Events for Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 5th, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Cedar Rapids kicks off Independence Day weekend with a packed lineup of community breakfasts, races, and classic car shows on Saturday morning, followed by a full day of festivals, markets, and outdoor celebrations including Fourth Fest at Kingston Yard, the House It Up! parking lot jam, and the Freedom Festival’s Celebration of Freedom at McGrath Amphitheatre featuring live entertainment and a major fireworks finale. Throughout the day, families can enjoy everything from yoga on Mays Island and antique browsing at Bass Family Farms to dock diving, water ski shows, and multiple live music options across the city. As night falls, celebrations continue with concerts, block parties, and fireworks viewing spots across Cedar Rapids and Ely. The weekend then transitions into Sunday with a slower, more relaxed rhythm featuring farmers markets, community breakfasts, and family activities like animal encounters at Indian Creek Nature Center and Pokémon prerelease gaming events, alongside live music at local venues and the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band’s patriotic concert at Bever Park—offering a reflective, community-centered close to the holiday weekend.
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 — Saturday, July 4
Forecast: Slight chance of storms with a high of 90°F and a low of 70°F.
Expect warm, humid holiday weather with a small chance of evening storms—perfect for outdoor festivities, but keep an eye on the sky before fireworks.
🥞 Morning Events & Family Fun
Ely Firefighters 55th Annual Breakfast
🕒 6:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Ely Fire Station
💲 $10 adults | $5 children (6–12)
Start the holiday with an all-you-can-eat breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, bacon, and eggs.
Freedom Festival Pancake Breakfast
🕒 7–11 a.m.
📍 Veterans Memorial Building
💲 $10 ($5 off with Freedom Festival button) | Kids 5 & under free
A beloved Fourth of July tradition featuring pancakes, sausage, coffee, and community spirit.
Fifth Season 8K, 5K & Kids Race
🕒 7:30 a.m.
📍 Greene Square Park
💲 Registration required
Kick off Independence Day with Cedar Rapids’ longtime holiday race tradition.
Freedom Festival Car Show
🕒 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
📍 Downtown Cedar Rapids
💲 Free to attend
Browse classic, antique, custom, and muscle cars during this annual Fourth of July favorite.
Freedom Festival Pinewood Derby Race
🕒 8–10:30 a.m.
📍 Downtown Cedar Rapids
💲 $10 entry
Kids can build, decorate, and race their own custom derby cars for prizes and bragging rights.
Patriotic Pop-Up Vendor Market
🕒 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
📍 Veterans Memorial Building Armory
💲 Free
Shop handmade goods, patriotic décor, treats, and unique gifts from local vendors.
Marion Farmers Market
🕒 8–11 a.m.
📍 Willowood Park
💲 Free
Shop fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and locally made goods.
🧘 Wellness & Daytime Activities
Yoga on the Island
🕒 9–10 a.m.
📍 Mays Island
💲 Free
Start your holiday with a peaceful outdoor yoga session suitable for all skill levels.
Fields + Finds on the Fourth
🕒 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 Bass Family Farms
💲 Free
Browse antiques, primitives, collectibles, and farm-fresh treats during this festive antique show.
Fourth Fest
🕒 Noon–10 p.m.
📍 Kingston Yard
💲 Free (some activities extra)
A full day of hot dog eating, cornhole, kids’ activities, live music, food, and drinks.
House It Up! Parking Lot Jam
🕒 3–10 p.m.
📍 Fix Salon Parking Lot
💲 Free
Enjoy an all-ages outdoor house music party with local DJs and food vendors.
🎨 Arts & Exhibits
Gallery Opening: Deeply UnSerious
🕒 5 p.m.
📍 CSPS Hall
💲 Free
Explore comic art, sketches, and original illustrations from the Mitchell Brothers.
🎶 Live Music & Entertainment
Betty Calling
🕒 6–10 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Eagles #2272
💲 Varies
Celebrate with high-energy rock, singalongs, and patriotic party vibes.
July Fourth Party
🕒 5:30–9:30 p.m.
📍 CR Midnight Smoker BBQ
💲 Free entry
Enjoy live music from Wonderful Smiths with dancing, BBQ, and fireworks views.
Last Call Party Band
🕒 7 p.m.
📍 Kickstand
💲 Varies
Rock into the night with live music, drinks, and holiday fun.
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
🕒 7 p.m.
📍 Ellis Harbor / Cedar River
💲 Free
Five Seasons Ski Team returns with this year’s crowd-pleasing theme: Disco Fever.
🎆 Fireworks & Evening Celebrations
Ely 4th of July Parade
🕒 6 p.m.
📍 Downtown Ely
💲 Free
Small-town charm shines during Ely’s annual Independence Day parade.
Freedom Festival Celebration of Freedom
🕒 4:30–10:30 p.m.
📍 McGrath Amphitheatre
💲 Free
The grand finale of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival features live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and a spectacular fireworks show launched from the 2nd Avenue Bridge.
Fireworks at The Shack Tavern
🕒 Around 9:15 p.m.
📍 The Shack Tavern
💲 Varies
A great west-side option for fireworks viewing with food and drinks nearby.
🌤 Cedar Rapids Daily — Sunday, July 5
Forecast: Slight chance of storms with a high of 85°F and a low of 67°F.
A cooler, more comfortable day wraps up the holiday weekend, with only a small chance of storms—great weather for markets, outdoor music, and family fun.
🥞 Food & Community
El Kahir Shrine’s Omelet Breakfast
🕒 8:30–11:59 a.m.
📍 El Kahir Shrine
💲 $12
Enjoy made-to-order omelets plus pancakes, biscuits & gravy, breakfast potatoes, coffee, and more. Bloody Marys and mimosas are available for an additional cost.
Sundae Sundays
🕒 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
📍 Big Grove Brewery
💲 Free scoop for kids 12 & under
Treat the kids to a free scoop of ice cream during this sweet weekly summer tradition.
Sunday Bingo at NewBo City Market
🕒 Noon–1:30 p.m.
📍 NewBo City Market
💲 Free
Grab a bingo card and join in for a fun afternoon of prizes and community.
🛍 Markets & Shopping
Hiawatha Farmers Market
🕒 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 Guthridge Park
💲 Free
Shop fresh produce, baked goods, ready-to-eat treats, and handmade goods from local vendors.
🐾 Family Fun & Activities
Meet Our Animals
🕒 1–3 p.m.
📍 Indian Creek Nature Center
💲 Included with admission / check venue
Get up close with resident animals while staff answer questions and share fun facts.
Pokémon Pitch Black Prerelease
🕒 1 p.m.
📍 RePlay Gaming
💲 Event entry required
Trading card fans can test the newest Pokémon set and receive bonus booster packs.
🎶 Live Music & Entertainment
Karl Hudson Live
🕒 3–6 p.m.
📍 The Shack Tavern
💲 Free entry
Relax with live music, cold drinks, and riverside views.
Dogs on Skis
🕒 4–7 p.m.
📍 House Divided Brewery
💲 Free entry
Catch a lively local performance and enjoy craft beer on a summer evening.
Cedar Rapids Municipal Band Patriotic Concert
🕒 7:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Bever Park
💲 Free
Celebrate the holiday weekend finale with patriotic favorites performed by the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Gutschmidt Properties.
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
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.
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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