Events for Saturday, May 16th, and Sunday, May 17th, 2026.

Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉

🌤️ Cedar Rapids Weekend Guide | May 16–17. It’s a packed weekend across Eastern Iowa with Houby Days, the Marion Arts Festival, farmers markets, live music, Kernels baseball, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly fun happening all across the corridor. Spend the weekend exploring local art, shopping markets and garage sales, enjoying concerts and nightlife, checking out science and astronomy events, or getting outside for kite festivals, yoga, hikes, and community celebrations. From Czech Village to Uptown Marion and everywhere in between, there’s something happening for everyone this 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.

🌤️ Cedar Rapids Weekend Events Guide

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Forecast: Warm and muggy with a chance of storms. High: 84° | Low: 61°

🎉 Festivals & Community Events

🍄 48th Annual Houby Days

📍 Czech Village Association
⏰ 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
💲 Free
Celebrate Cedar Rapids’ Czech heritage with a weekend full of food, music, vendors, parades, and family fun.

🎨 Marion Arts Festival

📍 Uptown Marion
⏰ 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy fine art, live music, food vendors, interactive art activities, and family-friendly entertainment throughout Uptown Marion.

🧑‍🌾 Marion Farmers Market

📍 Willowood Park
⏰ 8 – 11 a.m.
💲 Free
Shop fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, crafts, meats, and more from over 30 local vendors.

🛍️ Young Entrepreneurs Market

📍 NewBo City Market
⏰ 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
💲 Free
Support local youth entrepreneurs showcasing handmade and unique retail products.

🇺🇸 America 250 Armed Forces Day WWII Re-Enactment

📍 Marion Heritage Center
⏰ All Day
💲 Free
Experience living history demonstrations honoring World War II veterans and Iowa’s military history.

🚗 Fairfax City Wide Garage Sales

📍 Fairfax
⏰ Starting at 8 a.m.
💲 Free to attend
Spend the morning treasure hunting throughout Fairfax during the citywide garage sales.

🥞 Robins Annual Pancake Breakfast

📍 Robins Fire Department
⏰ 7 – 10 a.m.
💲 Free-will donation
Enjoy pancakes while supporting the Robins Fire Department equipment fund.

🌿 Nature & Outdoor Adventures

🐦 Bird Banding at the Barn

📍 Indian Creek Nature Center
⏰ 8 – 11 a.m.
💲 Free
Watch ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein band and release birds while learning about local wildlife.

🪁 Great American Kites Festival

📍 Lowe Park
⏰ 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
💲 Free
See giant kites and colorful aerial displays soaring above Marion.

🧹 Spring Clean & Play

📍 Wickiup Hill Learning Center
⏰ 9 a.m. – Noon
💲 Free
Help clean and refresh the nature playscape before enjoying outdoor family fun.

🧘 Yoga & Yap with 319 Girls Social Club

📍 Guthridge Park
⏰ 10 a.m.
💲 $5 RSVP
Enjoy beginner-friendly yoga followed by coffee, bagels, and social time.

🏍️ 125 Years of Indian Motorcycle Ride

📍 McGrath Powersports
⏰ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
💲 Free
Celebrate Indian Motorcycle’s anniversary with a 125-mile group ride.

🎈 Metro STEAM Academy Weather Balloon Launch

📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
⏰ 9:30 – 11 a.m.
💲 Free
Watch students launch and track a weather balloon nearly 100,000 feet into the atmosphere.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Kids Activities

🐤 “Home Tweet Home” Paint a Birdhouse

📍 Indian Creek Nature Center
⏰ 9 – 11 a.m.
💲 $20 Nonmembers | $15 Members
Kids can paint birdhouses, make bird feeders, and enjoy nature-themed activities.

🐱 Cat Café

📍 Marion Public Library
⏰ 10 a.m. – Noon
💲 Free
Meet adoptable cats and kittens while enjoying cat-themed crafts and books.

🎬 “Zootopia 2” Showing & Activity

📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
⏰ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Watch the movie and create your own animal mask afterward.

🐾 Calling All Pet Lovers!

📍 Hiawatha Public Library
⏰ 10 a.m.
💲 Free
Submit photos and celebrate pets during this community pet exhibit event.

📚 Donation Day

📍 Hiawatha Public Library
⏰ 10 a.m. – Noon
💲 Free
Donate gently used books and magazines to support the library.

🧩 English Practice Conversation Group

📍 Ladd Library
⏰ 11 a.m. – Noon
💲 Free
Practice conversational English in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

🗣️ Learn & Practice English at the Library

📍 Ladd Library
⏰ Noon – 1 p.m.
💲 Free
Improve communication skills through guided discussions and activities.

