Events for Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Hey there, Cedar Rapids community!

Welcome to your daily roundup of everything happening in our vibrant city. Whether you’re looking for festive fun, family activities, or a way to unwind, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your complete guide to what’s happening around Cedar Rapids on Thursday, December 18th!

🌦️ Weather Update

Scattered Showers & Windy: High of 42°F, Low of 7°F.

🏡 Highlighted Event

The Smyth Open House
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. | 1501 First Ave, Marion
Explore the newly transformed Henderson House at this special open house event.

🎄 Holiday Fun

• Reindeer Headband Crafting
  9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Ely Public Library

• Holiday Celebration for Seniors
  1:30 – 3:30 p.m. | The Bridge Senior Center

• Festive Lights
  4:30 – 9:00 p.m. | McGrath Amphitheatre

• Living Story Live Nativity
  5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | FaithLife Church

• Cocktails and Cocoa with Santa
  5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Black Sheep’s Social Club

• Winter Wonderland 2025
  5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Eastern Iowa Arts Academy

• Visit Santa
  5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Castle Motors

• Holiday Nights Tours
  5:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Brucemore

• Blue Christmas Service
  6:00 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church

🎭 Entertainment

• Disney’s Frozen
  7:30 p.m. | Theatre Cedar Rapids

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
  7:30 p.m. | Alliant Energy Powerhouse

🧘 Health & Wellness

• Morning Stretch
  8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Ely Public Library

• Yoga Flow
  9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Illuminations Cedar Rapids

• Chair Yoga
  1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Downtown Library

• Thursday Yoga
  6:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Newbo City Market

📚 Library Happenings

• Preschool Storytime
  10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Ely Public Library

• Sensory Storytime
  10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library

• Toddler Time
  10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Marion Public Library

• Scrabble Club
  1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library

• Daytime Knit Wits
  1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Marion Public Library

• Murder Mystery Club
  2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library

• Tween and Teen Movie Days
  3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Marion Public Library

• Dungeons and Dragons
  5:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library

• Silent Book Club
  6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Ely Public Library

• Comic Book Club
  7:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library

🎨 Arts & Culture

• Save CR Heritage: 12 Days of Treasures
  8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Online on Facebook

• Expressive Arts with Tanager
  10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Ladd Library

• Expressive Arts for Teens
  4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library

• Silent Night Quiet Reading Time
  4:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Sisters Books and Nooks

• Disney Lorcana League Night
  5:00 p.m. | Turtle Power Games

• Tango Practica
  6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library

• Jane Austen Birthday Tea Party and Trivia
  6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library

• Cork and Canvas Iowa
  6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | La Cantina Marion

• 15th Street Story Walk Mural Mapping Session
  6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Wellington Heights Community Church

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Community

Enjoy these events with your loved ones and neighbors! Cedar Rapids is full of opportunities to connect, create, and celebrate together.

Special Thanks

A big shoutout to our sponsors, Gutschmidt Properties and Jean’s Team with CMG Home Loans.

Employee-owned and tenant-focused, Gutschmidt Properties creates sustainable spaces that make a real community impact. On December 18th, they’ll be holding an open house to celebrate the rebranding of their historic mansion, the Henderson House, to be The Smyth, in tribute to William Smyth, the civic leader who built the mansion in the mid-1800s. This rebrand is designed to recognize the mansion’s origins as a school and home for the community while also celebrating the change makers who shaped it. Learn about the future of The Smyth at the open house on December 18th from 4pm to 7pm, and remember: Every house has a story—write yours in a Gutschmidt home. Learn more at gutschmidtproperties.com.

Whether it’s your first house, an investment property, or your dream home, Jean’s Team with CMG Home Loans makes mortgage lending a home run. With competitive rates, great turnaround times, and programs for buyers, sellers, and those looking to refinance, Jean’s Team is ready to step up to the plate for you and make getting a home loan feel like pitching a perfect game, every time. Learn more at cmghomeloans.com/mysite/jean-sellnau. CMG Mortgage, Inc., CMG Home Loans, and CMG Financial, NMLS# 1820, as well as Jean Sellnau, NMLS# 6180, is an equal housing lender.

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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