25 Eastern Iowa Festivals Coming Up This Fall [LIST]

September and October are filled with fun events here in Eastern Iowa! Here are 25 of the big festivals happening in 2023:

Midwest Old Threshers Reunion

• Thursday, August 31st through Monday, September 4th
• McMillan Park in Mount Pleasant
• "Come for Five full Days of Steam Engines, Antique Car & Trucks, Gas Engines, Tractors, Horses, and so much more! With over 2,000 exhibits and attractions. And the best part of them all is the Country Music Shows are FREE with your Admission!"
• One day admission is $15 (ages 10 and under are free) - purchase tickets online HERE

FRYfest

• Friday, September 1st
• Iowa River Landing in Coralville
• Featuring a trade show, a kids' zone, a block party, a pep rally, live music, games, and more

Waterloo Food Truck Festival

• Saturday, September 2nd from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• RiverLoop Expo Plaza in Waterloo
• "The festival will takeover RiverLoop Expo Plaza and more, and will feature more than 20 of the best food truck vendors from throughout the region. Join us for a day of food, football, and fun!"
• General admission tickets are $5 (ages 12 and under are free) & VIP tickets are $50 - purchase yours HERE

2023 Women's Arts Festival

• Saturday, September 2nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
• "Join us as we celebrate Women’s arts through musical performances, visual art demonstrations, the Women’s-Owned Business Market, yoga with live music, and much more! This event will also feature local and regional emerging artists with original artwork, community vendors, and Market Shopkeepers."

Craft Beer Bash

• Sunday, September 3rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (12 p.m. VIP Hour)
• Millstream Brewing Co. in Amana
• "Don’t miss the Epic Beer Bash of the Summer…The Iowa Craft Beer Bash! VIP & GA ticket purchase includes unlimited beer, cider & beverage tastings from over 50 of the best breweries in Iowa, souvenir glass plus live music by Exit 185 and the DTKK Polka Band. Food trucks will be there too."
• Tickets range from $45 to $60 ($5 for designated drivers) - purchase yours HERE

ARTapalooza

• Sunday, September 10th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cedar Falls Downtown District
• "This juried art show features approximately 50 of the region’s best artists in categories such as jewelry, painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, sculpture, metal, wood and mixed media. Presented by Community Main Street, ARTapalooza is a one-day festival that also features musicians, street performers, and hands on art activities for children and adults."

Intercultural Festival

• Sunday, September 10th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lowe Park in Marion
• "DANCE WORKSHOPS (Salsa, Afrobeat Chacha/swing) KIDS ACTIVITIES, FOOD, MUSIC, FASHION SHOW, PANNEL DISCUSSIONS, TELL MY STORY, RAFFLE TICKETS, ZUMBA FITNESS, and more"

Blues Fest

• Friday, September 15th & Saturday, September 16th
• LeClaire Park & Bandshell in Davenport
• "Blues Fest 2023 will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16, at the historic LeClaire Park in Davenport, Iowa. This year we have over 10 food and merch vendors!"
• Tickets range from $27 to $70 - purchase yours HERE

BrewNost

• Friday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 VIP hour)
• National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids
• "BrewNost's 20th anniversary will let you enjoy a festive evening full of food and beverages from some of the area’s finest restaurants, local breweries and distilleries. Enjoy craft beers, wine, spirits, and a wide range of international beers hand selected by Doug Alberhasky, from John’s Grocery in Iowa City, Iowa!"
• Tickets range from $60 to $150 (designated driver tickets are $55) - purchase yours HERE

Farm Fresh Reggae Music & Arts Festival

• Friday, September 15th through Saturday, September 16th
• Troy's Farm in Springville
• "We hope you'll join us for a weekend full of live music by some most talented reggae and jam band acts in both the local and regional scenes. We've got live painters, live glass blowers, and a variety of vendor offerings available all weekend long."
• 2-day passes are $109 - purchase yours HERE

Marion Oktoberfest

• Saturday, September 16th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (11 a.m. VIP Hour)
• 7th Ave in Marion
• "The event features the best breweries in Iowa and surrounding areas. Reps will be on hand to visit with and educate beer enthusiasts!"
• Tickets are $40 to $60 - purchase yours HERE

Stone City Festival

• Sunday, September 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Stone City, Iowa
• "The annual Stone City Festival is making a come back this year to celebrate the history of Grant Wood country. Plan to see the iconic ice wagons, a local blacksmith working in the historic blacksmith shop, artists and vendors selling their work, food from The General Store, and much more."

