A Huge List of July 2024 Events in Eastern Iowa

Summer has arrived and there are a TON of big events happening in Eastern Iowa and beyond! Check out a list below!

*For a full list of fireworks displays happening in Eastern Iowa, click HERE*

Waitress the Musical

Theatre Cedar Rapids
Select dates from June 21st through July 28th
“Jenna, a waitress (and expert pie-maker) dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. A county baking contest — and a handsome new doctor — offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. Supported by her sweet and sassy crew of fellow waitresses and customers, Jenna’s tale reveals the power of friendship and the courage to take chances.“
Purchase tickets HERE

Fireworks & Fireflies

Lowe Park, Marion
Wednesday, July 3rd at 6 p.m.
“Enjoy live music by FunkDaddies starting at 7 p.m. Food trucks, face painting and a grand fireworks finale will round out the event. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Coolers are permitted. Patrons are asked to leave pets, sparklers, fireworks and pop-up tents at home.”
Admission is free

Ellis Fireworks

Ellis Park & Harbor, Cedar Rapids
Wednesday, July 3rd at 9 p.m.
Admission is free

Anamosa Fireworks

Ken Fearing Track, Anamosa
Wednesday, July 3rd
“Family Fun Games by Anamosa AmVets Post 110 from 6 – 8 pm on the football field. Prizes and a goodie bag will be given away. Fireworks by Anamosa Rotary at dark.”

North Liberty Fireworks

Penn Meadows Park, North Liberty
Wednesday, July 3rd at 9:30 p.m.
“Viewers are welcome and encouraged to arrive to the park early to play on the play structures and enjoy a picnic, however there will not be any organized programming or on-site food sales available. Alcohol is prohibited.”
Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Show at 7 p.m.

Celebrate Indee

Riverwalk Parks, Independence
July 3rd & July 4th
“Celebrate Indee is held over the 3rd and 4th of July in Independence, Iowa with an array of musical entertainment, activities for people of all ages, great food, drink, and Iowa’s most awesome and awe inspiring fireworks over the beautiful Wapsipinicon River in Independence, you will not be disappointed.”

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

Thursday, July 4th
Car Show
- ImOn Ice Arena
- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Free to attend
Pancake Breakfast
- ImOn Ice Arena
- 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- “Meals are $10 each ($5 off with a Freedom Festival button to make it $5 per meal) and includes delicious pancakes, sausage links, banana, granola bar, and orange juice!”
Celebration of Freedom Concert
- McGrath Ampitheatre, Cedar Rapids
- 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Featuring Days Live Music and Alisabeth Von Presley
- Food vendors and a kids’ fun zone will also be available
Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
- Downtown Cedar Rapids
- Begin at dusk (around 9:45 p.m.)

Central City’s 4th of July Summer Fest

Central City, Iowa
Thursday, July 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Featuring live music, a parade, a pie sale, an ice cream social, vendors, inflatables, contests, kids’ activities, and more
Fireworks will take place at dusk at the Linn County Fairgrounds

Monticello’s July 4th Celebration

Jones County Fairgrounds, Monticello
Thursday, July 4th
Featuring a parade (11 a.m.) and the Monticello Firemen’s Breakfast (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
Fireworks at dusk

Lincoln Highway Nitty Gritty

Uptown Mount Vernon
Thursday, July 4th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The open-air market will feature over 70 vendor booths. More than 8,000 visitors are expected for the one-day-only outdoor sale. Mount Vernon’s historic First Street will be closed to traffic for the day, creating a Pedestrian Mall with an outdoor food court and vendor booths set up and down three blocks of Mount Vernon’s Uptown Business District.”

Kernels Baseball

Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids
Dates/Times
- July 4th through 6th at 6:35 p.m.
- July 19th & 20th at 6:35 p.m.
- July 21st at 1:05 p.m.
- July 30th at 6:35 p.m.
- July 31st at 12:05 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Rock the Block

NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
Dates/Bands
- July 5th – Isaac Jordan
- July 12th – Running in Place
- July 19th – The Evan Stock Band
- July 26th – Fight Paper Box
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission is free

Iowa City Jazz Festival

Downtown Iowa City
July 5th through 7th
“Bring a blanket, chair, and get ready for a weekend jazz extravaganza! Come downtown for three days of live performances on two stages showcasing a variety of well-known jazz musicians and up-and-coming talent alongside national and international artists. We want to create a jazz audience of all ages and encourage everyone to come out. There are also artist booths, organization booths, delicious dishes, and a lively beverage garden.”

