Events 2023
Storm Lake has lots of annual events and festivals for people of all ages to enjoy. Mark your calendar for these special occasions in 2023 & those coming in 2024! Also, keep your eye on the calendar on our home page for music events, sports tournaments, homecoming celebrations and other activities that are scheduled during the year.
FIESTA LATINA | APRIL, 2024
A high-spirited festival led by Buena Vista University student organization RAICES. You won’t want to miss this celebration of Latino culture with food, lots of children’s activities, live music and dance performances, crafts and more. Please check back for event date and time. More details coming soon.
STORM LAKE FARMERS' MARKET | SPRING - OCTOBER, 2023
The Storm Lake Farmers' Market is held Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings and runs from spring into October. The market is located in parking lot "C" on Erie Street in downtown. As you wander past the stalls you will find lots of fresh, nutritious garden fare, local honey, farm fresh eggs, baked goods and more. Some of the events include live music with local performers.
STORM LAKE MUNICPAL BAND | JUNE - JULY, 2024
A tradition is renewed each Sunday afternoon through June and into July, with a free performance by the Storm Lake Municipal Band held at the Sunset Park Bandshell. Hear symphony, big band, march and modern pop music in the park. Please check back for event date and time. More details coming soon.
KIDS FEST | JUNE 2024!!
The City of Storm Lake and King’s Pointe Resort team up to put on fun day for the young and the young at heart, free! Families will enjoy a foam pit, mini-train rides, dunk tank, games, sno-cones, and a close-up look at police, fire and street crew vehicles. Please check back for event date and time. More details coming soon.
STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR | JULY 3 & 4, 2024
The grand-daddy of all Storm Lake celebrations! Storm Lake is the place to be for the Independence Day celebration. The Star Spangled Spectacular is a two-day festival that features concerts, a massive parade, patriotic ceremony, Artists’ Alley, street performers, classic car cruise, food vendors and much more. End the 4th with a bang-up fireworks show!
WOOD, WINE & BLUES | AUGUST 2024
Sunset Park in Storm Lake is the place to be as some of the finest chainsaw carving artists from around the country compete to produce winning wood sculptures during Wood, Wine & Blues. You can see the art emerge up close. Plus concerts, food trucks, vendors, a cornhole tournament, and wine and craft beer tastings. Please check back for event dates and times. More details coming soon.
HY-NOON KIWANIS STORM THE LAKE SPRINT TRIATHLON & DUATHLON | AUGUST 2024
The 12th annual Hy-Noon Kiwanis Storm the Lake triathlon/duathlon is a charity event for Storm Lake Kiwanis Projects for Youth. Join other athletes at beautiful Storm Lake, IA King’s Pointe Waterpark and Resort. Swim in the protected bay, bike around the lake and run along the lake finishing at the flower lined path. All transition areas are at the waterpark. Storm Lake is considered one of the most beautiful venues for a triathlon in Iowa. The entire route is well marked with yellow vested Kiwanis volunteers cheering the athletes and providing assistance all along the way. The triathlon is .5 mi swim in the bay, 12 mile bike and 5K run. The duathlon is a 1 mile run, 12 mile bike and 5 K run all along the same race area as the triathlon. This also is a sanctioned event. Come join the fun along beautiful Storm Lake! Please check back for event date and time. More details coming soon.
HY-NOON KIWANIS ESCAPE TO THE LAKE KAR SHOW | SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
The Hy-Noon Kiwanis “Escape to the Lake” Kar Show is a highlight of every Labor Day weekend celebration. The show packs Chautauqua Park with 35 classes of vehicles from antiques to sports cars to hot rods, with plenty of vintage music as a background. This will be the 18th annual show. The modest admission fee helps the Hy-Noon club to fund its many efforts on behalf of the community.
SASSY SATURDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2023
A little fall retail therapy is just what the doctor ordered. Shop deals and specials, sample wines and enjoy entertainment throughout downtown Storm Lake on Saturday, October 7th. The program supports a worthy cause – oncology services for local cancer patients.
OKTOBERFEST | OCTOBER 21, 2023
A taste of the old world with polka music and dance, German-style food and beer, plus special keepsakes. Event location and times coming soon!
CHILLS & THRILLS | OCTOBER 28, 2023
A Halloween extravaganza! Come out in costume and trick-or-treat up and down Lake Avenue in downtown Storm Lake. Tons of treats and fun, followed by events at the Storm Lake Public Library and Witter Art Gallery.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE | NOVEMBER 11 & 12, 2023
Retailers open the holiday season in style, with colorful displays, treats and special deals. Check the community calendar for entertainment!
SANTA'S CASTLE | NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER, 2023
Thanksgiving is opening day for this amazing holiday tradition of more than 60 years. Santa's Castle is located in a classic 1905 Carnegie Library structure, the Castle boasts one of the world’s largest collections of priceless antique holiday animation, a massive miniature railroad, shop full of unusual gifts, and of course, the holiday hero himself. A must-see, open through the end of December in downtown Storm Lake.
MIRACLE ON LAKE AVENUE | DECEMBER 7, 2023
A great family celebration in downtown Storm Lake. A lighted Christmas parade, tree-lighting ceremony, musical performers, crafts, treats and much more. Lots of surprises in the stores.