If it's summer, it must be Arts Fest!

Iowa Arts Festival

Downtown Iowa City — June 3–5

You’ve probably kicked the A/C on already at least once, and barbecue grills have been fired up across town with a vengeance … but there’s no surer sign of the start of summer than the Iowa Arts Festival, which explodes into downtown Iowa City this weekend. Although the big story is the last-minute lineup change, the festival, as always, is a story in itself, with offerings for arts lovers of every description. Things kick off at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 3 with the first day of Culinary Row. See the full schedule below.

Headlining the main stage on Saturday night, at 9 p.m., is renowned and beloved Cajun act BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. Festival organizers said on Wednesday that previously-announced headliner Buckwheat Zydeco had withdrawn for medical reasons. BeauSoleil formed in 1975 in Lafayette, Louisiana and have been racking up accolades ever since. In 2005, founder Michael Doucet was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. Their mix of New Orleans-style jazz, country, zydeco and blues is a perfect fit for a hot summer night.

The Global Village returns to the Arts Fest this year, with booths and tables each manned by a single presenting group, and each representing the history, arts or culture of a single country. The Global Village will be set up Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Culinary row, featuring regional and ethnic cuisine, will be available all three days. The Art Fair, also happening during all three days of the festival, is a fantastic opportunity to explore local visual art and artists. The festival closes with another bout of Louisiana-style music, with New Orleans jazz from local favorites the Dandelion Stompers, at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Friday, June 3

4–10:30 p.m. Culinary Row
5–11 p.m. Beverage Garden
5–8 p.m. Art Fair
5:30 p.m. Carnival Parade through Downtown

Main Stage

7 p.m. Aoife O’Donovan
9 p.m. The Wood Brothers

Saturday, June 4

10 a.m.—7 p.m. Art Fair; Emerging Artist Pavilion
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Art Goes LIVE! Artist Demonstrations
10 a.m.–3 p.m. Children’s Day
10 a.m.–3 p.m. Family Stage
11 a.m.–7 p.m. Linn Street LIVE Stage
11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Culinary Row
12–11 p.m. Beverage Garden

Main Stage

10 a.m. Iowa City Community Band
11:30 a.m. Red Rock Hill
1 p.m. Sean Costanza
2:30 p.m. Henhouse Prowlers
5 p.m. Parsonsfield
7 p.m. Middle Western
9 p.m. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet

Sunday, June 5

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Art Fair & Art Goes LIVE! Artist Demonstrations; Emerging Artist Pavilion
10 a.m.–3 p.m. Global Village; Family Stage
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Culinary Row
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Linn Street LIVE Stage
12–4 p.m. Beverage Garden