Looking for things to do during August in Iowa City?
Check out these events going on throughout the month in our collection of curious communities.
Find more things to do by visiting our events calendar or to submit your own event here. Sign up for our free events e-newsletter #ICtheWeekend. For information about weekly farmers markets in the Iowa City area click here.
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings perform at Hancher Auditorium
August 5, 7:30 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium
Iowa City
A vital duo imbues their acoustic sound with power, beauty, and depth of feeling.
The rich and remarkable careers of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have made them essential pillars of modern acoustic music. That widely acknowledged reality was reinforced when their most recent album, Woodland, won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. Welch describes the music of Woodland as “a swirl of contradictions, emptiness, fullness, joy, grief, destruction, permanence. Now.” The duo’s signature sound is tinged with lovely lyricism and emotional intensity.
Rock the Chalk
Rock the Chalk 2026
August 7
Downtown
Iowa City
MidWestOne, A Division of Nicolet National Bank’s 10th Annual Community Chalk Art Festival, Rock the Chalk!
The festival will take place in downtown Iowa City on the streets surrounding our bank building at 102 S. Clinton Street.
Community members and local artists will fill the street with unique chalk art pieces, and we will “rock” to various Iowa musical talent throughout the day while the chalk artists work.
Hoover’s Hometown Days
Hoover’s Hometown Days
August 7-8
Hoover Presidential Museum & Library
West Branch
From live music and kids’ activities to local food, historical experiences, and small-town traditions, Hoover’s Hometown Days brings together residents and visitors for a weekend that blends the past with the present in the heart of Iowa. Mark your calendars and join us on Friday & Saturday, August 7-8, 2026 as we turn up the heat on history, community, and hometown fun!
Coralville 5th Street Social
5th Street Social
August 8, 4 – 10 p.m.
5th Street
Coralville
Meet us on 5th Street for the ultimate block party with live music by The Regular Joes & Birdchild, food trucks, local craft brews, a kids zone, and some good old-fashioned fun!
The event is free to the community, with the option to purchase food and drinks while in attendance.
Buckets N Boards
Buckets N Boards at Hy-Vee Amphitheater
August 9, 4 – 5 p.m.
Hy-Vee Amphitheater at Centennial Park
North Liberty
A one-hour high-energy amazing percussion, spectacular tap dancing, inventive instrumentation and clean comedy show. Buckets N Boards have toured the world, is one of the top headlining acts requested by Disney Cruise Lines and is currently in their 14th award-winning season in Branson, Missouri.
This event is free, thanks to the support of City Slate sponsors.
core4
core4
August 14-15
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Iowa City
The greatest ride + run weekend this side of the galaxy! Plus a Friday Night Fiesta!
Choose your challenge: 20, 40, 70, or 120 miles – all the cats, including e-bike for the 40 mile! Orchard Run v.2 with new distances 5k + 10k! Pro/Elite Events: 60-Mile USAC Youth Race + 120-Mile Gravel Earth Series Race
Kids’ Day at Kinnick
Iowa Hawkeyes Football Kids’ Day at Kinnick
August 15, 11 a.m.
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City
The University of Iowa football team will host its annual “Kids’ Day at Kinnick,” presented by UI Health Care, on Saturday, Aug. 15. Supporting sponsors for the event include Alliant Energy, Delta Dental of Iowa, Chase Bank, Chick-fil-A, and Wimmer’s Meats. The open practice begins at 11 a.m. (CT), with gates A, B and H opening at 10 a.m.
Team members will sign autographs for kids at approximately 10:30 a.m. along the front of the west and south stands.
Admission is free for all fans, and free parking is available in designated hard surface lots, with regular ramp fees applying. Cashless concession stands will be open, accepting debit or credit cards only, and Kinnick Stadium’s clear bag policy will be enforced.
North Liberty Street Dance
North Liberty Street Dance
August 22, 5 – 10 p.m.
Dubuque Street from Main Street to Front Street
North Liberty
A community block party with live music, dancing, beverages, food trucks and games.
Taste of Iowa City
Taste of Iowa City
August 26, 4 – 8 p.m.
Downtown
Iowa City
Taste of Iowa City, presented by Nicolet Bank, returns to the Iowa City Downtown District on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The 18th Annual Taste of Iowa City celebrates the culinary diversity of Downtown and Northside restaurants and rewards the Iowa City community with sample portions from a diverse range of menus! As part of Engaged Hawkeyes Week, it’s the perfect opportunity for new students and the community to see what Downtown restaurants have to offer.
Tickets are $1/piece and will be sold in strips of 5. Tickets can be redeemed at 40+ of our amazing bars and restaurants!
The University of Iowa will be giving away a limited number of free tickets for students. To receive your free tickets, students can show their student ID at the University of Iowa booth on the Pentacrest. Hurry, these tickets go fast!
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the volunteer groups helping with the event. Area groups, clubs, non-profits, and organizations are invited to apply and help with the event.
Sierra Ferrell
Sierra Ferrell performs at Fall Welcome Concert
August 28, 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Hancher Green
Iowa City
Sierra Ferrell will headline the free Fall Welcome Concert at the Hancher Green on Friday, August 28.
Sierra Ferrell brings a dose of beautifully strange magic to everything she touches and enchants audiences with her high-spirited live performances.
The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets required.
Submit your Event
We’re the go-to source for what’s happening in the Iowa City area, and your event should be part of it. It’s easy, free, and a great way to get in front of locals and visitors who are looking for things to do.
