Waukee Arts Festival 2025

The Waukee Area Arts Council presents the 10th Annual Waukee Arts Festival on July 18-19, 2025 in Centennial Park. The festival opens Friday, July 18 from 5pm-8pm, followed by a concert with The Nadas. Saturday reopens at 10am with artist vendors, daytime music, food and beer trucks, concluding with the feature concert Rock a La Carte Queen Tribute. Artist vendors will be open from 10am to 8pm. The festival has become Waukee's largest city event, drawing more than 10,000 people from across the Midwest. In addition to 100+ artist exhibits and headlining concerts, the festival features acoustic music acts throughout the day, food vendors, unique beer garden, kids activities and entertainment for the whole family.

The event capacity is 140 booth spaces with applications closing early based on availability. Only handmade items by the artist are allowed - commercially made items or resale is prohibited. To ensure diversity, only 10% jewelry and 12% pottery vendors are accepted. Judged awards include Best of Show $500, Second Place $300, and Third Place $200. Artist benefits include shuttles to and from parking, free water filling stations, booth sitters and volunteers, exclusive "Artist Lane" concessions, overnight security, and relaxed setup anytime Friday from 8am-3pm.

Booth fees are $100 for single space (10x10 tent), $175 for double space (10x20 tent), $65 for student artists, and $100 for natural products. Fees increase by $25 after April 19, 2025. Artists must exhibit both Friday 5pm-8pm and Saturday 10am-8pm. A tent is required and must be secured for wind. Artists are responsible for their own insurance, setup/teardown, and collecting Iowa sales tax. The event is rain or shine with no refunds for light rain.