CelebrAsian

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Cultural & TraditionalDes Moines
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe festival's signature structure is its
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

CelebrAsian in Des Moines

CelebrAsian is Iowa's largest Asian and Asian American cultural festival, held over Memorial Day weekend in downtown Des Moines during AAPI Heritage Month. Organized by the Iowa Asian Alliance since 2003, it gathers fifteen distinct cultural villages representing communities from Cambodia to Vietnam, with lion dancing, a fashion show, and dozens of food vendors.

CelebrAsian traces back to 2003, one year after Kim Poam Logan and others formed the Iowa Asian Alliance in 2002 to give the state's Asian and Asian American communities a unified nonprofit voice.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's signature structure is its fifteen cultural villages, each representing a distinct Asian community established in Iowa, including Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Lao, Nepalese, Tai Dam, Thai, and Vietnamese, among others, so visitors move through a compressed tour of Asia rather than a single generalized booth

02

The mystery stays covered

More than 80 vendors, over 55 serving food, turn downtown Des Moines into a street-food destination for a day, while lion dancers, a cultural fashion show of traditional dress, martial arts demonstrations, and a sepak takraw tournament fill the stage and grounds

03

The city starts moving

Average attendance runs around 75,000, making it Iowa's largest Asian celebration by a wide margin

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The fifteen cultural villages are the festival's defining tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

each staffed by members of that specific community and passed down year to year as a way of keeping Iowa's Cambodian

The sacred route

Living ritual

and other Asian communities visibly present rather than folded into one generic booth

The local code

Living ritual

The cultural fashion show

Tradition 5

Living ritual

showcasing traditional garments from each represented country

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and the opening lion dance are recurring ceremonial highlights

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suits late-May heat in Des Moines: shorts, t-shirts, and comfortable walking shoes are standard for attendees, while performers in the cultural fashion show and...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.60 N, 93.61 WOpen in Google Maps

Des Moines, IA

Nearest airportDSM — Des Moines
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Des Moines via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Des Moines, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing suits late-May heat in Des Moines: shorts, t-shirts, and comfortable walking shoes are standard for attendees, while performers in the cultural fashion show and dance groups wear traditional dress such as ao dai, hanbok, or sarongs specific to their community.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is CelebrAsian?

CelebrAsian is listed for Past edition: 2–4 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does CelebrAsian take place?

The festival is listed in Des Moines, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Des Moines, IA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLuspaacc.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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