Free events in Cedar Rapids, IA

Rock the Block is a no-cost weekly music series hosted by NewBo City Market, bringing live performances to Friday nights on the Bankers Trust Stage in the Market Yard. Each season showcases a mix of local favorites and touring acts, creating a lively outdoor setting for music fans. Admission is free and space is first come, first served. Guests may bring lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the show. To keep the focus on the music and the Market community, outside food and beverages are not allowed, except for reusable water bottles filled with water only. Coolers are not permitted. Smoking is not allowed. Alcohol purchased on the property must stay within designated boundaries. Please plan to pick up snacks from the Market’s shopkeepers to support small businesses. Rock the Block 2026 is supported by the Iowa Arts Council, FastTrans, ImOn, Councilmember David Maier, Rinderknecht Associates, Lion Bridge Brewing, Wendler Inc., Physicians' Clinic of Iowa, The Martini Lounge, and That Girl Tree Care. The 2026 lineup features Dogs on Skis, Alicia Monee, Surf Zombies, Betty Calling, Funk Daddies, The King of Mars, Redemption, Jasper Tide in collaboration with CR Pride, Matthew Kane and the Band Greenbrier, Star Trucker, BRETT NEWSKI Duo, The Dead Century, Vinyl Alibi, The Lily Schloss Band, Evan Stock Band, The Invisible Band, and Fresh Fighters. Photography, audio, and video may be recorded during the event. By entering the property, attendees consent to appear in such media without royalties or other compensation.

Enjoy a free group fitness session at Kingston Yard, presented by The M.A.C. and iGYM. This edition features a HIIT workout with Denise. The series runs every other Saturday and rotates formats, including Dance Club Cardio, yoga with Cynthia, and HIIT sessions with Hanna.

Free school supplies will be available in limited quantities. An inflatable and snow cones for kids will be on hand, courtesy of Oak Street Health. Hyvee on Johnson ave will supply cookies and water.

Enjoy a one hit wonder themed music bingo night at Kingston's Steakhouse in Cedar Rapids, featuring chart-topping singles from artists like Sir Mix-A-Lot, Crazy Town, Rednex, Vanilla Ice, Right Said Fred, House of Pain, and Blind Melon, with more favorites in the mix. Participation is free, with chances to win complimentary drinks and other prizes. The event welcomes all ages and offers a fresh twist on the classic bingo experience.

Volunteers will cut fabric, sew, iron, and assemble washable, reusable menstrual care kits for girls in Haiti and Panama. There are roles for all ages and skill levels, and no sewing experience is required. The effort supports Days for Girls International, which works to expand lasting access to sustainable period care and health education so girls can learn with dignity and freedom. Each kit can return about 180 days to a girl’s life... time for education, health, and dignity.

Enjoy a complimentary screening of Shrek at the ImOn Stage. Attendees can bring the family, plus blankets and lawn chairs for comfortable seating. The event is made possible by Community 1st Credit Union.

Enjoy a free outdoor yoga and Pilates session at Amazing Space at Indian Creek Nature Center, guided by experienced local instructors. Practice takes place on the patio and lawn, surrounded by prairie and woodland views. No playlist is needed, as the sounds of geese, frogs, and the breeze set a peaceful tone. These sessions are popular, so plan to arrive a little early to park and get settled so the class can begin and wrap up on time. Classes are held outside only, with no indoor backup if the weather turns. If conditions look uncertain, check the Facebook page for cancellation updates. Please bring your own mat and any props such as blocks or straps, since loaner mats are not available. The building is open for restroom use and water bottle refills. For everyone’s wellbeing, stay home if you or anyone in your household is sick, recovering, or has had recent exposure to illness. Practice in the Prairie is supported by Sandwire, and the instructor may vary from week to week.

Weekly Music Bingo features new themes each month and is always free. Pick up a card, listen for the songs, and mark your matches for a chance to win house cash. Drop in any time and stay as long as you like. Expect a relaxed atmosphere with great music and low pressure fun.

Think & Drink Entertainment hosts a weekly game night at Mulligan's Pub with a rotating mix of favorites like trivia, Name That Tune, music bingo, and old school 75-ball bingo. It is free to play, prizes are available, and all ages are welcome. Seating can fill quickly, so plan to arrive early to secure a table.

Enjoy a comedy open mic at Old Neighborhood Pub where admission is free. To perform, look for the signup link on Lucky Cat's Facebook page.

Bushwood Sports Bar & Grill hosts a complimentary trivia event led by a DJ.

Connect with fellow gardeners while caring for the Shakespeare Garden at Ellis Park. This community gardening gathering focuses on nurturing the beds and enjoying time in nature. Attendees are welcome to bring their own gardening tools to support a space appreciated by many.

The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department brings its Rollin' Recmobile to Cleveland Park for a summer stop featuring free activities and a designated free lunch option. This traveling program uses colorful vans to visit parks across the city each week, offering chances to make new friends and chase away summer boredom. There is no cost to participate, and people may visit at any park as often as they wish. Plans call for a steady schedule, though weather or other factors may occasionally prompt changes. Presented by the City of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, with support from the City of Cedar Rapids, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Cedar Rapids Kiwanis, and the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation. For questions, contact 319-286-5566 or recreation@cedar-rapids.org.

Join Matthew 25 at Cultivate Hope Urban Farm for Farm Stand Thursdays, a weekly opportunity to pick up your CSA share or shop fresh, locally grown produce. It is a free, all-ages event where you can connect with the community and support a more sustainable Cedar Rapids through healthy local food.

Meet Me at the Market is NewBo City Market’s premier summer wellness event, bringing the community together in the Market Yard for free guided walks, runs, bike rides, dance fitness, and yoga. People of every fitness level are welcome and no advance registration is required. Dance fitness and yoga are led by a rotating team of instructors on the Bankers Trust stage on the Market Lawn. Bring a water bottle, and a mat if you plan to practice yoga. Walks and runs typically cover one to four miles with fresh routes each week, including special destination outings. Bike rides vary in distance and route as well. Many activities take place outdoors, so dress for the weather. Family Nights return with fitness for all ages, including a bounce house and additional activities to keep everyone moving. Presented by Dupaco and sponsored by 7G Distributing, Iowa Running Company, PCI, STACK Wellness, and Twenty40 Concepts.

Think & Drink Entertainment brings a free, all ages game night to Spare Time Entertainment in Cedar Rapids. Teams can include up to eight players, and competitors have a chance to win house cash and other prizes. Seating can go quickly, so plan to arrive early to secure a table.