July is one of the busiest months of the year here in Eastern Iowa! Here are some of the big events on the schedule:

Mamma Mia!

  • Select dates through Sunday, July 31st
  • Theatre Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Coralville 4th Fest

  • Friday, July 1st through Monday, July 4th
  • S.T. Morrison Park in Coralville
  • "The multi-day, outdoor festival includes a 5K run / walk entertainment, food, a free concert on July 3, the area's largest Independence Day parade, free family-friendly activities in the park, and fireworks in S.T. Morrison Park on July 4"

Iowa City Jazz Festival

  • Friday, July 1st through Sunday, July 3rd
  • Downtown Iowa City
  • "Come down for three days of live jazz performances and delicious dishes. You’re sure to enjoy the music from two stages, which showcase a variety of well-known jazz musicians and up-and-coming talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages"

Rick Springfield Concert

  • Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
  • Friday, July 1st at 7 p.m.

Laser Light Show

  • Friday, July 1st at 7 p.m.
  • Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids
  • "The 1 hour show features lasers lights choreographed to patriotic and today’s hit music"
  • Freedom Festival button is required for entry

Red, White, and Bourbon Music Fest

  • Friday, July 1st through Monday, July 4th
  • Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery in Swisher
  • "Free live music, drink specials, and more Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4 at Cedar Ridge. Enjoy our newly renovated patio and music from local and regional artists"

Rock the Block

  • Dates/Bands
    • Friday, July 1st - Birdchild
    • Friday, July 8th - Laura Rain and the Caesars
    • Friday, July 15th - Surf Zombies
    • Friday, July 22nd - Bernemann Brothers Band
    • Friday, July 29th - Betty Calling
  • NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
  • 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Downtown Farmers Market

  • Dates
    • Saturday, July 2nd
    • Saturday, July 16th
  • Downtown Cedar Rapids
  • 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Show N Shine Car Show

  • Saturday, July 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Noelridge Christian Church in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring food trucks, live music, family activities, a 50/50 drawing, and more

Sir Mix-A-Lot Concert

  • Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
  • Saturday, July 2nd at 8 p.m.

Fireworks & Fireflies

  • Sunday, July 3rd at 6 p.m.
  • Lowe Park in Marion
  • Featuring food vendors, live music, and fireworks

Kernels Baseball

  • Dates/Times
    • Monday, July 4th at 6:35 p.m.
    • Wednesday, July 6th through Saturday, July 9th at 6:35 p.m.
    • Sunday, July 10th at 2:05 p.m.
    • Friday, July 22nd & Saturday, July 23rd at 6:35 p.m.
    • Sunday, July 24th at 2:05 p.m.
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Pancake Breakfast

  • Monday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids
  • "Meals are $7 each ($2 off with a Freedom Festival button to make it $5 per meal) and includes delicious pancakes, sausage links, banana, granola bar, and orange juice!"

Freedom Festival Car Show

  • Monday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Cedar Rapids Kernels Parking Lot

Freedom Festival Concert

  • Monday, July 4th at 6 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring The Johnny Holm Band
  • Admission is free with a Freedom Festival button

Celebration of Freedom Fireworks

  • Monday, July 4th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Downtown Cedar Rapids
  • Admission at the 2nd Avenue Bridge is free with a Freedom Festival button

Lincoln Highway Nitty Gritty

  • Monday, July 4th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Uptown Mount Vernon
  • "Stroll through historic Uptown Mount Vernon, Iowa and find vintage items from vendors across the country."

Buchanan County Fair

  • Tuesday, July 5th through Saturday, July 9th
  • Buchanan County Fairgrounds in Independence
  • Featuring a Demo Derby, a Tractor Pull, a Billy Currington concert, and more
  • Purchase tickets HERE

34th Annual Heritage Days Festival

  • Wednesday, July 6th through Saturday, July 9th
  • Uptown Mount Vernon
  • "Highlights of the four-day festival will include fireworks, a kids fun run, bouncy houses and inflatables, carnival games, bags tournament, a parade, the Memorial Park Family Fun Zone, live music and a new family-friendly storytelling event."

