IOWA CITY, IA – Award-winning headliner ARTEMIS featuring Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda & Allison Miller, will perform on the Strauss Community Main Stage at 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 4th, 2026, as part of the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Summer of the Arts is thrilled to announce the dates for the 2026 Iowa City Jazz Festival, taking place July 3-5, 2026, in downtown Iowa City. This beloved summer tradition will once again bring three days of world-class jazz performances to the heart of the community—and admission is FREE for all.
This year’s festival will feature ARTEMIS, the powerhouse jazz quintet that has taken the jazz world by storm. Founded by renowned pianist and composer Renee Rosnes, ARTEMIS brings together five instrumental virtuosos: Rosnes on piano, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller.
The group has won Jazz Group of the Year in the Downbeat Readers Poll for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), and their performances have earned widespread acclaim. NPR praised them as “a killer line-up of players, composers and performers…who converge on an extremely cosmopolitan, sleek, rhythm-forward, modern sound.” The band will be touring in support of their third Blue Note Records album “Arboresque,” released in February 2025.
Full 2026 Festival Schedule
July 3, 2026
July 4, 2026
July 5, 2026
Festival Details:
- When: July 3-5, 2026
- Where: Downtown Iowa City, two stages
- Cost: FREE admission
- What to Bring: Blankets, lawn chairs, and your love of music
The weekend will showcase a diverse lineup of well-known jazz musicians alongside emerging talent, with performances in downtown Iowa City. In addition to outstanding music, attendees can browse artist and organization booths, sample delicious food offerings, and enjoy the festival’s lively beverage garden.
Stay tuned to www.summeroftheARTS.org for updates.
Important Planning Note:
With the Savannah Bananas baseball games scheduled for July 3 and 4 at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City will be bustling with visitors that weekend. Festival attendees are strongly encouraged to book hotel accommodations early to ensure availability.