Iowa Arts Festival 2026

Started in 1983, the Iowa Arts Festival attracts around 25,000 people each year to downtown Iowa City. With a backdrop of the historic Old Capitol building, this multi-faceted festival showcases over 100 of the finest artists from around the MidWest and beyond. The festival is designed as an interactive adventure featuring local and national performers on a Main Stage like Los Lobos, Indigo Girls, and The BoDeans, as well as local and family entertainment on a side stage, Fun Stops, Children's Activities, street performers, fabulous Culinary Vendors and an Emerging Artist Area for student artists.

The Art Fair will be open Friday evening from 5-8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM-7 PM and Sunday from 10 AM-4 PM. Cash prizes totaling $1000 will be awarded on Saturday afternoon based on artwork quality, booth presentation and salesmanship. All artists age 18 and above are eligible and must be present for the duration of the festival. Artists may only display and sell original artwork in their accepted category, with prints allowed but not comprising more than 50% of displayed work.

The application fee is $35 per category entered, and the booth space fee is $240 for each 10'x10' space. If accepted, booth fees must be paid by April 10th. Check-in takes place Friday, June 5 from 10 AM-3 PM, with setup on Friday and all vehicles off streets one hour prior to opening each day. Commercially manufactured items, import items, food, commercially cast jewelry, or works from molds and kits are not acceptable.