Events for Friday, May 1st, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Friday’s May Day lineup in Cedar Rapids mixes community traditions with a full day of activities, from morning fitness, story times, and rummage sales to creative workshops, live music, and family-friendly events. The afternoon brings festivals, art, and local pop-ups, while the evening features everything from a Kernels game and concerts to theater, races, and nightlife. Whether you’re looking to relax, celebrate, or get out and explore, there’s something happening all day long.
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.
🌸 Happy May Day — Friday, May 1 Event Guide
Forecast: Partly cloudy | High: 57° | Low: 34°
🌅 Morning Events
🛍️ Annual Spring Rummage Sale
📍 Noelridge Christian Church
⏰ 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 💲 Free entry
Browse quality secondhand goods and bargains during this multi-day community sale.
💪 GeriFit (Morning Session)
📍 Ely Public Library
⏰ 8 – 8:45 a.m. | 💲 Free
A low-impact fitness class designed to improve strength, balance, and mobility for adults 60+.
🌸 May Day Baskets
📍 Ely Public Library
⏰ 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | 💲 Free
Create festive May Day baskets filled with treats to share with friends or neighbors.
🧠 Resilience & Wellbeing Summit
📍 Camp Tanager
⏰ 8:30 a.m. | 💲 Varies
Kick off Mental Health Month with speakers, discussions, and community connection focused on wellbeing.
👶 Baby & Toddler Story Time
📍 Ladd Library
⏰ 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | 💲 Free
A short story and song session followed by playtime to support early literacy development.
👵 Heritage Open Office Hours
📍 Marion Public Library
⏰ 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | 💲 Free
Meet with experts to discuss caregiving resources, transportation, meals, and support services.
🧓 Advice on Aging for Older Iowans
📍 Marion Public Library
⏰ 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | 💲 Free
Drop in for guidance on aging-related services, Medicaid questions, and caregiving support.
🎨 Art Den (Adult Open Studio 18+)
📍 Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
⏰ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 💲 $5
A relaxed open studio where adults can create art and experiment with materials.
🎭 Expressive Arts with Tanager
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
⏰ 10 – 11 a.m. | 💲 Free
Kids explore creativity through theater games, music, and hands-on art activities.
🧘 Tai Chi for Older Adults
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
⏰ 10 – 11 a.m. | 💲 Free
A gentle movement class focused on balance, flexibility, and relaxation.
🚌 Yellow Bus Experience
📍 Kingston Stadium
⏰ 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | 💲 Free
Test drive a school bus and learn about careers in student transportation.
☀️ Midday & Afternoon Events
🖼️ Gallery Talk: Grant Wood’s Memorial Window
📍 Veterans Memorial Building
⏰ 11 – 11:30 a.m. | 💲 Free
A short talk exploring Grant Wood’s iconic stained-glass memorial work.
🍽️ Encore Café (Registration Required)
📍 Marion Public Library
⏰ 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Enjoy a nutritious meal paired with wellness and social activities.
✍️ Community Writers Circle
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
⏰ 1 – 2 p.m. | 💲 Free
A welcoming group for adults to write, share, and connect.
💪 GeriFit (Afternoon Session)
📍 Ely Public Library
⏰ 1 – 1:45 p.m. | 💲 Free
A second session of the low-impact strength and mobility class.
🎺 Big Band Boogie Bash
📍 Kingston Yard
⏰ 1 – 8 p.m. | 💲 Free
An all-day jazz festival featuring college ensembles and live performances.
🕊️ Orloj Angels Dedication
📍 National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library
⏰ 1 – 1:30 p.m. | 💲 Free
Celebrate the unveiling of marble angels at the Immigration Clock Tower.
🦐 A&A Seafood Pop-Up
📍 ABC Acres
⏰ 2 – 6 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Enjoy fresh seafood offerings in a casual outdoor setting.
🛠️ Makerspace Open Hours
📍 Marion Public Library
⏰ 2 – 4 p.m. | 💲 Free
Explore creative tools like 3D printers, Cricuts, and more.
🛍️ Rummage Sale (First Open Bible)
📍 First Open Bible Church
⏰ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 💲 Free entry
Shop while supporting global missions through this community sale.
