Concerts in Iowa in May 2025

Popular Music Venues in Iowa

Iowa's Concert Season: Major Acts, Venues, and Ticket Tips

The first association with Iowa might be the beautiful countryside and tasty food. It might come as a surprise, but the Hawkeye State also has a rich music scene. You can enjoy live performances of local artists in smaller venues or head to amphitheaters and festivals hosting more famous names. The popular genres include country and folk, but hip-hop and pop music are on the rise. Des Moines and Waukee are the top destinations for concerts in Iowa.

Music Events in Iowa You Should Visit

October is the ideal month for pop fans, with Chappell Roan visiting Council Bluffs. The young star finds inspiration in 2000s pop hits and 1980s synth-pop, and her hits include “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Red Wine Supernova.” P!nk will visit Des Moines as a part of her Summer Carnival tour. Fans of this Emmy and Grammy-winning author will also hear the Irish band The Script and KidCutUp as a part of the same event.

ZZ Top heads the lineup for Iowa concerts in November. The group that entered the Rock Hall of Fame will perform their hits in Waukee. Nate Smith, a performer who mixes country, soul, and pop, will hold one of his Midwest concerts in Des Moines. If you enjoy a cappella music, mark your calendars for the Pentatonix concert in December. 

Iconic Venues in Iowa?

Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines is the venue of the biggest upcoming concerts in Iowa. It’s a multi-purpose venue that offers a capacity of over 16,000 for music and other events. Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs is close with its 15,000-seat capacity. The venue is famous as one of the most beautiful in the state, and you have a great view of bands performing on the stage from any angle.

Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines has a huge tradition going back to 1939. It has a modest capacity of about 2,200 seats, and the lineup of concerts coming up includes a variety of music genres. Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee features a 3,300-seat venue that opened its doors to visitors in 2023. Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines is a beautiful theater and an important cultural destination for locals, hosting many local, regional, and international stars.

Tips to Follow to Choose the Right Concert

Find the event that fits your taste: Check out the calendar with concerts near you. Even if the event is tonight, you might still make it if you really want to enjoy the live performance of that artist. However, consider the venue and transport methods, as well as your budget. If you need extra comfort, go with seated tickets.

When it’s best to visit Iowa: The state has mild weather from May to October. It’s not that advisable to go in January and February due to storms and low temperatures.

Age and other restrictions: The venue or the ticket vendor website will outline any age requirement and other rules applicable to the specific concert. 

How to Buy Concert Tickets at a Lower Price

• Follow your favorite artists on social platforms: It’s a great way to know their planned performances on time.
• Sign up for the venue’s newsletter: it might recommend the best concerts this weekend and announce the future performer lineup first.
• Purchase tickets among the first: Pre-sales often come with discounts and special offers.
• Buy tickets at the last minute: Although it’s a bit risky, you could get discounts for concerts held today or tomorrow.
• Understand different ticket categories: Seating and standing tickets might have a different price, or the cost might vary from the location in the venue.

Getting Ready for the Event

Make sure you have the basics covered a few days ahead of the event. That includes how you’ll arrive at the venue and live it after the concert. Your tickets should be with you, and don’t forget to check and acknowledge any rules of the venue. Finally, pick the right outfit – for the concert and the weather – and stay hydrated.

Why You Should Use Concerts50 to Find the Tickets

We are proud of our database, which has over 130,000 concerts worldwide. Our website works with reputable platforms and we constantly update the listings. You can use different filters when searching for the desired concerts, such as date, popularity, genre, venues, and cities. Artist pages deliver information about the bands and performers and you can follow a specific artist to receive notifications about their upcoming events.

Buy Tickets Now

It only takes a few clicks to purchase tickets via Concerts50. Check out the lineup of upcoming concerts and experience the best live events in Iowa this season!