Festival Performers
- Friday Night Concert Series
- Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings
- Iowa Arts Festival
- Iowa City Jazz Festival
We now are accepting applications for the 2025 season.
Summer of the Arts festivals feature a variety of opportunities for musical performers and entertainers.
Please review the information for each series and festival below. Please fill out the Musician/Entertainer form.
Deadline to apply: December 31, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: If the festival committee is interested in booking your act, they will contact you. If they are not interested at this time, they will not contact you.
We receive a high volume of inquiries so aren’t able to respond to every one unless the selection committee is interested in booking.
Friday Night Concert Series
This weekly event primarily books local area bands up to 100 miles from Iowa City. Bands play on the Ped Mall Stage. Consideration also given to bands with ties to Eastern Iowa.
Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings
This once-a-month event primarily books local area bands up to 100 miles from Iowa City. Consideration also given to bands with ties to Eastern Iowa.
Iowa Arts Festival
The Main Stage typically features local openers and national or international headliners of rock, folk, bluegrass, and Americana music.
The Ped Mall Stage primarily features local entertainment suitable for children and families including solo acts, acoustic performances, world music, and dance.
Street Entertainment primarily features local entertainment suitable for children and families including solo acts, acoustic performances, and small groups.
Iowa City Jazz Festival
The Main Stage features well-known national and international acts.
The Side Stage features Iowa state, local, college, and youth performers.
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Performers
- Market Music
- Party in the Park
- Other Parks & Rec opportunities as available
We now are accepting applications for the 2025 season.
The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department contracts with Summer of the Arts to book Market Music, Party in the Park, and other events as needed.
Please review the information for each event below. Please fill out the Musician/Entertainer form.
Deadline to apply: December 31, 2024.
- Performers are required to provide their own sound equipment.
- Pay for Market Music is $400.
- Pay for Party in the Park is $300.
Booking info:
- If you are selected as a potential performer, you will receive an email in early 2025 asking for your availability for the appropriate event.
- Once availability is confirmed, you will be notified of the date you are scheduled to perform at which time you’ll need to complete the contract and W-9 form for the City.
- You will be required to provide a short bio and photo for promotional purposes.
- If you are NOT selected for 2025, please feel free to apply again in 2026. We will only contact those selected to perform.
Market Music
Individuals and small groups perform Saturday mornings 9 AM-12 PM at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market, in the Chauncey Swan Park.
Party in the Park
Party in the Park events are held at a different Iowa City park each week during the summer, Thursday evenings from 6:30-8 PM.