🌆 Evening Events
🎸 Earplugs Required Gallery Opening
📍 CSPS Hall
⏰ 5 – 7 p.m. | 💲 Free
A photography exhibit capturing iconic live music performances.
🎨 Sketch to Etch
📍 Make/Believe CR
⏰ 5 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Learn how to turn sketches or images into vector files for creative projects.
🔫 Nerf Night (Ages 7–12)
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
⏰ 5 – 7 p.m. | 💲 Free
Kids enjoy foam dart battles in a fun, supervised setting.
🎶 The Beaker Brothers (Live Music)
📍 Campbell Steele Gallery & Venue
⏰ 5:30 p.m. (music at 7) | 💲 $15
A jam-band tribute concert celebrating classic rock sounds.
🧘 Forest Bathing with Full Moon
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m. | 💲 $25
A guided, slow-paced nature immersion focused on mindfulness and wellness.
🧘 Qigong & Tai Chi Basics
📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 6:30 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Learn foundational movements to improve balance, strength, and relaxation.
⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels Game
📍 Cedar Rapids Kernels
⏰ 6:05 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Enjoy a themed “Halfway to Halloween” baseball game with costumes and treats.
🎤 Live Music (Multiple Venues)
📍 Kickstand | ⏰ 6 – 9 p.m. | 💲 Free – Last Call Party Band brings high-energy hits.
📍 Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery | ⏰ 6 – 9 p.m. | 💲 Free – AirWaves performs classic rock.
📍 The Pines Pizza and Pub | ⏰ 6 – 9 p.m. | 💲 Free – Acoustic live music night.
🎮 Gaming Events
📍 RePlay Gaming | ⏰ 6 – 10 p.m. | 💲 Varies – Magic: The Gathering Legacy play.
📍 First Turn Games | ⏰ 6 p.m. | 💲 Varies – Riftbound prerelease event.
🧘 Reiki Share
📍 ReAlive Metaphysical Shop
⏰ 6 – 8 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Experience or practice Reiki in a group healing session.
🐟 Fish Fry
📍 Whiskey River Grill
⏰ 4 – 9:30 p.m. | 💲 $23
All-you-can-eat fish, fries, and sides for a Friday tradition.
🎭 4 Musical Tenors Concert
📍 National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library
⏰ 7:30 – 9 p.m. | 💲 $10–$55
An internationally acclaimed vocal group performs Broadway and classical favorites.
🏁 NASCAR Local Racing
📍 Hawkeye Downs Speedway
⏰ 7 – 10 p.m. | 💲 $10–$15
Experience high-speed local racing action and special exhibitions.
🎭 Disney's The Little Mermaid
📍 Theatre Cedar Rapids
⏰ 7:30 p.m. | 💲 Varies
A live stage production of the beloved Disney story.
🌙 Nightlife & Late Events
🎤 R&B Night: Mother’s May Day
📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar
⏰ 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. | 💲 $10+
A high-energy R&B night celebrating women and nightlife culture.
🚶 Full Moon Hike
📍 Indian Creek Nature Center
⏰ 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. | 💲 $5–$10
Explore trails under the moonlight with a guided group hike.
🤠 Palomino (Live Country Music)
📍 Checkers Tavern
⏰ 7 – 11 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Enjoy classic country hits in a laid-back bar setting.
💃 R&B & Steppers Night
📍 Fireside Tavern
⏰ 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. | 💲 $10
Dance the night away with R&B, stepping, and drink specials.
🌟 Glow for Coe
📍 Homeport
⏰ 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. | 💲 Varies
A neon-themed party celebrating the end of the school year.
🎤 Karaoke Nights
📍 The Shack Tavern | ⏰ 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. | 💲 Free
Sing your favorite songs in a lively bar atmosphere.
🎭 The Weakest Twink
📍 Basix
⏰ 10 p.m. | 💲 Varies
A high-energy weekly competition blending entertainment and performance.
🎤 Improv at CSPS
📍 CSPS Hall
⏰ 8 p.m. | 💲 Varies
Enjoy a night of live improv comedy performances.
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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