Events for Thursday, June 18th, 2026.

Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉

Summer fun continues across Eastern Iowa this Thursday with a packed lineup of community events, family activities, wellness programs, live music, outdoor recreation, and local entertainment. From story times, park programs, and hands-on learning opportunities for kids to yoga classes, caregiver support groups, networking events, trivia nights, and live performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Take advantage of the beautiful weather while exploring local parks, supporting community organizations, cheering on the Cedar Rapids Kernels, or discovering a new hobby. Tune in for your daily roundup of the best events happening around Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Ely, and beyond.

A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Gutschmidt Properties for helping make Cedar Rapids Daily possible and supporting all the amazing things happening in our community.

☀️🌤️ Cedar Rapids Daily | Thursday, June 18, 2026 🌤️☀️

🌦️ Forecast

Partly Cloudy with a high of 75°F and a low of 53°F. A beautiful day to enjoy outdoor events, live music, community activities, and summer fun around Eastern Iowa!

🧘 Health, Wellness & Support

🧘 Morning Stretch

📍 Ely Public Library
🕗 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy a gentle group exercise session incorporating yoga-inspired movements adaptable to all mobility levels.

🧘 Metta Yoga – Gentle

📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
🕤 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
💲 $15 drop-in or punch card options
Relax, strengthen, and restore through beginner-friendly yoga in a peaceful natural setting.

🪑 Metta Yoga – Chair Yoga

📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
🕥 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
💲 $15 drop-in or punch card options
Accessible yoga designed for all ability levels using chair-supported movements.

💬 Conversations for Couples

📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
🕔 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
💲 Free (Registration Required)
Couples navigating dementia can connect, socialize, and share experiences over a light meal.

🤝 Caregiver Support Group

📍 Marion Public Library
🕕 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
💲 Free
A supportive gathering for caregivers of individuals living with memory loss.

🧠 Journaling

📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
💲 Free (Registration Required)
Learn journaling techniques and discover the benefits of creating a personal writing practice.

🌱 Go Deeper Thursday (Zoom)

📍 Online
🕓 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
💲 Free-Will Donation
Participate in meaningful online conversations focused on spirituality and personal growth.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Kids

🎨 Picasso in the Park

📍 Greene Square Park
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Young artists can paint, color, glue, and create their own take-home masterpieces.

📚 Early Learning Story Time

📍 Ladd Library
🕙 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
💲 Free
Stories, songs, bubbles, and parachute play make learning fun for ages 2-5.

🐄 Dan and Debbie's Story Time

📍 Ely Public Library
🕙 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy a cow-themed story, learn about dairy farming, and sample fresh milk and cookies.

🌳 Park Playdates: Gill Park

📍 Gill Park
🕙 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
💲 Free
Families can enjoy outdoor activities, playground fun, and a visit from the library bookmobile.

📖 Your Library at Redmond Park

📍 Redmond Park
🕦 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Books, games, story time, giveaways, and summer reading fun await at the park.

🚛 Rollin' Recmobile + Free Lunch Stop

📍 Cleveland Park
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy outdoor recreation activities and a free lunch provided through the summer program.

♻️ Garbage Crew to the Rescue!

📍 Ely Public Library
🕑 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Learn how waste management works and how communities can help protect the environment.

🎬 Tween & Teen Movie Day

📍 Marion Public Library
🕐 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy snacks and a showing of Lilo & Stitch (2025).

🧸 Toy Story Fun & Toy Sleepover Takeover

📍 Brewed Imagination
🕠 5:30 – 7:45 p.m.
💲 Children $25 | Adults $8
Kids enjoy pizza, popcorn, and Toy Story before leaving their favorite toy for an overnight adventure.

📚 Education, Learning & Technology

🤖 Artificial Intelligence & Disinformation with AARP

📍 Marion Public Library
🕤 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or 🕛 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
💲 Free (Registration Required)
Learn how AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation are shaping today's digital world.

💻 Searching & Applying for Reliable Jobs Online

📍 Ladd Library
🕑 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Discover trusted job-search resources and learn how to avoid employment scams.

📖 Virtual Author Talk: Ted Page

📍 Online via Marion Public Library
🕐 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
💲 Free (Registration Required)
Hear from the author of Good Grandpa about wisdom, family, and storytelling.

🗣️ English Practice Conversation Group

📍 Ladd Library
🕓 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Practice speaking English in a welcoming, conversational environment.

🌎 Learn & Practice English at the Library

📍 Ladd Library
🕔 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Improve communication skills while meeting new people in the community.

🎨 Arts, Crafts & Creativity

🧵 Daytime Knit Wits

📍 Marion Public Library
🕐 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Bring your knitting or crochet projects and enjoy fellowship with fellow crafters.

