Events for Friday, March 13th, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Friday in the Cedar Rapids area will be mostly cloudy and windy, but there are still plenty of ways to start the weekend. Families can enjoy preschool concerts with Orchestra Iowa, story time at the library, or active play at The Shell. Throughout the day there are creative opportunities like open art studios, writing groups, and the Make/Believe CR open house, along with cultural experiences including Brucemore mansion tours and a Czech piano workshop at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. In the evening, the city comes alive with major performances like Guys and Dolls, Superior Donuts, and The Ten Tenors at the Paramount Theatre, plus hockey, live music across town, bingo, dancing, and plenty of classic Friday fish fry dinners. Whether you’re looking for family fun, arts and culture, or nightlife, there’s a lot happening across the corridor to kick off the weekend.
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.
🌥️ Friday Events – Cedar Rapids Area
Forecast: Mostly cloudy & windy • High 46°F • Low 29°F
💪 Health & Wellness
Geri-Fit Exercise Class
📍 Ely Public Library
💲 Free
Strength and mobility exercise program designed for adults 60+ to improve balance, flexibility, and joint health.
⏰ 8–8:45 a.m. & 1–1:45 p.m.
Tai Chi for Older Adults
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
💲 Free
A 12-week gentle Tai Chi series that focuses on improving balance, mobility, and overall wellness.
⏰ 10–11 a.m.
👶 Family & Kids Activities
Pied Piper Concert (Orchestra Iowa)
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
💲 Free
A fun, interactive concert designed for preschoolers featuring a live woodwind ensemble.
⏰ 9:30–10:15 a.m. & 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Baby & Toddler Story Time
📍 Ladd Library
💲 Free
Stories, songs, and playtime designed to support early literacy development for children ages newborn to three.
⏰ 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Spring Break at The Shell
📍 The Shell – Little Sports Tots Indoor Play Space
💲 Admission varies
Kids ages 1–8 can enjoy bounce houses, obstacle courses, ride-on toys, and active play during spring break mornings.
⏰ 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Potato Chip Wars
📍 Ely Public Library
💲 Free
A fun all-ages taste test where participants try to identify different potato chip brands blindfolded.
⏰ 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
🎨 Arts, Writing & Creative Events
Art Den – Adult Open Studio
📍 Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
💲 $5
A relaxed open studio where adults can paint, draw, or experiment with art supplies in a casual creative space.
⏰ 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Community Writers Circle
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
💲 Free
A welcoming group where writers can share work, get feedback, and connect with fellow creatives.
⏰ 1–2 p.m.
Activists Art Build
📍 237 Collective
💲 Free (donations welcome)
Community members create posters and art pieces supporting activism and civic engagement.
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Make/Believe CR Open House
📍 Make/Believe CR
💲 Free
Preview the new creative shop, enjoy activities and snacks, and enter raffles ahead of its grand opening.
⏰ 1–7 p.m.
🏛️ History & Cultural Events
$5 Spring Break Mansion Tours
📍 Brucemore
💲 $5 student-rate admission
Explore the historic mansion with a self-guided tour and enjoy the scenic 26-acre grounds.
⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Piano Workshop: In Music, We Carry Our Memories
📍 National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
💲 Admission varies
Musicologist Katelyn Bouska explores Czech immigrant musical history through research and performance.
⏰ 3 p.m.
Katelyn Bouska Piano Concert: Orloj Fantasy
📍 National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
💲 Ticketed event
A classical concert featuring Czech and Slovak musical works inspired by immigrant culture in the Midwest.
⏰ 7 p.m.
🎭 Theatre & Live Performances
Guys and Dolls
📍 Theatre Cedar Rapids
💲 Ticketed event
The classic Broadway musical comedy about gamblers, romance, and big-city dreams.
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
Superior Donuts (Opening Weekend)
📍 CSPS Hall
💲 Ticketed event
A heartfelt comedy about friendship and change set inside a struggling Chicago donut shop.
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
The Ten Tenors – 30th Anniversary Tour
📍 Paramount Theatre
💲 Ticketed event
An internationally acclaimed vocal group blends opera, rock, and classical crossover in a high-energy performance.
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
Candles & Classics: The Four Seasons & The Four Seasons
📍 Opus Concert Café
💲 Ticketed event
A candlelit string quartet performance featuring Vivaldi and Frankie Valli classics.
