Events for Thursday, August 20th, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Welcome to Cedar Rapids Daily, your quick guide to everything happening across Eastern Iowa! In today’s episode for Thursday, August 20, we’re highlighting wellness activities, library programs, family fun, local markets, arts and culture, free community events, live music, outdoor experiences, support groups, games, and plenty of ways to enjoy a summer evening. Whether you’re looking to get active, explore something new, spend time with the family, enjoy live entertainment, or connect with the community, Cedar Rapids Daily helps you discover what’s happening across Eastern Iowa—in five minutes or less.
A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust for helping make Cedar Rapids Daily possible and supporting all the amazing things happening in our community.
☀️ Cedar Rapids Daily
Thursday, August 20
🌤️ FORECAST
Mostly sunny skies are expected Thursday, with a high of 82° and a low of 64°. It’s shaping up to be a great day to get outside and enjoy Eastern Iowa!
🌿 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Morning Stretch
🕗 8–9 a.m. | Ely Public Library | FREE
Enjoy a gentle group exercise incorporating yoga elements that can be adapted to different mobility levels.
Metta Yoga – Gentle
🕤 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Prairiewoods | $15/class
A gentle, beginner-friendly yoga class focused on movement, breath, strength and relaxation.
Metta Yoga – Chair
🕥 10:45–11:45 a.m. | Prairiewoods | $15/class
Accessible yoga using seated and supported movements for all fitness levels and abilities.
55+ Chair Yoga
🕜 1:30–2:30 p.m. | Bridge Senior Center
A beginner-friendly chair yoga class with modifications for different mobility levels.
📚 LIBRARIES & LEARNING
Preschool Story Time
🕙 10–11 a.m. | Ely Public Library | FREE
Stories, songs and a craft for preschoolers ages 3–5.
MakerSpace Open Hours
🕛 Noon–4 p.m. | Marion Public Library | FREE
Explore 3D printers, Cricut machines, heat presses and other creative technology.
Scrabble Club
🕐 1–4 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library | FREE
Challenge your vocabulary and enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble.
Tween & Teen Movie Days
🕐 1–3:15 p.m. | Marion Public Library
Enjoy an afternoon movie and snacks as summer break winds down.
Daytime Knit Wits
🕐 1–3 p.m. | Marion Public Library | FREE
Bring your knitting or crochet project and enjoy crafting and fellowship.
Teen Makers & Gamers
🕞 3:30–5:30 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library | FREE
Teens can get creative with STEAM projects—this week’s project is slime!
Hiawatha Comic Book Club
🕖 7–8 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library | FREE
Bring your favorite comics and connect with fellow comic enthusiasts.
🍎 FOOD, SHOPPING & COMMUNITY
Freedom FEASTival
🕚 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Greene Square Park | FREE ADMISSION
Enjoy local food trucks, vendors, shopping, live music and family-friendly fun. Performances include KHAK, Mira Gibbons and Guitars for Vets.
Farm Stand Thursdays
🕓 4–7 p.m. | Cultivate Hope Urban Farm
Shop fresh, locally grown produce and pick up your CSA share while supporting a more sustainable Cedar Rapids.
Meet Me at the Market
🕠 5:30–7:15 p.m. | NewBo City Market | FREE
Choose from dance fitness, walking, running, biking and yoga. All fitness levels are welcome!
🎨 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Free Summer Admission at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
🕛 12:15–8 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Museum of Art | FREE
Explore all 16 galleries for free through August 30.
Art Lovers Book Club
🕓 4 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Museum of Art & Grant Wood Studio
Discuss the work and life of Dakota Sioux artist Mary Sully.
Bluey’s Big Play
🕕 6–8:30 p.m. | Paramount Theatre
Bluey and Bingo bring their Emmy-winning animated adventures to the stage in this live theatrical experience.
KCCK’s Jazz Under the Stars – Vivian Shanley Quartet
🕕 6–9 p.m. | Noelridge Park | FREE
Enjoy a free, family-friendly outdoor jazz concert featuring Vivian Shanley and her quartet, with Six Man Trio as the young artists.
Uptown Getdown
🕕 6–9 p.m. | City Square Park, Marion | FREE
Dance under the stars with Outlaw Band during this free summer concert series.
