4th of July & Weekend Events in Eastern Iowa [LIST]

There is no shortage of things to do this holiday weekend! With the 4th of July landing on a Thursday this year, we put together our normal list of weekend events here in Eastern Iowa, but we also included the holiday! Here are some of the big events happening Thursday through Sunday:

Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
- 2nd Avenue Bridge in Downtown Cedar Rapids
- July 4th from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Featuring face painting, a balloon artist, food and beverages, music, bungee trampolines, inflatables, and more
- Fireworks begin around 9:40 p.m.
- Admission is free with a Freedom Festival Button
Pancake Breakfast
- Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids
- July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children - get $1 off with your Freedom Festival Button
Freedom Festival Car Show
- 2nd Avenue Bridge in Downtown Cedar Rapids
- July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Judged show begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at 11:30 a.m.
- Event is free to spectators
Freedom Festival Concert
- McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
- July 4th at 5 p.m.
- Featuring The Johnny Holm Band
- Event is free with a Freedom Festival Button
Five Seasons Ski Team
- Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids
- July 4th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- "The Five Seasons Ski Team presents a stunning hour-long waterski show, with daredevil jump acts including helicopters and flips, 50 mph barefoot pyramids, and much more"
- Event is free
Independence Day Celebration
- Independence, Iowa
- July 4th from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Featuring the Kid's Fun Zone, live entertainment, a parade, a volleyball tournament, food, and more
- Live music from the Pork Tornadoes at 8:30 p.m.
- See a full schedule of events HERE
4thFest
- S.T. Morrison Park in Coralville
- July 4th from 1 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
- "The multi-day festival includes a 5K run/walk entertainment, food, a free concert on July 3rd, the area's largest Independence Day parade, free family-friendly activities in the park, and fireworks on July 4th"
- See a full schedule of events HERE
Monticello's 4th of July Celebration
- Jones County Fairgrounds
- July 4th from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  - Firemen's Breakfast @ Berndes Center from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  - Music of America Parade at 11 a.m.
  - Fireworks at dusk
4th of July Celebration
- Central City, Iowa
- July 4th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  - Fireworks at dusk
- Featuring live music, competitions, concessions, a parade, wine tasting, a 5k, and more
- See a full schedule of events HERE
Stella's Salute to Freedom
- Williamsburg, Iowa
- July 4th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- "Activities will take place on the Square, at the Rec Center, and other locations through Williamsburg. Join us for inflatables, free swimming at the pool, face painters, balloon artists, pony-go-round, live music (Tyler Richton!), tractor show, kickball tournaments, food vendors, beer tent and more!"
- Fireworks at dusk
Lincoln Highway Nitty Gritty
- Mount Vernon, Iowa
- July 4th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- "First Street is surrounded by antique shops, specialty shops, and cafes"
Freedom Fun Zone
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- July 4th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- "Between Freedom Fest events on the 4th of July, bring your family down to NewBo City Market for food, drinks, and our Freedom Fun Zone for kids. The Market Yard will be filled with yard games, face painting, and arts and crafts provided by area partners, and even a dino bouncy house!"
- Event is free
10th Annual Bourbon & Blues Fest
- Cedar Ridge Winery in Swisher
- Dates/Times
  - July 4th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  - July 5th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  - July 6th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  - July 7th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- "This 4-day festival features live blues music paired with a specialty BBQ menu & bourbon cocktails! Featuring local, national and international touring musicians performing throughout the weekend"
- Admission is free
Kernels Baseball
- Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
  - July 4th at 5:05 p.m.
    - Military Heroes Night: Card Set Giveaway
    - Post-Game Fireworks
    - ALS Patriotic Jerseys
  - July 5th at 6:35 p.m.
    - Nick Jr. Night featuring Paw Patrol: Skye Backpacks/Paw Patrol Jerseys
    - Pride Night
    - Post-Game Fireworks
- vs. Burlington Bees
- Tickets range from $8 to $12 - get yours HERE
Buchanan County Fair
- Buchanan County Fairgrounds in Independence
- Dates/Times
  - July 4th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  - July 5th from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
    - World of Outlaws Race at 6:30 p.m. - tickets are $30
  - July 6th from 8 a.m to 12 a.m.
    - Chris Janson with Diamond Rio at 7 p.m. - tickets range from $25 to $55 - get yours HERE
  - July 7th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    - Demo Derby at 1 p.m. - tickets are $10 per person and free for 5 & under
- Featuring a carnival, live music, games, contests, and more
- Daily Admission is $5 and a week pass is $20
Uptown Friday Nights
- McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
- July 5th from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Live music from The O'Connell Brothers Band
- Admission is $5
Rock the Block
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- July 5th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Featuring Running in Place
- Event is free
Billy Idol
- Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
- July 5th at 8:30 p.m.
- Tickets range from $35 to $60 - get yours HERE
Iowa City Jazz Festival
- Downtown Iowa City
- Dates/Times
  - July 5th at 4 p.m.
  - July 6th at 11:30 a.m.
  - July 7th at 12 p.m.
- Featuring artist booths, food, a beverage garden, live music, children's activities, and fireworks
- See a full schedule of performers HERE
Newsies
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
  - July 5th at 7:30 p.m.
  - July 6th at 7:30 p.m.
  - July 7th at 2:30 p.m.
- "A band of teenage “newsies” fight for what’s right against the titans of publishing in this uplifting musical. Set in turn-of-the-century New York, the whole family will enjoy cheering for the good guys as they lead the way for change"
- Tickets range from $22 to $50 - get yours HERE
Downtown Farmers' Market
- Downtown Cedar Rapids
- July 6th from 7:30 a .m. to 12 p.m.
Marion Farmers' Market
- Taube Park in Marion
- July 6th from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Flashback on Ellis
- Trinity - St. James United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids
- July 6th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  - Voting from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  - Award presentation at 3 p.m.
- Featuring food & music
- Registration is $15
CRPrideFest2019
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- July 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- "Join in the celebration of your local LGBTQIA+ community with a day full of live music, great food, and local vendors!"
- Admission is free
Hairball ROCKS the Ballpark
- Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids
- July 6th at 7:30 p.m. - doors at 6:30 p.m.
- Tickets range from $20 to $50 - get yours HERE
Hiawatha Farmers' Market
- Guthridge Park in Hiawatha
- July 7th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.