Spring is almost here and things are going to get VERY busy here in Eastern Iowa! Here are some of the big festivals and fairs/markets happening in March, April, and May of 2025:

MARCH

Cabin Fever Vendor Fair

• Dubuque County Fairgrounds, Dubuque
• Sunday, March 9th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• "Break out of the house and enjoy a day of #shopping more than 40 local vendors, crafters, makers, bakers, wineries and more!"
• Admission is $3

Homestead Vintage & Makers Market

• Waterloo Convention Center
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, March 14th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 15th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• "SHOP SMALL with an amazing variety of small businesses offering vintage, antique, repurposed, boutique, artisan goods, handcrafted and more for your shopping pleasure!"
• Admission is $5 - ages 14 and under are free

Made in Iowa Spring Market

• Former Younkers Store in Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids
• Saturday, March 15th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• "Experience the best of Iowa's artisans, bakers, and crafters, all under one roof. From unique handmade items to delicious local treats, there's something for everyone!"
• Pay at the entrance to get in at 10 a.m. or pay online to get in at 9 a.m. - purchase $5 tickets HERE

Odd Mama's Indoor Market

• Veteran's Memorial Building, Cedar Rapids
• Saturday, March 22nd from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• "Enjoy food, fun, and over 50 vendors each selling something unique. With each admission paid- get a raffle ticket for a chance to win 1 of (5) $100 gift cards to Odd Mama's storefront!"
• Admission is $3 - ages 12 and under are free

Maple Syrup Festival

• Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids
• Saturday, March 29th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• "The Maple Syrup Festival features syrup making demonstrations, a look at the action inside the Maple Sugar House, and a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast with real maple syrup handcrafted at the Nature Center."
• Purchase tickets HERE

Flea Market

• Former Younkers in Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids
• March 29th & 30th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• "Spaces filled with garage sale, flea market, direct sales, baked goods, crafts, small businesses and more."

APRIL

Mission Creek Festival

• Downtown Iowa City
• April 3rd through 5th
• "Mission Creek Festival is a 3-day music and literature festival that takes place every spring in downtown Iowa City, Iowa. The festival thrives on intimacy and visceral connections between artists and audiences. We host events indoors at traditional venues and local shops converted into performances spaces solely for the festival."
• Purchase tickets HERE

Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival

• Waterloo Convention Center, Waterloo
• Saturday, April 5th at 11 a.m.
• "The Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival is the first and only event in Eastern Iowa to feature all Iowa foods, products, chefs, authors and agriculture-related products... attendees will enjoy a one-day celebration of food and beverage tasting, cooking and product demonstrations, live entertainment and more."
• Purchase tickets HERE

Spring Arts & Crafts Show

• Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center, Coralville
• Saturday, April 5th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• "This is the area's largest show, with over 125 talented exhibitors presenting and selling the Midwest's finest handcrafts."
• Admission is $6 - ages 10 and under are free

Julien Dubuque International Film Festival

• Hotel Julien, Dubuque
• April 21st through 27th
• "JDIFF is known for its networking opportunities, best communication, quaint location, great programming, friendly staff & volunteers, inquisitive audience, multiple screening opportunities, workshops, panels, amazing events and parties and so much more! And most importantly, lots of FREE FOOD in our filmmaker lounge, where many friendships and collaborations have been made."
• Ticket information TBA

EcoFest

• NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
• Saturday, April 26th
• "The Corridor’s premier Earth Day celebration, this family-friendly festival includes interactive educational activities, eco-products, local foods, arts and free live music! EcoFest helps us connect our personal choices to individual, community and planetary sustainability."
• More 2025 information TBA

Odd Mama's Indoor Market

• Veteran's Memorial Building, Cedar Rapids
• Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• "Enjoy food, fun, and over 50 vendors each selling something unique. With each admission paid- get a raffle ticket for a chance to win 1 of (5) $100 gift cards to Odd Mama's storefront!"
• Admission is $3 - ages 12 and under are free

Simply Made Market

• Bella Sala Event Center, Tiffin
• Sunday, April 27th from
• Featuring local makers, live music, food trucks, coffee/drinks, giveaways/prizes, and swag bags for early shoppers

Spring Flea Market, Antique, and Collectible Show

• Jones County Fairgrounds, Monticello
• Sunday, April 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• "This is one of Iowa's largest flea markets with over 100 exhibitors (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting) selling a vast array of antiques and vintage items. If you are a collector, antique dealer, or simply a nostalgia seeker or bargain hunter, then this is one show you do not want to miss. There will also be great food trucks on site!"
• Admission is $5 - ages 10 years and under are free

