Events for Friday, October 23rd, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Ready for fall fun? 🎃 Explore Bloomsbury Farm’s Iowa Fall Festival, brave the scares at Scream Acres or Circle of Ash, or get creative with pottery and glass workshops. 🎨 Celebrate The Big Marion Read finale, check out the Ellis House grand opening, or catch live music at The Ideal Theater. 🎶 You can also enjoy The Exorcist, Dial M for Murder, or the Halloween extravaganza Ghouls, Glitz & Glam. 👻 There’s plenty to do to kick off your weekend in Eastern Iowa!
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
Friday, October 23, 2026
Your guide to what’s happening around Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa — in five minutes or less!
🌤️ FORECAST
Mostly sunny with a high of 71° and a low of 54°.
⭐ FRIDAY’S TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS
🎃 Iowa Fall Festival at Bloomsbury Farm
👻 Scream Acres
🎭 Circle of Ash Haunted Attractions
🎨 Clay Friday Night Out: Wall Altar
🍂 Wheel Friday Night Out: Pumpkins
🎄 Glass Holiday Wreath Workshop
📚 The Big Marion Read 2026 Finale
🎉 Ellis House Grand Opening
🎶 Andy Juhl and the Bluestem Players with blueeyeddaze
💃 Ghouls, Glitz & Glam: A Halloween Extravaganza
🌿 HEALTH, WELLNESS & FITNESS
💪 Geri-Fit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m. & 1–1:45 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library | 💲 Free
A strength, balance, and mobility class for adults ages 60 and older. Geri-Fit can help improve flexibility and balance and support people living with arthritic conditions. Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.
🥋 Find Your Center
🕣 8:30–9:30 a.m.
📍 NewBo City Market | 💲 Free
Feeling pulled in too many directions? This interactive weekly series uses martial arts-inspired principles, simple movement, breathing exercises, reflection, and discussion to help you manage stress, regain focus, and identify a meaningful next step. Drop in when you can—no martial arts experience required.
🍽️ Encore Café — Registration Required
🕦 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Enjoy a delicious, dietitian-reviewed meal alongside activities and educational sessions designed to support health, wellness, social connection, and quality of life for older adults. The café rotates among Cedar Rapids and Marion locations. Check the program calendar for menus and details.
👨👩👧 FAMILY, KIDS & TEENS
📚 Early Learning Story Time at Busse Branch
🕤 9:30–10 a.m.
📍 Busse Library
A fun-filled story time for children ages 2–5 featuring stories, songs, movement, and bubbles.
🐉 Dungeons & Dragons
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Adventure with other teens and tweens in this tabletop role-playing game experience.
🎃 Iowa Fall Festival
🕐 1–5:30 p.m.
📍 Bloomsbury Farm, 3260 69th St., Atkins
One of Iowa’s favorite fall traditions returns! Enjoy u-pick pumpkins and flowers, a giant corn maze, photo opportunities, fall treats, and attractions for all ages. The festival runs through October 31, with Friday hours from 1–5:30 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets and details: https://tickets.bloomsburyfarm.com/iowa-fall-festival-2026
🎨 ARTS, CRAFTS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
🏺 Clay Friday Night Out: Wall Altar
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio | 💲 $50
Create a personalized ceramic wall altar using slab-building techniques. Your finished piece can display small treasures, dried flowers, crystals, or keepsakes. Ages 21+, BYOB, and preregistration required. Finished projects will be ready for pickup in approximately three weeks.
🎃 Wheel Friday Night Out: Pumpkins
🕡 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio | 💲 $55
Learn to throw a ceramic pumpkin on the pottery wheel, then add stems and texture. Recommended for participants with previous workshop experience or comfort centering clay and pulling walls. Ages 21+, BYOB, and preregistration required. Finished pieces will be available for pickup in about three weeks.
🎄 Glass Holiday Wreath Workshop
🕡 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio | 💲 $90
Create a one-of-a-kind, 10-inch layered fused-glass wreath with colorful leaves, berries, ornaments, and festive accents. No experience is necessary; materials, instruction, and kiln firing are included. Preregistration required. Finished wreaths will be ready for pickup in approximately three weeks.
🛠️ MakerSpace Open Hours
🕐 1–4 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Explore creative technology at the library’s MakerSpace, featuring 3D printers, Cricut machines, a sublimation printer, heat presses, and more. Open to all ages. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
📚 COMMUNITY, LIBRARY & LEARNING
📖 The Big Marion Read 2026 Finale
🕒 3–5 p.m.
