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Best events in
Dubuque

Looking for events or things to do in Dubuque, IA? The city's social life is centered around three distinct districts—Downtown, the Historic Millwork District, and the Port of Dubuque—each offering a different vibe. A strong appreciation for the arts and a scenic riverfront location shape much of the local culture.

Explore the walkable downtown core, where historic venues like The Grand Opera House and Five Flags Center anchor an arts scene near lively Main Street bars.
Catch national and regional performers at Mississippi Moon Bar or enjoy an outdoor concert at Q Casino's Back Waters Amp in the Port of Dubuque.
Experience the creative energy of the Historic Millwork District, home to live music at 7 Hills Brewing Company and the monthly Millwork Night Market.

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Popular in Dubuque

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Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | 2026 Dinner Club primary image

Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | 2026 Dinner Club

Friday • 7:00 PM + 13 more

Restaurant of the Week

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Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | Giving Back Edition primary image

Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | Giving Back Edition

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Restaurant of the Week

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Cooking with Cast Iron Class primary image

Cooking with Cast Iron Class

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

Convivium Urban Farmstead

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Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances primary image

Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances

Thu, Nov 12 • 1:30 PM + 3 more

Dubuque

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Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School primary image

Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:00 PM

Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena, an IHG Hotel

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DCW Harvest Havoc primary image

DCW Harvest Havoc

Sat, Nov 21 • 6:00 PM

Grand River Convention Center

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Big Band Bash primary image

Big Band Bash

Sun, Nov 29 • 2:00 PM

Hotel Julien Dubuque

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FREE Dubuque Home Show, September 2027 primary image

FREE Dubuque Home Show, September 2027

Fri, Sep 10 • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Grand River Convention Center

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Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | 2026 Dinner Club primary image

Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | 2026 Dinner Club

Friday • 7:00 PM + 13 more

Restaurant of the Week

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Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | Giving Back Edition primary image

Foodies + New Friends: Dubuque | Giving Back Edition

Friday • 7:00 PM + 14 more

Restaurant of the Week

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Cooking with Cast Iron Class primary image

Cooking with Cast Iron Class

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

Convivium Urban Farmstead

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Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances primary image

Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances

Thu, Nov 12 • 1:30 PM + 3 more

Dubuque

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Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School primary image

Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:00 PM

Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena, an IHG Hotel

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DCW Harvest Havoc primary image

DCW Harvest Havoc

Sat, Nov 21 • 6:00 PM

Grand River Convention Center

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Big Band Bash primary image

Big Band Bash

Sun, Nov 29 • 2:00 PM

Hotel Julien Dubuque

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FREE Dubuque Home Show, September 2027 primary image

FREE Dubuque Home Show, September 2027

Fri, Sep 10 • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Grand River Convention Center

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Today • 1:00 PM GMT

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The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart primary image

The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart

Saturday • 10:00 AM GMT

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This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England primary image

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Wed, Nov 11 • 7:30 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America primary image

The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM EST

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Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026 primary image

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

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Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect primary image

Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect

Wed, Nov 18 • 10:00 AM CST

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Today • 1:00 PM GMT

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The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart primary image

The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart

Saturday • 10:00 AM GMT

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This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England primary image

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Wed, Nov 11 • 7:30 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America primary image

The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM EST

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Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026 primary image

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

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Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect primary image

Corn as a partner and gift giver: Voices of respect

Wed, Nov 18 • 10:00 AM CST

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Stories from the watershed primary image

Stories from the watershed

Tue, Nov 10 • 5:30 PM

Textile Brewing Company

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Cooking with Cast Iron Class primary image

Cooking with Cast Iron Class

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

Convivium Urban Farmstead

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Handmade Advent Wreath Workshop primary image

Handmade Advent Wreath Workshop

Sat, Nov 14 • 2:00 PM

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Beginner Embroidery Workshop - Falling Leaf Pattern primary image

Beginner Embroidery Workshop - Falling Leaf Pattern

Sun, Nov 15 • 1:30 PM

Platteville Public Library

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DCW Harvest Havoc primary image

DCW Harvest Havoc

Sat, Nov 21 • 6:00 PM

Grand River Convention Center

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Big Band Bash primary image

Big Band Bash

Sun, Nov 29 • 2:00 PM

Hotel Julien Dubuque

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Galena's Snowflakes & Sweets Stroll 2026 primary image

Galena's Snowflakes & Sweets Stroll 2026

Sat, Dec 19 • 12:00 PM

Check In: All ticket holders must check in to pick up their punch card at Galena Cellars on Saturday between 11am-1pm.

