Events for Friday, April 18th, and Saturday, April 19th, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Cedar Rapids is full of activity this weekend, with Saturday, April 18th featuring pancake breakfasts, markets, family events, live music, and a major concert from Alice Cooper. Sunday, April 19th offers a more relaxed vibe with brunch, book sales, outdoor events, and live entertainment, highlighted by a concert from Alabama. It’s a packed weekend with something for everyone.
A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Gutschmidt Properties for helping make Cedar Rapids Daily possible and supporting all the amazing things happening in our community.
Saturday, April 18th
Forecast: Partly cloudy with a high of 51 degrees and a low of 31.
🌅 Morning Events
50th Annual Pancake Breakfast
Time: 7:00 – 11:30 AM
Location: Xavier High School
Cost: $6 advance / $7 door
A community breakfast fundraiser celebrating 50 years with food, bingo, and support for local organizations.
Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 AM
Location: Buffalo United Methodist Church
Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
Enjoy a free breakfast while supporting local nonprofits through donations and baked goods.
Garage Sale / Rummage Sale
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Lovely Lane United Methodist Church
Cost: Free
Browse a wide variety of household items, clothing, and more at this community sale.
Made in Iowa Spring Market
Time: 8:00 AM (runs through Sunday 3 PM)
Location: Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center
Cost: $5 (kids free)
A large artisan market featuring hundreds of vendors, handmade goods, and local food.
Friends of the Library April Book Sale
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Marion Public Library
Cost: Free
Shop affordable books while supporting library programs and community initiatives.
Bird Banding at the Barn
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Indian Creek Nature Center
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Watch live bird banding and learn about conservation from an expert ornithologist.
Marion YMCA Healthy Kids Day & City Showcase
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Marion YMCA
Cost: Free
A family-friendly event with hands-on activities promoting health and community engagement.
NASCAR Local Racing Series Launch Day
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Hawkeye Downs Speedway
Cost: Free
Celebrate the racing season kickoff with car displays, activities, and practice laps.
Chunky Blanket Class
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Empowered Healing Institute
Cost: $50
Learn to hand-knit a cozy blanket in this beginner-friendly creative class.
Wholistic Renewal Retreat
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Unity Center of Cedar Rapids
Cost: Suggested $50+
A full-day wellness experience with yoga, sound healing, and creative workshops.
Charmed Bracelet Build
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Czech Village & NewBo
Cost: Varies
Explore local shops while building a custom charm bracelet.
Friends of Hiawatha Library Book & Bake Sale
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Hiawatha Public Library
Cost: Free
Browse books and baked goods in support of the library.
Spring Craft Bonanza
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Ladd Library
Cost: Free
Enjoy hands-on crafting activities for all ages.
Wool Felting Craft Class
Time: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Lion Bridge Brewing Company
Cost: $40
Create a felted craft while enjoying drinks and guided instruction.
🧠 Midday Events
Paws to Read
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Location: Hiawatha Public Library
Cost: Free
A fun literacy program where kids read alongside animals.
Morning Mayhem Metal Yoga
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Breathing Room Yoga
Cost: Not listed
A high-energy yoga class set to metal music for a unique workout experience.
English Practice Conversation Group
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Ladd Library
Cost: Free
Practice conversational English in a relaxed group setting.
Caturday Afternoon Cat Café
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Next Page Books
Cost: Free
Meet adoptable cats while enjoying a cozy bookstore environment.
North Star Studio
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
Cost: Free (members) / $10
An adaptive art studio designed for students with disabilities.
80’s Music Bingo Brunch
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Goldfinch Tap + Eatery
Cost: Free
Play music bingo while enjoying brunch and 80’s hits.
Learn & Practice English at the Library
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location: Ladd Library
Cost: Free
Improve English skills through guided activities and conversation.
Hike with Llamas
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location: Prairie Patch Farm
Cost: Not listed
Take a guided nature hike alongside llamas through scenic trails.
Secrets of Strixhaven Prerelease
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: First Turn Games
Cost: $35
Play a Magic: The Gathering prerelease event with new cards.
CoderDojo (STEM for Kids)
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Location: Foundation 2
Cost: Free
Kids explore STEM learning through hands-on activities.
Kernels Baseball vs Quad Cities
Time: 1:05 PM
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Cost: Not listed
Enjoy minor league baseball action with the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
Swing Into Spring Walk
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Location: Prairiewoods
Cost: Free
Explore nature trails and scenic views in a guided outdoor walk.
MTG Prerelease (Replay Gaming)
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Replay Gaming
Cost: $35
Build and play a sealed Magic deck in a casual tournament setting.
🎨 Afternoon Events
Artist Forum
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: DKW Art Gallery
Cost: Free
A casual meetup for artists to collaborate, share, and socialize.
🌆 Evening Events
Summer Kickoff & Album Release Party
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: CR Midnight Smoker BBQ
Cost: Not listed
Celebrate live reggae music and a new album release.
Hiawatha Puzzle Rush
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Hiawatha Community Center
Cost: $40/team
Teams compete to complete puzzles in a timed challenge.
Whine & Wags Gala
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Cost: $100
A formal fundraiser with dinner, auction, and entertainment supporting animals.
Edify Fashion Show
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Groundswell Café
Cost: Sliding scale
A showcase of local designers with live music and fashion.
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: DoubleTree Hotel
Cost: $75.46
Interactive dinner theater where guests solve a live crime.