Moonlit Movie Series

  • Friday, July 8th at 7 p.m.
  • Lowe Park in Marion
  • Showing Cruella (2021)

Movies on the Riverbank

  • Saturday, July 9th at 7 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Showing Luca (2021)

Uptown Marion Market

  • Saturday, July 9th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • City Square Park in Marion

Blues & BBQ

  • Saturday, July 9th
  • Centennial Park in North Liberty
  • Featuring BBQ, inflatables, beer, and live music

Kinderfest

  • Saturday, July 9th
  • Amana Colonies
  • Featuring Kid Olympics, storytime, crafts, live music, and more

Lyle Lovett and his Large Band

  • Saturday, July 9th at 7:30 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Steve-O

Delaware County Fair

  • Monday, July 11th through Sunday, July 17th
  • Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester
  • Featuring a Jake Owen concert, the I Love the 90s Tour, a Harlem Wizards basketball game, and more
  • Purchase tickets HERE

75th Annual International Jugglers' Association Festival 

  • Monday, July 11th through Sunday, July 17th
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Complex & the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring juggling shows, workshops, competitions, and more

Cedar County Fair

  • Wednesday, July 13th through Sunday, July 17th
  • Cedar County Fairgrounds in Tipton
  • Featuring a Craig Morgan concert, the Rouge Rodeo, a truck & tractor pull, and more
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Neal McCoy Concert

  • Thursday, July 14th at 8 p.m.
  • Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Concert

  • Thursday, July 14th at 8 p.m.
  • Rhythm City Casino in Davenport
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Walcott Truckers Jamboree

  • Thursday, July 14th through Saturday, July 16th
  • World's Largest Truck Stop in Walcott
  • Featuring food, live music, Trucker Olympics, fireworks, and more

Solon Beef Days

  • Friday, July 15th & Saturday, July 16th
  • Solon, Iowa
  • Featuring live music, a carnival, a parade, a 5k, a beer tent, food, and more

Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert

  • Saturday, July 16th at 7 p.m.
  • TaxSlayer Center in Moline
  • With special guest Chris Janson
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Seether Concert

  • Saturday, July 16th at 7 p.m.
  • Q Casino in Dubuque
  • With special guests 10 Years and Nonpoint on the Back
  • Purchase tickets HERE

"Weird Al" Yankovic Concert

  • Tuesday, July 19th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
  • With special guest Emo Philips
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Great Jones County Fair

  • Wednesday, July 20th through Sunday, July 24th
  • Jones County Fairgrounds in Monticello
  • Featuring concerts from Hank Williams Jr.Brothers Osborne & Lee BriceLady A, and Blanco Brown
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Muscatine County Fair

  • Wednesday, July 20th through Sunday, July 24th
  • Muscatine County Fairgrounds in West Liberty
  • Featuring Pro Impact Wrestling, a tractor pull, a Sawyer Brown Concert, and more
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Vince Gill Concert

  • Thursday, July 21st at 7:30 p.m.
  • Adler Theatre in Davenport
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Jimmie Allen Concert

  • Thursday, July 21st at 7 p.m.
  • Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend

  • Friday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 24th
  • Iowa Speedway in Newton
  • Featuring concerts from Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Gwen Stefani, and Blake Shelton
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Daughtry

  • Saturday, July 23rd at 7:30 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar rapids
  • With special guest Black Stone Cherry
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Scotty McCreery

  • Sunday, July 24th at 7 p.m.
  • Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines
  • With special guest Allie Colleen
  • Purchase tickets HERE

John Mulaney Comedy Show

  • Sunday, July 24th at 3:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
  • Adler Theatre in Davenport
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Tom Segura Comedy Show

  • Tuesday, July 26th at 7 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Jackson County Fair

  • Tuesday, July 26th through Sunday, July 31st
  • Jackson County Fairgrounds in Monticello
  • Featuring a Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson concert, a Casey Donahew concert, a truck & tractor pull, and more
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Swisher Fun Days

  • Friday, July 29th & Saturday, July 30th
  • Swisher, Iowa
  • Featuring live music, a parade, tournaments, fireworks, and more

Walker Pickle Days

  • Friday, July 29th & Saturday, July 30th
  • Walker, Iowa

Pork Tornadoes

  • Saturday, July 30th at
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m.
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Harmony Festival

  • Saturday, July 30th & Sunday, July 31st
  • National Czech & Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids
  • "Harmony Festival is a community-centered yoga and music festival celebrating whole-self wellbeing"
  • Purchase tickets HERE

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in Iowa

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Iowa using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

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