WEEKENDER BLOG

[Gateway Park]

It’s time for the 49th annual Sturgis Falls Celebration and the 2025 Cedar Basin Music Festival. Both events are June 27-29, 2025.
 

Sturgis Falls Celebration: "Ready, Set, Summer!"

The Sturgis Falls Celebration in Cedar Falls is the largest, completely free annual city celebration in the state of Iowa. That means there is no admission to any of the parks, concerts or stage events! Every year, classes reunite, and visitors arrive to enjoy the parade, the Arts & Crafts Fair, carnival, car show and multiple stages featuring more than 30 bands.

With three days of activities held at Overman Park, Gateway Park, River Place Plaza and Main Street, there’s something for everyone at Sturgis Falls!

[Overman Park]

Overman Park is a hub of activity. Not only is it home to a variety of entertainment on the band shell stage (including the Bill Riley Talent Competition, Sweet Adelines, Sugar Daddy's Jazz Band,  Milk & Honey, and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band to name a few), kids will find activities and shows just for them at the Kidsway Stage. On Sunday, the streets surrounding Overman Park will be filled with 60+ vendors at the annual Arts & Crafts Fair from 9 am until 4 pm. Also, you won’t go hungry at Sturgis Falls. Enjoy sandwiches, breakfast burritos, pretzels, pizza, smoothies, funnel cakes, and more from a variety of food vendors surrounding the park.
 

[Main Street]

New in 2025 is Sturgis Falls on Main Street featuring daytime entertainment at River Place Plaza and in the evening at the Main Stage located on 2nd & Main Streets.  Artists performing include Rats, Milk & Honey, Rock a La Carte, Liverpool Legends, Mike Staebell, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, In Cahoots, The Snozzberries, Bad Friends, and The Pork Tornadoes.

Gateway Park is the location for Merriam’s Midway Shows with rides for all ages and carnival games. Carnival rides begin Thursday night, June 26, from 5 pm-11pm ($20 wristband special from 6pm-11pm); Friday, June 27, from 1pm-11:30pm ($20 wristband special from 6pm-11pm); Saturday, June 28, from 11am-11:30pm; and Sunday, June 29, from 1pm-10pm ($20 wristband special from 1pm-7pm).   

[Gateway Park]

The Cedar Basin Music Festival takes place June 27-29, 2025 and will have bands playing on two stages in Sturgis Park (behind the Ice House Museum) and one at NewAldaya in Cedar Falls (7511 University Avenue). Eleven bands will perform on the stages at Sturgis Park including Katie and the Honky Tonks, Avey Grouws Band, Winterland, and Rush Cleveland Trio. NewAldaya will host several jazz bands including the St. Louis Stompers, Saints All-Star Jazz Band, Tobi Crawford, Mike Conrad Trio, Dakota Andersen, and Rosewood Novelty Band. You’ll be enjoying jazz, rock, folk, and country music throughout the weekend!  

[Sturgis Park]

Need more information? Check out the Sturgis Falls Celebration and Cedar Basin Music Festival's websites.   

Want more ideas of places to visit while in Cedar Falls? Give us a call at the Cedar Falls Visitor Center. We can be reached at 319-268-4266. Or, stop by the Cedar Falls Visitor Center. We’re open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.

We’d be happy to help you!
 

  [Overman Park]