Big Events Happening in Eastern Iowa & Beyond This August [LIST]

Get ready for another busy month! Here are some of the big events happening in the Corridor and beyond in August of 2023:

Kernels Baseball

• Dates/Times
  • Tuesday, August 1st at 6:35 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 2nd at 12:05 p.m.
  • August 3rd through 5th at 6:35 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 6th at 1:05 p.m.
  • August 15th through 19th at 6:35 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 20th at 1:05 p.m.
  • August 29th through 31st at 6:35 p.m.
• Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids
• Purchase tickets HERE

Mississippi Valley Fair

• August 1st through 6th
• Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport
• Concerts
  • Monday, July 31st - Austin Snell & Tyler Farr
  • Tuesday, August 1st - Sam Hunt
  • Wednesday, August 2nd - Jordan Davis
  • Thursday, August 3rd - Ludacris & Lil Jon
  • Friday, August 4th - Three Days Grace
  • Saturday, August 5th - Limp Bizkit
• Featuring live entertainment, food, kids' activities, vendors,
• Purchase tickets HERE

Rock the Block

• Dates/Bands
  • Friday, August 4th - FunkDaddies
  • Friday, August 11th - Surf Zombies
  • Friday, August 18th - Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers
  • Friday, August 25th - Fresh Fighters
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids

Pop-Up Acts in the Artway

• Dates/Bands
  • Friday, August 4th - Steve Kalmes
  • Friday, August 11th - Joel Sires & Jacob Lampman
  • Friday, August 18th - Seul Ce Soir Quartet
  • Friday, August 25th - Terry McCauley
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Uptown Marion Artway

KANSAS Concert

• Friday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m.
• Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines
• Purchase tickets HERE

Neal McCoy Concert

• Friday, August 4th at 8 p.m.
• Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford
• With special guests Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys
• Purchase tickets HERE

Wine & Flower Fest

• Dates
  • August 4th through 6th
  • August 11th through 13th
• Hours
  • Friday & Saturday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins
• Featuring wine slushies, live music, u-pick flowers, photo ops, food, farm animals, and more
• Purchase tickets HERE

Iowa Irish Fest

• August 4th through 6th
• Downtown Waterloo
• Featuring classes, contests, live entertainment, food, sheep herding, Highland Games, a fun run, drinks, and more
• Purchase tickets HERE

Hinterland Music Festival

• August 4th through 6th
• St. Charles, Iowa
• Headliners
  • Friday - Bon Iver
  • Saturday - Zach Bryan
  • Sunday - Maggie Rogers
• Purchase tickets HERE

Hoover's Hometown Days

• August 4th & 5th
• Main Street in West Branch
• Featuring vendors, live music, a beer tent, food, Hooverball, a parade, inflatables, a petting zoo, a dog show, and more

Summer Rock Series

• Dates
  • Saturday, August 5th - FUNK STOP
  • Saturday, August 26th - Craig Erickson
• 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Uptown Artway in Marion

Fish-O-Rama

• August 5th & 6th
• Robbins Lake at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids
• "We'll stock the lake with tagged catfish and bright and early Saturday morning at 6:00am, we'll open the gates to over 1200 participants. As tagged fish are caught, participants bring them to the prize tent and exchange them for a prize!"
• Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor
• Register online HERE

Tiffin REC Fest 2023

• Saturday, August 5th at 8 a.m.
• Tiffin City Park
• Featuring a 5k, Zumba, inflatables, a petting zoo, food trucks, face painting, kickball, and more

DBQfest

• August 5th & 6th
• Washington Park in Dubuque
• Featuring live music, local food, an art fair, and more

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market

• Dates
  • Saturday, August 5th
  • Saturday, August 19th
• 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids

Ben Folds Concert

• Wednesday, August 9th at 8 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
• Purchase tickets HERE

