World food and music festival des moines
See the ceremonies, food and celebration that started the World Food and Music Festival
ENTERTAINMENT
From left: Toui Lo, Patty Louangsouvanh from Laos and Aieng Xayyvongsa take a selfie after a Naturalization Ceremony during the World Food and Music Festival on Aug. 22, 2025, at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ayrton Breckenridge/The Register
People walk down Locust Street during the World Food and Music Festival on Aug. 22, 2025, at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ayrton Breckenridge/The Register
Arlette Nkouendje from Cameroon stands and pledges an oath as a part of a Naturalization Ceremony while holding Khareem Nkouendje during the World Food and Music Festival on Aug. 22, 2025, at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ayrton Breckenridge/The Register
Flags from around the world are seen on the side of a display during the World Food and Music Festival on Aug. 22, 2025, at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ayrton Breckenridge/The Register
Arvin Sam serves food at Tikka Talk during the World Food and Music Festival on Aug. 22, 2025, at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ayrton Breckenridge/The Register
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World Food & Music Festival
The 2025 World Food & Music Festival, presented by Veridian Credit Union, will make its return on Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24, 2025 in Western Gateway Park, in downtown Des Moines!
Friday: 11am – 10pm Saturday: 11am – 10pm Sunday: 11am – 5pm
The Festival began in October 2005 in the Historic East Village downtown. It featured approximately two dozen vendors and welcomed thousands of guests eager to explore the diverse cuisine. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines was there from the beginning to support The Festival and provide a solid base from which to grow.
Over the years, The Festival expanded its vendors, programming and entertainment and continued to see more guests enjoying the activities each year. To accommodate the growth, The Festival moved onto the downtown bridges for several years and in 2017 expanded into its current home in Western Gateway Park. Today, more than 90,000 guests visit The Festival each year to taste, see, hear and experience the many wonders of the World Food & Music Festival.
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World Food & Music Festival
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August 23, 2024 @ 11:00 am - August 25, 2024 @ 5:00 pm
Free
The 2024 World Food & Music Festival presented by Veridian Credit Union will make its return for its 20th year on Friday, Aug. 23 – Sunday, Aug. 25 at Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). The Festival runs from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, as well as 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Festival features more than 50 food vendors, representing more than two dozen countries. There’s also live music on the Main Stage and Cultural Stage, as well as family-friendly fun int the Cultural Activity Pavilion, Adventure Tents and check out live Cooking Demonstrations.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Details
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is excited to announce the 2025 World Food & Music Festival returns to Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) on August 22 – 24, 2025.
The three-day event, in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), celebrates food, music, heritage and culture from around the world. And the Festival could not be possible without our amazing volunteers.
Right now, our volunteer sign-up page is now open! Exciting volunteer opportunities include helping in the Cooking Demonstrations tent – with local chefs making delicious meals; assisting in our Adventure Tents – offering samples of candy or fruit from around the world, at the top of every hour; or maybe selling t-shirts and hats in our merchandise tent is more your style. There’s something fun for everyone!
Volunteers receive a t-shirt to wear throughout their shift.
More Information/Sign Up