Sat-Sun, September 26–27 • Iowa’s Largest Arts & Craft Show. Over 250 exhibitors bring quality handmade items to sell, including jewelry, paintings, floral wreaths, clothing, pottery, baskets, rugs, blown glass, rugs, pet products, candles, etched & stained glass, and more! Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4. Free parking! Varied Industries Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines. (563) 357-1986.
Sat-Sun 26–27 • U-Pick Apples at Wilson’s Orchard. Wilson’s Ciderhouse, 4823 Dingleberry Rd. NE, Iowa City. WilsonsOrchard.com. Ongoing.
Sat-Sun 26–27 • Old Iron Show. Draft horse demonstrations, antique cars and tractors, a steam-powered sawmill, steam engines, threshing, plowing, kids’ activities, and food. Wapello County Fairgrounds, 300 Water St., Eldon. Facebook.com.
Sat-Sun 26–27 • Pages for Pennies Book Sale. Great deals on books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, LPs, games, puzzles, and sheet music. Sat. 9-5, Sun. 11-5, Bridge View Center, Ottumwa. BridgeViewCenter.com.
Saturday, September 26 • Mo Amer. As a refugee, Amer waited 20 years to become a naturalized citizen and obtain a passport—a serious situation he has transformed into comedic material. Infinite Dream Festival. 9 p.m., Englert, Iowa City. Hancher.uiowa.edu.
Saturday, September 26 • Improv at Willow Creek Theatre. Rotating improv troupes typically perform Saturday nights. 7–9:30 p.m., Willow Creek Theatre, Iowa City. Updates: WillowCreekTheatre.org.
Saturday, September 26 • Northside Oktoberfest. 40+ craft beer vendors, neighborhood food, beer games, live music, comical contests, and SodaFest beverage stand for kids. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Northside Marketplace, Iowa City. DowntownIowaCity.com.
Saturday, September 26 • Asian Fest at NewBo City Market. A celebration of Asian food and culture. Noon–9 p.m., NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids. NewboCityMarket.org/events. IowaAsianAlliance.com.
Saturday, September 26 • 2026 Africa Fest. Performances and booths showcase some of the cuisines, musical traditions, fashions, and art of the African groups who call Iowa home. 12–9 p.m., Ped Mall, 205 E. College St., Iowa City. Facebook.com.
Saturday, September 26 • Jonas Magram. Reminiscent folk rocker with a golden voice. 7:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Saturday, September 26 • Frederica von Stade: Our Children & Music. Renowned mezzo-soprano. 7:30 p.m., FACC, Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Saturday, September 26 • Johnny Rogers: The History of Rock ’n’ Roll Show. 7 p.m., What Cheer Opera House. WhatCheerOperaHouse.org.
Saturday, September 26 • Paint+Sip Fall Blossom. A relaxed happy-hour art class for adults. 5:30 p.m., Brush & Barrel, 1801 2nd St., Coralville. BrushandBarrel.com.
Saturday, September 26 • Villages Folk School. Pick from Plein Air Pastels or Beginners Blacksmithing. Various times & locations, Keosauqua. VillagesFolkSchool.com.
Sat-Sun, September 26–27 • DM Symphony: Unity—American Mosaic & West Side Story. Celebrating America’s 250th, this cinematic program features Joseph Giunta, conducting, and Harlem Quartet, visiting artists in residence. Various times, Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Sunday, September 27 • Octagon Art Festival. The 55th annual festival brings 90 artists from 7 states with artistic creations. 10-a.m.-4 p.m. Main St downtown, Ames. Octagonarts.org.
Sunday, September 27 • Now Clap! Bob the Drag Queen’s on Tour. Broadway star, New York Times bestselling author, Traitor cast member, stand-up comedian, and drag race winner. 6 p.m., Englert, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Sunday, September 27 • Irish Music Session. Listen or join an informal gathering of local and visiting musicians for a traditional Irish music session. Sundays, 3–5 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Sunday, September 27 • All Latin Dance. Salsa, bachata, merengue, rumba, cha cha, and samba. Lesson 7:30 p.m., dance 8 p.m. Morning Star Studio, Fairfield. Facebook.com/ Fairfield.Pop.Music.Dance.Coalition.
