Des Moines’s World Food & Music Festival ranked sixth on a new USA Today 10Best’s list of top city food festivals in the U.S. The annual festival takes place in late August and showcases international cuisine, diverse food and drink vendors, and interactive culinary programming. A panel of culinary experts nominated their top picks before readers voted to decide the winners on the list.
The festival began in October 2005 in the East Village in Des Moines with around 24 vendors. Presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the festival has grown over the years and now takes place at Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park. More than 90,000 guests visit each year to experience, taste, and enjoy all that the festival has to offer.
Despite being beaten by New York’s Queens Night Market for the title of best city food festival in the United States, Des Moines’ World Food & Music Festival is returning for its 20th year in August. The 2024 festival will take place from Friday, August 23 to Saturday, August 24 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m