2023 Downtown Iowa City Block Party

DOWNTOWN IOWA CITY BLOCK PARTY

Saturday, June 24th, 2023 | 4:00 - 11:00pm

Your favorite event of the year returns this summer with the Downtown Block Party happening Saturday, June 24, 2023. Celebrating it's 6th year, the Downtown Block Party will have 14 blocks full of free programming for the community to enjoy.

The 2023 Downtown Block Party program will bring back fan favorites including the popular Studio 13 Drag Show, Dueling Pianos sponsored by Hills Bank, Silent Disco sponsored by GreenState Credit Union, the Sand Volleyball Court, and the SCWPro Wrestling matches introduced last year. Many community partners like the Iowa Children's Museum, Iowa City Public Library, FilmScene, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department, Wright House of Fashion, Gabe's, Iowa City Senior Center, Dream City, and the University of Iowa are partners at the event. These entities will facilitate community activities like tennis and pickleball, a kid's beach area, basketball games, a fashion show, a video game tournament, and more. 

New program features for 2023 that can be released now include a one-of-a-kind talent show featuring various acts from children in the ChildServe program. In addition, new bocce ball courts will be highlighted at the request of a growing base of enthusiasts, Luther Bangert, the world-renowned juggler, will perform his mesmerizing act, and a variety of dynamic upbeat musical guests are sure to get the crowd moving.

Sponsored by iBev, GreenState Credit Union, Hills Bank, Thompson and Co, Collins Community Credit Union, and ImOn Communications, the Downtown Block Party is the event of the summer you won't want to miss! All of the programming activities and participation at the event are completely free and targeted towards all ages participation. The event instead sells 2023 Downtown Block Party cups and wristbands that allows attendees 21 and older to purchase and take drinks from the bars and restaurants into the streets. Cups can be pre-purchased online for only $10. During the event, you can get your wristbands and cups at stations throughout downtown for $15 (CASH ONLY).

How is this event different from other downtown Iowa City events?

• This event is at night! The focus will be on evening hours.

• $10 (presale) or $15 day of event tickets will be purchased, this will buy you the official event wristband and cup that will allow you to walk around the event with beer or wine- ONLY guests with these materials (event wristband and cup) will be allowed to do so. Wristbands only need to be purchased if you are consuming alcohol. 

• The event will focus on our existing business economy.

• The event will have a very open feel to the layout. Programming will be spread out to allow for a comfortable feel and relaxed crowd flow.

SO what is all happening at this Block Party? 

The idea is to have programming throughout the entire downtown area that appeals to anyone and everyone. All of the programming is FREE. More details and the full programming schedule will be announced later this summer at www.downtowniowacity.com/events/downtown-block-party 

*Please note: This is a rain-or-shine event. There will be no ticket refunds.