116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Your ultimate guide to summer fun in Eastern Iowa
May through October is packed with festivals, fairs, celebrations
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Believe it or not, the season of summer fun is just around the corner. Lucky for residents and visitors alike, Eastern Iowa knows how to lean into the beautiful weather and longer days to play host to a whole array of fairs, festivals and celebrations.
From flower festivals and patriotic parades to county fairs and hot air balloons taking to the skies, there is so much to do, see and celebrate around Eastern Iowa in the coming months. So pull out those calendars and reach out to family and friends who might like to join you in the summer fun.
Don’t see something on the list? Add your event to Hooplanow.com.
May 1-3: Tulip Time, downtown Pella: Celebration of Dutch heritage, with tulips, Dutch attire, food, grandstand shows, Friday night fireworks, and parades at 2:45 and 8:30 p.m. each day. visitpella.com/tulip_time
May 3: Freedom FEASTival: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Greene Square, downtown Cedar Rapids. Food trucks and vendors. freedomfestival.com/calendar/feastival
May 3: Washington Craft Fair: Spring Edition: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Central Park, 107 W. Washington St. Food and craft vendors. washingtoniowa.gov/events
May 3: PLAYing in the Park Festival: 12-3 p.m. North Ridge Park, Coralville. Free family event celebrating books, music and nature. theicm.org/event/playing-in-the-park
May 3 & 4: Amana Colonies Maifest: 622 46th Ave., Amana. Celebrate spring in the German tradition with music, dancing, food, 10 a.m. parade Saturday, and more. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/maifest
May 3 & 4: Chalk the Walk, Mount Vernon: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. First Street turns into a giant canvas as hundreds of artists will leave their mark there, using more than a half-ton of chalk. This year’s community piece is Henri Matisse’s “Woman in a Purple Coat.” For a $10 donation to the event, festival goers will receive pastel chalk sticks to create an assigned 2-foot-by-2-foot square of the 34-foot-by-44-foot mural. mvaac.org/chalkthewalk
May 7: Downtown CR Foodie Crawl: From 5-8:30 p.m., visit five downtown eateries. cedarrapids.org/events/detail/eventid12170
May 10: CRBS Benz Beer Fest: 1-5 p.m., Benz Beverage Depot in Cedar Rapids; sample beers from a variety of brewers and breweries. eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-crbs-benz-fest-tickets-1291733061359
May 16: Syttende Mai, Decorah: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum area, 502 W. Water St., Decorah, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day with storytelling, 1 p.m. children’s parade, Nordic Dancers at 1:30 p.m., history programs, tours and music. vesterheim.org/program/syttende-mai-2024
May 16-18: Houby Days: 16th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids; 5-9:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Czech Village tradition features food, live music, games and traditional Czech-Slovak events, royal court and 10 a.m. parade Saturday. czechvillagecedarrapids.com
May 17: Coralville Asian Festival: Noon to 6 p.m., S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Fifth St.; free. Music, arts and crafts, food, activities, performances and more. coralvilleasianfestival.org
May 17: Marion Arts Festival: Uptown Marion, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Seventh Avenue between 10th and 12th streets. Juried arts show with artist booths, food, half marathon, 5K, fun run, and walk at 7:30 to 11 a.m., hands-on clay activities and more. marionartsfestival.com/
May 17: Marion Community Kite Festival: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Baseball Diamonds at Lowe Park, 4401 Irish Dr., Marion. With giant kites from Great American Kites. Free, bring seating; outside food and drink allowed. Calendar link at cityofmarion.org
May 22: Taste of Lansing: 4-7 p.m., 274 Main St., Lansing. Food festival in downtown Lansing; $10 wristband. allamakeecounty.com/events/taste-of-lansing
