Events

Soul Fest Location: Hawkeye Elks Lodge - Saturday May 16th 1401 Walker St, Des Moines, IA 502316     Liquor Basket Raffle, 50/50 Raffle, Food, and Music by DJ Chuckfresh. $5 dollar cover charge.

Mental Health Gospel Where: Union Missionary Baptist Church, 209 Jackson St. Waterloo, IA 50703 Date: May 30, 2026 Time: 6p.m.   Free Admissions doors open at 5:30p     May is Mental Health Awareness Month, established to reduce stigma, educate the public, and promote support for mental health conditions. Come out and hear powerful singing […]

PHC Farmer's Market Food Truck Mall - Grand Opening Where: 5299 E University Ave, Pleasant Hill, IA Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Date: Every Monday starting June 1, 2026     A rotating lineup of local Des Moines food trucks offering a wide variety of options with 10 trucks each week. Monday night food trucks, […]

My Waterloo Days Annual Festival     Date: June 4th, 5th, 6th, 2026 Location: Lincoln Park and Downtown Waterloo, IA - Weekend admission $10, kid 12 & under free. No single day tickets. Tickets on sale: April 2nd.   Thursday, June 4th - FREE! River loop Amphitheater - Movie Friday, June 5th - 5:00p.m. Lincoln Park Opens, 6:00p.m. - […]

Michael Blackson Date: June 5th Time: 7:00p Location: Funny Bone, West Des Moines, IA 560 S Prairie View Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266   Michael Blackson, born Jafari Ferguson, is a Ghanaian-American comedian and actor known as the “African King of Comedy.” Rising from Philadelphia comedy clubs in the 1990s, he gained fame with his breakout […]

2026 Opening Day Celebration - Birdland Bash Time: 6 - 8 p.m. Date: June 6th Cost: $5/person all ages Location: Birdland - 300 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313      

Embrace the Race Location: Raccoon River Park Trail - 2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA     ​Iowa Juneteenth celebrates all year long. Applications open in January of every year to participate as a vendor, volunteer, or become a sponsor. Click the name of each event to find out more details. If you have […]

A New Neighborhood Center - Is Opening Near You Time: 3-5 p.m. Date: June 11th Location: 1041 Arthur St. Iowa City, IA  

WAS THAT RACIST? Where: African American Museum of Iowa, 55 12th Ave., SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Date: June 11, 2026 Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.     Join Evelyn R. Carter, Ph.D. for a conversation with Rob Cline about her book “Was That Racist? How to Detect, Interrupt, and Unlearn Bias in Everyday Life.” […]

Black Iowa Outdoors Juneteenth Celebration Date: Saturday, June 13th, Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Fort Des Moines Park, 7200 SE 5th St., Des Moines, IA 50315   Join us for a fun Juneteenth hike plus flowerpot painting to celebrate freedom and creativity together! About this Event Juneteenth Celebration Hike and Flower Pot Painting Join us in person for […]