Take a closer look at the Krause Gateway Center and other downtown landmarks during an Architecture on the Move tour. Photo: Chris Boeke
Architecture on the Move, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11, downtown. The Iowa Architectural Foundation leads expert-guided walking tours on the second Friday of each month. The tours start at Capital Square and follow four different routes. iowaarchfoundation.org
Yankee Doodle Pops, July 3, State Capitol. The Des Moines Symphony celebrates America’s semiquincentennial on the west terrace, before fireworks erupt over downtown. dmsymphony.org
Independence Day, July 4, Living History Farms. Travel back to 1876 to celebrate America’s centennial with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a vigorous but genteel game of America’s pastime with Victorian-era rules. lhf.org
Goodguys Car Show, July 3-5, Iowa State Fairgrounds. The 35th annual Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals features more than 5,000 cars that are at least 25 years old — hot rods, trucks, customs, muscle cars and classics from across the Midwest. good-guys.com
Celebration in Brass, July 8, Valley Stadium. The annual drum and bugle corps showdown features nine teams from Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. They’ll compete for glory as the sun sets over the stadium. colts.org
Ziggy Marley, July 9, Vibrant Music Hall. The reggae star (whose given name is David) brings his Brightside tour to Waukee. firstfleetconcerts.com
SummerFest, July 10-12, Ankeny. The Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce pulls out all the stops for the annual celebration that includes music, fireworks, activities and a carnival for all ages. ankenysummerfest.com
“Legally Blonde,” July 10-26, Des Moines Playhouse. Memo to local law firms: You might find your next hire in this musical about an underestimated student at Harvard. dmplayhouse.com
Stars of Tomorrow, July 11, Sheslow Auditorium. Dozens of the Des Moines Metro Opera’s apprentice artists sing duets, trios and more in a raise-the-roof showcase. desmoinesmetroopera.org
Tyler Childers, July 15, Casey’s Center. The gritty Appalachian country star with a knack for poetic songwriting brings his Snipe Hunt tour to town. iowaeventscenter.com
Shakespeare on the Lawn, July 15-19, Salisbury House & Gardens. This year’s show is “Measure for Measure,” a tangled comedy about blackmail that considers how to measure justice when everyone is a little bit guilty. shakespeareonthelawn.com
Lil Wayne, July 16, Casey’s Center. The artist otherwise known as Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. celebrates his legendary run with the “20+ Years of Carter Classics” tour, with hits from his iconic “Carter” series and two decades of game-shaping hip-hop. iowaeventscenter.com
Post Malone and Jelly Roll, July 17, Jack Trice Stadium. Post Malone headlines the Big Ass Stadium Tour, Part 2, with help from Jelly Roll and Carter Faith for a night of country hits and crossover swagger in Ames. firstfleetconcerts.com
National Granny Basketball Tournament, July 17-19, Prairie Trail Sports Complex. The Iowa Gold Stars and Ankeny Honey Bees plan to host 30-some teams for this year’s six-on-six tourney for women who are at least 50 years old. grannybasketball.com
Des Moines Water Lantern Festival, July 18, Riverview Park. Festivalgoers can design lanterns and set them afloat on the lake as the evening fades into night. waterlanternfestival.com
Polk County Fair, July 18-24, Iowa State Fairgrounds. Can’t wait for state? Try the county fair, with 4-H exhibits, livestock shows, a 5K run and more. polkcountyfairiowa.com
Des Moines Tea Festival, July 26, Mainframe Studios. The daylong event is steeped in culture, history and how-to tips for casual sippers and connoisseurs alike. dsmteafestival.com
National Balloon Classic, July 31-Aug. 8, Indianola. The high-flying festival draws pilots and enthusiasts from around the world for morning competitions, late afternoon exhibitions and evenings full of live music, fireworks and illuminated balloons. nationalballoonclassic.com
Hinterland, July 30-Aug. 2, Saint Charles. This summer’s lineup in the southern Iowa hills includes Lorde, Mumford & Sons, Wet Leg and others. hinterlandiowa.com
Tea at the Castle, Aug. 1, Salisbury House & Gardens. Enjoy a cup of tea, a few nibbles and a brief program about the historic estate and its collections. salisburyhouse.org
dsm Restaurant Week, Aug. 7-16, across the metro. Celebrate Central Iowa’s favorite dining destinations a little earlier this year with 10 days of chef-curated menus and deals for lunch and dinner. dsmrestaurantweek.com
Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas, Aug. 7, Sheslow Auditorium. The fourth annual festival features journalists, scholars, a concert pianist and others to explore this year’s theme, “The Pursuit of Happiness.” lyceummovement.org
Sales Tax Holiday, Aug. 7-8, statewide. What better way to celebrate America’s 250th? Shop for clothing and shoes without paying taxes, neither to the U.S. government nor the British crown. revenue.iowa.gov
Sweet Corn Festival, Aug. 9, Adel. Hungry? Mark your calendar for the 46th annual husky, silky, juicy, salty, buttery extravaganza around the Dallas County Courthouse. adelpartners.org
Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13-23, Iowa State Fairgrounds. This year’s Grandstand lineup includes everybody from Rod Stewart to Lainey Wilson, The Red Clay Strays and a ’90s showcase of En Vogue, Salt-n-Pepa and TLC. iowastatefair.org
Iowa Cubs vs. St. Paul Saints, Aug. 11, Dyersville. Root, root, root for the home team at the Field of Dreams. Two days later, the Minnesota Twins take on the Philadelphia Phillies. milb.com
World Food & Music Festival, Aug. 28-30, Western Gateway Park. The award-winning, multisensory feast returns for another weekend of food and fun. dsmpartnership.com
Fido on the Farms, Aug. 29, Living History Farms. Do dogs love history? Hard to say. But they can sniff around the grounds on a special day at the end of the summer season. lhf.org
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