Fairs/Festivals
Waukee Arts Festival 2026
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist & Non-Artist Vendor
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 3, Max: 3
- Total | Max: 3
Opportunity Summary
The Waukee Area Arts Council is pleased to present the 11th Annual Waukee Arts Festival on July 17-18, 2026 in Centennial Park. The festival will open Friday, July 17 from 5pm-8pm, followed by a concert with XOLEX. The festival reopens Saturday at 10am with artist vendors, day time music, food and beer trucks, and will conclude with our feature concert - Born To Run: The Music of Bruce Springsteen Performed by the The Monday Night Live Band. Artist vendors will be open from 10am to 8pm.
The Waukee Arts Festival has quickly become Waukee's largest and best-attended city event and draws more than 13,000 people from across the Midwest. The Waukee Arts Council is a non-profit organiztion. All proceeds go back to the community through additional artistic engagements, future arts festivals, and financial scholarships for local high school students wishing to pursue continued education in the arts.
In addition to the 100+ artist exhibits and headlining concerts, our festival also features acoustic music acts throughout the day, food vendors offering varied fare, unique beer garden, kids activities and entertainment for the whole family.
The Waukee Arts Festival has quickly become Waukee's largest and best-attended city event and draws more than 13,000 people from across the Midwest. The Waukee Arts Council is a non-profit organiztion. All proceeds go back to the community through additional artistic engagements, future arts festivals, and financial scholarships for local high school students wishing to pursue continued education in the arts.
In addition to the 100+ artist exhibits and headlining concerts, our festival also features acoustic music acts throughout the day, food vendors offering varied fare, unique beer garden, kids activities and entertainment for the whole family.
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General Information
Vendor information:
Our event capacity is 140 booth spaces. Due to high demand, the applicaton window may close prior to the posted deadline based on availability. As an incentive to commit early, booth fees will increase on 4/18/2026. We encourage you to accept your invitation and pay your fees early to avoid the additonal increase.
To ensure a diverse variety of vendors, we only accept 10% jewelry and 12% pottery. Additionally, a small portion of booths are reserved for non profit organizations and sponsors.
Judged Awards:
Our event capacity is 140 booth spaces. Due to high demand, the applicaton window may close prior to the posted deadline based on availability. As an incentive to commit early, booth fees will increase on 4/18/2026. We encourage you to accept your invitation and pay your fees early to avoid the additonal increase.
To ensure a diverse variety of vendors, we only accept 10% jewelry and 12% pottery. Additionally, a small portion of booths are reserved for non profit organizations and sponsors.
Judged Awards:
- Best of Show $500
- Second Place $300
- Third Place $200
- Shuttles to and from parking
- Free to public water filling stations
- Booth sitters and friendly volunteers
- Exclusive "Artist Lane" concessions. (Skip the line! No waiting for you.)
- Overnight security
- Relaxed set up (anytime Friday from 8am-3pm)
Application Requirements
- Only handmade items by the artist will be allowed. Commercially made items or resale is prohibited.
- Artwork is juried on the merit of the photos submitted to and will not include additional sources from website, social media etc.
- All exhibits must be in place and staffed no later than 1 hour prior to the event opening to the public. Judging begins at 4 pm.
- Exhibits must be intact and staffed for all hours of the show.
- Artist must be onsite.
- A tent is required for all exhibitors and it must be secured for wind to prevent injury or damage.
- Artists/vendors to provide their own tents and display set up.
- Artists are responsible for proper insurance and protection of work and setup/tear down. Waukee Arts Council is not responsible for damage to work or setup/tear down for any reason
- Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting all taxes, including Iowa sales tax.
- No generators are allowed except by prior arrangement with Festival Chair.
- There will be no parking on the grass behind your booth. All vehicles will be moved to parking lot during set up, unless prior arrangement with Festival Chair.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
175
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
117
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
3
Booth Information
The Waukee Arts Council is commited to delivering an exceptional experience for all attendees, participants, and supporters. These fees ensure we can continue to provide an all inclusive, high-quality, and free to attend festival.
Fees:
Single Booth Space $100 (12' wide, open on back side) 10x10 tent
Double Booth Space $175 (24' wide, open on back side) 10x20 tent
Student Artist Booth Space $65 (12' wide, open on back side) 10x10 tent
Natural Products $100 (12' wide, open on back side) 10x10 tent
Booth fees will increase by $25 after 4/18/26. We encourage you to accept your invitation and pay your fees early.
Artists MUST exhibit Friday 5pm-8pm and Saturday from 10am-8pm.
Booths will be located on the grass off the park road. There will be room behind your booth for storage and seating. No vehicles can be parked behind your booth. Detailed information including booth assignments, setup and teardown instructions, and any additional information will be sent out via email to accepted artists in the weeks leading up to the event.
Fees:
Single Booth Space $100 (12' wide, open on back side) 10x10 tent
Double Booth Space $175 (24' wide, open on back side) 10x20 tent
Student Artist Booth Space $65 (12' wide, open on back side) 10x10 tent
Natural Products $100 (12' wide, open on back side) 10x10 tent
Booth fees will increase by $25 after 4/18/26. We encourage you to accept your invitation and pay your fees early.
Artists MUST exhibit Friday 5pm-8pm and Saturday from 10am-8pm.
Booths will be located on the grass off the park road. There will be room behind your booth for storage and seating. No vehicles can be parked behind your booth. Detailed information including booth assignments, setup and teardown instructions, and any additional information will be sent out via email to accepted artists in the weeks leading up to the event.
Refund Policy
The following schedule will be used for any refund requests:
- Application fees are not refundable.
- A full refund of booth fees will be issued if cancelled before 3/18/26.
- No booth fee refunds will be issued for cancellations after 3/18/26.
- We are a rain or shine event. No refunds for light rain. The show will go on.
Additional Fees
Artist Double Booth (early bird pricing): $175
Artist Single Booth (early bird pricing): $100
Farmstand/Local Farm Products: $100
Student Artists Booth (single only): $65
Civic/Non-profit: $0
Food Vendor Double: $400
Food Vendor: $200
Waukee Arts Festival T-shirt: $20
Volunteer Sponsorship: $20
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $20
