Holi Festival, March 4, 2026. The traditional Hindu festival signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation. Photo: Stephen Janousek. iowatemple.org
Nearly 50 years ago, “Schoolhouse Rock!” blasted out a tune about the great American melting pot, one of Lady Liberty’s finest recipes. And we’re still simmering: Greater Des Moines has its own pot full of people with diverse abilities, backgrounds and cultures. Different groups take turns celebrating what they bring to the table during festivals throughout the year, where visitors can taste new flavors, dance to new beats, speak new languages and make new friends.
Here are just a few of this year’s local celebrations you won’t want to miss.
CelebrAsian
May 23-24. Travel to dozens of countries without leaving the Western Gateway during the Iowa Asian Alliance’s annual CelebrAsian. Feast on cultural dishes, take in traditional and contemporary performances, and shop for clothes, accessories and gifts at booths representing over a dozen Asian cultures. This year’s festival also marks the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in Iowa, and will honor the resilience and legacy of Asian immigrants and refugees. iowaasianalliance.com
Greek Food Fair
June 6-8. Feast on gyros, souvlaki, spanokopita, dolmathes and baklava, and then dance it all off during the traditional circle dancing at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Opa! stgeorge.ia.goarch.org
Capital City Pride Festival
June 6-8. Celebrate LGBTQ Pride during a rainbow-spangled weekend in the East Village. Everyone is welcome, even pets. The annual celebration of queer joy and identity has grown from a small protest march in 1979 to a parade for more than 40,000. There will be vendors, food, and lots of entertainment, including drag shows and concerts featuring local and national talent. capitalcitypride.org
Juneteenth
June 19-21. Juneteenth became a U.S. holiday just four years ago, in 2021, but this year marks its 35th anniversary here in Iowa. The name is a portmanteau of June 19th, the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas were freed, 900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. Led by the nonprofit Des Moines Urban Experience, this year’s festivities include a Juneteenth Jubilee celebration on June 19 and a Neighbors’ Day celebration on June 21 to celebrate Black history, music, food and art. Check online for details about the events and community awards. iowajuneteenth.org
World Food & Music Festival
Aug. 22-24. Immerse yourself in a global smorgasbord of food, drinks, music and activities from more than two dozen countries throughout Western Gateway Park. Food vendors offer $1 or $2 tastes of their most popular dish so visitors can sample flavors from each culture they encounter. The snack sizes make it easy to explore a whole world of flavors. christkindlmarketdsm.com
Oktoberfest
Sept. 26-27. Say “Prost!” to German tradition and heritage with music, food, stein-holding competitions and, of course, bier. The festival will take over Water Works Park, including the Des Moines Biergarten that pops up among the trees in early spring. Don’t forget your lederhosen. oktoberfestdsm.com
Latino Heritage Festival
Sept. 27-28. Return to Western Gateway Park for another weekend of music, culture and food, this time from Central and South America and the Caribbean, plus Aztec, Oaxacan and other Indigenous cultures. A portion of ticket proceeds funds scholarships for Latino students and organizations that support the Latino community. latinoheritagefestival.org
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Dec. 4-7 and 11-14. Inspired by the 700-year-old tradition of Old World outdoor markets, the local Christkindlmarket has stalls filled with handmade trinkets, gifts and European-style treats. There will be kringle, schnitzel, stroopwafels and more, plus all the glühwein you can (responsibly) drink. When you’re ready to warm up, watch polka bands and Irish dancing in the Yuletide Hall. christkindlmarketdsm.com
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