May 23 & 24: Good Makers Market, Cedar County Fairgrounds, Tiptonl 3-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; variety of maker and vintage vendors, food and drinks, plus musical entertainment. thegoodmakersmarket.com
May 24 & 25: Bentonsport Flea Market & Craft Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bentonsport Historic District, 21964 Hawk Dr. Antiques, crafts, food vendors, blacksmith and other demonstrations, free covered wagon rides and more. villagesofvanburen.com/event
May 24-26 and May 31 to June 1: Iowa Renaissance Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Middle Amana Community Park, 801 27th Ave., Middle Amana. Comedy, swordplay, music, magic, horseback jousting, marketplace, food and drink. Also Oct. 11-13 and 18-19. iowarenfest.com/
May 30 to June 1: St. Joseph Fun Days: St. Joseph Church, 1790 14th St., Marion. Carnival rides, kids games, fun run and 5K race, live music, games, country store, food, adult beverage tent and more. Free admission. stjosephfundays.org
June 7: Iowa Craft Brew Festival: Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines. Hours: VIP sold out; 1-4 p.m. general admission. Iowa’s largest brewing festival features craft beer and cider, food trucks, live music; tickets $10 to $65. iowacraftbrewfestival.com
June 7: Marion Kiwanis BBQ Rendezvous: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., City Square Park, Marion. Food vendors, live music, kids activities; free admission. Bands: Funk Daddies, Surf Zombies, and The Janeys. facebook.com/marionmetrokiwanis
June 5-7: Manchester River Days: 200 E. Main St., Manchester. Food, vendors, music, 5K run, river activities, Boater Cross, Saturday night street dance and more. manchesteriowa.org/events/manchester-river-days
June 6-8: Denmark Heritage Days: Denmark Star Park, Denmark. Custom cars and pickups, gas engines, antique tractors, music, yard sales, food, 1 p.m. car and tractor parade Saturday and Sunday, games, horse-drawn wagon rides. denmarkproduction.wixsite.com/denmarkheritagedays
June 6-8: Iowa Arts Festival: Downtown Iowa City. Local and national artists, food, kids’ activities, local and national musicians; free admission. Saturday main stage headliner: Southern Avenue, 8 p.m. summerofthearts.org
June 7 & 8: Summer Farm Toy Show: National Farm Toy Museum and Beckman High School, 1110 16th Ave. Ct. SE, Dyersville; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; $7. Thousands of farm toys to buy, sell and trade; also Saturday night tractor parade. nationalfarmtoymuseum.com/summer-farm-toy-show
June 13-15: Farmington Strawberry Festival: South Front Street, Farmington. Rides, games, dog show, live entertainment, vendors and more. villagesofvanburen.com/calendar.html
June 13 & Aug. 8: Downtown Summer Nights: First Avenue, Dyersville. Music, food and games. dyersville.org/events
June 13 & 14: Wurst Festival: 622 46th Ave., Amana. Celebrating German sausage-making traditions with food, games, contests and the Dachshund Derby. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/wurst-festival
June 14: Juneteenth: Organized by the African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids. NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. blackiowa.org/events/juneteenth
June 15: Snake Alley Art Fair: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Snake Alley, Sixth and Columbia streets, Burlington. Live music, art, food and kids’ activities. btownart.com/snake-alley-art-fair.html
June 20-22: St. Ludmila Kolache Festival: St. Ludmila Catholic Church, 211 21st Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Kolache sales, food, music, Kiddieland. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. kolachfestival.org
June 21: Root Beer Festival: The History Center, Cedar Rapids; $5 per person including root beer and souvenior cup, activities for the whole family. historycenter.org/rootbeer
June 25-29: Linn County Fair: 201 Central City Rd., Central City. With 4-H and FFA exhibits, entertainment, vendors, races, contests, grandstand concerts by Chris Cagle on Friday night and Dylan Scott on Saturday night, followed by fireworks both nights. thelinncountyfair.com
