There’s an ancient musical tradition alive in Iowa—learn about why the state’s folk tradition is having a renaissance.
Many people’s first exposure to folk music is a Bob Dylan song on the radio (especially after he won that Nobel Prize). But while Dylan hailed from Minnesota, the roots of traditional American folk music run much deeper, and many of them can be found across the Midwest—including in Iowa. And while many Iowans don’t know a refrain from a round, others are increasingly interested in the state’s musical heritage.
The Iowa folk revival shows up in many different ways. From live performances to classes and discussions of musical heritage to academic study of Iowan musical traditions, there are plenty of ways for everyone, from the tin-eared to the well-tuned, to explore. Here are some to get you started.
Check out historical pieces of Iowa folk’s story
The story of folk music in Iowa is older than many realize—in fact, it goes back centuries. Before Iowa was part of the United States, Native Americans were making music with instruments, like the red cedar flutes and log drums used by the Meskwaki people. Later, pioneer families brought easy-to-transport fiddles and similar instruments to Iowa and made music with them at barn dances and other get-togethers. Iowa folk music has formed over the centuries, shaped by Native American, Anglo pioneer, and European immigrant influences.
The State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines has exhibits on Iowa musical history, including displays of early Meskwaki musical instruments and pioneer fiddles. Meanwhile, in Anita, the Oak Tree Opry sits directly across the street from the Pioneer Music Museum, which includes extensive displays of historic instruments and an Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame and Old Time Fiddler’s Hall of Fame.
This small museum, run by the same family as the Opry, focuses exclusively on early American (and Iowan) music history, and given its location, you can follow up a visit by listening to music at the Oak Tree Opry itself, which hosts regular gigs and concerts.
Get together at the Iowa State Fair Fiddlers’ Contest
While there’s always plenty to love at the Iowa State Fair (so much that it even inspired a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical), one of the Fair’s most unique events is the annual Fiddlers’ Contest. This is a three-day event featuring fiddlers of all ages from around the Midwest, competing in age-bracketed tiers (including a youth section for children), while eventually leading to the crowning of a Grand Champion Fiddler.
Not only is the Fiddler’s Contest an Iowa State Fair tradition, it’s also arguably one of the oldest parts of the fair. While there have always been competitions at the Iowa State Fair, and the Fair has been running for over 170 years, of the competitions that fairgoers can enjoy today, the Fiddler’s Contest is the oldest to have run continuously. In 2025, the Fiddler’s Contest celebrated its 100th year, and fiddler Kirk Brandenberger from Keok took the over-50 title, having previously competed in the 1970s when he was only 11 years old.
Listen to tradition at the Iowa No Mountain Boys Winter Residency
There are plenty of great folk music gigs happening across Iowa every month (just check JamBase if you’re curious), but in winter 2026-2027, one particular opportunity can be found at Alluvial Brewing in Ames, where the Iowa No Mountain Boys will be in residence for Winter 2026-2027. The band, which describes their style as an “eclectic mix of original and traditional bluegrass music,” began with old-fashioned porch jam sessions and keeps their sound grounded in traditional Midwestern roots music. Tickets are only $5 at the door, and the band will be in residence through March 2027!
Pick up a fiddle in Des Moines and Iowa City
Learning about and listening to Iowa’s musical legacy is fun, but what about being a part of it? You can do just that if you learn to play traditional fiddle music! Luckily, there are plenty of fiddle teachers in the Hawkeye State, but a few are particular standouts.
Specifically, for those in or around Iowa City, consider the Community Music Lessons offered by the University of Iowa. These are excellent opportunities for learners of all ages to take private, one-on-one music lessons in a variety of instruments, and those wishing to learn traditional fiddle or violin music can make inquiries.
On the other hand, in Des Moines, the Des Moines branch of Iowa-wide Reiman Music has an especially impressive fiddle teacher. David Bellegante has not only been named Grand Champion at the Iowa State Fair Fiddler’s Contest a dozen times, but he’s also the President of the Fiddler’s Association of Iowa. Talk about learning from the masters!
Sing out with the Family Folk Machine
If you’re more of a singer than a fiddler, you just might be the next “cog” in Iowa’s own Family Folk Machine. This is a folk choir based in Iowa City that performs folk songs, and it’s open to all! That’s because, unlike many traditional choirs, the Family Folk Machine is both intergenerational and non-audition. This means the choir is open to members of all ages, from youth to seniors (hence the “family” in Family Folk Machine), and singers of all experience and training levels can join without auditioning or being selected.
The Family Folk Machine has two seasons per year, and new members are encouraged to join early to learn the songs. Previous events have included a “Wild Women” concert, original songwriting projects, a youth ukulele event, and more. There is a $75 membership fee to join, but it’s capped at a maximum of $175 per family, so larger families are welcome to join, and children under 5 can participate for free, as much or as little as they like.
Whether you’re a lifelong “folkie” or just curious about Hawkeye roots music, the musical “State Fair” might say that “there can’t be any better home” for Midwest roots music than Iowa. So grab your bow, do your vocal warm-ups, or just step right up to a ticket booth and enjoy!
