8 International Spring Festivals In Iowa Will Give You The Unique Experience You Crave
×
Kim Magaraci
Author
Iowa is a culturally diverse state, and many of our towns have held on to their heritage. Every year some of the Hawkeye State’s largest communities gather to celebrate their culture, and these spring festivals in Iowa are some of the best events you’ll attend all year.
1. Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair, Sioux City, late-March
Sioux City, IA, USA
Siouxland is one of the most diverse regions in Iowa, and Sioux City hosts an annual festival to celebrate! This free event is hosted by the SC Human Rights Commission and features all sorts of entertainment, from traditional dances to educational crafts. You'll also have a chance to try dozens of ethnic dishes, from soul food to Indian classics, to Asian specialties.
2. Pella's Tulip Time, early-May
Tulip Time Information, 507 Franklin St, Pella, IA 50219, USA
Every year, Pella comes to life in early May for the world-famous Tulip Time celebration. Celebrate the town's Dutch heritage with dancing, crafts, historic house tours, Dutch foods, and the famous Jaarsma Bakery Dutch letters. Tulip Time might be the brightest celebration in all of Iowa.
Advertisement
3. Amana Colonies Maifest, early-May
Amana Colonies, 622 46th Ave, Amana, IA 52203, USA
Every year, Iowans gather in the Amana Colonies during the first weekend in May for Maifest! This traditional German celebration welcomes spring to the Hawkeye State with music, a parade, entertainment, vendors, tasty German foods, and of course, dancing around the Maipole.
Advertisement
4. Orange City Tulip Festival, mid-May
Orange City Tulip Festival, 509 8th St SE, Orange City, IA 51041, USA
Orange City welcomes thousands of visitors for its multi-day spring festival celebrating tulips! Orange City's Tulip Time began in 1936, and for over 75 years, the town's Dutch heritage has been on display during the third weekend in May. Enjoy music, dancing, parades, games, family activities, and plate after plate of tasty Dutch food.
Related Stories
The German Festival In Iowa That’s Full Of Authentic Delights
Welcome Fall Into Iowa With The First Harvest Festival Of The Year
Welcome Fall In Cromwell, Iowa With The First Harvest Festival Of The Year
5. Houby Days, Cedar Rapids, mid-May
Houby Days, 62 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, USA
Cedar Rapid's Czech Village celebrates history and culture with Houby Days. Houby means "mushroom" in Czech, and you'll kick off the day with an egg-and-houby breakfast. All day long, vendors sell their handmade wares and traditional foods while families enjoy music, carnival rides, and games.
6. Syttende Mai, Decorah, mid-May
Decorah, IA 52101, USA
In Norway, Syttende Mai is a celebration of the day that the country ratified its Constitution, in 1814. Syttende Mai is celebrated in Decorah in mid-May. Nordic dancers, a children's parade, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Everyone is invited to march along in the Children's parade, and marchers are given Norwegian flags to wave. The Vesterheim Museum is open for free all day long.
7. TivoliFest, Elk Horn, late-May
Elk Horn, IA 51531, USA
Head to Elk Horn during Memorial Day Weekend for the most unique festival around. This Danish celebration includes folk dancers, fireworks, live music, tours of the Danish windmill, and the tastiest Danish food you've ever tried. The photo above shows Skaldborg Vikings in front of the VikingHjem at TivoliFest.
8. Juneteeth, Cedar Rapids, mid-June
Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Juneteenth is an important holiday celebrating the end of slavery in America. Even after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, many slave owners kept the news from their captives, and it took until June 19th, 1865, for many of the last kept slaves to be freed. Since then, Juneteenth has been a celebration of the men and women who persevered through one of the darkest periods in American history. Cedar Rapids is home to the largest Juneteenth celebration in the state, and you'll find vendors, entertainment, games, and traditions on display. The festival is being hosted by the African American Museum of Iowa, at the NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids.
Which of these spring festivals in Iowa have you been able to attend? Share a few stories about your experience with us in the comments.
For information on Pella’s world-famous Tulip Time, read about how the most impressive tulip festival in the Midwest is coming to Iowa this spring.
The Most Impressive Tulip Festival In The Midwest Is Coming To Iowa This Spring
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Spring In Iowa
What are some things to do in Iowa in spring?
When spring rolls around in Iowa, we are more than ready to get outside and explore nature. Here are a few fun things to do in Iowa in spring that we think you'll enjoy too:
- Hike to Malanaphy Springs, Decorah, IA: When spring arrives in Iowa, we sure love to get outside and explore nature. One of our favorite places to do so is Malanaphy Springs. This gorgeous natural wonder surrounded by the limestone bluffs of the Upper Iowa River valley is a refreshing way to cool off on a rare seasonally warm spring day. The ten-foot waterfall is perfect for a refreshing wake-up after hiking in the area. Pack a picnic lunch and chill with the beautiful sound of this waterfall setting the perfect romantic soundtrack for your date.
- Kayak at Backbone State Park, Dundee, IA: Iowa's oldest state park is a great spot to throw the kayak in the spring-fed water and explore the Maquoketa River. You can rent a kayak from the park or bring your own. Make it a weekend getaway by staying in one of the park's cabins, too. Richmond Springs is also a great spot to cool off with its sandy bottom and bubbling hot spring-fed water - it is only around 48 degrees so it is surprisingly chilly for a natural spring.
- Get a sweet treat at the Maple Syrup Festival, Cedar Rapids, IA: Go to the Indian Creek Nature Center for its annual Maple Syrup Festival toward the end of March to experience how maple syrup is made. (And eat some of the best pancakes around with hot fresh maple syrup) This springtime event is one of our favorites because of the wonderful woodsy smell of maple syrup boiling over a campfire. It is a fun family event that allows you to get outside and enjoy nature with the added benefit of a hot breakfast.
Since the weather starts to warm up in spring, we love to get outside for a hike. Here are some of our favorite springtime hikes in Iowa. Grab some maps and trail info from AllTrails+ and go explore!