Sunday, September 27 • Main Street Souvenirs. This cinematic celebration of Americana spans 150 years of music, played by Scott Kirby on piano. 3:30 p.m., Washington Auditorium, 1111 S. B Ave., Washington. WashingtonAuditorium.org.
Sunday, September 27 • Basic. Groove-based sonic fields. 6.p.m., Raccoon Motel, Davenport. TheRaccoonMotel.com.
Sunday, September 27 • Davina & the Vagabonds. Jazz and blues. With Mo&Co. 8 p.m., Redstone Room at Common Chord, 129 Main St., Davenport. CommonChordQC.com.
Sunday, September 27 • 10th Annual Longfellow Front Porch Music Festival. Musicians will play on front porches or yards of homes throughout the Longfellow neighborhood, just southeast of Iowa City. Parking available at Longfellow Elementary School Parking lot, 1130 Seymour Ave. 2:00-5:30 p.m. Iowa City. FrontPorchMusicFestival.com.
Sun-Mon-Tues-Wed, September 27–30 • Okoboji Writers’ & Songwriters’ Retreat. Workshops and panels led by dozens of authors, journalists, literary agents, musicians, filmmakers, and theater artists with ties to Iowa. Includes slush piles, coaching, live concerts, and more. Lakeside Labs Campus, Okoboji. OkobojiWritersRetreat.com.
Monday, September 28 • Iowa City Poetry Slam. Poets compete in a three-round elimination. Sign up at 6:30 p.m., slam at 7. Last Mondays, Midnight Coffee, 301 E. Market St., Iowa City. Facebook.com/ICPoetrySlam.
Monday, September 28 • Tracing the Dragoon Trail History. Step back into Iowa’s early history author Kevin Mason as he explores the 1835 U.S. Dragoons expedition and its lasting impact on the state’s landscape and communities. 7:15 p.m., Fairfield Public Library, 104 W. Adams Ave. Free.
Tuesday. September 29 • Tell It Like It Is—Iowa Storytellers Project: Voyages. Hear five compelling true stories directly from fellow Iowans. 7 p.m., Hoyt Sherman, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org. (Pictured: Katherine Eid Wild of Fairfield)
Tuesday. September 29 • She’s Green. “Moss music,” inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hayao Miyazaki, Slowdive, and the Cocteau Twins. 8 p.m., Gabe’s, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Tuesday. September 29 • Alana Springsteen. Country artist. With Erin Kinsey. 6 p.m., Wildwood, Iowa City. (319) 338-2211.
Wednesday, September 30 • Benny Benack III. Nationally touring jazz trumpeter and vocalist. 7 p.m., Noce, Des Moines. NoceDSM.com.
Wednesday, September 30 • Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers. This Grammy- winning artist with a storied career finds “the sweet spot between joyful improv and immaculate songcraft” (NPR). 7:30 p.m., Hancher, Iowa City. Hancher.uiowa.edu.
Wednesday, September 30 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Enjoy this decades-old Fairfield tradition from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up; 7:30 p.m. open mic. Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat, September 30–October 3 • Ottumwa Oktoberfest. Beer, brats, bingo, live music, parades, drumlines, stein-holding competitions, and more. Various times, Jimmy Jones Shelter, 1 Joe Lord Memorial Dr., Ottumwa. MeetOttumwa.org.
Thursday, October 1 • QC Flavor Fest. Sample the best from Quad Cities restaurants with live music by Chicago Farmer. Kids 12 and under free. 5–8 p.m., Redstone Room, Davenport. CommonChordQC.com.
Thursday, October 1 • Happy Accident: Absurdist-Surreal Puppet Show. I mean, doesn’t this sound amazing? 7 p.m., xBk Live, Des Moines. XBKLive.com.
Thurs-Fri-Sat-Sun, October 1–4 • Amana Colonies Oktoberfest. Enjoy German brats, beer, live polka music, traditional competitions, and a festive parade that brings the villages to life. Various times and locations, Amana. AmanaColonies.com.
