With summer approaching, that means more sunshine, longer days, warmer weather, and more events! The Iowa City Downtown District is excited to bring back all of your favorite events and announce a full season of programming for you to enjoy. We invite the community to celebrate together with us in person in the heart of Iowa City and the place we love most – DOWNTOWN! From downtown’s biggest event of the year, the 5th Annual Downtown Block Party to shopping events like the Summer Shop Crawl and delicious food events like the Farm to Street Dinner, there is certainly something for everyone to enjoy. See more details below about our upcoming events and purchase your tickets now to reserve your spot and make some memories!
ICDD ANNUAL MEETING & 10 YEAR CELEBRATION
ICDD will host the Annual State of the Downtown meeting Thursday, May 19, 4:00 – 5:00 pm at FilmScene in the Chauncey. Come hear highlights from the organization and the future focus of the self-supported municipal improvement district. Tickets for the meeting include a picnic dinner catered by downtown restaurants, a picnic basket, & drinks. After the meeting will be a 10 Year Celebration event outside from 5:00 – 8:00pm that is open to anyone and everyone. Come celebrate and enjoy live music, food vendors, and yard games!
PUTTIN’ AROUND DOWNTOWN
Downtown Iowa City bars and restaurants will host an all-day mini-golf course for teams to compete and play. Saturday, May 21st from 2:00 – 8:00pm, pre-registered teams will have the ability to play up over 10 golf holes located in various downtown restaurants and shops and have access to drink and food specials.
SUMMER SHOP CRAWL
Join us for an evening of fun summer drinks and great shopping at 20+ unique downtown businesses. The Downtown Summer Shop Crawl is Friday, May 27th from 4:00–8:00pm and will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy beautiful summer weather and exclusive shopping deals for ticket holders. A ticket includes a customized glass, an ICDD tote bag, a Downtown Iowa City fanny pack, access to the drinks & sales, and entry into a gift card basket raffle.
SUMMER GALLERY WALK
For over 20 years, this event has taken over downtown and filled your favorite businesses with wonderful works of art. Make a day of it and grab a bite to eat, shop, and gallery walk in beautiful downtown Iowa City! The 2022 Downtown Summer Gallery Walk is Friday, June 3rd from 5:00 – 8:00pm. This FREE event is open to everyone to enjoy a self-guided tour of shops, galleries, and other locations that have curated featured artists and pieces of art.
DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY
Downtown Iowa City’s annual summer evening event, the Downtown Block Party returns for the 5th year this summer on June 25th from 4:00 – 11:00pm. 14 blocks will be programmed with free activities for the community to enjoy such as Dueling Pianos, Silent Disco, Roller Skating, SCWPro Wrestling, live music, and more! 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.
SIDEWALK SALES
This summer, we will be filling the downtown sidewalks with tables and tents yet again for our annual sidewalk sales! Shoppers are able to experience the four-day savings extravaganza, which starts on a Thursday and runs through the evening on Sunday. There’s no better way to see the best of what downtown merchants have to offer, so come join us and find some amazing deals! Sidewalk Sales will take place Thursday, July 14th through Sunday, July 18th.
FARM TO STREET DINNER
The City of Iowa City, in partnership with the Iowa City Downtown District and Johnson County, will hold the 5th Annual Farm to Street Dinner sponsored by GreenState Credit Union on North Linn Street in Iowa City from 5:00 – 8:00pm on Thursday, August 18th. The event includes a multi-course meal prepared by Iowa City Downtown District chefs with food sourced from local producers. The goal of the Farm to Street Dinner is to bring together members of Iowa City’s diverse, vibrant community to share a table, a story, and a meal, while supporting local food systems.
TASTE OF IOWA CITY
Taste of Iowa City, presented by MidWestOne Bank, returns to the Iowa City Downtown District on Wednesday, August 24th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. The 14th Annual Taste celebrates the culinary diversity of Downtown and Northside restaurants and rewards the Iowa City community with sample portions from 30+ menus!
NORTHSIDE OKTOBERFEST
Your favorite beer festival returns this fall! Join us as we take over the streets of the Northside on Saturday, October 8th. This year, Northside Oktoberfest celebrates 26 years and will include Iowa City BrewFest, sponsored by Fly CID. Tickets for the BrewFest sampling event are on sale now. Come enjoy the Bohemian nature of the Northside Marketplace with great craft beers, neighborhood food, beer games, and much more.