June 26 to July 4: Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival: Various sites around Cedar Rapids. Cardboard Boat Regatta June 28; Tribute to Heroes breakfast July 1; also, Balloon Glow, DockDogs, 10 a.m. parade June 29, music; July 4 pancake breakfast, car show, concert and fireworks. freedomfestival.com/events
June 26-28: TrekFest, Riverside: Beer tasting, music, games, scale model show and contest, 10 a.m. Saturday parade, costume contest, “Star Trek” celebrity guests Connor Trinneer, Dominic Keating, Wyatt Weed, John Paladin, and Lolita Fatjo; fireworks. trekfest.org
June 27 & 28: Fairfax USA Days: 5K, food, free kids’ carnival, parade and fireworks. facebook.com/usadays
June 27-29: Des Moines Arts Festival: Western Gateway Park, 1200 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Visual artists, performing artists, live music, and local food and beverage vendors. desmoinesartsfestival.org
June 28: Downtown Iowa City Block Party: 4-11 p.m., various sites. Food, music, games, silent disco, pro wrestling; free admission. downtowniowacity.com/events/downtown-block-party
June 28: Lazy River Beer & Wine Festival: 2-6 p.m., Marquette Riverfront, Marquette. Beer, wine, food and live music on the banks of the Mississippi River; $30. portsofdiscovery.com/chamber-events
July 3: Fireworks and Fireflies: 6 p.m., Klopfenstein Amphitheater, Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th St., Marion. Food, music, fireworks; bring seating; coolers permitted; leave pets, sparklers and your fireworks at home. cityofmarion.org/recreation/parks-recreation/events/fireworks-fireflies
July 3 & 4: Coralville 4thFest: S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Seventh St. With 5K run/walk, carnival, entertainment, contests, food, free concert July 3, 10 a.m. parade July 4, fireworks July 4. coralville.org/310/4thFest
July 3 & 4: Celebrate Indee: RiverWalk Parks, various sites, Independence. Music, games, food, parade and fireworks. celebrateindee.com
July 4-6: Iowa City Jazz Festival: Downtown Iowa City. Free, live performances on two stages all weekend long. Check online for the full line up. summerofthearts.org/sota-events/iowa-city-jazz-festival
June 7: Iowa Women’s Festival: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids; celebrating women-owned business and female entertainment; See “Iowa Women’s Festival” event on facebook.com.
July 7-13: Delaware County Fair: 200 E. Acers St., Manchester. Exhibits, entertainment, food, rides and more. Grandstand concerts: Daughtry July 10; Scotty McCreery July 11; delawarecofair.com
July 9-13: Cedar County Fair: 1195 210th St., Tipton. Exhibits, vendors, music, grandstand events and races, Jo Dee Messina concert 7 p.m. July 12. thecedarcountyfair.com
July 10-12: Walcott Truckers Jamboree: Iowa 80 Truckstop, 755 W. Iowa 80 Rd., Walcott. Antique truck display, Friday fireworks, music and more. iowa80truckstop.com/trucker-jamboree
July 10-13: Snake Alley Festival of Film: Burlington Capitol Theater, 211 N. Third St., Burlington. Celebration of short films from around the world. snakealleyfestivaloffilm.com
July 11 & 12: Heritage Days: Carnival rides and games on Main Street in Mount Vernonfood, including vendors, a parade and more. visitmvl.com/our-events
July 11-13: Lake Red Rock Balloonfest: Lake Red Rock, North Overlook Beach, 1007 Hwy T15, Pella. Hot air balloons, live music and more. https://lakeredrockballoonfest.com
July 12: Kinderfest: Amana. Kid Olympics, roving story time, games and special events. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/events/themed-weekends/kinderfest
July 12: CR Pride Festival & Parade: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. NewBo City Market; drag show, live entertainment, parade, vendors, food and more. crprideia.com/events
July 12: Monarch Fest, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids; free pollinator activities for the whole family; butterfly releases at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. indiancreeknaturecenter.org/gallery/monarch-fest
