515 Alive Music Festival
- Dates
- Dates not yet announced
- Status
- No word yet
- Venue
- Water Works Park
- Price
- Not announced
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 20, 2026
515 Alive Music Festival in Des Moines, IA is not currently confirmed to be running. Froligo tracks its status, history and similar festivals still happening.
What happened to 515 Alive Music Festival?
The festival last ran in August 2019. Its 2022 return was announced and then postponed, and no edition has been announced since.
Reported by WOI-DT / weareiowa.com (Jun 7, 2021).
Similar festivals that are still going ahead are listed further down this page.
The experience
What's special
515 Alive is a two-day electronic and hip-hop festival that has run in the Des Moines area since 2003, most recently staged at Water Works Park on the edge of downtown. The event pairs a bass-heavy, camping-forward crowd with a lineup that blends EDM headliners and hip-hop acts on the same bill, and it built a loyal regional following as one of the few festivals of its scale in Iowa.
What people love
Attendees consistently point to the festival's production and lineup quality, describing the acts and stage production as improving year over year, and multi-year regulars say they keep coming back for the atmosphere and the sets themselves. The on-site camping community is also cited as a highlight, with campers describing the campgrounds as a fun, roomy part of the experience once it was added.
Last time around (2019)
The 2019 edition (August 16-17) drew roughly 30,000 attendees against an original projection of about 22,000, and moved on short notice into the newly built Lauridsen Amphitheater, which sits at the opposite end of Water Works Park from the campground. That last-minute venue change forced organizers to add shuttle service between camping and the show, and it drew visible frustration from longtime attendees in the days before the event over the shuttle logistics, later doors, and price. Despite that rocky lead-in, attendee commentary during and after the weekend leaned positive on the actual show, crediting the lineup and production for coming together well given the circumstances.
Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find 515 Alive Music Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport DSM.
How do I get to 515 Alive Music Festival?
By car
Most people drive to 515 Alive Music Festival. The nearest major airport is DSM, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at DSM
If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
Water Works Park
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near 515 Alive Music Festival?
Budget stays 6
1258 8th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates6221 Willow Creek Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50321
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates3711 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates7625 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2701 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates4845 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 5
1000 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates800 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates206 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1810 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50321
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates6500 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
401 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates101 East Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
5001 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1920 Hackley Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1901 Hackley Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesSearch all hotels near Water Works Park
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
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