Events for Friday, August 28th, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Welcome to Cedar Rapids Daily, your quick guide to everything happening across Eastern Iowa! For Friday, August 28, we’re highlighting wellness activities, library programs, arts and culture, family fun, a full moon hike, live music, theater, and Friday night baseball. Whether you’re looking to relax and recharge, explore something creative, spend time with family, cheer on the Kernels, or kick off the weekend with great local entertainment, Cedar Rapids Daily helps you discover what’s happening—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 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
🌤️ FORECAST
Mostly sunny with a high of 83° and a low of 63°. It’s a beautiful Friday to wrap up the workweek and kick off the weekend! Start your day with fitness, puzzles, art, or a little self-care, then head out for live music, theater, baseball, family fun, and a moonlit hike.
☀️ Friday, August 28 | Top 10 Highlights
🌕 Full Moon Hike
🌳 ReLeaf Party at the Park
🏈 Former Hawkeye Football Player Robert Smith Author Visit
⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Lake County Captains – $5 Friday
🎸 Rock the Block 2026 featuring Fresh Fighters
🎤 Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Bovine Invasion
🎸 Retro Rockits at Cedar Ridge Distillery
🎺 Brandon Santini at CSPS Hall
🐠 Disney's Finding Nemo JR.
🔊 EDM Night at The Ideal Theater & Bar
🌿 HEALTH & WELLNESS
💪 GeriFit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m.
📍 Ely Public Library
💲 FREE
This free fitness class for adults 60 and older focuses on improving strength, balance, flexibility, mobility, and overall wellness.
💪 GeriFit
🕐 1–1:45 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library
💲 FREE
Can't make the morning class? Join the afternoon GeriFit session for another opportunity to improve strength, balance, and mobility.
🧘 Day of Self Renewal
🕣 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
💲 $115 with private room or $100 without
Take a full day to rest and recharge with meditation, lunch, a private space, access to the labyrinth, and your choice of wellness services such as massage, reflexology, healing touch, spiritual direction, or a spiritual arts practice. Advance registration is required.
🌕 Full Moon Hike
🕣 8:30–9:30 p.m.
📍 Indian Creek Nature Center
💲 $5 members | $10 nonmembers
Experience the prairie and woodland trails after dark during a guided hike under the light of the full moon. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. Children and friendly leashed dogs are welcome. Pre-registration is required. Indian Creek Nature Center
📚 LIBRARY, LEARNING & COMMUNITY
🧩 Puzzle Lovers, This One's for You!
🕘 9–10 a.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Finished your latest puzzle and ready for a new challenge? Stop by the library and connect with fellow puzzle lovers.
🎨 Doodlebugs
🕥 10:30–11 a.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Young children and their caregivers can enjoy this creative, art-inspired program presented by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
✍️ Community Writers Circle
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Adult writers are invited to gather, connect, and share their love of writing in a welcoming community setting.
🔎 Murder Mystery Club
🕑 2–3 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Calling all true crime and mystery fans! Follow the clues, examine the evidence, and see if you can solve a self-guided mystery at the library.
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Teens and tweens can join fellow adventurers for an evening of imagination, storytelling, and fantasy gaming.
🖼️ ART, HISTORY & CULTURE
🪟 Gallery Talk: Grant Wood's Memorial Window
🕚 11–11:30 a.m.
📍 Veterans Memorial Building
💲 FREE
Learn about Grant Wood's remarkable stained-glass Memorial Window during this casual 30-minute gallery talk exploring one of the famed Iowa artist's pivotal works.
🖼️ Art in the Moment Tour
🕑 2–3 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
💲 FREE
People living with dementia and their care partners are invited to enjoy a dementia-friendly tour and conversation about a featured museum exhibit with trained docents. Registration is required.
🖌️ Free Summer Admission at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
📍 Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
💲 FREE
Explore the museum's galleries for free as part of its annual Free Summer Admission Program, continuing through August 30.
👨👩👧 COMMUNITY & FAMILY FUN
🌳 ReLeaf Party at the Park
🕟 4:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Jones Park Pavilion
💲 FREE
Enjoy a community evening filled with free hot dogs, snacks, refreshments, live music, outdoor games, and family fun while learning more about the tree-planting work happening throughout Cedar Rapids.
🥷 Little Ninja Warrior Class
🕔–7 p.m.
📍 Line Drive Sports Complex
Young athletes can run, climb, jump, and balance their way through an exciting obstacle course designed for children ages 2–7.
🏈 Former Hawkeye Football Player Robert Smith Author Visit
🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library
Join former University of Iowa football player Robert Smith for an evening focused on resilience, faith, identity, discipline, and his journey from a challenging childhood to success on and off the football field. Books will be available for purchase.
👵 SENIOR CONNECTIONS
☕ Encore Café
🕦 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
⚠️ Registration required
Enjoy a dietitian-reviewed meal along with activities and educational opportunities designed to support socialization, health, wellness, and quality of life.
⚾ SPORTS
⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Lake County Captains
🕡 6:35 p.m.
📍 Veterans Memorial Stadium
It's $5 Friday at the ballpark! Enjoy $5 tickets throughout the stadium seating bowl, excluding suites and party areas, plus 2-for-1 drinks. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a free Electronic Engineering Kernels hat as the team celebrates Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night.
🎵 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
🎸 Rock the Block 2026 featuring Fresh Fighters
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 NewBo City Market
💲 FREE
Kick off Friday night with free live music in the Market Yard as Rock the Block wraps up its summer season with Fresh Fighters. Grab food from the Market shopkeepers, enjoy the outdoor atmosphere, and settle in for a fun evening of music.
🎤 Pop-Up Acts in the Artway featuring Bovine Invasion
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 Uptown Marion Artway
💲 FREE
Enjoy free live music in Uptown Marion during the final Friday performance of the Pop-Up Acts in the Artway summer series.
🎸 Retro Rockits
🕕 6–9 p.m.
📍 Cedar Ridge Distillery
Enjoy an evening of classic rock hits from the 1960s, '70s, and '80s performed by the Retro Rockits.
🎶 The Coolerators
🕖–10 p.m.
📍 Kickstand
Celebrate Friday night with a patio party featuring classic rock, blues, and soul from The Coolerators.
🎺 Brandon Santini
🕗–10 p.m.
📍 CSPS Hall
Award-winning roots rock and blues musician Brandon Santini brings his harmonica-driven sound to Cedar Rapids for an evening of powerful live music.
🎤 Karaoke
🕘–Midnight
📍 Sammy's Lounge
Grab the microphone and take the stage during Friday night karaoke!
🔊 EDM Night
🕘–11:45 p.m.
📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar
💲 $10 with RSVP | $15 at the door
The Ideal transforms its historic theater into a late-night dance floor featuring house, bass, riddim, techno, and more. This event is for ages 21 and older.
🎭 THEATER
🐠 Disney's Finding Nemo JR.
🕢 7:30–9 p.m.
📍 Giving Tree Theater
Dive into an underwater adventure with the Giving Tree Theater Youth Theater! Follow Marlin, Nemo, and their unforgettable friends in this family-friendly musical filled with humor, heart, courage, and memorable songs.
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
Upload Media Group and its partners are not responsible for any issues, errors, or misunderstandings that may arise from the use of AI - assisted content.
