May Festivals, Conventions, Concerts & Events in Eastern Iowa [LIST]
Need something fun to do in May? No problem! Here are some of the big events happening here in Eastern Iowa and beyond:
The Sound of Music
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- Sunday, May 1st at 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 5th through Saturday, May 7th at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 8th at 2:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 13th at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 14th at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 19th through Saturday, May 21st at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 22nd at 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 26th through Saturday, May 28th at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 29th at 2:30 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
May Day Party
- Wilson's Orchard in Iowa City
- Sunday, May 1st from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Featuring you-pick tulips, cider tasting, crafts, tractor rides, live music, sunset yoga, and more
- Admission is free
Kernels Baseball
- Kernels Stadium in Cedar Rapids
- Dates/Times
- Tuesday, May 2nd through Saturday, May 7th at 6:35 p.m.
- Sunday, May 8th at 2:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 17th through Saturday, May 21st at 6:35 p.m.
- Sunday, May 22nd at 2:05 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 24th at 6:35 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 25th at 12:05 p.m.
- Thursday, May 26th through Saturday, May 28th at 6:35 p.m.
- Sunday, May 29th at 2:05 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Food Truck Tuesdays
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- Every Tuesday in May from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers Concert
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Baby Shark Live!
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Wednesday, May 4th at 6 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Tulip Time Festival
- Downtown Pella
- Thursday, May 5th through Saturday, May 7th
- Featuring food, live entertainment, museums, parades, city tours, a craft market, and more
Rock the Block
- NewBo City Market
- Dates/Bands
- Friday, May 6th - Blake Shaw Quartet
- Friday, May 13th - Young the Lion
- Friday, May 20th - The Ivy Ford Band
- Friday, May 27th - Dandelion Stompers
- 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Event is FREE
- Purchase season passes for reserved seating HERE
Hailey Whitters Concert
- DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher
- Dates
- May 6th at 8:30 p.m. - SOLD OUT
- May 7th at 8:30 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Breaking Benjamin Concert
- Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids
- Thursday, May 6th at 6:30 p.m.
- With special guests Seether, Starset, and Lacey Sturm
- Purchase tickets HERE
Chalk the Walk
- Downtown Mount Vernon
- Saturday, May 7th & Sunday, May 8th
- "Chalk the Walk will feature the work of hundreds of all ages and abilities! They will use over 1/2 ton of chalk with a downtown city street as their canvas."
Swisher City Wide Garage Sales
- City of Swisher
- Saturday, May 7th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
6th Annual Bloom Moms Night Out
- National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids
- Tuesday, May 10th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- "This fun night out will feature informational and vendor tables from fantastic local businesses, a panel discussion with local wellness and parenting experts, delicious food, amazing giveaways, and a chance to meet other mamas!"
- Purchase tickets HERE
Houby Days
- Czech Village in Cedar Rapids
- Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 15th
- "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!"
Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention
- Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines
- Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 15th
- Featuring over 100 tattoo artists, live tattoo competitions, a pinup contest, live music, a silent auction, and more
- Purchase tickets HERE
Bar2Bar 5k
- Irish District in Cedar Rapids
- Sunday, May 15th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- "A graceful run/walk through the Irish District with brief stops in some of our favorite haunts"
Mac and Cheese Fest Dubuque
- Grand River Center in Dubuque
- Thursday, May 19th at 6 p.m.
- "Foodies and Craft Beer Lovers unite to taste more than 20 varieties of Mac & Cheese paired with over 50 craft beers"
- Purchase tickets HERE
Baby Animal Days
- Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins
- Dates
- Friday, May 20th through Sunday, May 22nd
- Friday, May 27th through Sunday, May 29th
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- "Snap photos, visit the sweetest animals, enjoy our attractions & so much more!"
- Purchase tickets HERE
Marion Arts Festival
- City Park in Marion
- Saturday, May 21st from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Iowa Pop Art Festival
- NewBo& Czech Village Districts in Cedar Rapids
- Saturday, May 21st from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- "The Iowa Pop Art Festival 2022 takes place May 21st with the greatest lineup of artists ever assembled and includes more than 80 creatives, ALL FROM IOWA, sprawled across the NewBo and Czech Village neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids"
Des Moines Comic Con
- Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines
- Saturday, May 21st through Sunday, May 22nd
- "Des Moines Con is a celebration of comics, toys, TV, film, art, cosplay, games, and all things nerdy. If you're a fan of Batman, Marvel, Star Wars, LEGO, Disney, Star Trek, My Hero Academia, Power Rangers, etc., you'll probably fit right in!"
- Purchase tickets HERE
WWE Sunday Stunner
- Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids
- Sunday, May 22nd at 7 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Cocktail Classic
- NewBo City Market
- Tuesday, May 24th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- "Sample a variety of exciting cocktail creations from elite local mixologists all vying to win Best Cocktail! This year, all of the cocktails will be crafted from Cedar Ridge's award-winning Iowa Bourbon Whiskey."
- Purchase tickets HERE
Good Makers Market
- Cedar County Fairgrounds in Tipton
- Dates/Times
- Friday, May 27th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 28th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- "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."
- Admission is $5
2022 Downtown Summer Shop Crawl
- Downtown Iowa City
- Friday, May 27th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- "We invite you to join us for an evening of fun summer drinks and great shopping at our unique downtown businesses"
- Purchase tickets HERE
Downtown Farmers Market
- Downtown Cedar Rapids
- Saturday, May 28th from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Aaron Lewis & the Stateliners Concert
- McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
- Sunday, May 29th at 8 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Joe Nichols Concert
- Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford
- Sunday, May 29th at 8 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
10 Cute Cabins for Rent in Eastern/Central Iowa
Looking for a little weekend getaway? Here are some cute cabins in Central/Eastern Iowa that are available to rent on Airbnb!
30 Cool Outdoor Patios to Dine On This Summer Around the Corridor
Now that spring is here, patio season is right around the corner! With the help of Eastern Iowans in the Deetz - Let's Support Local! Facebook group, I put together a list of 30 awesome patios in the area where you can dine and/or drink when the weather gets warmer. Here are some of the popular places!