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Galena LitFest: Cookbooked: Meaningful Moments Around the Table primary image

Galena LitFest: Cookbooked: Meaningful Moments Around the Table

Sun, Jan 24 • 11:00 AM

Fritz & Frites Bistro

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Stories from the watershed primary image

Stories from the watershed

Tue, Nov 10 • 5:30 PM

Textile Brewing Company

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Cooking with Cast Iron Class primary image

Cooking with Cast Iron Class

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

Convivium Urban Farmstead

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Handmade Advent Wreath Workshop primary image

Handmade Advent Wreath Workshop

Sat, Nov 14 • 2:00 PM

1860 Stumptown Rd

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Beginner Embroidery Workshop - Falling Leaf Pattern primary image

Beginner Embroidery Workshop - Falling Leaf Pattern

Sun, Nov 15 • 1:30 PM

Platteville Public Library

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DCW Harvest Havoc primary image

DCW Harvest Havoc

Sat, Nov 21 • 6:00 PM

Grand River Convention Center

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Big Band Bash primary image

Big Band Bash

Sun, Nov 29 • 2:00 PM

Hotel Julien Dubuque

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Galena's Snowflakes & Sweets Stroll 2026 primary image

Galena's Snowflakes & Sweets Stroll 2026

Sat, Dec 19 • 12:00 PM

Check In: All ticket holders must check in to pick up their punch card at Galena Cellars on Saturday between 11am-1pm.

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Galena LitFest: Cookbooked: Meaningful Moments Around the Table primary image

Galena LitFest: Cookbooked: Meaningful Moments Around the Table

Sun, Jan 24 • 11:00 AM

Fritz & Frites Bistro

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Free events

Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances primary image

Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances

Thu, Nov 12 • 1:30 PM + 3 more

Dubuque

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Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School primary image

Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:00 PM

Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena, an IHG Hotel

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Lunch & Learn: Seed Catalogs primary image

Lunch & Learn: Seed Catalogs

Wed, Dec 16 • 12:00 PM

Convivium Urban Farmstead

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FREE Dubuque Home Show, January 2027 primary image

FREE Dubuque Home Show, January 2027

Fri, Jan 8 • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Grand River Convention Center

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Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances primary image

Dubuque, Iowa: Empower Your Finances

Thu, Nov 12 • 1:30 PM + 3 more

Dubuque

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Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School primary image

Dubuque Lennox 2026 Fall School

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:00 PM

Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena, an IHG Hotel

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Lunch & Learn: Seed Catalogs primary image

Lunch & Learn: Seed Catalogs

Wed, Dec 16 • 12:00 PM

Convivium Urban Farmstead

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FREE Dubuque Home Show, January 2027 primary image

FREE Dubuque Home Show, January 2027

Fri, Jan 8 • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Grand River Convention Center

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Frequently asked questions about Dubuque

Where can I find live music events in downtown Dubuque?

Downtown Dubuque has several great spots for live music events. The Lift is a music-focused bar with regular performances, and Smokestack offers a multi-level experience with a rooftop bar. For larger concerts, the Five Flags Center hosts national touring acts.

What are some free art events in the area?

The monthly First Fridays art walk is a fantastic free event downtown. Galleries and studios open their doors to the public, often with live entertainment. You can also see the annual Art on the River, a public sculpture exhibit along the Mississippi Riverwalk.

Are there any family-friendly activities in the Port of Dubuque?

The Port of Dubuque is great for family outings. The area is home to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, which often has special programs. The scenic Mississippi Riverwalk is also perfect for a stroll and hosts the annual Art on the River exhibit.

How can I experience Dubuque's local food and drink scene?

Explore the Historic Millwork District for local craft beverages and food. 7 Hills Brewing Company pairs its brews with live music. For a different vibe, Stone Cliff Winery offers tastings in a historic building, while the monthly Millwork Night Market features local vendors.

Which neighborhood is best for nightlife in Dubuque?

Downtown Dubuque is the center of the city's nightlife and events. Its walkable layout on Main Street makes it easy to hop between venues like the multi-level Smokestack club, various bars, and historic theaters for an evening out.

What's a good date night idea that involves a performance?

A show at The Grand Opera House offers a classic date night experience. This historic theater presents a variety of plays and musicals. For a more casual performance, check the schedules at Bell Tower Theater for community productions or Mississippi Moon Bar for entertainers.

Does Dubuque have any recurring outdoor markets or festival events?

Yes, Dubuque hosts several popular outdoor events and markets. The Dubuque Farmers' Market is held weekly from May through October downtown. For annual festivals, check out DubuqueFest for fine arts or the Dubuque Dragon Boat Festival for races on the river.

Where is a good spot for comedy shows in Dubuque?

Mississippi Moon Bar at Diamond Jo Casino is a primary venue for comedy. It regularly hosts national and regional comedians in its multi-level showroom. The Five Flags Center also brings in larger touring comedy acts as part of its diverse event programming.