Festivals, Markets, & Baseball -- May Events in Eastern Iowa

Summer is almost here and things are starting to pick-up here in Iowa! Here are some of the big May events happening in Eastern Iowa and beyond:

Kenny Chesney Concert

Thursday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Vibrant Arena in Moline
With special guest Kelsea Ballerini
Purchase tickets HERE

Thomas Rhett Concert

Thursday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
With special guests Cole Swindell & Nate Smith
Purchase tickets HERE

Tulip Time

Thursday, May 4th through Saturday, May 6th
City of Pella
Featuring 300,000+ tulips, food & beverages, a craft market, live entertainment, parades, and more

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour

Friday, May 5th at 6 p.m.
Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids
"Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special. Will there be monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore? You bet! So get ready to shake those wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party!"
Purchase tickets HERE

The SpongeBob Musical

Select dates from May 5th through May 28th
Theatre Cedar Rapids
"When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and friends come together to save the fate of their undersea world."
Purchase tickets HERE

Chase Rice Concert

Friday, May 5th - doors at 8 p.m.
Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
With special guest Conner Smith
Show is SOLD OUT

Spring Plant & Art Sale

Saturday, May 6th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids
"The Friends of the Nature Center are ready to fill your yard and garden with a variety of beautiful wildflowers, hostas, geraniums, perennials, prairie plants and MORE at their annual Spring Plant and Art Sale. Also available for purchase will be: Milkweed, Seedlings and seed packets, Garden accessories, home decor and art, ICNC Honey & Maple Syrup, organically-raised eggs from Etzel Sugar Grove Farm and more!"

Ely Garage Sales

Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
City of Ely
"If you want your garage sale to be on the official sale map, stop in to the library to fill out the registration form and pay the $5 registration fee by Wednesday, May 3rd at 7pm. The forms are available at the library and on our website.
Official sale maps will be available on our website (ely.lib.ia.us), the Ely Public Library, and the Ely Casey's on the date of the event"

Swisher City Wide Garage Sale

Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
City of Swisher
"Maps for distribution can be picked up at Swisher City Office beginning Monday, May 1st."

Coralville City Wide Garage Sale

Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
City of Coralville
"Maps will be available for pick up starting at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Coralville Recreation Center. Start your day with a limited first-come, first-served continental breakfast."

Chalk the Walk

Saturday, May 6th & May, 7th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Main Street in Mount Vernon
Featuring 500 artists, a community mural, food & drink vendors, live music, and more

Maifest

Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th
Amana Colonies
Featuring a parade, a food truck festival, live music, dancing, kids' activities, and more

Iowa Pop Art Festival

NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
Saturday, May 6th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"Come vibe with more than 120 artists, musicians, vendors, thrifters, and creatives... ALL from Iowa!"

Monticello Spring Craft & Vendor Show

Monticello Berndes Center
Saturday, May 6th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featuring 60+ crafters and vendors

The Kinnick Derby

Saturday, May 6th at 2:30 p.m.
Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City
Featuring bourbon tasting, a live blue grass band, a silent auction, food and drinks, airing of the Kentucky Derby on the jumbotrons, and more
Proceeds benefit the Northwestern Mutual Eastern Iowa's Nursing Support Fund
Purchase tickets HERE

Annie

Tuesday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m.
Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
Purchase tickets HERE

Buddy Guy Concert

Wednesday, May 10th - doors at 7 p.m.
Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
With special guest Tom Hambridge
Purchase tickets HERE

Metro Motor Madness Bike Night

Thursday, May 11th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Metro Harley-Davidson Suzuki Can-Am in Cedar Rapids
Featuring live music, food, drinks, and a bike giveaway
Benefits the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

Linn County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale

Dates/Times
- Friday, May 12th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 13th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lowe Park in Marion
"Shop for an amazing selection of annuals, vegetables, perennials, native plants and more! You'll find heirloom veggies and so many of our personal favorite varieties - tried and true for years by our Master Gardeners. All of our plants are grown and propagated locally in the Lowe Park greenhouse or the homes of our Master Gardeners."

Marion City-Wide Garage Sale

Saturday, May 13th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
City of Marion
"Residents who are interested in participating will be asked to fill out a form indicating their addresses and indicate the types of items that will be for sale. A map of participating residences will be created prior to the event and posted prior to the event."

