2022 Des Moines Arts Festival opens today; Friday, June 24 highlights released


The 2022 Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide begins today, Friday, June 24, 2022 at Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines.

The excitement begins on both Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and will conclude on Sunday, June 26, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission to the festival is FREE thanks to the event sponsors.

A full list of highlights attendees should expect for the kickoff date of the festival can be found below:

Event Highlights

  • Juried Art Fair presented by Nationwide featuring 188 professional visual artists from 34 states having been invited following a blind jury process (all day)
  • Silent Rivers Design+Build VIP Club (all day)
  • Interactive arts activities (all day)

Artist Demonstrations:

11 a.m.:             Adam Crowell

Noon:                 Alicia Velasquez

1 p.m.:               Lawrence Packard


Emerging Iowa Artist presented by Principal demonstrations:

2 p.m.:               Becca Hickok

3 p.m.:               Kayana Janay


Hy-Vee Main Stage:

5 p.m.:               MFK

6:45 p.m.:         James Tutson and the Rollback

8:30 p.m.:         G. Love & Special Sauce


Roots Stage:

3 p.m.:               Say DMS!

5 p.m.:               Patresa Hartman & Jenny Kohls

6:30 p.m.:         D. Smith

8 p.m.:               Chicago Farmer


Interrobang Film Festival:

11 a.m.:             Don’t Panic; Jim’s Tips; Public Space

11:40 a.m.:       The Collins Story: Steps to the Moon

12:55 p.m.:       Got Your Back; Labor of Love

1:20 p.m.:         Left of the Dial

2:10 p.m.:         Doll Parts

2:20 p.m.:         A Feast That Never Comes; Bitter Pill

2:30 p.m.:         Livestock on the Land

3:50 p.m.:         Almost a Masterpiece; Spectrum

4:15 p.m.:         Jimmy in Saigon