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X Marks the Arts Presents: Free Week 2026Downtown Iowa City Cultural & Entertainment District
February 16 - 22, 2026
Downtown Iowa City’s Winter Arts & Culture Festival is back! Free Week 2026 returns for its second year, February 16–22, transforming the Cultural & Entertainment District into a weeklong celebration of creativity, community, and connection.
Presented by X Marks the Arts and sponsored by Think Iowa City and the Iowa City Downtown District, Free Week features more than 50 admission-free events across 20+ venues, bringing together local and regional artists for live music, theater, film, comedy, interactive workshops, and hands-on creative experiences. With all events free and open to the public, Free Week invites you to bundle up, explore downtown, and experience the creativity that makes Iowa City the “Greatest Small City for the Arts.”
See the full lineup and schedule at: www.xmarksthearts.com
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VUE ROOFTOP EVENTS:
Friday, February 20th 8:00pm-11:00pm
Dage Lee:
Event Link: https://www.vuerooftop-ic.com/dage-lee
Dage Lee is a premier acoustic singer-songwriter based in Central Nebraska, boasting an impressive portfolio of over 2,000 performances across the last eight years. While his touring footprint spans from Minnesota to California, he primarily focuses on the heart of the country, performing regularly throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.
His sound is a masterful blend of influences, drawing inspiration from a diverse array of legendary artists including 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Shinedown, as well as the timeless grit of Metallica, Tom Petty, and Johnny Cash. By weaving in modern influences like Tyler Childers and Teddy Swims alongside country icons like Gary Allan and Garth Brooks, Dage applies a unique, signature twist to every song in his repertoire.
Known for his versatility and crowd engagement, Dage’s true forte is his ability to create impromptu, "in-the-moment" songs inspired by his audience.
He specializes in high-energy mashups that cross every genre, keeping listeners on their feet and ensuring no two shows are ever the same.
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Saturday, February 21st 8:00pm-11:00pm
Painted Porch:
Event Link: https://www.vuerooftop-ic.com/painted-porch
Painted Porch is an Eastern Iowa band blending harmony‑driven acoustic covers with an optional electric classic‑rock set.
They perform crowd‑pleasing, sing‑along favorites across genres and decades. In their first eight months, they have performed 20 gigs and raised over $15,000 for Eastern Iowa charities — a core part of their identity and mission.
Learn more and see the full schedule for Free Week: www.xmarksthehearts.com
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
328 S. Clinton St. Suite A, Iowa City, IA, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
