Best events in
Waterloo

When the sun sets, the local scene comes alive with events and things to do in Waterloo, IA. The city's energy is rooted in both large-scale annual festivals like My Waterloo Days and intimate shows at neighborhood bars and community theaters. Music, art, and cultural celebrations are woven into the community, especially along the Cedar River and throughout the downtown district.

Evenings in Downtown Waterloo often involve moving between its many bars, with some stopping for live music at Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill or a comedy show at The Loft.
Outdoor gatherings are a staple, from the weekly Waterloo Urban Farmers Market at the RiverLoop Expo Plaza to major annual events like the Iowa Irish Fest in Lincoln Park.
The local arts scene offers a steady stream of activity, including theatrical productions at the Waterloo Community Playhouse and various performances hosted by the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

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Popular in Waterloo

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Missouri Valley African Violet Council Fall Convention, Show & Sale

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Westminster Presbyterian Church

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Brunch with New Friends: Waterloo

Saturday • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Restaurant of the Week

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CV Law Update (In-person 8 CEUs #256-102-ML)

Monday • 8:30 AM

Sunnyside Golf & Country Club

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Daddy Daughter Princess Night

Sat, Oct 24 • 5:00 PM

Chick-fil-A

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Ephesians 4 Midwest Regional Conference: The Red Carpet Experience

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

Antioch Baptist Church

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Ephesians 4/Kim Burrell & Iowa's Best

Thu, Oct 29 • 4:00 PM

Antioch Baptist Church

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I Am More Sisterhood Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM

Waterloo Public Library

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GrowthCLUB 90 Day Business Planning

Fri, Dec 4 • 8:30 AM

Waterloo Workspace JSA Building

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Missouri Valley African Violet Council Fall Convention, Show & Sale

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Check ticket price on event

Brunch with New Friends: Waterloo

Saturday • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

CV Law Update (In-person 8 CEUs #256-102-ML)

Monday • 8:30 AM

Sunnyside Golf & Country Club

Check ticket price on event

Daddy Daughter Princess Night

Sat, Oct 24 • 5:00 PM

Chick-fil-A

Check ticket price on event

Ephesians 4 Midwest Regional Conference: The Red Carpet Experience

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

Antioch Baptist Church

Check ticket price on event

Ephesians 4/Kim Burrell & Iowa's Best

Thu, Oct 29 • 4:00 PM

Antioch Baptist Church

Check ticket price on event

I Am More Sisterhood Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM

Waterloo Public Library

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GrowthCLUB 90 Day Business Planning

Fri, Dec 4 • 8:30 AM

Waterloo Workspace JSA Building

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Online Events

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Meditation - Ruhe und Klarsicht Teil 1: Klarheit im Alltag gewinnen

Tomorrow • 2:00 PM GMT+2

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Online-Fortbildung "Crip Time"

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SMA Storage XL Package Installation & Inbetriebnahme inkl. Zertifizierung

Tue, Nov 24 • 10:00 AM GMT+1

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Workshop R. Murphy: ADHS im Erwachsenenalter diagnostizieren und behandeln

Fri, Dec 11 • 9:00 AM GMT+1

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Meditation - Ruhe und Klarsicht Teil 1: Klarheit im Alltag gewinnen

Tomorrow • 2:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Online-Fortbildung "Crip Time"

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SMA Storage XL Package Installation & Inbetriebnahme inkl. Zertifizierung

Tue, Nov 24 • 10:00 AM GMT+1

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Workshop R. Murphy: ADHS im Erwachsenenalter diagnostizieren und behandeln

Fri, Dec 11 • 9:00 AM GMT+1

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Free events

Missouri Valley African Violet Council Fall Convention, Show & Sale

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Westminster Presbyterian Church

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Art Showcase: Art Through the Ages

Thu, Oct 15 • 5:30 PM

600 Park Ln

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I Am More Sisterhood Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM

Waterloo Public Library

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FREE Waterloo Home & Remodeling Show, January 2027

Fri, Jan 22 • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Waterloo Convention Center

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Missouri Valley African Violet Council Fall Convention, Show & Sale

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Westminster Presbyterian Church

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Art Showcase: Art Through the Ages

Thu, Oct 15 • 5:30 PM

600 Park Ln

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I Am More Sisterhood Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM

Waterloo Public Library

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FREE Waterloo Home & Remodeling Show, January 2027

