19 Fun Food Festivals Happening in Iowa in 2024 [LIST]

Get ready to celebrate some delicious food! Here are some of the fun festivals revolving around food coming up this spring and summer in Eastern Iowa and beyond:

Wine, Food & Beer Showcase

• Des Moines Marriott Downtown
• Friday, March 8th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• "Featuring 36 of the finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and distilleries in the area, the Wine, Food & Beer Showcase has become the premier event of its kind in Des Moines and has become Des Moines Metro Opera’s signature fundraiser. "
• Tickets range from $50 to $150 - purchase them HERE

Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival

• Waterloo Convention Center
• Saturday, April 6th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• "The Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival is the first and only event in Eastern Iowa to feature all Iowa foods, products, chefs, authors and agriculture-related products... Attendees will enjoy a one-day celebration of food and beverage tasting, cooking and product demonstrations, live entertainment and more."
• Tickets are $10 for adults/free for ages 5 and under (all children 13 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult) - purchase them HERE

Cedar Rapids Freedom FEASTival

• 2nd Avenue Bridge in Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Friday, May 3rd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• "Attendees will explore a celebration of local culinary delights from food trucks and community vendors"

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

• Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines
• Saturday, May 4th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (early admission at 11 a.m.)
• "Welcome to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, where sizzling bacon meets unparalleled fun! Immerse yourself in a bacon lover's paradise, celebrating the crispy, savory delight that knows no bounds. Engage in the lively atmosphere with live music, bacony foods, and quirky activities."
• Star Wars theme
• Ages 21+
• Tickets range from $29 to $49 - purchase them HERE

Cascade Wingfest

• Cascade River Park
• Saturday, May 11th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Featuring wing samples, live music, drinks, food trucks, and more

Houby (Mushroom) Days

• Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, May 17th from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 18th from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 19th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• A celebration of the Czech-Slovak heritage featuring mushrooms, live music, vendors, food, drinks, games, a parade, and more

Center Point Pork Days

• Fross Park, Center Point
• June 7th & 8th
• Featuring pork dinners, a beer tent, games, bounce houses, live music, fireworks, a parade, and more

St. Ludmila Kolach Festival

• St. Ludmila Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids
• June 7th through 9th
• Featuring kolach sales, inflatables, kids' activities, silent auctions, drinks, BINGO, and more

Strawberry Days Festival

• Strawberry Point, Iowa
• Saturday, June 7th
• Featuring competitions, live music, a beer tent, a parade, a carnival, food, and more
• $5 cover charge

Ice Cream Days Festival

• Le Mars, Iowa
• June 12 through 15th
• Featuring a parade, carnival rides, live music, food, kids' activities, games, a 5k, an ice cream social, and more

Wurst Festival

• Amana Colonies
• June 14th & 15th
• Featuring local sausage vendors, beer, yard games, live music, a Dachshund Derby, and more

Cajun Fest Boil & Brew

• Cowles Commons, Des Moines
• Saturday, June 22nd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Featuring all-you-can-eat crawfish, live entertainment, food vendors, and more
• Tickets start at $35 - purchase them HERE

North Liberty Blues & BBQ

• Centennial Park, North Liberty
• Saturday, July 13th
• Featuring BBQ vendors, live music, kids' activities, inflatables, craft beer, and more

Solon Beef Days

• Solon, Iowa
• July 19th & 20th
• Featuring steak dinners, live music, carnival rides, a 5k, a parade, a beer tent, contests, food, and more

Elkader Sweet Corn Days

• Elkader, Iowa
• July 25th through 28th
• Featuring free sweet corn, food vendors, games, a beer tent, a carnival, live music, fireworks, a parade, contests, a 5k, and more

St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival

• St. Jude Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, August 9th from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 10th from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 11th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Featuring fresh sweet corn, raffles, food, a beer tent, live music, carnival rides, games, and more
• $5 daily admission for ages 11 to 59 - paid admission on Friday or Saturday (with wristband) will get you FREE admission on Sunday

Lisbon Sauerkraut Days

• Main Street in Lisbon
• August 15th through 17th
• Featuring brats with free Frank's Kraut, BINGO, an ice cream social, a 5k, a parade, carnival rides, kids' activities, live music, and more

World Food & Music Festival

• Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, August 23rd from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 24th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 25th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• "The event offers international cuisine, live music and performing arts, cooking demonstrations, interactive programs, craft beers and much more."

Waterloo's Food Truck Festival

• RiverLoop Expo Plaza, Waterloo
• Saturday, August 31st from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• "This culinary extravaganza promises to captivate the community with a diverse array of delectable delights from food vendors hailing from all corners of the region. The air will be filled with enticing aromas as an eclectic mix of food trucks assemble to showcase their unique and mouthwatering creations. From sizzling street tacos to gourmet grilled cheese, artisanal ice creams to exotic fusion dishes, the festival guarantees a palate-pleasing experience for every taste bud."
• General Admission tickets are $5 in advance/ $10 at the gate - children 12 and younger are free, but must be accompanied by an adult 18+ - purchase them HERE