponsored by GreenState Credit Union, Studio 13 DragShow, and Sand Volleyball are slated to return and continue to draw large engagement from the crowd. SCWPro Wrestling from Davenport, Iowa was such a hit last year, we had to bring it back! The Englert Theatre stage sponsored by IBEV will have a jam-packed lineup for attendees to enjoy. Stay tuned as more details and new programming is announced!

Purchase Tickets Here

Tickets for cups can be purchased before the event online at the link below or in person the day of the event. Cups will buy you the official event wristband and cup that will allow you to walk around the event with ONLY wine and beer. ONLY guests with these materials (event wristband and cup) will be allowed to do so. Wristbands only need to be purchased if you are consuming alcohol. *During the event, you can get your wristbands and cups at 6 stations throughout downtown for $15 (Cash & Venmo accepted).

*PRE-SALE Cup BOOTHS will be located next to each station with their own tents and tables to allow people to move through lines quicker.

2022 Programming Schedule & Activities

Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 Art Installation – All Day – Pedestrian Mall

SCW Pro Wrestling Stage – 5:30 – 7:00 pm and 8:00 – 9:00pm – Washington St./Linn St. Intersection

Iowa City Letters – All Day – Clinton St./College St. Intersection

Bingo Games – 4:00- 5:00 pm & 5:30-7:00 pm on the Iowa Ave Stage

The Senior Center Performers – 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Iowa Ave. Stage near El Ray’s Live & Dive

Sand Volleyball Games – 4:00 – 11:00 pm – Clinton St. near The Summit

Tennis/Pickleball Courts programmed by the University of Iowa Sports and Recreation Management Program – 4:00 – 11:00 pm – Clinton St

Beach Area programmed by the Iowa Children’s Museum – 4:00 – 9:00 pm – Clinton St. near Ewer’s Men’s Store

Ping-pong, Cornhole, Jenga, 3-on-3 Basketball and Yard Games – 4:00 – 11:00 pm – Iowa Ave. St. by Joe’s Place

Yoga in the Streets programmed by Benders Studio – 5:00 – 6:00 pm – Iowa Ave in front of Benders Studio

  • No sign up necessary. Pack the street with good vibes, drinks, and yoga!

Blitz and Bullet Chess Tournament programmed by the Iowa State Chess Association – 5:00 – 8:30 pm – Linn St. by White Rabbit

Dueling Pianos sponsored by Hills Bank – 5:00 – 10:00pm – Washington St. by Target

Englert Theatre Stage sponsored by  iBev – Weatherdance Stage in the Pedestrian Mall

Silent Disco sponsored by GreenState Credit Union – 5:00 – 11:00 pm – Dubuque St. near Pullman Bar & Grill

All Ages Video Games programmed by the Iowa City Public Library – 6:00 – 8:00 pm – ICPL meeting rooms

Drag Show programmed by Studio 13 – 6:00 – 7:30 pm – Iowa Ave. Stage by Players Sports Bar & Grill

Fashion Show – 8:00 – 9:00pm – Iowa Ave. Stage by Players Sports Bar & Grill

Crooklyn Outdoor Movie programmed by FilmScene – 9:00 – 11:00 pm – Chauncey Swan Park at sunset

Tug-of-War Games – 9:00 – 11:00 pm – Clinton St. near Summit

2022 Block Party Map
Pre-Registration Activities
Chess Tournament
Tug-Of-War
3 x 3 Basketball
Sand Volleyball – FULL

How does the event work?
The Downtown Block Party is a one-day event that welcomes all to come enjoy unique programming, food, and fun throughout the core of downtown. All programming is free for attendees. The only paid element is if you would like to consume alcohol throughout the festival, you will need to purchase a Block Party cup.

Can I bring my family?
Yes, please do! The Downtown Block Party is for all ages and open to everyone and anyone! We have a beach area with sand, tennis, live music, a roller-skating area for kids, an interactive public art area, and an outdoor movie.

Where should I plan on parking?
Parking is FREE in all ramps Saturday until 10:00 am on Sunday. Where you will find the most luck finding a spot is at one of the 6 parking ramps: Court St & Dubuque St, Dubuque St & Burlington, Dubuque & Burlington, Iowa Ave & Linn St, and Harrison St.

Can I bring my dog?
We do not recommend bringing pets to the Block Party. The event can mean large crowds, loud music, and hot concrete. We ask that attendees do not bring their pets.

FAQ for Tickets:

PRE-SALE TICKETS: I purchased a ticket online or at Hills Bank…now what?
Bring your ticket and ID to one of 5 glass station locations located at: Clinton & College, College & Linn St, Washington St & Clinton St, Washington St & Linn St, Iowa Ave and Linn St, Clinton St and Iowa Ave, and at the pedestrian walkway next to Graduate Iowa City. There will be a PRE-SALE-only tent at each location and you will exchange your ticket for a wristband and cup.

I have friends coming that didn’t purchase tickets ahead of time, can we come to the same glass station?
Yes, at every glass station there will be a pre-sale booth and a day-of purchase booth. 5 locations at Clinton & College, College & Linn St, Washington St & Clinton St, Washington St & Linn St, and Iowa Ave and Linn St.

