Iowa City is getting a fresh dose of music, film, comedy and live performance as the Infinite Dream Festival gets underway September 23.
The multidisciplinary festival runs through September 26, bringing artists and performers from across the country and beyond to Iowa City for a four-day celebration of American arts and culture. Events are centered around Hancher Auditorium and several downtown Iowa City venues.
The festival’s lineup spans cinema, music, dance, theater, literature and comedy, giving attendees several ways to experience the event beyond a traditional concert or film festival.
John Cameron Mitchell Kicks Off the Festival
One of the biggest names connected to the opening is actor, filmmaker and musician John Cameron Mitchell, best known for creating and starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
On September 23, Mitchell will appear at FilmScene for a 25th anniversary screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker. The screening is scheduled for 7 p.m. at FilmScene in Iowa City.
The screening serves as a pre-festival kickoff before the main festival performances begin Thursday.
Mitchell Returns for a Live Performance
Mitchell will remain part of the festival on September 24 with John Cameron Mitchell: Songs & Stories at Hancher Auditorium.
The cabaret-style performance is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Club Hancher in Strauss Hall. Mitchell will perform with his band in a more intimate setting, bringing songs and stories from his career to the Iowa City stage.
The performance is listed at $40 for adults and $10 for students and youth, before additional ticket fees.
The Festival Goes Beyond Film
While Mitchell’s appearance provides a recognizable pop-culture hook, Infinite Dream is much larger than its opening night.
The festival describes itself as a multidisciplinary event exploring the shape, depth and complexity of the American story. Its schedule includes performances, presentations and discussions covering several creative disciplines.
On September 24, choreographer and performer Monica Bill Barnes & Company will present Many Happy Returns, followed later that evening by Mitchell’s live performance.
Friday brings singer and composer Gelsey Bell, followed by drummer and producer Kassa Overall. Bell’s morning, mourning explores a speculative future in which humanity has left Earth, while Overall brings his jazz and hip-hop influenced music to Club Hancher.
Saturday Brings the Festival Downtown
The final day shifts much of the action into downtown Iowa City.
The September 26 schedule includes performances by Ayane & Paul, Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, a conversation featuring Miranda July, and a comedy performance by Mo Amer.
That mix gives the festival a distinctly varied Saturday lineup, moving from music and performance art to conversation and stand-up comedy.
Tickets Offer Several Ways to Attend
Festival organizers are offering individual tickets as well as multi-event passes.
The Day Dreamer Pass allows attendees to choose any four ticketed events. The Infinite Dreamer Pass provides access to all eight events. According to the Iowa City Downtown District, general public passes are $75 for four events and $150 for all eight, while student and youth pricing is lower.
Individual event pricing varies by performance.
The festival’s schedule also includes a sold-out listing for Mitchell’s September 24 performance, indicating strong interest in at least one of the headline events.
Why Infinite Dream Stands Out in Iowa City
Infinite Dream is not built around a single genre.
Instead, it brings together performers from different corners of the arts world under one festival schedule. A movie screening can lead into a live cabaret performance, followed by dance, jazz, experimental theater, music and comedy during the same four-day run.
That variety is part of what makes the Iowa City event different from a conventional concert series or film festival.
For local audiences, it also creates an opportunity to see nationally recognized artists in smaller venues around town.
Infinite Dream Festival Runs Through September 26
The Infinite Dream Festival 2026 runs September 23 through September 26 in Iowa City, with Hancher Auditorium serving as the primary venue and additional performances taking place at downtown arts venues.
With John Cameron Mitchell opening the festival’s film programming and a lineup that stretches across music, dance, theater, comedy and literature, Infinite Dream is bringing an unusually broad arts lineup to Iowa City this week.