Welcoming Week celebrations are coming back to Johnson County! From Sept. 10-19, 2026, groups across Johnson County will host gatherings to make communities welcoming places for all, including immigrants.

Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to showcase their values through events and initiatives. These family-friendly activities foster connections and collaboration between immigrants and non-immigrants, while promoting a sense of belonging for all. 

This year’s Welcoming Week will mark the first full year that Johnson County will celebrate its designation as a Certified Welcoming Community by Welcoming America, a distinction held by only 49 cities and counties across the U.S.  Johnson County is the only Certified Welcoming Community in Iowa.

Welcoming Week events include

• Sept. 10: Free Community Picnic on the lawn of the Coralville Public Library
• Sept 11: Various events including a panel at the Iowa City Public Library, and the annual Towncrest Rock the Block event
• Sept. 12: Church of the Nazarene's 100th Anniversary Gathering with music and food
• Sept. 13: Intercultural Welcome Festival at Mercer Park
• Sept. 15: Voter registration events and more at the Iowa City Public Library
• Sept. 16: Johnson County Healthy Aging Fair at the North Liberty Community Center. 
• Sept. 16: Resource Fair at the Johnson County Administration Building
• Sept. 17: Games from around the globe at the Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville
• Sept. 18: An immigrant storytelling event organized by the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County

All are welcome to attend the city and county meetings and events listed above in celebration of Welcoming Week. You can also attend community cultural celebrations like the Iowa City Latino Fest 2026 on Sept. 19, and the African Festival of Arts and Culture on Sept. 26. Both are free and located in Downtown Iowa City’s Ped Mall.