Chicago Concert

Saturday, May 13th at 7 p.m.
Xtream Arena in Coralville
Purchase tickets HERE

Breaking Benjamin Concert

Saturday, May 13th at 7 p.m.
Five Flags Center in Dubuque
With special guests BUSH & Another Day Dawns
Purchase tickets HERE

Eastern Iowa Pet Expo

Saturday, May 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
National Guard Armory in Cedar Rapids
Featuring pet seminars, photos, vendors, food trucks, microchipping, local animal rescues, and more
Pets allowed with proper vaccinations
Entry is $5 per person - $3 for ages 3 to 10

Tony Danza Concert

Saturday, May 13th at 8 p.m.
Rhythm City Casino in Davenport
Purchase tickets HERE

Mother's Day Pop-Up

Saturday, May 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
City Center Square in Coralville
Featuring vendors and food trucks

2nd Annual Spring Fever Event

Saturday, May 13th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Featuring boutiques, crafters, home decor, desserts, jewelry, loaded bloody Marys and mimosas, and more

Kernels Baseball

Dates/Times
- Tuesday, May 16th at 6:35 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 17th at 12:05 p.m.
- Thursday, May 18th through Saturday, May 20th at 6:35 p.m.
- Sunday, May 21st at 1:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 23rd at 6:35 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 24th at 12:05 p.m.
- Thursday, May 25th through Saturday, May 27th at 6:35 p.m.
- Sunday, May 28th at 1:05 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids
Purchase tickets HERE

Willie Nelson & Family Concert

Wednesday, May 17th at 8 p.m.
McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
With special guest Austin Snell
Purchase tickets HERE

Whose Live Anyway?

Wednesday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m.
Five Flags Center in Dubuque
Featuring Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, & Joel Murray

Houby Days

Friday, May 19th through Sunday, May 21st
Czech Villages in Cedar Rapids
"Celebrate Czech and Slovak traditions as well seeing what new Czech Village has to offer. We will have live music and entertainment, food and craft vendors, classes, costume walk, and of course Kolaches! The Fun Run will be back again this year as well as a Vintage Car Expo."

Hanson Concert

Friday, May 19th at 8 p.m.
Riverside Casino
Purchase tickets HERE

Blues Night in the Park

Friday, May 19th from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids
Featuring Kevin B.F Burt and the Keeshea Pratt Band, Mathias Lattin, and Ken Valdez
Entry is $5 per person - bring your own chairs

Downtown Summer Shop Crawl

Friday, May 19th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Downtown Iowa City
"We invite the community to join us downtown for a fun night of shopping, seltzers, sangrias, and spritzers. The Downtown Summer Shop Crawl is the perfect time to visit your favorite shops and discover new ones while shopping around with access to special sales at each participating location."
Purchase tickets HERE

Marion Arts Festival

Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Uptown Marion
Featuring vendors, a 5k, food, family activities, and more

Marion Iowa Community Kite Festival

Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Baseball Diamonds at Lowe Park in Marion
"Great American Kites specializes in producing the most astonishing and colorful outdoor giant kite displays, with over 15 years of providing giant kite flying experiences and unique aerial displays. The come-and-go event features displays that provide lasting memories for attendees of all ages."
Event is free

Micky Dolenz - The Voice of the Monkees Concert

Saturday, May 20th at 8 p.m.
Rhythm City Casino in Davenport
Purchase tickets HERE

2X Monster Trucks

Saturday, May 20th at 12 p.m.
Dubuque County Fairgrounds
"Monster Jam Champion trucks, motocross stunt show, RZR backflip attempt, pre-show meet and greet and you can RIDE in a real monster truck!"
Purchase tickets HERE

2023 NewBo Cocktail Classic

Tuesday, May 23rd from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
"Ticket holders will enjoy a Welcome Cocktail crafted by Cedar Ridge, 10 craft cocktail samples from local bartenders, a $10 voucher to NewBo City Market Shopkeepers, and excellent live, local music from VIBE."
Purchase tickets HERE

Good Makers Market

Dates/Times
- Friday, May 26th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 27th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Eastern Iowa's hippest market! Shop the best hand picked vendors from around the Midwest. Here you'll find handmade artisan goods, score some amazing vintage, shop our on trend mobile boutiques, eat from our delicious food trucks and listen to local live music."
Entry is $10 per person - kids 12 and under are free

DenimFest

Friday, May 26th
- Smash Mouth and Big & Rich
Saturday, May 27th
- Dierks Bentley
Sunday, May 28th
- Jelly Roll
Forest City, Iowa
Purchase tickets HERE

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market

Saturday, May 27th from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Downtown Cedar Rapids

Iowa Renaissance Festival

Saturday, May 27th through Monday, May 29th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Middle Amana Community Park
"Come experience live entertainment featuring comedy, swordplay, music, magic, and even horseback jousting. Explore a marketplace full of unique merchandise from around the land. Enjoy tasty treats and drinks in the royal food court (including adult libations like honey mead)."