🔭 Science, Learning & Workshops

🌌 Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference – Track 1

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Center
⏰ 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
💲 Registration Required
Enjoy astronomy speakers, exhibits, telescope viewing, and hands-on science activities.

☀️ Free Astronomy Lecture

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton
⏰ 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
💲 Free
Dr. Ryan French presents a public lecture on space hazards and astronomy.

🚀 Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference – Track 2

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton
⏰ 1 – 4 p.m.
💲 $25 Single | $40 Family
Explore NASA activities, portable planetariums, science exhibits, and interactive learning.

🪦 Cryptic Clues in the Boneyard

📍 Cedar Rapids Area Genealogy Library
⏰ 1 – 3:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Learn how cemeteries can reveal fascinating genealogical clues and history.

🎨 Arts, Crafts & Culture

🖼️ Creative Artists Art Show & Sale

📍 West End Diner Pavilion
⏰ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
💲 Free
Browse handmade artwork and meet local artists across multiple mediums.

🧵 Sacred & Profane Art Exhibit

📍 St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
⏰ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
💲 Free
View fiber art and intricate icon artwork by local artists Robert Appel and Timothy Hein.

📓 Art at Brucemore: Journal Ecosystem

📍 Brucemore
⏰ 1 – 3 p.m.
💲 $50
Create personalized journal covers during this guided art workshop.

🎨 Artist Forum

📍 DKW Art Gallery & Studios
⏰ 2 – 5 p.m.
💲 Free
Artists of all ages and skill levels gather to share ideas, artwork, and inspiration.

📖 Book Signing with Randall Reyman

📍 Next Page Books
⏰ Noon – 2 p.m.
💲 Free
Meet the author of From the Bohemian Hills and discuss local Bohemian history.

🧘 Wellness & Spirituality

🌎 Loving the Wild: Earth-Centering Our Spirituality

📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
💲 Registration Required
Explore spirituality, nature, and mindfulness through discussions and outdoor experiences.

💫 Reclaiming Whimsy: Healing Your Inner Child

📍 Illuminations Cedar Rapids
⏰ 1 – 4 p.m.
💲 $77 Total
Experience healing activities, tarot, astrology, art, and community connection.

📖 Akashic Readings with Michelle Zimmerman

📍 ReAlive Metaphysical Shop
⏰ Noon – 4 p.m.
💲 $45
Receive personalized spiritual guidance through Akashic Record readings.

🧘 Yoga & a Pint

📍 NewBo City Market
⏰ 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
💲 Registration Required
Enjoy an evening yoga session followed by beer samples and social time.

⚾ Sports & Active Fun

🏓 Paddles Up to Beat Lyme

📍 Smithfield Tennis & Pickleball Center
⏰ 3:15 – 7:30 p.m.
💲 $50+
Join this pickleball fundraiser supporting Lyme disease awareness.

⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels – Star Wars Night

📍 Veterans Memorial Stadium
⏰ 6:35 p.m.
💲 Ticketed Event
Enjoy Star Wars characters, themed jerseys, and baseball under the lights.

🛝 Tuff Nutterz Inflatable Adventure Park

📍 Noelridge Park
⏰ All Weekend
💲 $25
Tackle a giant inflatable obstacle course packed with slides and climbing challenges.

🃏 MTG Standard Showdown

📍 Coulee Cards & Gaming
⏰ Noon
💲 $10 Entry
Compete in a Magic: The Gathering tournament with prizes and community fun.

🐉 Weekly Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament

📍 Turtle Power Games
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
💲 Varies
Bring your deck and compete in weekly dueling action.

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

🎸 Vocal Artists of Iowa – “New Beginnings”

📍 First Presbyterian Church
⏰ 4 – 5 p.m.
💲 Free-will donation
Enjoy a powerful choral performance celebrating hope and renewal.

🎼 Masterworks VI

📍 Paramount Theatre
⏰ 7:30 – 9 p.m.
💲 Ticketed Event
Experience Mahler’s dramatic Symphony No. 6 performed live by a massive orchestra.

🎤 Heads in Motion + Atlas Radio

📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar
⏰ 8 – 11:30 p.m.
💲 Starting at $20.70
Dance the night away with Talking Heads tribute music and live funk-rock jams.

🎶 Live Music Night with Terry McCauley

📍 350 First
⏰ 7 – 9 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy acoustic pop music from a local Hall of Fame musician.

🎵 Up in Smoke Houby Days Jam

📍 Up In Smoke BBQ
⏰ 7 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy live jam music, BBQ, and festival fun in Czech Village.