July 12 & 13: Reflections of the Civil War: Seminole Valley Farm Museum, 1400 Seminole Valley Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Encampments, music, cannon fire; $5 adults, free ages 12 and under. seminolevalleyfarmmuseum.net/reflections-of-the-civil-war.html
July 16-20: The Great Jones County Fair: 800 N. Maple St., Monticello. Concerts, rides, exhibits, food and more. Grandstand concerts: Sam Hunt July 17; Nelly July 18; Hardy July 19; and Roots & Boots July 20. greatjonescountyfair.com
July 16-20: Allamakee County Fair: Allamakee County Fairgrounds, 705 Allamakee St., Waukon. Grandstand concert: Shane Profitt, 7 p.m. July 18. allamakeecountyfair.org
July 18 & 19: Solon Beef Days: Solon. Food, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. beefdays.com
July 19: Des Moines Water Lantern Festival: Riverview Park Amphitheater, 710 Corning Ave., Des Moines. With food trucks, floating lantern kits and LED candles. waterlanternfestival.com/events/des-moines
July 19-23: Johnson County Fair: 4261 Oak Crest Hill Rd. SE, Iowa City. Watch for details at thejohnsoncountyfair.com
July 19-26: RAGBRAI, annual bicycle ride across Iowa: Orange City to Guttenburg. Overnight stops in Milford, Estherville, Forest City, Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls and Olwein. ragbrai.com
July 24-26: Nordic Fest: 507 W. Water St., Decorah. Celebration of Scandinavian heritage, culture and food. nordicfest.com
July 25 to Aug. 2: National Balloon Classic: National Balloon Classic, Memorial Balloon Field, 15335 Jewell St., Indianola. View more than 100 hot air balloons, balloon competitions, balloon rides and more. nationalballoonclassic.com
July 25 to Aug. 3: Iowa Flower Festival: Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins; walk through and take photos with acres of flowers and more; food and drinks available. bloomsburyfarm.com/iowa-flower-fest
July 25 & 26: Swisher Fun Days: Swisher. Games, 5K run/walk, 10 a.m. parade, vendor market, 8 p.m. street dance with Big John Hammer and the Rusty Nails. facebook.com/swisherfundays
July 29 to Aug. 3: Great Mississippi Valley Fair: Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport. Rides, shows, 4-H exhibits, music and more. mvfair.com
Aug. 2: Bluesmore: Brucemore in Cedar Rapids in partnership with the Linn County Blues Society is bringing this musical event back to the lawn at Brucemore. Watch for ticket information. brucemore.org/summer-events-guide/#big-house
Aug. 7-17: Iowa State Fair: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines. Food, entertainment, livestock shows and more. iowastatefair.org
Aug. 7-10: Meskwaki Powwow: 1600 Battle Ground Rd. and E49, four miles west of Tama. Dances, food, vendors, kids’ games, 5K run/walk Saturday and Sunday. $10 adults, $5 ages 6 to 12, free ages 5 and under. meskwakipowwow.com
Aug. 8 & 9: Hoover’s Hometown Days: West Branch. Celebrating Hoover’s 150th birthday, with Hoover-Ball championships, music, entertainment, rides, games, food, parade and more. hooverdays.org
Aug. 8-10: St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival: St. Jude Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids. Watch for details: judes5.wixsite.com/judesweetcornfest
Aug. 9: Amana Festival of the Arts: Market Barn area, 707 46th Ave., Amana. Juried fine art, folk art displays, demonstrations, sales, performances, food and kids’ activities. amanaartsguild.com/all-classes-events/#!event-list
Aug. 9: J40 Farm Crawl: Route J40, 18517 Country Rd. J40, Keosauqua. Farm tours, buggy and wagon rides, Amish School breakfast, glass blowing, and more; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. villagesofvanburen.com/calendar.html
Aug. 15-17: Sauerkraut Days, Lisbon: Food, games, kids’ activities, 10:30 a.m. Saturday parade and street dances. sauerkrautdays.com
Aug. 16: Model A Day: Amana. Features 80-100 Model A vehicles, food and more. hawkamodelaclub.org/iowa-model-a-day.html
Aug. 16 & 17: World War II Remembered: Seminole Valley Farm Museum, 1400 Seminole Valley Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Visit with veterans, see artifacts, weapons demonstration or skirmish, and more; free admission, donations accepted for Honor Flight. seminolevalleyfarmmuseum.net/world-war-ii-remebered.html