Thurs-Fri-Sat-Sun, October 1–4 • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The Greatest Show On Earth. Casey’s Center, Des Moines. IowaEventsCenter.com.
Friday, October 2 • Riverdogs at Fairfield First Fridays: Oktoberfest. Food, and games, weiner dog races, “Upstairs Downtown” 2nd floor open houses, and rockin’ blues in the gazebo. 6 p.m., downtown Fairfield. FairfieldFirstFridays.org.
Friday, October 2 • Alysha Brilla. This JUNO Award-nominated songwriter, producer, and electrifying live performer creates an interactive, embodied experience. 7 p.m., Temple Theater, Des Moines. DMPA.org.
Friday, October 2 • Boston Brass & Turtle Island: Romeo & Juliet. Two brass bands join forces to blend classical, jazz, and crossover styles for a bold reimagining of Romeo and Juliet. 7:30 p.m., Drake Sheslow, Des Moines. CivicMusic.org.
Friday, October 2 • Lauren Alaina: The Stages Tour. Multi-Platinum country star. 7:30 p.m., Hoyt Sherman, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Fri-Sat, October 2–3 • Bluebird Improv. This collection of legendary comedians tours the world, performing shows that are fully improvised, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Fri. 7:30 p.m., Englert, Iowa City, Englert.org; Sat. 7 p.m., Temple Theater, Des Moines, DMPA.org.
Saturday, October 3 • FilmScene in the Park: Close Encounters of the Third Kind. An electric lineman finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO. BYO chairs. 7 p.m., Chauncey Swan Park, Iowa City. ICFilmScene.org.
Saturday, October 3 • National Theatre Live: All My Sons. Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste feature in a five-star, triumphantly acclaimed Royal Theatre production of Arthur Miller’s classic play, captured on film. 12 p.m. noon, FilmScene, Iowa City. ICFilmScene.org.
Saturday, October 3 • Orchard Tour & Apple Tasting. Tour the Seed Savers Exchange Historic Orchard and taste apples while learning their history. Bring a picnic lunch. 12–3 p.m., Seed Savers Exchange, Heritage Farm, 3074 North Winn Rd., Decorah. SeedSavers.org. Free.
Saturday, October 3 • Harvest Rush Gravel Grinder. Annual bike races on the back roads of Jefferson County. Iowa Gravel Series. Movemint.cc/events/fairfield.
Saturday, October 3 • Lucy Darling: Simply Darling. This touring variety show features her razor-sharp wit, unquestionable advice, and skillful magic. 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Saturday, October 3 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Find fresh produce, flowers and plants, crafts, honey, eggs, and lots more. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Howard Park at Main & Grimes Ave., Fairfield. FairfieldIowaFarmersMarket.Farm.
Saturday, October 3 • Lou Sherry. Progressive doom-lounge fusion powerhouse. 6 p.m., Northside Marketplace, Iowa City. Outdoor free concert.
Sat-Sun, October 3–4 • Southeast Iowa Depot Tour. Visit museums, railroad displays, and 18 lovingly preserved depots nestled in the scenic rolling hills of the Van Buren County region. Details at VillagesofVanBuren.com.
Sunday, October 4 • Swan Lake. World Ballet Company’s breathtaking production, with Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score played by a live orchestra. 6 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Sunday, October 4 • Coffee, Crafting and Like Glass. Join author Jen Ferguson, author of Like Glass, for a session to make a faux stained-glass craft. Noon, Craft’d Coffee Shop, 333 1st St SE, Cedar Rapids.
Sunday, October 4 • Irish Music Session. Listen or join an informal gathering of local and visiting musicians for a traditional Irish music session. Sundays, 3–5 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Monday, October 5 • Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers. 7:30 p.m., Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Monday, October 5 • Jim Witter: The ’70s Show. A great night of amazing “current” music from the 1970s. 7:30 p.m., Presented by CRCCA. Paramount, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Wednesday, October 7 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Enjoy this decades-old Fairfield tradition from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up; 7:30 p.m. open mic. Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, October 10 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Find fresh produce, flowers and plants, crafts, honey, eggs, and lots more. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Howard Park at Main & Grimes Ave., Fairfield. FairfieldIowaFarmersMarket.Farm.