Sip, Taste & Stroll: Anything but a Cup

September 18

5 to 8 PM

Sip, Taste & Stroll returns to Downtown Burlington on September 18 with a playful new theme: Anything but a Cup!

Guests are invited to enjoy a fall evening strolling through downtown businesses while sampling local wines, beer, cocktails, mocktails, and a variety of sweet and savory treats.

While the theme encourages a little creativity and fun, each ticket holder will receive an official event drinking vessel, along with a map of participating locations. Check-in begins at 4:30 PM on September 18.

Tickets are $20 in advance through September 7. This popular downtown event often sells quickly, so guests are encouraged to reserve their spots early.

For tickets and additional information, visit greaterburlington.com or follow Downtown Burlington, Iowa on Facebook.

Thank you to our Premier Sponsor: Addington Place of Burlington

September is Hopping at the Jefferson Street Farmers Market

Thursdays

4:30-7 PM

September is bringing cooler evenings, fall flavors, fresh produce, live music, and plenty of reasons to spend Thursday nights in Downtown Burlington.

The Jefferson Street Farmers Market continues every Thursday from 4:30 to 7:00 PM, featuring four blocks of local vendors, fresh produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, handmade items, delicious food, and family-friendly fun. It is the perfect place to shop local, support area growers and makers, grab dinner, and enjoy an evening along Jefferson Street.

September also brings special activities throughout the month, including live music, free horse and trolley rides, the Pet Parade, and more surprises as the market celebrates the final weeks of the 2026 season.

The Jefferson Street Farmers Market is held along Jefferson Street between 3rd and 7th Streets, with the final market of the season taking place Thursday, September 24.

A special thank you to September Presenting Sponsor Shottenkirk Superstore for helping make the Jefferson Street Farmers Market possible.

Stay up to date with weekly vendor lists, theme nights, and weather updates by following The Jefferson St Farmers Market Facebook Page.

September Sounds of Summer at the Jefferson Street Farmers Market

Thursday evenings are filled with music, fresh flavors, and community fun at the Jefferson Street Farmers Market from 4:30 to 7:00 PM in Downtown Burlington.

Visitors can shop for seasonal produce, baked goods, local foods, handmade items, and unique finds while enjoying free performances from talented local musicians. Each week offers another chance to gather with friends, support local vendors, and enjoy the final market evenings of the season.



September Live Music Schedule

September 3: Lillian Chavez

September 10: John Heasly

September 17: Diane DeJaynes

September 24: Jared Rouggly

Special thanks to F&M Bank & Trust for sponsoring this season’s live entertainment and helping keep the beat alive in Downtown Burlington.

For updates on performers and weekly features, visit the Jefferson Street Farmers Market Facebook page.

Jefferson Street Farmers Market Pet Parade & Costume Contest

Thursday, September 17 | 5:30 PM



Get those costumes ready because one of the cutest traditions of the Jefferson Street Farmers Market is back!

The Pet Parade & Costume Contest returns Thursday, September 17 at 5:30 PM, giving pets and their people a chance to strut their stuff through Downtown Burlington.

Participants should gather at The Beancounter Coffeehouse & Drinkery by 5:20 PM, with the parade stepping off promptly at 5:30 PM. Dogs, cats, and other pet friends are welcome to join in the fun.

Contest Categories

Pets will compete for Downtown Dollars in three crowd-favorite categories:

• Cutest Pet
• Best Dressed Couple, Pet + Human
• Most Creative

Matching costumes are always encouraged, so grab your four-legged sidekick and start planning your look!

While downtown, visitors can enjoy all the Jefferson Street Farmers Market has to offer, including fresh produce, local foods, handmade goods, live music from Diane DeJaynes, and free Horse & Trolley Rides throughout the evening.

The Pet Parade & Costume Contest is presented by Downtown Partners, Inc. with support from September Farmers Market sponsor Shottenkirk Superstore.

Come for the pets, stay for the market, and help celebrate one of the final Thursday evenings of the 2026 Jefferson Street Farmers Market season!

Whose Live Anyway? Brings Improv Comedy to Burlington

September 15

Get ready for a night of fast-paced comedy and completely unpredictable fun when Whose Live Anyway? takes the stage at Memorial Auditorium on September 15 at 7:30 PM.

Inspired by the Emmy-nominated television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, this live performance puts talented comedians on the spot as they create scenes, songs and characters in real time.

Audience suggestions help shape the show, so every performance is different and anything can happen. The result is an evening packed with quick thinking, spontaneous humor and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.



Grab a few friends and head to Downtown Burlington for a comedy experience where no script means no one knows what is coming next.