Aug. 23: Independence BrewBQ: RiverWalk Parks, Independence. Barbecue vendors, live music, craft brew zone, bike ride and more. brewbq.org
Aug. 23: Boomtown Vinton: Boom-Fest 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown; Boomtown opens 4 p.m. for evening fireworks grand display at the fairgrounds. vinton.info/boomfest/ and vintonboomtown.com
Aug. 23: Market After Dark: Downtown Cedar Rapids; free outdoor evening market, vendors, and live entertainment. cedarrapids.org/economic-alliance-events/market-after-dark
Aug. 28 to Sept. 1: Midwest Old Threshers Reunion: 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant. Steam engines, antique cars, trucks, tractors, gas engines, Cavalcade of Power, horses, grandstand concerts and entertainment, food from the North Village to the Log Village. https://www.oldthreshers.org
Aug. 29: FRYfest: Celebration of all that is Hawkeye, Iowa River Landing, Coralville. Trade show, games, kids’ activities, food trucks, block party, outdoor concert and pep rally. fryfest.com
Aug. 30 to Sept. 7: Tri-State Rodeo: 2103 303rd Ave., Fort Madison. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Great Lake Circuit, with competitions and nightly concerts. tristaterodeo.org
Sept. 13: Fall into Marion Parade: 10 a.m., starts at First Avenue, north on 15th Street, then left onto Sixth Avenue to Ninth Street. With Marion and Linn-Mar marching bands, floats and more. cityofmarion.org/recreation/things-to-do/festivals/fall-into-marion
Sept. 19: BrewNost: National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids. International beer festival, with food, drink, vendors, auction and raffle for a trip for two to Prague. ncsml.org/ncsml-events/brewnost
Sept. 19-21: Pufferbilly Days: 903 Story St., Boone. Family-friendly activities and entertainment celebrating the city’s railroad history. boonecountychamber.com/pufferbilly-days
Sept. 20: Marion Oktoberfest: Uptown Marion, details to come. cityofmarion.org/recreation/things-to-do/festivals/fall-into-marion
Sept. 26 & 27: Kalona Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Kalona Historical Village, 715 D Ave., Kalona. Local food, live entertainment, local artisans, quilt displays and more; $8 adults, $3 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and under. kalonaiowa.org/fall-festival/
Oct. 2-5: Amana Oktoberfest: 622 46th Ave., Amana. Annual tradition in the Amana Colonies. Food, beer, music and more. amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/oktoberfest
Oct. 4: Ryan Norlin Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Pumpkinfest: 203 E. Main St., Anamosa. Food, vendors, games, 2 p.m. Saturday parade and giant pumpkins. anamosapumpkinfest.com
Oct. 10 & 11: Fall Fest: West Branch, Main Street and Village Green Park. Games, food, sidewalk sales and Saturday night outdoor movie. mainstreetwestbranch.org/fall
Oct. 10-12: Scenic Drive Festival: Villages of Van Buren County, 100 Van Buren St., Keosauqua. Countywide festival with events and activities in most villages. villagesofvanburen.com/special-events/scenic-drive-festival.html
Oct. 11-13 & 18-19: Fall Iowa Renaissance Festival: Middle Amana Community Park, 801 27th Ave., Middle Amana. Comedy, swordplay, music, magic, horseback jousting, marketplace, food and drink. iowarenfest.com
Oct. 11 & 12: Madison County Covered Bridge Festival: Winterset Courthouse Square, 73 Jefferson St., Winterset. Annual celebration of Madison County’s history, heritage and covered bridges. Music, food, arts and craft vendors, antique car show and more. madisoncounty.com/covered-bridge-festival-2
Oct. 11 & 12: Osborne Heritage Days: Osborne Pioneer Village, 29862 Osborne Rd., Elkader. Living history demonstrations, contests and other activities. claytoncountyconservation.org/heritage-days
Oct. 12: St. John XXIII Catholic Church Pumpkin Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John XXII Catholic Church, 8100 Roncalli Dr. SW., Cedar Rapids. With food, music, kids’ carnival games, basket, cash and quilt raffle and bingo; bring entries for decorated pumpkin contest. stjohn23cr.org
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