Market by Moonlight

• Wednesday, August 9th at 7:30 p.m.
• NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
• "This four course, farm-to-table experience will feature menu items from a variety of Market businesses, as well as meats and produce from local farmers. Add the optional drink pairing for the full experience! Enjoy the ambient music of the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra under the lights in the heart of the New Bohemia District. Tickets and menu options are limited."
• Purchase tickets HERE

Iowa State Fair

• August 10th through 20th
• Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines
•  Concerts
  • Thursday, August 10th - For King + Country with special guest We the Kingdom
  • Friday, August 11th - Tyler Hubbard with special guest Parmalee
  • Saturday, August 12th - New Kids on the Block
  • Sunday, August 13th - Eric Church with special guest Jackson Dean
  • Monday, August 14th at 8 p.m. - The Black Keys with special guest The Velveteers
  • Tuesday, August 15th at 8 p.m. - Comedian Jeff Dunham
  • Wednesday, August 16th at 8 p.m. - Lindsey Stirling with special guest Walk Off the Earth
  • Thursday, August 17th at 8 p.m. - Maren Morris with special guest Lindsay Ell
  • Friday, August 18th at 8 p.m. - Ludacris with special guest Sean Kingston
  • Saturday, August 19th at 8 p.m. - The Chicks with special guest Ben Harper
  • Sunday, August 20th at 8 p.m. - Jason Aldean with special guest Cory Kent
• Featuring live entertainment, rides, games, contests, food, drinks, vendors, and more
• Purchase tickets HERE

Meskwaki 107th Annual Powwow

• August 10th through 13th
• Battleground Road, four miles west of Tama
• Featuring dancing, singing, a history exhibit, food, Native American arts & crafts, and more
• Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 5 and up

Elle King Concert

• Friday, August 11th at 8 p.m.
• Q Casino in Dubuque
• With special guest Megan Moroney
• Purchase tickets HERE

Blues Traveler Concert

• Friday, August 11th at 7:30 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
• With special guest Big Head Todd and The Monsters
• Purchase tickets HERE

Uptown Summer Nights

• Friday, August 11th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Downtown Pocket Park in Monticello
• "People of all ages are welcome to listen to some great music, while enjoying food & drinks, and getting to know their neighbors."

Rock the Chalk

• Friday, August 11th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Downtown Iowa City near MidWestOne Bank
• "Community members and local artists will fill the street with unique chalk art pieces and we will 'rock' various Iowa musical talent throughout the day while the artists work. The community is invited to observe the artists' progress throughout the day and enjoy the live music. From 5:00-8:00 PM, we will host free family activities including face painting, balloon animals, glitter tattoos, bubbles, spin art, community chalk art and more along with a continuation of the live music and an opportunity to vote on your favorite chalk art pieces!"

St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival

• August 11th through 13th
• St. Jude Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids
• Featuring a carnival, a beer tent, live music, sweet corn, raffles, and more
• Admission is $5 for ages 11+

Halestorm Concert

• Saturday, August 12th at 8 p.m.
• Q Casino in Dubuque
• With special guest Black Stone Cherry
• Purchase tickets HERE

Drive-In Movie Extravaganza

• Saturday, August 12th at 7 p.m.
• Tiffin Soccer Fields
• "Starting at 7pm, we'll have live music, Kona Ice, games, crafts for everyone to enjoy. Then, around 8:30-8:45pm, we will be showing the Lego Movie!
  
  We'll also be collecting school supplies for CCA Schools."

Uptown Marion Market

• Saturday, August 12th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Uptown Marion

CRBT Movies on the Riverbank

• Saturday, August 12th at 7 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
• Showing Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Featuring kids' activities, food vendors, free popcorn, and more

Benefit the Vets Concert Featuring Sawyer Brown

• Sunday, August 13th at 3 p.m.
• Worthington Memorial Hall
• With special guest Rafe Carlson
• Purchase tickets HERE

Tesla Concert

• Sunday, August 13th at 8 p.m.
• Rhythm City Casino in Dubuque
• Purchase tickets HERE