The Concert That Never Was...Until Now!

September 17

What if The Beatles had reunited?

The Reunion Beatles – Fantasy Tribute brings that question to life in a one-of-a-kind multimedia concert experience that imagines John, Paul, George, and Ringo sharing the stage once again.

Unlike a traditional tribute show, The Reunion Beatles goes beyond the band’s legendary catalog to feature favorites from each member’s solo career. Audiences can expect Beatles classics alongside songs such as “Imagine,” “Live and Let Die,” “My Sweet Lord,” “Photograph,” and even “Now and Then.”

Performed fully in character by accomplished international tribute artists, the production skips the wigs and 1960s costumes and instead focuses on what a Beatles reunion might have looked and sounded like years later. Music, humor, storytelling, and multimedia visuals come together to create a concert experience unlike any other.



For Beatles fans who have ever wondered what one more concert could have sounded like, this is their chance to experience “The Concert That Never Was...Until Now!”

Art Center of Burlington Celebrates 60 Years

Memorial Auditorium | September 19



The Art Center of Burlington is celebrating a major milestone this September with a 60th Birthday Party honoring six decades of creativity, community and connection.

The celebration will take place September 19 at 5 PM at Memorial Auditorium. Founded in 1966 by a small group of artists with a vision to create a place where art could be shared, explored and celebrated, the Art Center has grown into an important part of Greater Burlington’s cultural community.

Guests can look forward to a fun throwback evening featuring music, art, cake, stories and plenty of memories highlighting the artists, teachers, volunteers and supporters who have helped shape the organization over the past 60 years.

Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme and arrive in their best 1960s-inspired attire for an evening celebrating the Art Center’s past, present and future.



Join the celebration and help toast 60 years of creativity in Greater Burlington!

Puttin’ On the Ritz with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra

Capitol Theater | September 20



Get ready for a glamorous evening of music as the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra brings its Puttin’ On the Ritz Pops Concert to the Capitol Theater on September 20.

Following last season’s performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, pianist Elizabeth Crecca returns to perform Gershwin’s dazzling Piano Concerto in F. The evening will also feature American Idol Golden Ticket recipient Kelsey Madsen, bringing her powerful voice to favorites including Fever, Sway and The Carpenters’ I Just Fall in Love Again.

Guests are encouraged to dress up and make a night of it as SEISO fills the historic Capitol Theater with orchestral favorites, timeless standards and plenty of show-stopping moments.

17th Annual Special Olympics Fundraiser

Saturday, September 26

The Paddle Wheel Lounge invites you to join the 17th Annual Special Olympics Fundraiser on Saturday September 26.

This event is to raise money for kids in our community to be able to attend the Special Olympics.

For more information, contact The Paddle Wheel Lounge

Night of the Living Windows Comes to Life in Downtown Burlington

Thursday, October 22 | 5-7 PM

Downtown Burlington is getting a spooky new twist this fall with Night of the Living Windows, a free community event bringing storefronts, costumes, entertainment and a few surprises to life throughout Downtown.

On Thursday, October 22 from 5 to 7 PM, visitors are invited to stroll downtown as participating business windows transform into live scenes and displays. The evening will also feature free Horse & Trolley Rides, seasonal activities and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages.

One of the biggest highlights of the evening will be a community-wide Thriller flash mob, choreographed by Stacey Sink, with performances scheduled for 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM in front of the Capitol Theater.

Join the Thriller Flash Mob

Community members are invited to learn the iconic dance and be part of the performance. No previous dance experience is required. Rehearsals will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the north side of the Port of Burlington on:

• September 24
• October 1
• October 8
• October 15
• October 20

Participants are encouraged to attend as many rehearsals as possible and come ready to have fun while learning the choreography.

After Night of the Living Windows wraps up, adults can keep the spooky evening going with a scary movie at the 5&V.

Night of the Living Windows is presented by Downtown Partners, Inc. with support from Burlington Riverfront Entertainment, Rheinschmidt Tile & Marble, The New Mix 107.3 and Drake Hardware & Software.



Mark the calendar, start practicing those Thriller moves and get ready to see Downtown Burlington come alive after dark!

Witches Night Out Returns to Downtown Burlington

Friday, October 16

Grab your ghoul friends and get ready for a spellbinding evening in Downtown Burlington during Witches Night Out on Friday, October 16.

This festive downtown stroll invites attendees to visit participating retailers, eateries and drinkeries while enjoying seasonal samples, special offers, giveaways and plenty of Halloween fun along the way.



Tickets are $15 during early-bird registration through October 1. Event check-in begins at 4:30 PM at The Busted Cup Brewhouse, where participants can pick up their witch hat, costume accessories and event map before heading out to explore Downtown.