Dubuque Oktoberfest

• Sunday, September 17th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Backwaters Stage at Q Casino in Dubuque
• Featuring a wiener dog parade/race, live entertainment, food trucks, contests, and more
• Admission is free - donations to Camp Albrecht Acres will be accepted at the entrance

Oktemberfest

• Thursday, September 21st through Sunday, September 24th
• Downtown Marshalltown
• Featuring live music, a parade, a 5/10k, a car show, and more

Guttenburg Germanfest

• Friday, September 22nd & Saturday, September 23rd
• River Park Drive in Guttenburg
• "LIVE MUSIC Friday & Saturday night, open air market, kid activities, food trucks, wiener dog races, German car show, and so much more!"

BLOCKtoberfest II

• Friday, September 22nd from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "BLOCKtoberfest returns to the 3rd St. 2nd. Ave block in downtown Cedar Rapids on September 22 from 5-11PM. All are welcome at a $5 entry fee."

Northside Oktoberfest

• Saturday, September 23rd
• Northside Marketplace in Downtown Iowa City
• "The Northside Oktoberfest, benefiting Iowa City area nonprofits, showcases the Bohemian nature of the Northside Marketplace with great craft beers, neighborhood food, beer games, and much more!"
• Iowa City BrewFest will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - tickets are $68 and can be purchased HERE

Ely Fall Fest

• Saturday, September 23rd
• Ely, Iowa
• "On Saturday the 23rd, plan on spending the day strolling through the vendor fair, check out the massive car show, eat some delicious food and be sure to not miss our best Kids Zone ever!"
• 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run will be held on Sunday, September 17th ($15/$25) - get registered HERE

Iowa Oktoberfest

• Saturday, September 23rd & Sunday, September 24th
• Anton's Garden in Downtown Waterloo
• "A festival celebrating German heritage, music and food in downtown Waterloo. Dress in your dirndls and lederhosen, grab your stein and your friends, and get your Prost on at Iowa Oktoberfest!"

Greater Quad Cities Renaissance Faire

• Saturday, September 23rd & Sunday, September 24th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Credit Island Park in Davenport
• "The Greater Quad Cities Renaissance Faire is back! Join us for two days of family fun and entertainment. There will be multiple stages of live entertainment, unique merchandise in the village marketplace, and fun food, drinks and snacks."
• Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for ages 5 to 13, and free for ages 4 and under - purchase yours HERE

Kalona Fall Festival

• Friday, September 29th & Saturday, September 30th
• Kalona Historical Village
• Featuring live music, demonstrations, wine tasting, pony rides, farm animals, vendors, and more
• Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and under

Amana Oktoberfest

• Friday, September 29th through Sunday, October 1st
• Amana Colonies
• "Enjoy beer, live music, games, German food, and so much more all through the Colonies during this festival weekend."
• Admission is $10 for a one-day pass and $15 for a two-day pass

Waverly Oktoberfest

• Friday, October 6th & Saturday, October 7th
• Kohlmann Park in Waverly
• "This family-friendly event features live music, food and beverage garden including Iowa craft beers, and fun and games for youth and adults alike."

Anamosa Pumpkinfest

• Saturday, October 7th
• Main Street in Anamosa
• "Some activities include dozens of food and craft vendors, kids’ games, one of the largest parades in all of Iowa, and of course, GIANT pumpkins!"

Scenic Drive Festival

• Friday, October 13th through Sunday, October 15th
• Keosauqua, Bonaparte, & Bentonsport
• "Arts and crafts vendors, antique vendors, art shows, music, garage sales, kid's entertainment, parade, car and motorcycle show, food, and many more activities throughout the Villages!"