⏰ 6–7 p.m.
🏒 Sports
NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship
📍 Alliant Energy PowerHouse
💲 ~$81
Watch the nation’s top Division III wrestlers compete in championship matches.
⏰ 4–6 p.m.
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Green Bay Gamblers
📍 ImOn Ice Arena
💲 Ticketed event
Junior hockey action featuring Cedar Rapids’ hometown USHL team.
⏰ 7:05 p.m.
🎲 Games & Social Activities
Dungeons & Dragons for Teens & Tweens
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
💲 Free
Young adventurers learn the game and embark on collaborative storytelling quests.
⏰ 6–7:30 p.m.
Bingo Night at Lowe Park
📍 Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center – Marion
💲 $0.25 per card
A family-friendly bingo night with cash prizes and social fun.
⏰ 6–8:30 p.m.
🎶 Live Music & Entertainment
Finally Friday Live Music
📍 CR Midnight Smoker BBQ
💲 Free
Live music from Mike & Carlis paired with BBQ and happy-hour drink specials.
⏰ 4–7 p.m.
The Mullins Brothers
📍 Campbell Steele Gallery & Venue
💲 $10 cover
A live acoustic set featuring classic pop-rock hits spanning several decades.
⏰ Doors 5:30 p.m. • Music 7 p.m.
Tangle Creek Live Music
📍 Cedar Ridge Distillery – Swisher
💲 Free
Celebrate March birthdays with live music, pizza, and drinks at the distillery.
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
Lost in America
📍 Checkers Tavern
💲 Free
Classic and southern rock covers performed live in a lively bar setting.
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Kellen O’Cullom with Cedar Reivers
📍 Parlor City Pub & Eatery
💲 Free
Enjoy Irish folk songs and traditional tunes ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
⏰ 7 p.m.
Paracosm Tour – Caster Volor
📍 Otis’ Tailgators Sports Bar
💲 Ticketed event
A theatrical hard-rock show featuring heavy metal and classic rock covers.
⏰ 9 p.m.
💃 Social Events & Nightlife
Ideal Idol – Semi Finals
📍 Ideal Theater & Bar
💲 $5 cover
A high-energy karaoke competition where finalists compete for a grand prize jackpot.
⏰ 7–11 p.m.
Salsa Basics Dance Class
📍 Rootspace Wellness
💲 $20 / $35 couples
A beginner-friendly class teaching salsa footwork, timing, and partner moves.
⏰ 7 p.m.
Saint Practice Day Party
📍 Kingston’s Steakhouse & Event Venue
💲 Free entry
A pre–St. Patrick’s Day celebration with drinks, live music, and green-themed fun.
⏰ 7 p.m.
Monster Arm Wrestling
📍 North Point – Cedar Rapids
💲 Spectator event
Competitors battle in an arm-wrestling showdown for bragging rights.
⏰ 7 p.m.
The Weakest Twink Competition
📍 Basix
💲 Free entry
A weekly entertainment competition featuring performances and audience participation.
⏰ 10 p.m.
Karaoke at The Shack Tavern
📍 The Shack Tavern
💲 Free
Sing your favorite songs with DJ Mikey Z hosting the night.
⏰ 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
🍽️ Food Events & Fish Fry Fridays
Fish Fry Fridays
📍 Goldfinch Tap + Eatery
💲 Menu pricing
Lent seafood specials including fried fish baskets, lobster rolls, and shrimp tacos.
⏰ 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
St. Jude Fish Fry
📍 St. Jude Catholic Church
💲 $15 adults / $7 youth
Classic fish fry dinner including sides and dessert options.
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
El Kahir Shrine Fish Fry
📍 El Kahir Shrine – Hiawatha
💲 $17 adults / $8 kids
All-you-can-eat hand-battered pollock served with classic sides.
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
VFW Post 788 Fish Fry
📍 VFW Post 788
💲 Menu pricing
A traditional community fish fry dinner open to the public.
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
Whiskey River Grill Fish Fry
📍 Whiskey River Grill
💲 $23 all-you-can-eat
Crispy fried cod served with fries and coleslaw every Friday during Lent.
⏰ 4–9:30 p.m.
El Kahir Basket Night
📍 El Kahir Shrine
💲 $10
Choose from burgers or tenderloins served with fries in a casual community dinner.
⏰ 5:30–7:30 p.m.
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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