Events for Friday, July 31st, 2026.

Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉

Welcome to Cedar Rapids Daily, your quick guide to everything happening across Eastern Iowa! In today's episode for Friday, July 31, we're covering a full day of family fun, live entertainment, wellness activities, and community events. Highlights include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Night with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Rock the Block at NewBo City Market, the Back 2 School Bash, Summer Movie in the Park, live music across the area, NASCAR racing at Hawkeye Downs, plus library programs, fitness classes, and creative workshops. Whether you're looking for free family activities, a fun night out, or ways to kick off your weekend, Cedar Rapids Daily helps you discover the best events 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 | Friday, July 31

🌦️ Forecast

Storms likely with a high of 76° and a low of 65°. Keep the umbrella handy as you enjoy a full day of library programs, family fun, live music, sports, and community events across Eastern Iowa.

🌿 Health & Wellness

💪 GeriFit

🕗 8:00–8:45 a.m. & 12:00–12:45 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library
💲 Free
Improve strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility with this low-impact fitness class designed for adults 60+.

🌸 Day of Self Renewal

🕣 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
💲 $100–$115
Treat yourself to a full day of massage, meditation, relaxation, lunch, and personal renewal.

👶 Baby & Me Yoga Summer Series

🕚 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
📍 Toula Yoga
💲 $20 drop-in or $78 series
A gentle postpartum yoga class designed for moms and babies to reconnect, move, and build community.

🧠 Art in the Moment Tour

🕑 2:00–3:00 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
💲 Free (Registration required)
A dementia-friendly guided museum experience for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Kids

🦦 Drop-In: Otter Pup Craft

🕘 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library
💲 Free
Create an adorable baby otter bookmark or keepsake anytime during library hours.

👶 Baby & Toddler Story Time

🕤 9:30–10:30 a.m.
📍 Ladd Library
💲 Free
Stories, songs, and playtime designed especially for babies and toddlers.

💦 Mega Foam Blaster

🕙 10:00–11:00 a.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
💲 Free
A high-energy foam-filled adventure guaranteed to cool kids off.

📚 Your Library at Daniels Park

🕦 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Daniels Park
💲 Free
Enjoy story time, games, giveaways, and mobile library activities in the park.

🎬 A Very Muppet Summer: Labyrinth

🕑 2:00–4:30 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
💲 Free
Watch Jim Henson's fantasy classic on the library's big screen.

🍦 End-of-Summer Ice Cream Social

🕝 2:30–4:00 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
💲 Free
Celebrate the end of the Summer Library Program with free ice cream and family fun.

📚 Learning & Community

🍽️ Encore Café

🕦 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
💲 Registration required
Enjoy a nutritious lunch and wellness programming designed for older adults.

🪟 Gallery Talk: Grant Wood's Memorial Window

🕚 11:00–11:30 a.m.
📍 Veterans Memorial Building
💲 Free
Learn the fascinating history behind Grant Wood's famous stained-glass masterpiece.

✍️ Community Writers Circle

🕐 1:00–2:00 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
💲 Free
Meet fellow writers and share ideas in this welcoming adult writing group.

💻 Computer Basics for English Learners

🕒 3:00–4:30 p.m.
📍 Ladd Library
💲 Free
Learn essential computer skills while improving English language proficiency.

🎨 Arts & Culture

🎭 YES! Fest

🕐 1:00–3:00 p.m.
📍 CSPS Hall
💲 $15
Eastern Iowa's young improv performers compete in an afternoon of fast-paced comedy.

🎭 Living Improverty

🕗 8:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 CSPS Hall
💲 Admission varies
Enjoy an evening of hilarious musical and short-form improv comedy.

🎼 Emily F-ing Dickinson

🕢 7:30–9:00 p.m.
📍 Giving Tree Theater
💲 Admission varies
A funny and unconventional original musical celebrating the life of Emily Dickinson.

⚾ Sports & Recreation

⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Peoria Chiefs

🕡 6:35 p.m.
📍 Veterans Memorial Stadium
💲 Ticketed
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Night features collectible masks, specialty jerseys, BOGO beverages, and fan competitions.

🏁 NASCAR Weekly Racing – Wall of Fame Night

🕖 7:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 Hawkeye Downs Speedway
💲 Adults $15
Celebrate racing legends while enjoying an exciting night of NASCAR local racing.

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

🎸 Rock the Block

🕕 6:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 NewBo City Market
💲 Free
Enjoy free live music featuring Vinyl Alibi in the Market Yard.

🎤 Pop-Up Acts in the Artway

🕕 6:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Uptown Marion Artway
💲 Free
Live music from Joelle in Marion's beautiful Artway.

🎸 Dogs on Skis

🕖 7:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 Sag Wagon
💲 Free
Kick off the weekend with live music along the river.

🎶 Rolling with Jen Trio

🕖 7:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 Kickstand
💲 Free
Relax on the patio with an evening of live music.

🎵 Patrick Tecklenburg & Friends

🕗 8:00–11:00 p.m.
📍 Checkers Tavern
💲 Free
Classic rock, country, and timeless favorites performed live.

🎧 EDM Night

🕘 9:00 p.m.–Midnight
📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar
💲 $10–15 • 21+
Dance the night away with house, bass, techno, and riddim.

🎤 Redemption

🕤 9:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m.
📍 J&A Tap
💲 Free
Dance to decades of hits spanning the '70s through today.

🎉 Community Events

🎒 Back 2 School Bash

🕔 5:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Greene Square
💲 $5 per student (registration required)
School supplies, inflatables, games, face painting, and family fun before the school year begins.

🎨 Mobile Visiting Artist Workshop: Hobbit Mug

🕠 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 RePlay Gaming
💲 $55
Create your own Hobbit-inspired clay mug with the Iowa Ceramics Center's Mobile Clay Studio.

🍿 Summer Movie in the Park

🕣 8:30 p.m.
📍 Jones Park
💲 Free
Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a free outdoor showing of Lilo & Stitch with complimentary popcorn.

🖼️ Ongoing Highlight

🏛️ Free Summer Admission

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
💲 Free through August 30
Explore sixteen galleries featuring regional and national artwork with free admission all summer long.

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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