Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Halloween excitement is building across Eastern Iowa, with plenty of family fun, fascinating talks, and ways to connect this Wednesday! 🎃 Kids can dress up for the Monster Mash Costume Bash at Lindale Mall, enjoy indoor trick-or-treating at FaithLife Church, or celebrate Halloween Week at Cedar Witch Goods and Familiar Cat Café. 🍬 Families can also check out The Mom Circle’s open house, while young readers can enjoy storytime and activities at local libraries. 📚 Author Jeff Kinney brings his Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight tour to the Paramount Theatre, and curious minds can explore the paranormal with the Spectre Group. 👻 Caregivers can find connection and support through a book study or caregiver coffee, and families can pick up free diapers at Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank Community Day. 🤝 Round out the day with free trivia at NewBo City Market, Name That Tune at Goldfinch Tap + Eatery, or a game of chess, mahjong, or Dungeons & Dragons. There’s something for every age and interest this Wednesday!
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
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Your guide to what’s happening around Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa — in five minutes or less!
🌤️ FORECAST
🌦️ Showers early, with a high of 74° and a low of 59°.
⭐ TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS
🎃 Lindale Mall Monster Mash Costume Bash
🍬 FaithLife Church Indoor Trunk or Treat
🧙 Halloween Week at Cedar Witch Goods & Familiar Cat Café
📚 Jeff Kinney: Diary of a Wimpy Kid — Fight or Flight Tour
👻 Paranormal Presentation by the Spectre Group
🧠 The Unexpected Journey Caregiver Book Study
🧸 The Mom Circle at The Little Gym
🧷 Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank Community Day
🧠 Free Trivia at NewBo City Market
🎵 Name That Tune Trivia at Goldfinch Tap + Eatery
💪 HEALTH, WELLNESS & FITNESS
Geri-Fit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m. and 1–1:45 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library | 💲 Free
A strength, balance and mobility class for adults 60 and older, with exercises designed to support flexibility and help prevent osteoporosis.
Tai Chi for Older Adults
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
Practice gentle Tai Chi forms in this 12-week series with Bryan Bruner of Heritage Area Agency on Aging. Skills build from session to session.
Qigong
🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Cherry Building
Explore gentle movements, breathing and focused awareness in this accessible practice designed to encourage relaxation, balance and well-being.
👶 FAMILY, KIDS & HALLOWEEN FUN
Baby & Toddler Story Time
🕤 9:30–10:30 a.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown
Enjoy stories, songs and movement for little ones, followed by playtime. Designed for newborns through age 3.
Halloween Week at Cedar Witch Goods & Familiar Cat Café
🕚 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
📍 Cedar Witch Goods, 945 6th Ave., Marion, and Familiar Cat Café, 935 6th Ave., Marion
The two neighboring businesses are hosting a week of Halloween activities. Wednesday is kids’ day, with a pumpkin coloring competition at Familiar Cat Café and free temporary tattoos at Cedar Witch Goods. There’s also a book drive benefiting Friends of the Library throughout the week.
The Mom Circle — Open House
🕓 4 p.m.
📍 The Little Gym at Peck’s Landing, Hiawatha | 💲 Free
Celebrate the new business opening at this Mom Circle event featuring food, drinks and kids’ activities for all ages. RSVP if possible, but drop-ins are welcome.
Monster Mash Costume Bash
🕔 5–7 p.m.
📍 Lindale Mall, common area near Von Maur
Dress up for an evening of costumes, candy, crafts and family fun. Kids can enter the costume contest, with prizes for first, second and third place.
Indoor Trunk or Treat
🕠 5:30–7 p.m.
📍 FaithLife Church | 💲 Free
Enjoy indoor trick-or-treating in a family-friendly setting, plus a free meal while supplies last. Families are also invited to donate nonperishable food items for Mission of Hope.
Therapy Dog Storytime
🕡 6:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Young readers can practice their literacy skills by reading to certified therapy dogs. Stay for dog tricks at 7 p.m.!
Dungeons & Dragons
🕟 4:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
Join a weekly adventure. Handbooks and dice are provided, and new players can get help with character creation and game tutorials 30 minutes before the session. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
❤️ CAREGIVING & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Unexpected Journey Book Study
🕙 10–11:30 a.m.
📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
Take part in a five-week study inspired by Emma Heming Willis’ experience caring for her husband, Bruce Willis, who is living with frontotemporal dementia. Explore practical lessons, self-care strategies and sources of hope for caregivers. Registration was requested by October 7; contact the Center at 319-221-8866 or fcgc@mercycare.org to ask about availability.
Memory Café
🕑 2–4 p.m.
📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
A welcoming gathering for people living with dementia and their care partners, featuring discussion, activities, education and peer support. Registration was requested by July 19; contact the Center to ask about availability.
Evening Caregiver Coffee
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
A monthly support group for caregivers to share experiences, learn caregiving tips and connect with others. Attend in person or via Zoom. No registration required; contact the Center for Zoom details.
Community Day at the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank
🕞 3:30–5:30 p.m.
📍 Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank, 420 6th St. SE, Cedar Rapids
Families with children ages 0–4 can receive 50 free diapers per family, sizes newborn through 5. Pull into the alley by the Sister Mary Lawrence Community Center and remain in your vehicle for assistance. This event is for community members who are not already receiving diapers through the listed partner programs.
💼 BUSINESS, CAREERS & TECHNOLOGY
Cedar Rapids Business Networking — BNI Greater Corridor Connections
🕖 7–8 a.m.
📍 Collins Community Credit Union, 1005 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids
Meet local business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals, learn about referral-based networking and discover how BNI members help one another grow. Visitors can introduce their businesses and explore whether their professional category is available in the chapter.
Goodwill Career Services: World of Work (WOW) Workshop
🕥 10:45 a.m.–noon
📍 Busse Branch
Learn essential skills for today’s job market with the Opportunity Center and Goodwill Career Center. Attend three sessions to receive a $25 gift card from Goodwill of the Heartland.
Craft Your Perfect Resume
🕧 12:30–3:30 p.m.
📍 Busse Branch
Learn how to structure your resume, highlight your skills and accomplishments, and tailor your application to the job you want.
MakerSpace Open Hours
🕚 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Explore creative technology, including 3D printers, Cricut machines, sublimation printing and heat presses. All ages are welcome; patrons under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
🧩 LIBRARY, GAMES & LEARNING
Mahjong
🕑 2–4 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Join others for open play of American mahjong.
Murder Mystery Club
🕑 2–3 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Follow the clues, examine the evidence and see if you can solve a self-guided mystery at the library.
Tween & Teen Crafternoons with the MakerSpace
🕒 3–4 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Tweens and teens can explore their creativity with a hands-on MakerSpace craft.
Cedar Rapids Chess Club
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library
Learn chess, improve your skills or help others learn. Open to all ages. More information at chessiniowa.org.
Weekly Free Trivia at NewBo City Market
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids | 💲 Free
Test your knowledge with Trivia Mafia, compete for prizes and enjoy a lively evening at the Market. Outside food and beverages are not allowed.
Genealogy Junkies
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Connect with others interested in family history and genealogy. Bring a laptop or tablet, or check out a library device. Library card holders can access Ancestry.com on the library’s network.
Name That Tune Trivia
🕖 7 p.m.
📍 Goldfinch Tap + Eatery, Marion | 💲 Free
It’s the fourth Wednesday of the month, so test your music knowledge by identifying song titles and artists. Teams can have up to eight people, with house cash up for grabs. Arrive early for a table.
Modern Wednesday
🕕 6–10 p.m.
📍 First Turn Games
Join the weekly Modern-format Magic: The Gathering gathering.
🌿 HISTORY, PARANORMAL & FINANCIAL EDUCATION
Paranormal Presentation by the Spectre Group
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Discover what happens during a paranormal investigation in this presentation exploring ghost hunting beyond the myths.
FSB Financial Series: Estate Planning
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Learn about retirement planning, income security and estate-planning strategies to help protect and prepare for your family’s future. Registration is required and space is limited.
🎭 BOOKS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight Tour
🕖 7–8 p.m.
📍 Paramount Theatre
Author Jeff Kinney brings an interactive stage show to Cedar Rapids to celebrate the release of Fight or Flight. All tickets include a signed copy of the book. Tickets: https://ticket.artsiowa.com/fightorflight
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
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.
