City of Iowa City news release

It’s time again for a highlight of fall in Downtown Iowa City – the annual University of Iowa Homecoming Parade! The parade will take place on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.

The parade will begin at 5:45 p.m., so be aware of related street closures, parking restrictions, and changes to the City’s transit routes earlier in the day.

Parade Route

The parade will begin at the intersection of Washington and Gilbert Streets, proceeding west on Washington Street, then turn north on Clinton Street, east on Jefferson Street, south on Dubuque Street, then east on Iowa Avenue, and finish where Iowa Avenue intersects with Gilbert Street.

A map of the 2025 University of Iowa Homecoming Parade route.

Street Closures

At 4 p.m. on Friday:

• Van Buren Street, between Jefferson and Burlington
• Johnson Street, between Jefferson and Burlington
• College Street, between Van Buren and Dodge
• Washington Street, between Gilbert and Dodge
• Iowa Avenue, between Gilbert and Dodge
• Jefferson Street, between Gilbert and Dodge

At 4:30 p.m. on Friday:

• Clinton Street, between Market and Burlington
• Dubuque Street, between Market and Washington
• Washington Street, between Clinton and Gilbert
• Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Gilbert

At 5:30 p.m. on Friday:

• Gilbert Street, between Market and College
• Jefferson Street, between Madison and Gilbert

Most streets will reopen immediately following the parade around 8 p.m., but Clinton Street, between Washington and Jefferson Street, and Iowa Avenue, between Clinton and Dubuque streets, will remain closed for the Homecoming Coronation and a concert on the Pentacrest. Event details can be found here.

Parking

Downtown parking will be impacted on parade day with parking restrictions displayed along the parade route. Please follow posted signage to avoid a tow.

No parking

“No Parking” signs will be placed along the parade route and inside the staging area, with some set up as early as noon. Others will be implemented at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Vehicles parked in no parking areas will be towed.

Watch closely for these signs to avoid tickets and towing, which will begin as early as 12:30 p.m.

If your vehicle is towed, you will need to come to the Iowa City Police Department, 410 E. Washington St., with a photo ID, payment for parking fines and any outstanding parking fees. A description of your vehicle and plate number is recommended. Credit cards are accepted. Towing fees will need to be settled with Holiday Wrecker and Crane after your vehicle is released by ICPD.

Parade impacted parking ramps

Tower Place Parking Ramp, 335 Iowa Ave., will close at 5 p.m., no longer allowing vehicles to exit. Vehicles will not be allowed to enter the ramp after 4:30 p.m. Vehicles need to be out by 5 p.m. or risk having to remain in place until the parade ends.

People parked in the lower level of the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 452 E. College St., will need to exit on the south side through the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center parking lot beginning at 4 p.m. People parked in the upper levels of Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp must exit to the west on College Street.

Spectator parking

All City of Iowa City parking ramps, except Tower Place, will be open and operate normally during the parade. Ramps near the parade route fill up quickly, so please consider arriving early.

Spectators can also pay for parking with their smartphones, by downloading the ParkMobile app. Use it wherever ParkMobile signs are displayed, including on-street spaces, and inside the Chauncey Swan and Harrison Street parking ramps.

Accessible parking and seating

An area near the intersection of Jefferson and Clinton streets, on the Pentacrest side of the street, will be made available for accessible seating. Vehicles picking up and dropping off spectators who plan to use this area may be able to park adjacent to the closed section of Jefferson Street, located west of the intersection, and Clinton Street, located north of the intersection, as space allows.

Transit

Iowa City Transit will make operational changes on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, to accommodate the parade.

Starting at 6 a.m., the bus interchange will move from Washington and Clinton streets to a temporary location on Court Street between Clinton and Dubuque (adjacent to the Court Street Transportation Center) streets for the duration of the service day. Bus service running on a Saturday football schedule using the main transit interchange will resume on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2026.

Eighteen Stops in the downtown area will not be serviced due to the interchange move. The stops that will not be in service are listed below with their locations.

• 7200 – Washington Street @ Linn Street
• 7201 – Washington Street @ Gilbert Street
• 7500 – Gilbert Street @ Court Street
• 7007 – Gilbert Street @ Prentiss Street
• 7003 – Court Street @ Dubuque Street
• 7004 – Court Street Transportation Center
• 7081 – Communications Center (main library inbound)
• 7080 – Main Library outbound
• 7002 – Court Street @ Dubuque Street
• 7400 – Clinton Street @ Jefferson Street
• 7091 – Dubuque Street @ Market Street
• 7207 – Clinton Street @ Jefferson Street
• 7401 – Jefferson Street @ Linn Street
• 7123 – Jefferson Street @ Van Buren Street
• 8343 – Jefferson Street @ Lucas Street
• 7023 – Madison Street @ Jefferson Street
• 7077 – Court Street @ Capitol Street
• 7078 – Court Street @ Madison Street

Additional Information

Iowa City Police urge parents or guardians of young children to keep a close eye on them throughout the parade and keep them within an arm’s length. Fencing will be in place along the route to help protect young attendees. Children should not enter the street under any circumstances during the parade.

For questions about parking and transit, call 319-356-5151. For all other City-related questions, contact Public Safety Information Officer Lee Hermiston at 319-356-5095 or LHermiston@iowa-city.org.

For details about the Homecoming parade and other festivities, visit homecoming.uiowa.edu.