Downtown Block Party | Iowa City Downtown District

Downtown Block Party - July 24, 2021

The Iowa City Downtown District has announced the return of our annual Block Party event for the summer of 2021, one month later than usual, on July 24th. Now in its fourth year, after a break in 2020, the event will happen throughout 14 blocks of downtown to allow the largest footprint in the event’s history. Programming will take place throughout the entire day of Saturday, July 24th, with the bulk of the activities and open container feature starting at 4 pm.

Some of your favorite programmings will be coming back, including the Silent Disco, Sand Volleyball, Tug-of-war Tournament, Fashion Show, Drag Show, Outdoor Movie at FilmScene’s new outdoor cinema, Yard Games, and new to the Block Party for 2021- the Iowa Chess Association Free For All tournament and a Blitz tournament, Salsa dancing, and line dancing.

All of the programming activities and participation at the event are completely free and targeted towards all ages participation. The event instead sells event cups that allow attendees 21+ older to purchase and take drinks from the bars and restaurants into the streets.

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 ONLY).

*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.

Pre-Registration Activities

Chess Tournament

Tug-Of-War

Sand Volleyball – 1 Team for 8-9pm Still Available!

Full Programming Schedule & Activities

Loop International Public Art Installation – 2:00 – 11:00pm – Pedestrian Mall

Iowa City Letters – 2:00 – 11:00pm – Clinton St./Iowa Ave. Intersection

Rollerskating programmed by City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department – 2:00 – 9:00pm – Clinton St. from Washington St. to College Ave.

Olympic Village programmed by the University of Iowa Department of Health and Human Physiology – 2:00 – 9:00pm – Linn St. by White Rabbit

The Senior Center Performers – 5:00 – 6:00pm – Iowa Ave Stage

Sand Volleyball – 4:00 – 9:00pm – Iowa Ave by Joe’s Place

Tennis Courts programmed by the University of Iowa Sports and Recreation Management Program – 4:00 – 11:00pm – Linn St. by Iowa City Yacht Club

Beach Area programmed by the Iowa Children’s Museum – 4:00 – 11:00pm – Iowa Ave./Dubuque St. Intersection

Ping-pong, Cornhole, Jenga, and Yard Games – 4:00 – 11:00 pm – Dubuque St. by Pullman

Line Dancing with DJ Kountry- 4:00- 6:00 pm – Gabe’s Stage on Washington St.

Blitz and Bullet Chess Tournament programmed by the Iowa State Chess Association – 5:00 – 8:30 pm – Washington St. by The Englert Theatre

- See information here
- Registration 4:15 – 4:45pm or email evigil@gmail.com in advance
- Open chess play before and after tournaments

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

- 5:00 – 5:45pm – Karen Meat
- 6:15 – 7:00pm – Jack Lion
- 7:30 – 8:30pm – oddCouple
- 9:00 – 10:00pm – KAINA

Silent Disco sponsored by GreenState Credit Union – 5:00 – 11:00 pm – Clinton St. (Washington St. to Iowa Ave.)

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

Live Music by Slim Chance & The Can’t Hardly Playboys- 6:30-7:30 pm- Gabe’s Stage on Washington St.

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

Sunset Salsa- 8:00 – 9:45 pm- Washington St. Stage by Gabe’s Iowa City

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

Tug-of-War Tournament – 10:00 – 11:00 pm – Iowa Ave. by Joe’s Place

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 (The Wiz).

Where should I plan on parking?
Parking is FREE in all ramps Saturday until 10:30 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 7 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. 6 locations at Clinton & College, College & Linn St, Washington St & Clinton St, Washington St & Linn St, Iowa Ave and Linn St, and at the pedestrian walkway next to Graduate Iowa City.

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 6 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 ICPD officers or the first-aid tent. ‍

Current Health & COVID Policy
In accordance with current local and state public health guidance, the Downtown Block Party will highly recommend that all eligible attendees receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending. Locations on where to get vaccinated prior to the event are available here.

All unvaccinated attendees are asked to wear masks when not eating or drinking. This will be communicated via the website and signage during the event. The event has added an additional 20,000+ sq ft of space to the festival footprint to allow for better distancing amongst the attendees. In addition, the Block Party has decreased the number of activities and has rearranged activities that could lead to congestion of crowds to larger spaces to avoid anticipated crowding.

COVID-19 Warning
We have taken enhanced health and safety measures for the community, attendees, employees, and artists. You must follow all posted instructions while attending the Downtown Block Party.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

By attending the Downtown Block Party, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

2021 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!