Five Seasons Water Ski Show – “Disco Fever”
🕖 6:45–8 p.m. | 2021 Ellis Blvd. NW | FREE
Enjoy an entertaining evening of water skiing, music and the “Disco Fever” theme.
Songwriters Sessions
🕖 7 p.m. | CSPS Hall | $30 advance
Enjoy an intimate listening-room performance featuring Kevin Gordon, Carol Montag and host David G. Smith.
Sips & Tunes
🕕 6–8 p.m. | Kingston’s Steakhouse
Head to the patio for live singer-songwriter performances, summer drinks and dinner.
👨👩👧 FAMILY FUN
Science for Squirts: Bug Safari
🕙 10–11 a.m. | Wickiup Hill Learning Center | $3
Young explorers ages 3–6 can search for insects and learn about the important jobs tiny creatures do in nature.
Back to School Basketball Challenge
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Dick’s House of Sport
Young athletes can compete in free throws, Hot Shot, passing and long-shot challenges for prizes.
🌳 OUTDOORS & EXPERIENCES
Trailside Tastings
🕔 5–8 p.m. | Indian Creek Nature Center
Enjoy a summer evening on the prairie with local craft beverage samples, wood-fired pizza and live music.
Sacred Sound & Cacao Ceremony
🕔 5–8:30 p.m. | Unity Center of Cedar Rapids
Experience a cacao ceremony followed by an immersive sound journey featuring more than 50 traditional instruments.
🧠 SUPPORT & CONNECTION
Journaling with Melody
🕙 10 a.m.–Noon | DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
Explore journaling as a tool for self-care and self-discovery with author Melody Jones.
Conversations for Couples
🕔 5–6:30 p.m. | DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
A supportive gathering for couples with one partner living with dementia, including a light meal.
Caregiver Support Group
🕕 6–7:30 p.m. | Marion Public Library
A welcoming space for caregivers of people living with memory loss to share, learn and connect.
GriefShare Support
🕑 2–4 p.m. | Calvert Baptist Church
A confidential 13-week support series for people navigating life after the loss of a spouse.
🎲 GAMES & SOCIAL
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library
🕔 5–8 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library | FREE
Join an adult D&D campaign held on the first and third Thursday of each month.
Friends of the Hiawatha Public Library
🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library
New and existing Friends are welcome to connect and learn more about supporting the library.
Bingo – Public Invited
🕕 6–9 p.m. | El Kahir Shrine | $6 entry packet
Bingo is open to ages 12 and up, with food and beverages available for purchase.
Game Night
🕖 7 p.m. | Spare Time Entertainment | FREE
Play a rotating lineup of Survey Says, Name That Tune, Trivia and Music Bingo.
Strikes & Slices
🕘 9–11 p.m. | Spare Time Cedar Rapids | $10.99
Get two hours of unlimited bowling, shoe rental and unlimited cheese or pepperoni pizza slices.
🧵 ARTS, CRAFTS & HOBBIES
Cedar Valley Chapter of Embroidery Guild of America
🕤 9:30–11 a.m. | Christ Episcopal Church
Learn about embroidery and this month’s Color Washing program. No experience necessary.
55+ Good Reads & Good Listens Book Club
🕝 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Bridge Senior Center
Discuss The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford in this book-and-audio-friendly club.
💃 EVENING OUT
Palomino
🕠 5:30–8:30 p.m. | VFW Post 788 | $10
Enjoy an evening of country dancing, food and drinks.
Prairie Table: Peak Summer Dinner
🕕 6–9 p.m. | Prairiewoods | $75
Gather around the table for a seasonal Iowa dinner featuring local ingredients and a seasonal beverage.
⭐ THURSDAY PICKS:
🍔 Freedom FEASTival | 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
🎨 Free CRMA Admission | 12:15–8 p.m.
🏀 Back to School Basketball Challenge | 5:30 p.m.
🚶 Meet Me at the Market | 5:30 p.m.
🎷 Jazz Under the Stars | 6 p.m.
🎵 Uptown Getdown | 6 p.m.
💙 Bluey’s Big Play | 6 p.m.
🎿 Five Seasons Water Ski Show | 6:45 p.m.
🎤 Songwriters Sessions | 7 p.m.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to our sponsor: Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust.
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
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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