News & FAQs

80/35 is a celebration of music and culture presented by the nonprofit Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC). We present a diverse lineup of musicians from all genres across four free stages and one paid stage in the heart of downtown Des Moines.

As a program of the DMMC, proceeds from the festival go towards furthering DMMC’s mission of building a stronger and more diverse music scene in Des Moines: learn more. Your support of 80/35 helps us present events like Music University and expand youth music programs in area schools.

This year’s headliners are GRAMMY-winning rock band The War on Drugs and hip hop legend and one half of the duo OutKast Big Boi. They’ll be joining over 50 additional acts which you can explore here.

While we are done booking for 2023, please reach out and say hello as we have other performance opportunities for bands throughout the year. Email us at 8035bands@desmoinesmc.com.

CAN BRING: chairs, blankets, small non-frame backpacks, one empty water bottle per person, one factory-sealed water bottle, small snack, empty camelbacks, wagons, personal pocket-sized point and shoot only cameras.

DON’T BRING: illegal drugs, weapons, fireworks, pets, coolers, beach tents, canopy or “pop-up” tents, outside beverages (except one sealed water bottle and one empty water bottle), large frame backpacks, audio recording devices, professional photography equipment, including cameras with interchangeable lenses and SLRs.

For the security and safety of all attendees, bags will be checked as you enter festival grounds.

Standard size chairs are allowed, but should not exceed 34” in height.  Please respect your neighbors around you regarding line of sight. Tall shade tents prohibited.

Yes. Bags will be searched each time you enter the festival grounds.

Yes! This event is all ages. Kids 11 and under can attend free with a paying adult. Make sure to visit the Kids Zone at the festival for kid-friendly activities and musical discovery for all.

While dogs are allowed in the free stage area, we encourage you to leave your pets at home, as loud music can be damaging to their hearing. Service animals are welcome throughout the festival grounds.

PS – should you bring your dog we recommend hearing protection for them (yes, seriously!).

Any person with disabilities or requires interpreter services who wishes to attend the festival who requires a special accommodation should notify info@desmoinesmc.com by June 1, 2023.

The Des Moines Music Coalition is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. As a guest at our events, you play an active role in creating this environment for your fellow attendees, which includes speaking out when you see unacceptable behavior. We believe music is for everyone!

We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, and disability status.

Offensive behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Acts of physical assault or battery
• Verbal abuse
• Racial or ethnic slurs
• Groping, sexual assault, or unwanted sexual remarks
• Stalking
• Threatening language
• Harrassment

We reserve the right to refuse entry or reject anyone who is in violation of our code of conduct. If you feel you have been treated in a way that goes against our code of conduct, please find a festival staff member or member of our security team so that we may be of assistance.

80/35 takes place in downtown Des Moines surrounding 12th and Locust Streets in the Western Gateway Park. Get directions.

Getting to and from the Festival is easy because all good parking options are located North and South of the Festival site.

Driving Directions:

Heading West on I-80
Take I-80 W to I-235 west (Exit 137A, left 2 lanes)
Take I-235 to Exit 8A for Downtown Des Moines/Mercy
Keep right, follow signs for 3rd Street
Travel South on 3rd Street, take a right on Grand Ave.
Paid Parking Ramps available on the right side of Grand Ave. at 9th and 10th St. intersections

Nationwide Parking Ramp (FREE PARKING): From Grand Ave, turn left of 7th, then Right on Mulberry St and a quick right into the parking ramp.

Heading East on I-80
Exit I-80 E onto I-235 east (keep left)
Take I-235 E to Downtown Des Moines exit 7A at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right
Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll and under Grand Ave. Along Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. There are several parking options (the following are presented from west to east):

Nationwide Parking Ramp (FREE PARKING): From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12thSt. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into the parking ramp.

Heading South on I-35
Take I-35 S to I-235 west (Exit 137B, left 2 lanes)
Take I-235 W to Exit 8A Downtown Des Moines/Mercy
Keep right, follow signs for 3rd Street
Travel South on 3rd Street, take a right on Grand Ave. 

Paid Parking Ramps available on the right side of Grand Ave. at 9th and 10th St. intersections

Nationwide Parking Ramp (FREE PARKING): From Grand Ave, turn left of 7th, then Right on Mulberry St and a quick right into the parking ramp.

Heading North on I-35
Exit I-35 N onto I-235 east
Take I-235 to Downtown Des Moines exit 7A at Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and take a right
Travel south on Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. and follow roadway east (take a left) along the south side of Downtown Des Moines after passing over Ingersoll and under Grand Ave. Along Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. There are several parking options (the following are presented from west to east):

Nationwide Parking Ramp (FREE PARKING): From Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., turn left on 12thSt. Take a right onto Mulberry St. and a quick left into the parking ramp.

Street parking is available surrounding the festival grounds. Parking meters are free between 9:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Free parking is available in the Nationwide Parking Ramp at Mulberry and 12th St. after 5 p.m. on Friday and anytime Saturday.

There are many hotels near the festival grounds. Please consider booking with our festival partners at The Surety Hotel or Holiday Inn Mercy!

Find all nearby lodging options on the Catch Des Moines website.

We encourage it! Complimentary bicycle valet parking will be available courtesy of Street Collective.

DART Route 60 will extend through midnight on July 8-9, with a pickup location for 80/35 located at the corner of 10th Street and High Street north of the festival grounds.

Purchasing a ticket will allow entry into the main stage area, which will feature the biggest names at the festival all day Friday and Saturday. VIP tickets are also available, which feature a special VIP viewing area and additional perks. You can upgrade your General Admission ticket for entrance to the Exile Lounge, where you’ll find an expanded selection of craft beers, wine, and liquor.

You can also attend without a ticket to catch entertainment on our four free stages, which include the Iowa Public Radio stage and the emerging artists stage.

80/35 takes place rain or shine. All sales are final, and the lineup and schedule is subject to change.

80/35 relies on volunteers to make the festival run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.  Sign up to volunteer to help support our local music scene – plus, earn a free festival ticket while you’re at it.

There are a variety of opportunities for your business to be a part of this year’s festival.  Please check out our Get Involved page to learn more.

For questions, please email us at info@desmoinesmc.com. If your band is looking to perform at the festival email us at 8035bands@desmoinesmc.com.

For press inquiries, please email Carter Larson at carter@desmoinesmc.com.