Seven weekend picks include free festivals in Des Moines, multicultural events in East Moline, fine art in Davenport and a Sunday celebration with Mexican food and live music.
By Hola Iowa
IOWA — Festivals, live music, art, family activities and cultural celebrations are continuing across Iowa and the Quad Cities this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19–20.
Several Saturday events remain underway into the afternoon and evening, while Sunday brings another full day of activities in Davenport, Des Moines and Boone.
Options range from free admission at Beaverdale Fall Festival and Oktoberfest in Des Moines to more than 75 artists at Riverssance in Davenport. East Moline will also host Harmony Fest Saturday afternoon, while St. Anthony’s Festival brings Mexican food and live music to downtown Davenport on Sunday.
Weather note: Storms could affect outdoor events this weekend. The National Weather Service expects another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of the Quad Cities region Saturday evening and overnight, and a Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois through Sunday morning. Storms are also possible around Des Moines. Outdoor schedules may change if conditions worsen.
Beaverdale Fall Festival continues through 11 p.m. Saturday
Beaverdale Fall Festival continues Saturday in Des Moines with free general admission, live music, food, a carnival and family activities.
The festival runs until 11 p.m. Saturday along Beaver Avenue and Urbandale Avenue. Some carnival activities, competitions and food purchases cost extra.
The annual parade took place Saturday morning, but music, vendors and other activities continue throughout the afternoon and evening.
Parking is available on neighborhood side streets, although space is limited. DART Route 5 also serves the festival area.
Related: Beaverdale Fall Festival 2026: hours, parade, parking and activities
Harmony Fest runs from 2 to 8 p.m. in East Moline
Harmony Fest returns to East Moline Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. with music, dance, food, art, vendors and family activities.
The multicultural celebration also includes community organizations and a display featuring flags representing 40 countries.
The official 2026 event information lists East Moline as the festival location. An admission price is not listed on the QCAIR event page.
Related: Harmony Fest returns to East Moline with music, food and 40-country flag display
Riverssance brings more than 75 artists to Davenport Saturday and Sunday
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art is underway at Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. More than 75 exhibiting artists are joined by live regional music, food vendors and a children’s art activity tent.
Admission costs $5 per adult per day or $8 for a weekend pass. Visitors age 18 and younger enter free.
The Saturday music schedule includes Soultru from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Angela Meyer from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday performers include David G. Smith, David G. Smith & Friends and Bethann Heidgerken.
The complete artist list and Sunday schedule are available through Quad City Arts’ Riverssance Festival page.
Oktoberfest offers free admission at Des Moines Water Works Park
Oktoberfest at the Des Moines Biergarten continues Saturday and Sunday at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway.
Admission is free and the event is open to all ages. The weekend includes German and local beer, food vendors, live music and competitions such as stein holding, pretzel tossing and Oktoberfest trivia.
Saturday performances include the Happy Players, Drunk & Troubled, the Amana Colony Folksingers and the Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band. Sunday’s lineup includes the New Jolly German Band and Barefoot Becky.
A Kinder Zone offers activities for children throughout the weekend. Current programming is available on the official Des Moines Oktoberfest website.
Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire enters its final weekend
The Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow is holding its final Fall Faire weekend Saturday and Sunday at 4051 Dean Ave. in Des Moines.
Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Children age 12 and younger enter free, while adult admission requires a ticket.
The final weekend carries a “Party Like a Pirate” theme. Saturday also includes The Cannon Ball after regular gates close, which requires a separate ticket.
Recent rain has changed parking arrangements. General admission parking is at the Iowa State Fairgrounds near East 30th Street and Dean Avenue, with continuous shuttle service to Sleepy Hollow. Handicap parking and limited VIP parking remain on site.
Parking updates and event policies are available on the Sleepy Hollow Renaissance Faire information page.
Pufferbilly Days marks its 50th anniversary in Boone
Pufferbilly Days continues through Sunday in downtown Boone as the festival celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The three-day event celebrates Boone’s railroad history with live music, a carnival, classic cars, a craft market, family activities and other downtown programming.
The festival began Friday and is scheduled to continue until 5 p.m. Sunday around downtown Boone, about 45 miles northwest of Des Moines.
Current festival information is available through Downtown Boone’s Pufferbilly Days page.
St. Anthony’s Festival brings Mexican food and music to Davenport Sunday
St. Anthony’s Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 417 N. Main St. in downtown Davenport.
The festival will feature gorditas, pambazos, Mexican enchiladas, aguas frescas and desserts. Live entertainment includes Sonora Saron de Antonio, Tamborazo La Magdalena and Glenview Mariachi.
Games and face painting are also planned for children. Proceeds from the festival will support McAnthony Window, which provides meals, food, hygiene items and other assistance to residents in the Quad Cities area.
Related: St. Anthony’s Festival brings Mexican food and live music to Davenport Sept. 20
More Hispanic Heritage Month events continue after this weekend
St. Anthony’s is part of a broader calendar of Latino and Hispanic cultural events taking place across Iowa and the region during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Related: Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: Iowa events still ahead
Riverssance, Pufferbilly Days, Oktoberfest and the Renaissance Faire continue Sunday, while St. Anthony’s Festival begins at 10 a.m. in Davenport.
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