📍 The Depot at City Square Park, Marion
Celebrate the conclusion of The Big Marion Read, a community-wide reading program connecting people of all ages through books, activities, and events. Library Director Bill Carroll will offer closing remarks, followed by a reception celebrating the community read.
📝 Community Writers’ Circle — Announcement
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
The Community Writers’ Circle is taking a short break this fall.
🎀 Ribbon Cutting at Front Porch Framing & Finds
🕘 9–10 a.m.
📍 Front Porch Framing & Finds, Marion
Celebrate the opening of this family-owned, mother-daughter business. Formerly Kyle’s Framing, the shop continues to offer custom framing while adding gifts, home décor, books, jewelry, permanent jewelry, local artists’ work, and unique finds. Stop by, meet the owners, and see what’s new.
🎉 Ellis House Grand Opening
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 Ellis House, Cedar Rapids | 💲 Free
Ellis House is opening its doors! Stop in to tour the space and discover possibilities for celebrations, gatherings, company events, and more.
🛍️ SHOPPING & COMMUNITY
🏷️ Fall Garage Sale
🕘 9 a.m.–noon
📍 St. Jude Catholic Church
Shop quality items, clothing, décor, and more. The kitchen will serve fresh cinnamon rolls each morning, along with snacks throughout the day. For more information, call the church office at 319-390-3520.
🌳 NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
🎃 Scream Acres
🕡 6:30–10 p.m.
📍 Bloomsbury Farm, near Atkins
Ready for a serious scare? Take on three indoor haunted attractions and a pitch-black haunted cornfield, then recharge with live music, food, and drinks in the 21-and-older beer garden. Recommended for ages 12 and up; anyone under 16 needs an adult chaperone on the grounds.
🎟️ Tickets and details: https://tickets.bloomsburyfarm.com/2026-scream-acres-ticket
👻 HALLOWEEN & HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS
🔥 Circle of Ash — 25 Years of Scares
🕖 7–11 p.m.
📍 Linn County Fairgrounds, 201 Central City Rd., Central City
💲 $31.58 online / $35 at the gate
Celebrate 25 years of scares with three haunted attractions in one night: Frightmare Forest, The Manor, and Socko’s Fun House. The attraction runs Friday and Saturday nights through October 31.
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/CircleOfAsh
🎭 THEATRE & LIVE PERFORMANCE
🎭 The Exorcist
🕢 7:30–10 p.m.
📍 Theatre Cedar Rapids
Experience the chilling stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel, adapted by John Pielmeier. This gripping theatrical story explores faith, fear, and the battle between good and evil. Running October 9–November 1.
⚠️ Content advisory: Graphic language, loud noises, simulated medical procedures, violence, and depictions of demonic possession.
🔎 Dial M for Murder
🕢 7:30–10 p.m.
📍 Giving Tree Theater
A fresh adaptation of the classic murder mystery that inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s film. Jealousy, suspicion, and deception spiral into a dangerous plot involving a husband, his wife, and a suspected affair.
🎶 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
🎸 Andy Juhl and the Bluestem Players with blueeyeddaze
🕗 8–11 p.m. | Doors open at 7 p.m.
📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar, Cedar Rapids
💲 $16 + fees | All ages
Ames-based Andy Juhl and the Bluestem Players bring an immersive mix of effect-driven guitar, synthesized textures, heartfelt melodies, and adventurous rhythms to The Ideal. Marion musician Alyssa Schlicht, performing as blueeyeddaze, opens the show.
💃 Rhinestone Dyad Presents: Ghouls, Glitz & Glam — A Halloween Extravaganza
🕗 8–10:30 p.m.
📍 CSPS Hall
Ginny Tonic and Magenta Moxie host a spooky-season celebration featuring burlesque, comedy, pole, flow arts, and cabaret. Limited VIP tables include Vice & Velvet cheesecake bites courtesy of Magenta Moxie.
🎤 Friday Night Karaoke
🕘 9 p.m.
📍 Sammy’s Lounge
Grab the mic and sing your favorite songs at this weekly Friday-night karaoke gathering.
🎳 FOOD, FUN & GAMES
🎳 Strikes and Slices
🕘 9–11 p.m.
📍 Spare Time
💲 $10.99 per person
Enjoy unlimited bowling, shoe rental, and unlimited pizza slices for a late-night combination of food and fun.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to our sponsor: Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust.
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
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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