Up in Smoke Jam
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Up In Smoke BBQ
Cost: Not listed
Live music and open jam session with BBQ and drinks.
Bustin Dustin Comedy Show
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Moose Lodge
Cost: Not listed
A live comedy performance with limited seating.
Festival of Bands Gala Concert
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Coe College
Cost: Not listed
A concert featuring guest composers and student musicians.
The Detour Band
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Cedar Rapids Eagles #2272
Cost: $15
Dance to live covers from popular artists.
Oceana (Acoustic Concert)
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Opus Concert Café
Cost: Not listed
An intimate acoustic music performance focused on storytelling.
Alice Cooper Concert
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Alliant Energy PowerHouse
Cost: Not listed
A legendary rock performance with theatrical stage elements.
Rolling with Jen Trio
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Kickstand
Cost: Not listed
Enjoy live local music in a casual setting.
Duke Tumatoe
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: CSPS Hall
Cost: Not listed
A blues performance known for humor and unique guitar style.
The O’Connell Brothers Band
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 PM
Location: North Point
Cost: Not listed
Live music with high energy and crowd favorites.
Soul Seduction Masquerade Ball
Time: 8:00 – 11:30 PM
Location: Ideal Theater
Cost: Free–$20
A themed dance party with DJs and a masquerade atmosphere.
Coe Alliance Drag Show
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 PM
Location: Dows Theater
Cost: Pay what you can
A charity drag show supporting LGBTQ+ causes.
Westwood Spring Fever Dream
Time: 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Location: Otis’ Tailgators
Cost: Not listed
A high-energy indie pop dance party.
Baile Night
Time: 10:00 PM
Location: Buchona’s Sports Bar
Cost: $10
A late-night Latin dance party with DJs and drink specials.
Spare Time After Dark
Time: 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Location: Spare Time Cedar Rapids
Cost: $15.99
Late-night bowling party with music and lights.
Sunday, April 19th
Forecast: Partly cloudy with a high of 54 degrees and a low of 32.
🌅 Morning Events
McPartland Amateur Golf Tournament
Time: Starting 9:00 AM
Location: Indian Creek Country Club
Cost: $50–$60
An 18-hole competitive golf tournament open to the public.
Cafe Pear
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: The Glittering Pear
Cost: Free
Enjoy complimentary coffee and donuts while shopping.
Iowa Tulip Festival
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Bloomsbury Farm
Cost: $23.99
Walk through vibrant tulip fields and enjoy farm attractions.
🧠 Midday Events
Sundae Sundays
Time: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Location: Big Grove Brewery
Cost: Free (kids)
Kids receive free ice cream all day.
Pokemon League Challenge
Time: 11:15 AM
Location: Coulee Cards & Gaming
Cost: $10
Competitive Pokémon tournament with prizes.
Sunday Bingo
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location: NewBo City Market
Cost: Free
Play bingo with prizes in a lively market setting.
Energy Work & Reiki
Time: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Sisters Books & Nooks
Cost: $22–$33
Relax with energy healing and Reiki sessions.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Marion Public Library
Cost: Free
Support the library while shopping discounted books.
What’cha Reading Book Club
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Location: Craft’d
Cost: Not listed
Discuss books and take home advanced reader copies.
Agatha Christie Presentation
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Granger House Museum
Cost: $10
Explore the life and mysteries of the famous author.
Tarot Workshop
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Location: Illuminations
Cost: $50
Learn deeper symbolic meanings behind tarot cards.
🎨 Afternoon Events
Grandma’s Storytime
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Location: Lindale Mall
Cost: Free
A fun children’s event with stories, crafts, and activities.
Live Music at Mr. B’s
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Mr. B’s
Cost: Not listed
Enjoy live music during a casual Sunday celebration.
The Laid Back Band
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Red Lion Lounge
Cost: Not listed
Dance and relax with live music.
Kris Lager 4/20 Party
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Ideal Theater
Cost: $20.70
A genre-blending live music celebration.
Sammy’s East Side Jam
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Sammy’s Lounge
Cost: Not listed
A community jam session featuring live performances.
Kirkwood Concert Choir
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Kirkwood Community College
Cost: Free–Paid
A two-part concert featuring student compositions and choir music.
🌆 Evening Events
Yesandia Spring Showcase
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Opus Concert Café
Cost: Not listed
A showcase of high school improv talent.
Basix Bingo
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Basix
Cost: Not listed
An entertaining bingo night hosted by a drag performer.
Alabama Live in Concert
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Alliant Energy PowerHouse
Cost: Not listed
A major country music concert featuring Alabama and Exile.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Gutschmidt Properties.
With five convenient locations across the greater Cedar Rapids area and yes, the best cookies on the planet, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust is a place where relationships and service truly matter. From personal to business banking, CRBT is here to support you every step of the way. Come meet the People you can bank on at crbt.bank. Member FDIC
Employee-owned and tenant-focused, Gutschmidt Properties creates sustainable spaces that make a real community impact. From studios and sleeping rooms in their historic Smyth House, to both their old and new homes as part of the Rainbow Road project just off I‑380, or flexible commercial space at Averill House in downtown Cedar Rapids, they may have just the place for you. Every house has a story—write yours in one of their homes. Learn more at gutschmidtproperties.com.
Thank you for being part of the Cedar Rapids Daily community. We can’t wait to see you at these events! Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring.
Warm regards,
The Cedar Rapids Daily Team
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