Annual 80/35 Music Festival Returns This Weekend

Some 50 bands, and an expected 30,000-plus music lovers, will help mark the eagerly awaited return of 80/35. Headliners are singer-songwriter Father John Misty on Friday and international pop star Charli XCX on Saturday. Photo: Vishnu R Nair.

The two-day festival is back Friday and Saturday (July 8-9) for the first time since 2019, bringing music, food, art and more to Western Gateway Park. Expect musical performances on five stages, four of them free. (Tickets to access the paid Hy-Vee Main Stage are still available here.) The lineup includes 19 Iowa artists, including Des Moines hip-hop act B.Well and “American Idol” winner Maddie Poppe.

Also at 80/35, enjoy food from vendors like Panka Peruvian Restaurant and Say Cheese. Some Des Moines city organizations and nonprofits will be located in the festival’s Community Village, hosting other activities for festivalgoers to participate in. Local artisans will also be on hand to  sell their creations. For a full list of performances, showtimes and tickets, visit 80-35.com.