Fri, Jan 22 • 12:00 PM + 2 more

Waterloo Convention Center

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From nearby cities

CV Ethics (In-person 4 CEUs #256-101-ME)

Tuesday • 8:30 AM

GreenState Credit Union

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DisruptHR Cedar Valley 2026

Thu, Oct 22 • 4:30 PM

Diamond Event Center

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Daddy Daughter Princess Night

Sat, Oct 24 • 5:00 PM

Chick-fil-A

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2026 Cedar Falls Ghost Tour: THE DINNER

Sun, Oct 25 • 5:30 PM

Overman Park

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Ephesians 4 Midwest Regional Conference: The Red Carpet Experience

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

Antioch Baptist Church

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2026 National Philanthropy Day Recognition Brunch

Tue, Nov 10 • 9:00 AM

Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Falls

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2026 20 under 40 Celebration

Thu, Nov 12 • 5:00 PM

Diamond Event Center

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Byrne Brothers - An Irish Christmas Concert

Sat, Nov 21 • 7:00 PM

Cedar Falls Community Theatre

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CV Ethics (In-person 4 CEUs #256-101-ME)

Tuesday • 8:30 AM

GreenState Credit Union

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DisruptHR Cedar Valley 2026

Thu, Oct 22 • 4:30 PM

Diamond Event Center

Check ticket price on event

Daddy Daughter Princess Night

Sat, Oct 24 • 5:00 PM

Chick-fil-A

Check ticket price on event

2026 Cedar Falls Ghost Tour: THE DINNER

Sun, Oct 25 • 5:30 PM

Overman Park

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Ephesians 4 Midwest Regional Conference: The Red Carpet Experience

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

Antioch Baptist Church

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2026 National Philanthropy Day Recognition Brunch

Tue, Nov 10 • 9:00 AM

Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Falls

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2026 20 under 40 Celebration

Thu, Nov 12 • 5:00 PM

Diamond Event Center

Check ticket price on event

Byrne Brothers - An Irish Christmas Concert

Sat, Nov 21 • 7:00 PM

Cedar Falls Community Theatre

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Points of Interest near Waterloo

Riverloop Amphitheatre Expo Plaza

Silos Smokestacks National Heritage Area

John Deere Tractor Engine Museum

Frequently asked questions about Waterloo

Where are the best spots for nightlife events in Waterloo?

Downtown Waterloo is the center of the city's nightlife, with a high concentration of bars. The area offers everything from relaxed pubs to venues with dancing, and places like The Loft host a variety of events including live music and comedy shows.

Are there free events to attend in Waterloo?

Waterloo hosts several popular free events, particularly in the warmer months. The Friday Loo summer concert series is a free downtown tradition, and cultural celebrations like Fiesta! A Celebration of Latino Culture at the Riverloop Amphitheater also offer free admission.

What are some venues for live music events in Waterloo?

Live music can be found at both large outdoor venues and intimate indoor stages. RiverLoop Amphitheatre hosts concerts and festivals by the river, while places like Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill feature bands in a classic bar setting.

What family-friendly things are there to do in Waterloo?

The Waterloo Community Playhouse & Black Hawk Children's Theatre offers productions suitable for all ages. For a different activity, Double Tap Beercade in Cedar Falls combines retro arcade games with pizza and is family-friendly until the evening hours.

Where can I find outdoor events in Waterloo?

Waterloo's riverside parks and plazas are frequent sites for outdoor events. The RiverLoop Amphitheatre & Expo Plaza is a key hub, hosting festivals and the Waterloo Urban Farmers Market, which runs weekly from May through October.

Any ideas for a date night in Waterloo or Cedar Falls?

A great date night could start with dinner on Cedar Falls' lively Main Street. Afterward, see a touring Broadway show at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center or catch a local music or comedy event in downtown Waterloo.

What kind of art and cultural events happen in Waterloo?

The Waterloo Center for the Arts is a key venue for performances and special art events. The city also celebrates its heritage with large cultural festivals like the annual Iowa Irish Fest and the Summer Soul Classic and North End Arts Fest.

What are some of the major annual festivals in Waterloo?

Waterloo is known for its major annual festivals that often take place downtown. Signature events include My Waterloo Days, which brings a parade and live music, and the Fourth Street Cruise, a classic car show that draws large crowds.