Best events in
Cedar Rapids

Events and things to do in Cedar Rapids, IA range from major concerts downtown to lively street festivals in historic neighborhoods. The walkable New Bohemia and Czech Village districts anchor the city's arts and music culture with intimate venues and breweries. During warmer months, the scene expands outdoors with large markets and riverfront concerts.

Start an evening in the New Bohemia district, where historic venues like CSPS Hall and The Ideal Theater & Bar are just steps from local breweries and restaurants.
Catch national touring acts, Orchestra Iowa performances, or family shows at premier downtown venues, including the Alliant Energy PowerHouse and the historic Paramount Theatre.
Experience large-scale community traditions, from the annual Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival to the bustling Downtown Farmers' Market held on select weekend mornings.

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Popular in Cedar Rapids

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2026 Terracon Eastern Iowa Field Day

Thursday • 1:00 PM

Terracon Consultants Inc

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The Confused Breakfast - A LIVE podcast recording

Sat, Oct 10 • 7:00 PM

Classic Event Center

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Urban Soul Wellness Studio Meet & Greet

Sat, Oct 10 • 3:00 PM

Groundswell Cafe

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Allowed To Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife

Thu, Oct 15 • 6:30 PM

Cedar Rapids Public Library, Whipple Auditorium

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Halloween at Sisters Books & Nooks

Sat, Oct 24 • 5:00 PM

Sisters Books & Nooks

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Lady Luck Casino Night

Fri, Nov 13 • 5:00 PM

The Midnight Gem

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2nd Annual CR Pride Gala

Sat, Nov 14 • 5:30 PM

Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Rapids

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Hiawatha Reindeer Run 2026

Sat, Dec 5 • 9:00 AM

Fay M Clark Memorial Park

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2026 Terracon Eastern Iowa Field Day

Thursday • 1:00 PM

Terracon Consultants Inc

Check ticket price on event

The Confused Breakfast - A LIVE podcast recording

Sat, Oct 10 • 7:00 PM

Classic Event Center

Check ticket price on event

Urban Soul Wellness Studio Meet & Greet

Sat, Oct 10 • 3:00 PM

Groundswell Cafe

Check ticket price on event

Allowed To Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife

Thu, Oct 15 • 6:30 PM

Cedar Rapids Public Library, Whipple Auditorium

Check ticket price on event

Halloween at Sisters Books & Nooks

Sat, Oct 24 • 5:00 PM

Sisters Books & Nooks

Check ticket price on event

Lady Luck Casino Night

Fri, Nov 13 • 5:00 PM

The Midnight Gem

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2nd Annual CR Pride Gala

Sat, Nov 14 • 5:30 PM

Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Rapids

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Hiawatha Reindeer Run 2026

Sat, Dec 5 • 9:00 AM

Fay M Clark Memorial Park

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Online Events

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Online Group Reading - September 27

Today • 8:00 PM ADT

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Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Tuesday • 2:00 PM EDT

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Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Thursday • 9:00 AM GMT+2

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Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Saturday • 12:00 AM CDT

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Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

Saturday • 10:00 AM PDT

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Wed, Oct 7 • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Online Group Reading - September 27

Today • 8:00 PM ADT

Check ticket price on event

Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Tuesday • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Thursday • 9:00 AM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Saturday • 12:00 AM CDT

Check ticket price on event

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

Saturday • 10:00 AM PDT

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Wed, Oct 7 • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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EichenPaint "Tress Mess” (A PRE-DRAWN CANVAS) 9/27

Today • 6:00 PM

EichenPaint Studio

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Creative Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt

Today • 2:00 PM

Caribou Coffee

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Cedar Rapids Downtown Discovery Challenge

Today • 4:00 PM + 1 more

101 1st St SE

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EichenPaint "Tress Mess” (A PRE-DRAWN CANVAS) 9/27

Today • 6:00 PM

EichenPaint Studio

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Creative Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt

Today • 2:00 PM

Caribou Coffee

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Cedar Rapids Downtown Discovery Challenge

Today • 4:00 PM + 1 more

101 1st St SE

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Music events

BE BRave 4.0

Sat, Oct 3 • 4:00 PM

New Bo

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BE THERE!! The 3rd Annual SouthSide Blues Fest! JENI GROUWS Returns to CR

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:00 PM

Veterans Memorial COLISEUM

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FamilySearch Center Class

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Marion Ward Primary Program

Sun, Nov 15 • 9:00 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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BE BRave 4.0

Sat, Oct 3 • 4:00 PM

New Bo

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BE THERE!! The 3rd Annual SouthSide Blues Fest! JENI GROUWS Returns to CR

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:00 PM

Veterans Memorial COLISEUM

Check ticket price on event

FamilySearch Center Class

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Check ticket price on event

Marion Ward Primary Program

Sun, Nov 15 • 9:00 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Frequently asked questions about Cedar Rapids

Where are the best places for live music events in Cedar Rapids?

