Events for Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Hey there, Cedar Rapids community!
Welcome to your latest edition of the Cedar Rapids Daily newsletter—your go-to guide for everything happening around town. Whether you’re looking for wellness activities, family fun, live music, or community events, we’ve got you covered. This newsletter is brought to you by our wonderful sponsors: Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, Gutschmidt Properties, and Jean’s Team with CMG Home Loans.
🌤️ WEATHER
Forecast: Partly cloudy with a high of 29°F and a low of 19°F.
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY & YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Puzzle Exchange at the Library
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bring or browse gently used puzzles and help grow a community puzzle collection.
Learn and Celebrate Kwanzaa
📍 Ely Public Library
⏰ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Stories, crafts, activities, and a snack celebrating Kwanzaa for all ages.
Holiday Camps
📍 D-BAT Marion
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Baseball and softball camps with games and skill-building for ages 6–13.
Fantasy Foam Combat Training (Ages 10–16)
📍 Ushers Ferry Historic Village
⏰ 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Returning campers practice foam combat skills, safety, sparring, and quests.
🧘 HEALTH, WELLNESS & SPIRITUALITY
Candlelight Yoga with Sayde
📍 Illuminations Cedar Rapids
⏰ 5:30 – 6:45 a.m.
Morning yoga, Yoga Nidra, and mindfulness to set intentions for 2026. ($15)
Seated Chair Yoga
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
⏰ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Gentle yoga and Qi Gong with guided meditation.
Into the Oneness
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 12:45 – 1:35 p.m.
Gentle qigong, breathwork, meditation, and sound healing. ($12)
Healing Sound Bath & Yogic Sleep
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
Singing bowls and yoga nidra for deep relaxation and renewal.
Hot Vinyasa Flow – Happier Hour
📍 Toula Yoga
⏰ 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
A dynamic, heated yoga flow designed to boost mood and energy.
Reiki Share
📍 ReAlive Metaphysical Shop
⏰ 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Group Reiki session open to practitioners and those seeking healing.
Day of Self Renewal
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
A full day retreat with wellness services, meditation, lunch, and quiet reflection.
Nature & Forest Therapy Experience
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
A guided, sensory-focused forest bathing walk promoting wellness. ($20)
Living with Intention Retreat
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ Multi-day retreat (starts Friday)
A reflective retreat focused on mindful living, rest, and reconnection.
📚 EDUCATION & COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Advice on Aging for Older Iowans & Caregivers
📍 Marion Public Library
⏰ 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
On-site support and answers about aging services, Medicaid, and caregiving.
Coffee and Kolach (Online)
📍 Virtual – NCSML
⏰ 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
A cultural program featuring Czech & Slovak stories, music, and history.
Friday Film Classics
📍 Ely Public Library
⏰ 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Weekly screening of a classic movie.
🛍️ SHOPPING & SPECIAL EVENTS
End of Season Sale
📍 Heartland Supply Company (Marion)
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Everything 50% off (excluding permanent jewelry) before a seasonal break.
🎶 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
Finally Friday Music with Dave Zollo
📍 CR Midnight Smoker BBQ
⏰ 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Live keys and vocals with drink specials.
Live Music with Chad & Layne
📍 The Pines Pizza & Pub
⏰ 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Friday night live music featuring local favorites.
MWB at Checkers Tavern
📍 Checkers Tavern
⏰ 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Rock and country hits to kick off the new year.
RNB Night: New Year’s Edition
📍 Ideal Theater & Bar
⏰ 8:00 – 11:45 p.m.
First Friday R&B dance night with DJ Rahlan Kay. (30+)
🎯 GAMES, TRIVIA & TOURNAMENTS
Adult Trivia Night (Rated R)
📍 Buchona’s Sports Bar & Grill
⏰ 8:30 p.m.
18+ trivia with edgy categories, prizes, and team challenges.
ACED Cornhole Regional #4
📍 Corridor Courts, Marion
⏰ 6:00 p.m. (Friday events begin)
Competitive cornhole tournament with blind draw and cash payouts.
🍽️ FOOD & DRINK EVENTS
Fish Fry
📍 Whiskey River Grill
⏰ 4:00 – 9:30 p.m.
All-you-can-eat fish fry with classic sides for $23.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, Gutschmidt Properties, and Jean’s Team with CMG Home Loans.
With convenient locations throughout the area, a deep commitment to relationship banking, and the best cookies on the planet, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust is the bank of choice for Cedar Rapids locals. CRBT provides full service commercial and consumer banking as well as trust and asset management services, all while making your banking experience so much more than you expected. Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust: The people you can bank on. Learn more at crbt.bank.
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.
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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