🎸 The Kickback Band

📍 North Point
⏰ 6 – 11 p.m.
💲 Free
Spend the evening with live music and dancing.

🎤 Zach Steinke Live

📍 MOCO Game Room & Hot Dog Bar
⏰ 9 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy live covers, originals, and comedy throughout the night.

🕺 Rahlan Kay’s Back in Black Affair

📍 CityWalk Eatery
⏰ 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
💲 $10 | 21+
Dress to impress for this stylish nightlife party downtown.

🔎 Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton
⏰ 6 – 9 p.m.
💲 $75.46
Solve a hilarious interactive murder mystery while enjoying dinner.

🌤️ Sunday, May 17, 2026

Forecast: Chance of storms. High: 85° | Low: 67°

🎉 Sunday Festivals & Community Events

🍄 48th Annual Houby Days

📍 Czech Village
⏰ All Day
💲 Free
Continue the weekend celebration with Czech culture, food, music, and family activities.

🎶 Community Music Festival

📍 Kingston Yard
⏰ Noon – 3 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy performances from Cedar Rapids Community School District music ensembles.

🛍️ Spring Market

📍 Big Grove Brewery
⏰ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
💲 Free
Shop local artists, handmade goods, pastries, and crafts.

🧁 Sundae Sundays

📍 Big Grove Brewery
⏰ 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
💲 Free for Kids 12 & Under
Kids receive a free scoop of ice cream every Sunday.

🐶 PAWTy on the Patio

📍 Downtown Dogs Social Club
⏰ Noon – 3 p.m.
💲 Free
Celebrate one year of Downtown Dogs with food, games, and dog-friendly fun.

🌿 Outdoor & Adventure

🦙 Hike with Llamas

📍 Prairie Patch Farm
⏰ Noon – 1 p.m.
💲 Registration Required
Explore prairie trails with llamas by your side during this guided nature hike.

🏍️ Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

📍 NewBo City Market
⏰ 10:30 a.m.
💲 Fundraiser Event
Classic motorcycle riders gather to support men’s health awareness.

🧺 Hiawatha Farmers Market

📍 Guthridge Park
⏰ All Day
💲 Free
Browse local produce, flowers, baked goods, honey, crafts, and more.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Fun

🎲 Sunday Bingo at NewBo City Market

📍 NewBo City Market
⏰ Noon – 1:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Play bingo for prizes during this weekly family-friendly event.

⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels – Princess Day

📍 Veterans Memorial Stadium
⏰ 1:05 p.m.
💲 Ticketed Event
Meet princesses, enjoy kids-eat-free specials, and stay for postgame activities.

⛸️ Family Skate at ImOn Ice

📍 ImOn Ice Arena
⏰ 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
💲 $45 Per Family
Spend the afternoon ice skating with the whole family.

📚 Grandma’s Storytime

📍 Lindale Mall
⏰ 2 – 3:30 p.m.
💲 Free
Kids can enjoy stories, crafts, snacks, and face painting.

🎨 Messy Play

📍 Indian Creek Nature Center
⏰ 9 – 11 a.m.
💲 $15 Per Child
Children can explore creative sensory play with paint, shaving cream, water, and more.

🧘 Wellness & Spirituality

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Yoga

📍 Breathing Room Yoga
⏰ 11 a.m. – Noon
💲 Free-will donation
Inclusive yoga focused on movement, healing, and community connection.

🌎 Loving the Wild 3-Day Retreat

📍 Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
⏰ Through Sunday
💲 $225–$295
A contemplative retreat exploring spirituality, nature, and mindfulness.

🎭 Arts, Music & Entertainment

🎶 New Beginnings Choral Concert

📍 First Presbyterian Church
⏰ 4 – 5:15 p.m.
💲 Free-will donation
Experience an inspiring concert centered around themes of hope and renewal.

🎻 Ordinary Elephant

📍 CSPS Hall
⏰ 7 p.m.
💲 $20 Advance | $25 Door
Enjoy an intimate folk performance from award-winning duo Ordinary Elephant.

📚 Bloodbath & Beyond Book Club

📍 Sisters Books & Nooks
⏰ 5 p.m.
💲 Free
Discuss Diavola and connect with fellow horror and thriller readers.

🎤 Basix Bingo with Cecelia Monroe Cavalier

📍 Basix
⏰ 7 – 9 p.m.
💲 Free
Wrap up the weekend with drag bingo and entertainment.

🎉 Sunday Funday

📍 Mr. B’s & Sam’s Pizza & Deli
⏰ 2 – 5 p.m.
💲 Free
Enjoy live music and casual Sunday fun with friends and family.

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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