Summer Flea Market, Antique, and Collectible Show

• Sunday, August 13th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Jones County Fairgrounds in Monticello
• "This is one of Iowa's largest flea markets with over 100 exhibitors (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting) selling a vast array of antiques and vintage items. There will also be great food trucks on site!"
• Admission is $4 - ages 10 and under are free

The Wallflowers Concert

• Tuesday, August 15th at 8 p.m.
• Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines
• Purchase tickets HERE

Trampled by Turtles Concert

• Friday, August 15th at 8 p.m.
• Q Casino in Dubuque
• With special guest Charles Wesley Godwin
• Purchase tickets HERE

Lisbon Sauerkraut Days

• August 17th through 19th
• Lisbon, Iowa
• Featuring a 5k, a car show, a carnival, a parade, food, fireworks, tournaments, live music, and more

Palo Fun Days

• August 18th & 19th
• Zeller Park in Palo
• Featuring food, vendors, a craft fair, a parade, a truck & tractor pull, live music, fireworks, and more

Extreme Concert

• Saturday, August 19th at 8 p.m.
• Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
• With special guests Living Color
• Purchase tickets HERE

Tracy Byrd Concert

• Saturday, August 19th at 8 p.m.
• Rhythm City Casino in Dubuque
• Purchase tickets HERE

Bourbon & Blues Festival

• Saturday, August 19th from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
• Featuring Shemekia Copeland, Sugaray Rayford, and Mr. Sipp
• Purchase tickets HERE

Hinder Concert

• Sunday, August 20th at 7:30 p.m.
• Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford
• With special guests Goodbye June & NonGrata
• Purchase tickets HERE

Jelly Roll Concert

• Sunday, August 20th at 7 p.m.
• Q Casino in Dubuque
• With special guests Struggle Jennings & Caitlynne Curtis
• SOLD OUT

Market After Dark

• Saturday, August 26th from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "One of Downtown Cedar Rapids’ most popular, free, open-air events, Market After Dark, features a variety of vendors mixed with lively entertainment. This event brings a unique atmosphere to Downtown Cedar Rapids with food, beer, wine, art, entertainment and creative placemaking displays."

Fire On The River Drag Boat Races

• Saturday, August 26th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ellis Boat Harbor in Cedar Rapids
• "The Cedar Boat Club plans to finish off their summer hosting the Fire on the River Drag Boat Races, featuring head-to-head drag races of both local boaters and boaters from regional racing circuits across the Midwest."

Boom-Fest

• Saturday, August 26th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Downtown Vinton
• Featuring artisans & crafters, a farmers market, food vendors, kids' activities, live entertainment, and more

Boomtown

• Saturday, August 26th at 4 p.m.
• Benton County Fairgrounds, Vinton
• Featuring fireworks, live music, food vendors, a beer tent, and more
• Parking is $10 - Grandstand seats are $10 (lawn seating is free)

The Faery Experience; An Immersive Fantasy Retreat

• August 26th & 27th
• Windy Goat Acres in Chelsea
• "On a whimsical 15 acres, this goat paradise has been transformed into Iowa's largest Faery Realm. Get creative and dress up and get your dream photo content, join us for the sweet n delicious Fae picnic, go on enchanting forest adventures, and enjoy some live whimzy music and entertainment, and more!
  
  Choose a day pass and come for the day and browse the vendors, Get a VIP pass and enjoy meals, the adventures, fortunes, and art supplies. Or immerse yourself for the Overnight Full Faery Retreat and stay in one of our yurts and cabins. We even have a gnome earthen home to rent!"
• Purchase tickets HERE

Dog Forever's Annual Pup Cup Drive-Thru Fundraiser

• Sunday, August 27th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Geonetric in Cedar Rapids
• "Load up your pupperooski(s) and bring them by for a sweet treat to beat the heat all while supporting our Annual Pup Cup Drive-Thru Fundraiser. Donation based drive-thru with all proceeds coming back to the pups at Dogs Forever! Cash, Check, Venmo preferred, cards accepted too. Pup cups will be good ol' chilled whipped cream in a cup with a snacky snack treat on top."