Where are all of the food vendors and where can I get drinks?
All of our bars and restaurants! Drinks come from the bars/restaurants and food comes from all of our restaurants, many of which will be set up outside of their doors with quick-serve lunches.

What if I have problems with my ticket, where do I go?
To any of the 5 glass station booths and the volunteers will help!

Do I need to bring my ticket?
Yes! You do. Bring your TICKET to the pre-sale booths, please.

What else do I need?
Your ID. We need your identification to provide you with your official wristband and cup.

We want every community member and attendee to feel safe while attending the Downtown Block Party. Specific questions regarding safety, security, medical, and any others can be directed to info@downtowniowacity.com. If you have an immediate need while on-site seek out on-site public safety officers or the first-aid tent. ‍

All downtown’s bars and restaurants will be open for business! Drinks come from the bars/restaurants and food comes from all of our restaurants, many of which will be set up outside of their doors with quick-serve items. Please remember, only beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in the official Block Party cup.  Restaurants  may be open for dine-in so make sure to visit each location to check in and see what is available. Below are some food/drink specials from some of our businesses, but all bars and restaurants will be open for you to visit.

If you are looking for water, any of the bars and restaurants will have some. You can also visit Target, CVS, or Bread Garden to purchase bottles of water. Please make sure to stay hydrated and drink lots of water!

***Please note, the only open container allowed in the streets is the official 2022 Downtown Block Party Cup, sponsored by Urban Acres.

2022 Downtown Block Party Food & Drink Specials 

    • BBQ Pork Sandwiches & Chips
    • Buffalo Chicken Wraps & Chips
  • Bread Garden Market – 225 S Linn St
    • Full Menu $5.00+
    • Market Fresh Kitchen-Burgers, Tacos, Pizza, Mac & Cheese, Sandwiches and more!
  • Buffalo Wild Wings – 201 S Clinton St #120

    • $15.00 – 5 Lite/Coors Lt bottles

  • Deadwood – 6 S Dubuque St
    • $2.00 – PBR 12oz
    • $4.00 – White Claw
  • Get Fresh Cafe – 109 Iowa Ave
    • Iced Tea, Lemonade, & Smoothies
    • Acai Bowls
    • Chicken Tikka Masala
    • Healthy Nachos
  • Joe’s Place Iowa City – 115 Iowa Ave
    • $5.00 – Shandy Drafts
  • Joystick Comedy Arcade – 13 S Linn St
    • $5.00 – Burger baskets
    • 2 for $7.00 – Hot Dog Baskets & Walking Tacos
    • $4.00 – CL/ML Tallboys
    • $4.00 – White Claw/Truly
  • Mesa Pizza – 114 E Washington St
    • $4.00 – Pizza Slices: Pepperoni, Cheese, Mac & Cheese, Buffalo Chicken, and other specialty pizzas
  • Micky’s Irish Pub – 11 S Dubuque St
    • $8.00 – Happy Meals
    • Ham, Turkey, and Cheddar Cold-Cut Sandwich on a pretzel bun, mayo on the side served with a bag of chips and prize
  • NODO – 5 S Dubuque St
    • $5.00 – Half Chicken Salad Wrap 
    • $5.00 – VEGAN Thai Peanut Half Wrap
  • Players Sports Bar & Grill – 219 Iowa Ave
    • $5.00 – Burger baskets
    • 2 for $7.00 – Hot Dog Baskets & Walking Tacos
    • $4.00 – CL/ML Tallboys
    • $4.00 – White Claw/Truly
  • Pullman Bar & Diner – 17 S Dubuque St
    • $5.00 – PBR/Banquet Tallboys & High Life Bottles
  • Quintons Bar & Deli – 215 E Washington St
    • 1 for $3.00 & 2 for $5.00 – Pulled Pork Sliders
    • 1 for $5.00 & 2 for $9.00 – Shandy, BM, WC, Angry Tallboys
    • 1 for $4.00 & 2 for $7.00 – CL/High Life 16oz
  • Sports Column – 12 S Dubuque St
    • $2.00 – Slices of Pizza
  • Studio 13 – 13 S Linn St
    • $5.00 – Burger baskets
    • 2 for $7.00 – Hot Dog Baskets & Walking Tacos
    • $4.00 – CL/ML Tallboys
    • $4.00 – White Claw/Truly
  • The Keto Kitchen – 116 E Washington St
    • $6.00 – Lasagna
    • $5.00 – Garlic Bites
    • $5.00 – Cauli Mac
    • $4.00 – Cheese Street Tacos
  • Tiki Tacos ‘n Burgers ‘n Wings – 119 E Washington St
    • Smoked Whole Pineapple Teriyaki Chickens

2022 Downtown Block Party Sponsors

A big THANK YOU to this year’s volunteers. The Downtown Block Party would not be possible without the gracious help from these local groups, clubs, non-profits, and organizations. Proceeds from the Downtown Block Party will be donated to the volunteer groups for their hard work. Make sure to thank any volunteers you see working the event!