Mission Creek Festival returns live and in-person for its 20th anniversary on April 3 – 5, 2025! This milestone year promises an unforgettable experience of music, literature, and community, highlighting independent voices and talents from across the globe and right here in Iowa. Check out the full lineup at missioncreekfestival.com.

The festival opens on Thursday, April 3 at Hancher Auditorium. Singer-songwriter Julien Baker (of boygenius) returns to Mission Creek after a stunning sold-out performance at the 2018 festival. This time, as the festival’s music headliner, she debuts a country-rock project with collaborator TORRES. The evening will begin with a performance by LA LOM and the first literary keynote of the festival–a reading and conversation by author Rachel Kushner in support of her acclaimed novel, Creation Lake. Kushner last visited the festival in 2014 during the book tour for The Flamethrowers. Artist, musician, and writer Kim Gordon, who played at the Mill during the 2011 festival alongside Thurston Moore and Chris Corsano, will moderate the conversation with Kushner.