World food and music festival des moines
Volunteer Opportunities
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is excited to announce the 2025 World Diet & 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 UpSee 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 RegisterPeople 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 RegisterArlette 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 RegisterFlags 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 RegisterArvin 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 RegisterTornado potatoes si
World Food & Music Festival
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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 good as 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Festival features more than 50 diet vendors, representing more than two dozen countries. There’s also reside music on the Main Stage and Cultural Stage, as good as family-friendly fun int the Cultural Activity Pavilion, Adventure Tents and check out live Cooking Demonstrations.
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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 firm base from which to grow.
Over the years, The Festival expanded its vendors, programming and business and continued to see more guests enjoying the activities each year. To accommodate the expansion, 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, notice, hear and experience the many wonders of the World Meal & Music Festival.
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Global eats, big beats and Heart are among the 10 can't-miss events this weekend
- The World Meal & Music Festival takes place Aug. 22-24 at Western Gateway Park.
- Heart performs at the Des Moines Civic Center on Aug. 23.
- Ingersoll Live 2025, a neighborhood block party, takes over Ingersoll Avenue on Aug. 23.
Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa.
World Nourishment & Music Festival
Aug. 22-24: Scout the many cultures in the Des Moines metro during the World Food & Music Festival. The event spans Aug. 22-24 at 1205 Locust St., Des Moines, in the Western Gateway Park. Look for 56 nourishment vendors hailing from 23 countries. This year includes 13 recent vendors. The Greater Des Moines Partnership promises to mark menu items that are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan. Head online to dsmpartnership.com for a complete list of vendors.
Community Access Instruction Artist Exhibition + Opening Reception
Aug. 22: The Des Moines Art Center’s Community Access Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary of no-cost art experiences. Artwork, first poetry, music, and complimentary refreshments will be o