Find great live music events across the city for any taste. For major tours, check the Alliant Energy PowerHouse, while CSPS Hall in New Bohemia offers a more intimate listening-room experience. During summer, McGrath Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts on the riverfront.

What are some good date night ideas in Cedar Rapids?

A classic date night often involves a show and drinks. Consider seeing a performance at the historic Paramount Theatre or a play at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Afterwards, the downtown area offers many spots for a cocktail, including the Opus Concert Cafe.

What's the event scene like in the New Bohemia and Czech Village districts?

The District offers a lively, arts-focused event scene. This area is known for its murals, galleries, and unique venues like The Ideal Theater & Bar. The weekly Rock the Block music series at NewBo City Market is a popular summer gathering.

Where can I find comedy shows in Cedar Rapids?

Penguin's Comedy Club is the city's dedicated spot for stand-up. This intimate club hosts local and national comedians regularly. Opus Concert Cafe also presents comedy and improv shows in its refined downtown space, offering another option for a night of laughs.

Are there family-friendly events in Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has many family-friendly events and festivals. Look for annual gatherings like the St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival or Houby Days. The Alliant Energy PowerHouse also brings in large-scale touring family shows suitable for all ages.

What kind of outdoor events happen in Cedar Rapids?

Outdoor events are popular, especially during warmer months. The McGrath Amphitheatre hosts concerts and community programs right on the Cedar River. The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market is also a major attraction, filling the streets on select weekend mornings.

How can I experience the art scene in Cedar Rapids?

The city's art scene is centered in its historic districts. The annual Marion Arts Festival is a major juried art event in the spring. For year-round culture, explore the galleries and public art in the New Bohemia district, which has a distinct creative energy.

What is the nightlife like in downtown Cedar Rapids?

Downtown Cedar Rapids is the center of the city's nightlife. The area is very walkable, especially on nights with events at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse or Paramount Theatre. Many bars and restaurants are clustered here, making it a popular spot for an evening out.

Popular in Cedar Rapids

2026 Terracon Eastern Iowa Field Day

The Confused Breakfast - A LIVE podcast recording

Urban Soul Wellness Studio Meet & Greet

Allowed To Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife

Halloween at Sisters Books & Nooks

Lady Luck Casino Night

2nd Annual CR Pride Gala

Hiawatha Reindeer Run 2026

2026 Terracon Eastern Iowa Field Day

The Confused Breakfast - A LIVE podcast recording

Urban Soul Wellness Studio Meet & Greet

Allowed To Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife

Halloween at Sisters Books & Nooks

Lady Luck Casino Night

2nd Annual CR Pride Gala

Hiawatha Reindeer Run 2026

Online Events

Online Group Reading - September 27

Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Online Group Reading - September 27

Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

This Weekend

EichenPaint "Tress Mess” (A PRE-DRAWN CANVAS) 9/27

Creative Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt

Cedar Rapids Downtown Discovery Challenge

EichenPaint "Tress Mess” (A PRE-DRAWN CANVAS) 9/27

Creative Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt

Cedar Rapids Downtown Discovery Challenge

Music events

BE BRave 4.0

BE THERE!! The 3rd Annual SouthSide Blues Fest! JENI GROUWS Returns to CR

FamilySearch Center Class

Marion Ward Primary Program

BE BRave 4.0

BE THERE!! The 3rd Annual SouthSide Blues Fest! JENI GROUWS Returns to CR

FamilySearch Center Class

Marion Ward Primary Program

Points of Interest near Cedar Rapids

Where are the best places for live music events in Cedar Rapids?

What are some good date night ideas in Cedar Rapids?

What's the event scene like in the New Bohemia and Czech Village districts?

Where can I find comedy shows in Cedar Rapids?

Are there family-friendly events in Cedar Rapids?

What kind of outdoor events happen in Cedar Rapids?

How can I experience the art scene in Cedar Rapids?

What is the nightlife like in downtown Cedar Rapids?