🏺 Wheel Boot Camp

📍 Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio
🕐 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
💲 $60
Young artists can learn pottery wheel basics while creating functional ceramic pieces.

🎨 Glass & Resin Suncatcher Class

📍 The Painted Butterfly
🕕 6:00 p.m.
💲 Registration Required
Create a custom suncatcher using resin and colorful crushed glass.

🪡 Cedar Valley Embroidery Guild Potluck

📍 Christ Episcopal Church
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy food, fellowship, and a presentation on stumpwork and thread painting.

🎭 2026–2027 Broadway at the Paramount Season Reveal

📍 Paramount Theatre
🕕 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Be among the first to discover the upcoming Broadway season lineup.

📚 Art Lovers Book Club

📍 Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
🕓 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Discuss You're Missing: New Ways of Looking at the World by Will Gompertz.

🌿 Nature & Outdoors

🌱 Summer Foraging

📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
💲 $10
Learn to identify edible plants and discover useful wild species found locally.

🚶 Meet Me at the Market

📍 NewBo City Market
🕠 5:30 – 7:15 p.m.
💲 Free
Participate in walks, runs, bike rides, yoga, and fitness activities for all ages.

💃 Jazzercise at Meet Me at the Market

📍 NewBo City Market
🕠 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
💲 Free
Dance away stress with a high-energy fitness class for all experience levels.

🏃 Big Grove + Iowa Running Company Run Club

📍 Big Grove Brewery
🕕 6:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Join fellow runners for a community run followed by a celebratory beverage.

🌽 Farm Stand Thursdays

📍 Cultivate Hope Urban Farm
🕓 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
💲 Free Admission
Shop fresh produce and support local agriculture.

🎲 Clubs, Games & Community

🎲 Scrabble Club

📍 Hiawatha Public Library
🕐 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Challenge fellow word lovers in friendly Scrabble competition.

🎲 Dungeons & Dragons

📍 Hiawatha Public Library
🕔 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Embark on an exciting tabletop adventure with fellow gamers.

📚 Friends of the Hiawatha Public Library

📍 Hiawatha Public Library
🕠 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Meet fellow library supporters and learn about upcoming initiatives.

🦸 Hiawatha Comic Book Club

📍 Hiawatha Public Library
🕖 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Share favorite comics and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

🧩 Game Night with Think & Drink Entertainment

📍 Spare Time Entertainment
🕖 7:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy trivia and team-based games while competing for prizes and house cash.

🎉 Special Events & Community Gatherings

❄️ Waypoint's Plunging for a Purpose

📍 Kingston Yard
🕔 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
💲 Fundraising Event
Take the plunge to support programs addressing homelessness, poverty, and violence.

⚖️ The Evening Docket

📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar
🕓 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
💲 Free
A networking and social gathering for legal professionals.

🏠 Redlining Discussion

📍 African American Museum of Iowa
🕕 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Explore the history and lasting impacts of redlining in local communities.

🎬 "Miss Juneteenth" Movie & Craft

📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
🕠 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Watch the acclaimed film while creating a unity bracelet.

⚾ Sports & Recreation

⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Beloit Sky Carp

📍 Veterans Memorial Stadium
🕡 6:35 p.m.
💲 Ticketed Event
Enjoy Banana Bonanza Night featuring themed jerseys, giveaways, and family fun.

🎱 Bingo Night

📍 El Kahir Shrine
🕕 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
💲 $6 Entry Packet
Open to the public for an evening of bingo, prizes, food, and refreshments.

🎵 Live Music & Entertainment

🎺 Marion by Moonlight

📍 Central Plaza, Marion
🕕 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Celebrate veterans while enjoying live music from the Schmidt Brothers, food vendors, and family activities.

🎷 Carson Parker Trio Featuring Aviana Gedler

📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar
🕢 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
💲 $21.75
Experience an evening of world-class jazz and vocals in an intimate setting.

🎸 The Elevator Jam

📍 The Study Hall
🕖 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
💲 $5
Join an open jam session fundraiser supporting accessibility improvements at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy.

🎤 Sammy's East Side Jam

📍 Sammy's Lounge
🕕 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy live music, community, and an energetic jam session atmosphere.

🎤 Karaoke Night

📍 Buchona's Sports Bar & Grill
🕗 8:00 p.m. – Midnight
💲 Free Admission
Sing your favorite songs and enjoy drink specials throughout the night.

🧠 Thirsty Thursday Trivia

📍 House Divided Brewery
🕢 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
💲 Free
Test your knowledge on a variety of trivia topics and compete for prizes.

🍻 Cup Night

📍 Raging Ryno's
🕗 8:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
💲 Varies
Kick back with friends and enjoy laid-back Thursday night vibes.

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

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.