Family events in Marion, IA

NewBo City Market’s signature summer wellness series offers free guided activities in the Market Yard and on the Bankers Trust stage on the Market Lawn. Options include dance fitness taught by a rotating roster of instructors, yoga sessions, group walks, group runs, and bike rides. Walks and runs typically cover one to four miles, with routes that change each week and occasional destination outings. Bike rides vary in distance and also explore new routes. Activities take place outdoors, so weather-ready clothing is encouraged. For classes, a water bottle is recommended, and yoga participants should bring a mat. All abilities are welcome, and no advance registration is needed. Select evenings feature Family Night with a bounce house and additional activities for all ages. This series is presented by Dupaco and supported by 7G Distributing, Iowa Running Company, PCI, STACK Wellness, and Twenty40 Concepts.

This community bingo night welcomes the public. Participants must be at least 12 years old to play. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and entry packets cost $6.

Live music fills City Square Park as Uptown Getdown brings summertime sounds to Marion. This year's roster spans performances by Last Call, Matt Panek & The Electric Trio, Outlaw Band, and Mill Creek Band, offering something for a range of musical tastes. Admission is free, made possible by Marion Chamber Platinum Community Partners including Farmers State Bank, ImOn Communications, MercyCare Community Physicians, SFD Insurance, Summit Pointe Senior Living, and Z102.9, along with the City of Marion Hotel/Motel Fund.

Iowa’s Jazz Station launches its next chapter with an evening spotlighting rising voices in the genre. This installment features Vandello, bringing a retro-inspired sound with contemporary flair, mixing original tunes and inventive covers that draw on jazz, pop, and soul for a lively, modern speakeasy feel. The Young Artists set showcases the Chase Beightler Trio from Coe College. Beightler, a 2025 Prairie High School graduate, has performed with Orchestra Iowa and at the Corridor Combo Festival, and his trio is slated for the Midweek Opus Jazz Oasis series in 2027. The music takes place at Noelridge Park and is broadcast live on 88.3 KCCK. Guests may pack a picnic or choose from on-site food vendors. Weather-related updates are shared on 88.3 KCCK. Support for the series is provided by the McGrath Family of Dealerships, Collins Community Credit Union, Illuminate Digital and Brian & Marty Stoll, Nile & Lois Dusdieker, West Music, and Kirkwood Community College.

Think & Drink Entertainment hosts a lively game night at Spare Time Entertainment in Cedar Rapids, featuring crowd favorites such as Survey Says, Name That Tune, general trivia, and music bingo. There is no fee to participate, teams can include up to eight players, and winners can earn house cash and other prizes. The event welcomes all ages. Arriving early is recommended to secure a table.

Create, learn, and explore national parks and monuments through hands-on activities. Watch a live feed of the underwater forest off the California coast while designing your own undersea landscape. Make fireworks art that captures all the oohs and aahs without any fire or noise. Discover why Joshua trees grow in only one place on Earth, hear about the woman who helped protect them, and craft desert greenery to display at home. Then look at how Yellowstone changed when wolves disappeared and how bringing them back helped restore the ecosystem. This session combines creative projects with stories from the natural world.

Everyone is welcome, from kids to adults. Enjoy complimentary food, music from a live DJ, outdoor games, and a variety of activities.

The City of Marion presents Pop-Up Acts in the Artway, a summer series of live music at no cost made possible by Iowa Appliance Center and Affordable Heating and Cooling. Performances take place in the Uptown Artway or on a nearby business patio and highlight local and regional musicians. This installment features Bovine Invasion. All ages are welcome.

Xavier Saints Youth Boys Basketball will hold grade-based sessions for boys, with check-in followed by each group’s activities. First graders will participate in an open gym and uniform fitting. Second through eighth graders will take part in evaluations and a uniform fitting. Registration is open. Information is being shared with Xavier Schools friends and families, and boys of any experience level are welcome to attend. For questions, contact xaviersaintsyouthhoops@gmail.com.

A collaboration between the City of Marion and the Marion YMCA & Community Rec Center brings Community Days, offering Marion residents full access to the YMCA with a single-day pass. Admission is 10 dollars for youth, 20 dollars for adults, and 35 dollars for families. A waiver will be required at check-in if one is not already on file. Open to Marion residents, these community access days take place on the final Sunday of each month.

A guest from Tanager Place introduces an expressive arts program that uses books, dance, art, and other creative activities to help children and families build confidence, explore emotions, and strengthen inner resilience.

Every Tuesday brings half-price fun from opening to closing. Enjoy 50 percent off Game Zone games, open bowling, and laser tag all day. Some exclusions apply.

Celebrate Wednesdays with half-price fun from open to close. Take 50% off laser tag, open bowling, and games in the Game Zone all day. Some exclusions apply.

Discover a community market at Old MacDonald’s Farm featuring local vendors. Browse fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and handmade crafts at stalls set up near the farm entrance. Some vendors are certified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture to accept IFMNP checks from the WIC Program, helping provide nutritious foods to women, infants, and children. Bring a reusable bag, say hello to the folks behind the tables, and enjoy a relaxed midweek visit.

Put your music knowledge to the test at The Pedaler's Fork in Cedar Rapids with a Name That Tune style trivia night. Short clips of songs are played and teams try to identify both the title and the artist. Each correct guess boosts your score, and top teams can win house cash. It is free to participate, teams may include up to eight people, and all ages are welcome. Arrive early to secure a table.