World Food and Music Festival

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Food & DrinkDes Moines
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkWhat sets the World Food and Music Festival
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

World Food and Music Festival in Des Moines

The World Food and Music Festival is a free, three-day event produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership each August in Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines. It celebrates the region's cultural diversity through international food vendors, live music, cultural performances, and family activities, drawing more than 90,000 attendees in 2025 and earning national recognition as one of the country's top cultural and food festivals.

The World Food and Music Festival is a product of Des Moines' civic and business community rather than a single ethnic organization, which shapes how the event has grown.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets the World Food and Music Festival apart in the Midwest is its scale of genuine cultural range packed into one free downtown weekend: international cuisine from vendors representing many countries and communities, a full live music lineup, cultural performances, and interactive programming, all produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership rather than a single cultural organization

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival has been named the No

03

The city starts moving

8 Best Cultural Festival in the Nation by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, the Best Food Festival in Iowa by Midwest Living, and the No

04

The water draws everyone in

3 Best Midwest Food Festival by Parade magazine, placing it among the most recognized events of its kind in the region

05

The old stones answer

It also includes a naturalization ceremony, welcoming new citizens as part of the festival's public program

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's naturalization ceremony

Water and renewal

Living ritual

held as part of the weekend's public programming

The sacred route

Living ritual

is a distinctive tradition in which new United States citizens are formally sworn in during the festival itself

The local code

Living ritual

linking the event's celebration of Greater Des Moines' cultural diversity to a concrete civic ritual rather than treating diversity only as a theme for food and performance booths

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The festival's vendor lineup is organized to represent a broad range of international cuisines side by side in one park

Tradition 6

Living ritual

giving the event its function as a shared communal tasting event for the metro's many immigrant and cultural communities

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For World Food and Music Festival, plan transport around the exact Des Moines venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light summer clothing suits late-August Iowa heat and humidity: shorts, breathable fabrics, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes for standing in food lines and walking the park; an evening...

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

For World Food and Music Festival, stay near the part of Des Moines you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.60 N, 93.61 WOpen in Google Maps

Des Moines, IA

Nearest airportDSM — Des Moines
TransportFor World Food and Music Festival, plan transport around the exact Des Moines venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor World Food and Music Festival, stay near the part of Des Moines you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 August.Compare faresFestival gearLight summer clothing suits late-August Iowa heat and humidity: shorts, breathable fabrics, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes for standing in food lines and walking the park; an evening layer helps once temperatures dip after sunset.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 World Food and Music Festival?

World Food and Music Festival is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does World Food and Music Festival 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?

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