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market

Downtown Cedar Rapids
Dates
- Saturday, July 6th
- Saturday, July 20th
7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

CR Pride Festival

NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, July 6th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Featuring all-ages drag shows

Red, White & Loo the Mayor’s Fireworks

RiverLoop Expo Plaza & Amphitheatre, Waterloo
Saturday, July 6th at 6 p.m.
Event features beer tents, live music, food vendors, and more
Fireworks at 10 p.m.

The Kid Laroi Concert

Vibrant Music Hall, Waukee
Sunday, July 7th at 7:30 p.m.
With special guests glaive and Chase Shakur
Purchase tickets HERE

Gabriel Iglesias Comedy Show

Rhythm City Casino, Davenport
Sunday, July 7th at 5 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

The Insect Zoo

Hiawatha Public Library
Monday, July 8th from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“Bugs, bugs, and more bugs! Have you hugged a bug today? This walk-through program brings you up close and personal with dozens of insects.”

Delaware County Fair

Delaware County Fairgrounds, Manchester
July 8th through 14th
Featuring concerts from Chris Young (7/11) and Brantley Gilbert (7/12), a parade, inflatables, MotoCross, Tough Trucks, a truck & tractor pull, a demo derby, and more
Purchase admission passes and event tickets HERE

The Wallflowers Concert

Capitol Theatre, Davenport
Tuesday, July 9th at 7:30 p.m.
With special guest Silverada
Purchase tickets HERE

Cedar County Fair

Cedar County Fairgrounds, Tipton
July 10th through 14th
Featuring a concert from Rodney Atkins & Easton Corbin (7/13), a rodeo, a tractor pull, races, Tough Trucks, and more
Purchase admission passes and event tickets HERE

Brantley Gilbert Concert

Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, Des Moines
Thursday, July 11th at 6:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

DogFest at Big Grove

Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City
Thursday, July 11th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Come talk to your favorite vendor with dog themed items, play dog fair games, complete a Scavenger Hunt and other fun activities. Bring your dog, get free goodies, eat great food and enjoy a cold drink at Big Grove! First 50 attendees to purchase a “Paw Pass” at our Friends of the Animal Center Foundation booth will get a free goody bag!”

Eat. Drink. & Be Marion: Food & Pub Crawl

Uptown Marion
Thursday, July 11th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“Enjoy a night out on the town for a good cause! With your ticket, you will receive a complementary glass, t-shirt, and exclusive deals (ex. $1 drinks) from participating businesses in the Uptown Marion District. Also, enjoy live entertainment and extended shopping hours as you walk to each participating establishment.”
Must be 21+

Walcott Truckers Jamboree

World’s Largest Truck Stop, Walcott
July 11th through 13th
“Enjoy free admission, free parking, free country music concerts, an antique truck display, Super Truck Beauty Contest, Iowa pork chop cook out, exhibits, and more!”

The Beach Boys Concert

McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
Friday, July 12th at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Pop-Up Acts in the Artway

Uptown Artway, Marion (between 10th & 11th St and 7th & 8th Ave)
Dates/Bands
- July 12th – Angela Meyer
- July 19th – Joel Sires Trio
- July 26 – Pandelirium
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission is free

Cinema on the Cedar

RiverLoop Amphitheatre & Expo Plaza, Waterloo
Friday, July 12th at 8 p.m.
“Grab your snacks and join us for an epic movie night at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre for BARBIE! Gates open at 8pm, movie starts at 9pm or sunset. FREE ADMISSION. Popcorn, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.”

Friday Loo

Main Street, Waterloo
Friday, July 12th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Featuring Livingston
“Bring the whole family and join us for a night of great music, delicious food, and tons of fun!”

Heritage Days Festival

Uptown Mount Vernon
July 12th & 13th
“Highlights of the two-day festival will include a beer garden, street-party, carnival games, a parade, a bags tournament, car show and the Memorial Park Family Fun Zone, a Fairy Tale-themed attraction for kids. New this year will be a Drone Show taking place at the new Martha Parsons Activities Center (MAC – MV Football Field), 731 Palisades Rd SW, on Friday, July 12, at dark.”

Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend

Iowa Speedway, Newton
July 12th through 14th
Concerts
- Luke Combs
  - Pre-Race Show on Saturday, July 13th (90 minute set)\
- Eric Church
  - Post-Race Show on Saturday, July 13th (90 minute set)
- Kelsea Ballerini
  - Headliner 1 for Post-Race Show on Sunday, July 14th (60 minute set)
- Post Malone
  - Headliner 2 for Post-Race Show on Sunday, July 14th (90 minute set)
Purchase tickets HERE

Lavender Festival

Pine Hill Farm, Walker
Saturday, July 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featuring train rides for kids, Wescott BBQ, face painting, fresh-cut flower arrangements & lavender bundles, homemade lavender soap & candles, local vendors, and more

Uptown Marion Market

Uptown Marion
Saturday, July 13th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Enjoy a fun morning of local food and artisan items coupled with family-friendly activities and entertainment. Don’t forget to stop by and check out the shopping and dining in Uptown Marion. Admission is free to the public.”

Music Under the Moon

Lowe Park, Marion
Saturday, July 13th at 7:30 p.m.
Featuring Head East
“Guests should bring chairs or blankets for general lawn seating. Outside food and drink are permitted and select vendors will be onsite during the event. The concerts are free to attend…”

Cat Cafe

Cedar Rapids Public Library
Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Meet adoptable kittens and cats while you enjoy cool treats and fun activities.
After you become acquainted with our feline friends, make a cat toy for your own cat or the adoptable cats, create a cat button, and check out cat books.”

Monarch Fest

Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“At Monarch Fest there is fun for the entire family as you learn about Monarch butterflies and other pollinators, release butterflies, make milkweed seedballs, and adopt a caterpillar of your own to raise and release at home.”

UB40 Concert

Rhythm City Casino, Davenport
Saturday, July 13th at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Cedar Rapids Psychic & Paranormal Expo

Palo Community Center, Palo
Dates/Times
- Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, July 14th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Admission is $5 per day and that gets you in to see the 30+ vendors all types of merchandise, readings, treatments (such as reiki, reflexology, etc) and more!! Each vendor sets their own prices and there is something for everyone. Your $5 admission also gets you in to the presentations/speakers at no additional charge!! Past speaking topics included ghost hunters, gallery readings, crystals, angels, past lives, haunted locations, etc. “

Tour de Brew

Millstream Brewing Co., Amana
Saturday, July 13th at 10 a.m.
“The 23rd annual Tour is a heavenly 30-mile ride through the picturesque scenery of the Amana Colonies and Iowa County with “hydration” stops and surprises along the way. The ride ends with a Free Block Party at Millstream and is open to all with live music by the pFat Back Boys (1-4pm) and Detour (5-9pm). Ice-cold Millstream beer along with your favorite food trucks 12-8pm: Moy’s Food from the Streets, Opal & Hazel’s Wood Fired Pizza and County Line BBQ.”
Register HERE

Feelin’ Sour? Iowa’s Sour Beer & Cider Festival

RiverLoop Expo Plaza, Waterloo
Saturday, July 13th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Attendees will receive access to samples of 100+ sour beers & ciders from our vendors, a commemorative Feelin’ Sour? tasting glass, the best beats on the track, and all the smiles and high-fives they can handle.”
Purchase tickets HERE

North Liberty Blues & BBQ

Centennial Park, North Liberty
Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
“Blues & BBQ is North Liberty’s summer tradition of live music, kids’ fun, mouthwatering barbecue and craft beer. Admission, parking and inflatables are free thanks to the generosity of presenting sponsor Veridian Credit Union and other supporting sponsors.”

Ludacris Concert

Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, Des Moines
Sunday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Wild Times Exotics Animal Encounter

Hiawatha Public Library
- Monday, July 15th at 2:30 p.m.
Ladd Library, Cedar Rapids
- Monday July 15th from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“You are in for a wild time with Lacey from Wild Times Exotics. Lacey will bring a variety of her furry friends. Maybe a kinkajou? Maybe a red coatimundi? Don’t miss this fun animal show.”