Iowa Tulip Festival

• Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins
• Opening tentatively in late April (dates are weather dependent)
  • Thursdays & Fridays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• "Tulips are coming to Bloomsbury for the first time ever this spring! Immerse yourself in stunning, colorful fields of tulips, snap memorable photos, and meet adorable baby animals!"
• Tickets will be on sale (date TBA) HERE

MAY

Tulip Time

• Pella, Iowa
• May 1st through 3rd
• Featuring 300,000+ tulips, live entertainment, Dutch food, parades, a craft market, a quilt show, and more

What Cheer Flea Market

• Keokuk County Fairgrounds, What Cheer
• May 1st through 4th
• "Come see one of the largest flea markets in the Midwest!! We will have over 425 vendors taking up 750 spaces over 20 acres!!"
• Admission is $6 on Thursday, $4 on Friday & Saturday, and free on Sunday

Freedom FEASTival

• Greene Square Park, Cedar Rapids
• Friday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Featuring a variety of food vendors, live music, and kids activities

Vintage Torque Fest

• Dubuque County Fairgrounds, Dubuque
• May 2nd & 3rd
• "This is a vintage lifestyle event. The purpose is to raise money for kids with congenital heart defects. Join us for THE kick off event of the season with good music, swap meet, mini bike races, vintage cycle exhibition, dirt drag racing, demo derby action, vendors from around the country, camping, good food, and lots of classic cars & motorcycles."

Maifest

• Amana Colonies
• May 3rd & 4th
• Featuring Maipoles, live entertainment, a parade, food, a wine & beer walk, kids' activities, museums, shopping, and more
• 2025 schedule TBA

Chalk the Walk

• Main Street, Mount Vernon
• May 3rd & 4th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• "During the first weekend in May, main street Mount Vernon is transformed into a jam packed rainbow of artistry. Artists of all ages are assigned one of the 150 8 X 10 spaces on the concrete canvas. Regardless of skill level, everyone’s medium of choice is chalk. The festival draws thousands of on lookers and artists, who have the ability to participate in the large community mural."
• Mural spaces are $10
• More 2025 information TBA

Vintage Market Days

• Hawkeye Downs Expo Center, Cedar Rapids
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (9 a.m. with pre-purchased online tickets)
  • Saturday, May 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (9 a.m. with pre-purchased online tickets)
  • Sunday, May 11th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• "Vintage Market Days® is an upscale, vintage-inspired, indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, furniture, home decor, boutique clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, food trucks, seasonal plantings, and a little more. Join us for an unforgettable weekend full of shopping our carefully curated vendors, enjoying live music and local yummy eats and treats while you shop!"
• Purchase tickets HERE

Beaux Arts Fair

• Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport
• May 10th & 11th
• "This art fair sprawls throughout a spacious area that accommodates 100 booths, plenty of free parking, music, food, and daily crowds of 8,000."

Fields of Flight Kite Festival

• Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins
• May 10th & 11th from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Featuring enormous kites, photo ops, baby animals, and 20+ farm activities
• Tickets will be on sale (date TBA) HERE

Marion Kite Festival

• Lowe Park, Marion
• Saturday, May 17th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• "Join us at Lowe Park in Marion, Iowa, for a day of sky-high wonders and colorful kite displays. This free event is perfect for families, friends, and anyone who loves a bit of magic in the air."

Houby Days

• Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
• May 17th & 18th
• Featuring a parade, live music, vendors, food, a kolache eating contest, mushrooms, and more
• More 2025 information TBA

Marion Arts Festival

• Uptown Marion
• Saturday, May 17th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• "One day. Fifty artists. Exceptional art. For over 30 years!"
• More 2025 information TBA

Coralville Asian Festival

• S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville
• Saturday, May 17th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Featuring live entertainment, vendors, and food
• More 2025 information TBA

Good Makers Market

• Cedar County Fairgrounds, Tipton
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, May 23rd from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 24th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Admission is $10 - ages 14 and under are free

Iowa Renaissance Festival

• Middle Amana Community Park
• May 24th through 26th & May 31st through June 1st from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• "Come experience live entertainment featuring comedy, swordplay, music, magic, and even horseback jousting. Explore a marketplace full of unique merchandise from around the land. Enjoy tasty treats and drinks in the royal food court (including adult libations like honey mead). The village awaits your visit!"
• Admission is $18 ($29 for 2-day pass) for ages 14+, $10 ($15 for 2-day pass) for ages 6 to 13, and free for ages 5 and under

St. Joseph Fun Days

• St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion
• May 30th through June 1st
• "Join us for 3 family fun-filled days of carnival rides, games, live music, food, and more!"