Follow the mapped route throughout the evening, stop into participating businesses and enjoy everything Downtown Burlington has to offer before wrapping up the night back at The Busted Cup Brewhouse.



Witches Night Out is made possible with support from Presenting Sponsor KimAnne Portrait Design, Entertainment Sponsor F&M Bank & Trust and Last Stop Sponsor The Busted Cup Brewhouse.

Gather the coven, dress for the occasion and make plans for a wickedly fun night in Downtown Burlington!

Sponsored by: KimAnne Portrait Design

Entertainment Sponsor: F & M Bank & Trust

Last stop: The Busted Cup Brewhouse

Americans and the Holocaust Exhibition Comes to Burlington

August 19-September 30

The Burlington Public Library will host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association, from August 19 through September 30.

The exhibition examines a challenging moment in American history by asking two important questions: What did Americans know, and what more could have been done?

Through historical photographs, documents, news coverage, and personal stories, visitors will explore the motives, pressures, fears, and choices that shaped American responses to Nazism, war, refugees, and genocide during the 1930s and 1940s. The exhibition also highlights individuals and groups who took action to help those threatened by Nazi persecution.



The exhibition will be available during regular library hours at the Burlington Public Library, 210 Court Street. Community members of all ages are invited to visit, reflect on the lessons of history, and consider the responsibilities individuals have when others face injustice.

Line Dancing Lessons at The Washington

Wednesdays

Dancers of all experience levels are invited to enjoy line dancing lessons every other Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Washington in Downtown Burlington.

Each session includes instruction for two to three new dances, along with open dancing between lessons. Participants will move to a fun mix of country and contemporary hits while meeting new friends and enjoying an upbeat evening downtown.

Lessons are open to beginners and experienced dancers alike. Admission is $5 per dancer.



The Washington is located at 306 Washington Street, with an entrance at 320 N. Fourth Street in Burlington.

History Club Brings Local Stories to Life Each Week

Wednesdays

Community members are invited to take a step back in time each week with the History Club, held every Wednesday at the Des Moines County Historical Society.

This free, informal gathering meets in the Bart Howard Lounge and is led by Executive Director Colton Overton. The club offers a welcoming space to explore local history, share memories, and uncover unique stories that have shaped the Burlington community.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas, topics, or questions, or simply come ready to follow where curiosity leads. Each session offers something a little different, making it a great opportunity for both longtime residents and those new to the area to learn more about the region’s rich history.

The History Club continues to be a meaningful way to connect with the past while building community in Downtown Burlington.

Great River Bridge Race Celebrates 30 Years

September 19

Runners and walkers are invited to experience one of Burlington’s most unique traditions during the 30th Annual Great River Bridge Race on Saturday, September 19.

The event offers something for every age and ability level, including a timed 10K, timed 5K, and an untimed 1.5-mile Bridge Walk. Each route gives participants the rare opportunity to cross the Great River Bridge on foot while taking in beautiful views of the Mississippi River. The 10K and 5K begin at 9:00 AM, followed by the Bridge Walk at 9:45 AM.

All events begin and finish at the Port of Burlington, located at 400 N. Front Street. Registration includes an event T-shirt for participants registered by September 2, along with online results for the timed races.

All proceeds benefit the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, with funds from the 2026 race supporting improvements to North Hill Park and playground.



Whether racing for a personal best, walking with family and friends, or simply enjoying the view, the Great River Bridge Race is a memorable way to get moving and support Burlington’s parks.

Downtown Deets: Fraud Prevention Training

October 26

Downtown Partners, Inc. will host its next Downtown Deets professional development session on Monday, October 26, at 8:30 AM, featuring Amy Whitaker of Mediapolis Savings Bank.

Whitaker serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Deposit Operations and is celebrating 29 years with the bank. During the session, she will discuss current fraud trends, common tactics used by scammers, and practical strategies businesses can use to recognize and prevent fraud.



Participants will also learn what steps to take when fraud occurs and receive trusted resources to help educate employees, customers, friends, and family members. This informative session will provide valuable tools to help businesses and organizations better protect themselves and their communities.

To RSVP, please contact Amy Moyner at amoyner@greaterburlington.com or 319-752-6365.

Thank You for Making Downtown to Table Special

What an incredible evening in Downtown Burlington!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped make Downtown to Table such a memorable event. From the participating restaurants, drinkeries, businesses and sponsors to the volunteers, musician, servers and community partners, this evening would not have been possible without so many people coming together.