Buchanan County Fair

Buchanan County Fairgrounds, Independence
July 16th through 21st
Featuring concerts from Eddie Montgomery (7/18) and Walker Hayes (7/19), monster trucks, a demolition derby, a beer garden, food, and more
Purchase concert tickets HERE

Great Jones County Fair

Jones County Fairgrounds, Monticello
July 17th through 21st
Concerts
Purchase admission passes and event tickets HERE

Little Texas Concert

Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery, Walford
Friday, July 19th at 8 p.m.
With special guest Zakk Grandahl Band
Purchase tickets HERE

Gin Blossoms Concert

Rhythm City Casino, Davenport
Friday, July 19th at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Kinnick Stadium Insiders’ Tour

Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
Friday, July 19th at 11 a.m.
“Join Iowa PBS for an insider’s tour of the historic Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City hosted by Scott Siepker, producer of Kinnick: The Documentary. We’ll start the day watching some of the film followed by time to talk with Scott about what went into the making of this historic documentary. After we eat lunch in the north end zone, we’ll visit some areas that few fans ever experience… like the swarm tunnel, locker rooms, press boxes and close up on the 50-yard line.”
Purchase a ticket HERE

Iowa Flower Fest

Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins
July 19th through August 4th
Times
- Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Featuring special ticketed events, flowers, live music, specialty wine drinks, photo ops, kids’ activities, and more
Tickets will be available to purchase HERE

Firefly Festival

5718 20th Avenue Dr, Vinton
Saturday, July 20th at 4:30 p.m.
“Bring your family & friends out for a magical evening filled with fireflies, laughs, delicious food and beverages, games, art, firefly education, & live music from local artists!”

Shellsburg Big Day

Shellsburg, Iowa
Saturday, July 20th at 10:30 a.m.
“A day full of family fun jam-packed with tons of entertainment and activities for all ages. Celebrate Shellsburg’s small town living with big personality!”

Mark Normand Comedy Show

Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, July 20th at 7 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Maddie & Tae Concert

Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake
Saturday, July 20th – doors open at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Ocean Odyssey Touch Tank

Hiawatha Public Library
Monday, July 22nd from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“Let’s kick off Shark Week with actual sharks! Kids, this is your opportunity to pet a shark and a ray!”

Jackson County Fair

Jackson County Fairgrounds, Maquoketa
July 23rd through 28th
Featuring concerts from Muscadine Bloodline (7/26) and Justin Moore (7/27), a truck & tractor pull, stock car races, Night of Destruction, contests, kids’ activities, food, and more
Purchase event tickets HERE

Larry the Cable Guy Comedy Show

McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
Friday, July 26th at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Maren Morris Concert

Vibrant Music Hall, Waukee
Friday, July 26th at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Mega Foam Blaster

Guthridge Park, Hiawatha
Friday, July 26th from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“Have a blast with our Mega Foam Blaster! The Blaster shoots out a dry stacking foam that evaporates for easy cleanup. It is non-slippery, non-toxic, non-staining, non-allergenic, bio-degradable and guaranteed fun!”

Backbone Bluegrass Festival

Strawberry Point, Iowa
July 26th through 28th
“The Backbone Bluegrass Festival is a fun filled weekend for the whole family. Several bands performing Bluegrass music, Country & Gospel music. Camping and electric hookups available with hot showers.”
Purchase tickets HERE

Swisher Fun Days

Swisher, Iowa
Saturday, July 27th
Featuring a parade, a vendor market, a kiddie tractor pull, a 5k, live music, a bags tournament, and more

Primus & Coheed and Cambria Concert

McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m.
With special guest Too Many Zooz
Purchase tickets HERE

Rick Springfield Concert

Rhythm City Casino, Davenport
Saturday, July 27th at 8 p.m.
Purchase tickets HERE

Backyard Blues Fest

Ideal Theater & Bar, Cedar Rapids
Saturday, July 27th at 4 p.m.
“Join us for BACKYARD BLUES FEST, a fundraiser for the Linn County Blues Society! Ticket profits will be donated back to LCBS, which fosters and promotes the blues genre in the Linn County area. Gates will open at 4PM! Food trucks, raffle prizes and giveaways will run throughout the day. Wristbands will allow ticket holders to come and go at will.”
Purchase tickets HERE

Brown Farm Pioneer Days

1361 Sawyer Rd, Central City
July 27th & 28th
“Pioneer era living history demonstrations of rural Americana. Steam, gas, diesel, and real horse power! Family friendly event, free entry. Donations greatly appreciated. Working saw mill powered by steam, blacksmithing, museums, threshing, sunflower maze, model T driving school, and so much more!! Horse and tractor people movers to journey over seventy acres!”