Thank you as well to everyone who purchased a ticket, filled the table and supported the event. The overwhelming response and sold-out crowd made the evening even more special.



Most importantly, proceeds from Downtown to Table will help support the addition of more self-watering flower planters throughout Downtown Burlington, continuing to make the district more welcoming, beautiful and vibrant.

Thank you for supporting Downtown Burlington and for helping create an evening centered around great food, local businesses and community.



And stay tuned! Watch for details on the next Downtown to Table event.

Discover Downtown with the Downtown App

Everything you love about Downtown Burlington is just a tap away! The free Downtown App makes it easy to discover local restaurants, boutiques, events, public art, historic landmarks, and more, all in one place. Whether you're planning a day downtown or exploring with friends and family, the app is your go-to guide for shopping, dining, entertainment, and self-guided walking tours.

Download the Downtown App today and experience everything happening in Downtown Burlington right from your pocket!

📱 Download the app now and get exploring!

• Google Play: Click here
• Apple App Store: Click here

Just don’t say we didn’t warn you: fun is highly likely.

Explore the Region with the Destination: Greater Burlington Podcast

Discover the people, places, and experiences that make Greater Burlington a destination worth exploring! Hosted by Chris Gram of the Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and Amy Moyner of Downtown Partners, Inc., the Destination: Greater Burlington podcast highlights local attractions, events, businesses, and hidden gems throughout the region.

Whether you're planning your next adventure or looking for something new close to home, tune in on Spotify and let the Destination: Greater Burlington podcast inspire your next visit.

Downtown Living at McConnell Lofts

Downtown Burlington living is on the market at McConnell Lofts, offering a spacious three-bedroom, two-bath condominium in the heart of Downtown.

Listed at $319,000, the 1,488-square-foot unit was built in 2018 and has had just one owner. The property offers the convenience of low-maintenance condominium living while placing residents within walking distance of Downtown Burlington’s restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, events and riverfront.

With modern amenities, convenient maintenance and Downtown Burlington just outside the front door, this McConnell Lofts residence offers an opportunity to experience downtown living firsthand.



Interested in Learning More?

For additional information or to schedule a showing, contact:

Kelly Wolkenhauer, REALTOR® & Designer

Midwest Realty Group, Inc.

Office: 319-237-1139

Cell: 319-457-0344

Email: kelly@midwestrealtygroupinc.com

Website: www.midwestrealtygroupinc.com

It's Happening!

Now Open:

• The Daiquiri Lab - 718 Jefferson Street Suite 101
• Becky Thee Braider - 718 Jefferson Street
• Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company - 314 Jefferson Street
• About the House - 312 Jefferson Street
• Wardrobe 111 & Studio - 122 N 4th Street
• The Kloset Boutique - 108 N 4th Street
• La Reyna International Store - 404 Jefferson Street
• 369 Aesthetics - 214 Jefferson Street
• Lucid Lotus Holistic Health - 221 N 8th Street
• Musicians Pro Shop - 108 N 4th Street
• Cedar & Vine - 423 N 3rd Street
• The Dandelion - 318 N 4th Street

Don't miss all of the fun at the Art Center of Burlington

• Visit the Art Center of Burlington for winter classes, new art installations, and events for a date night, girls' night out, or family fun!

It's Happening all year long at the Capitol Performing Arts Center

• Visit the Capitol Performing Arts Center for Concerts, Movies, Comedy and more. It's Happening All Year!

The Burlington Public Library has so much scheduled all year long

• There is so much happening at the Burlington Library all winter long! Lots of activities for all ages! Visit the Burlington Public Library Calendar to see what's going on and join in on all the fun!

Thank You:

• Thank You to Our Amazing Supporters! Downtown Burlington wouldn’t be the same without you! Volunteers, businesses, and community organizations, your dedication makes our events, tours, and vibrant atmosphere possible. Every helping hand brings our downtown to life, creating unforgettable memories for all. Thank you for all you do!

Grants:

• Blade Sign Grant:

Downtown Partners, Inc. Business Signage Grant Program offers applicants up to $400 in matching grant funds for perpendicular “blade” signage for their businesses!

Blade signs have several benefits:

• Accentuating the traditional historic and walkable character of Downtown Burlington
• Emphasizing the Downtown district as a collection of small, independent, locally owned businesses
• Adding to the liveliness of the streetscape
• Freeing up sidewalk space occupied by sandwich board signs
• Encouraging businesses to explore their individuality and examine their branding
• Increasing business visibility for potential customers who would otherwise not know anything about the business unless they were directly in front of it

If you are interested in applying and for more information please contact Amy Moyner at 319-752-6365 or visit the Blade Sign webpage.

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