Annual Events

ARTapalooza
Fantastic juried art show held in our historic, Cedar Falls Downtown District. September 10, 2023. 319-277-0213.

Checker's Stone Soul Picnic
Annual picnic features live entertainment from local bands, food from Blue Barn BBQ and activities for kids of all ages. Admission is free, and donations are encouraged. All proceeds go to the children's programs at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Overman Park, September 10, 2023. 

Cemetery Walk
Gather in Fairview Cemetery to hear the stories of Cedar Falls citizens. This event will take place rain or shine. Suggested donation $5. September 24, 2023. Fairview Cemetery, Cedar Falls. 319-266-5149.

October 2023

Pink Ribbon Run
Open to runners and walkers with race awards and door prizes. All proceeds benefit the Northeast Iowa Community Foundation's Beyond Pink TEAM. Registration opens in August. October 7, 2023. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213. 

Waverly Midwest Horse Sale
Visitors world wide attend this semi-annual sale at the Waverly Sale Barn. Hundreds of horses and all types of equipment are sold. Waverly, Iowa. October 4-6, 2023.  319-352-2804.

Fall Into Downtown (Formerly Girls Night Out)
It's officially fall and it's that time to grab your favorite people for a night out in the District! Take a stroll downtown and discover what your favorite merchants have in store for you. October 5, 2023. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213.

CedarGrass Music Festival
Local and internationally acclaimed bluegrass bands will perform during the 2-day festival celebrating the music of America's classic genre. Enjoy live performances, jamming sessions, and workshops all at the historic Oster Regent. October 20-21, 2023. Oster Regent Theatre, Cedar Falls. 319-277-5283

Trick or Treat in the District 
Downtown merchants open their doors for trick or treators, preschoolers through sixth graders are welcome. October 31, 2023. Refer to their Facebook page for announcements/changes. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213.

November 2023

Iowa High School Football Playoffs 
Iowa high school football teams battle it out to be the best in the state. Semifinals, and Finals, November 8-11 & 16-17, 2023. UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls. 319-268-4266.

Festival of Trees
Since 1989, MercyOne Festival of Trees has grown and evolved into one of the Cedar Valley’s most cherished annual events. The week long event not only showcases decorated trees, wreaths and lanterns, it also hosts special events. The festival serves as a fundraiser to support MercyOne hospital through the hospital's Auxiliary membership. November 15-19, 2023. Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Cedar Falls. 319-268-3161.

Holiday Hoopla
Join the merchants in downtown Cedar Falls as Holiday Hoopla gets underway with Santa's big arrival, kicking off a month of hoopla events in the Cedar Falls Downtown District! Special Hoopla events take place November 24 thru December 23, 2023. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213.

Small Business Saturday
Enjoy this day with downtown Cedar Falls! There will be plenty of fun and frivolity as you celebrate the power of shopping locally with our area small businesses. November 25, 2023. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213

December 2023

Jingle & Mingle
Enjoy merchant open houses, stroll the sidewalks, smell the fresh greenery and enjoy the sparkle of holiday lights. December 2023, TBA. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213. 

Santa's Workshop & Trolley Rides - Thursdays
Visit Santa and his elves at River Place Plaza. Don't forget to bring your letter to Santa with return address included so Santa can send you his reply. The Trolley does a loop from the Cedar Falls Community Center and the River Place Plaza. You are encouraged to park at the Community Center or surrounding financial institutions and check out the beautiful lights, smell of the garland and wonderful caroling as you enjoy the trolley. December 2023, TBA; 6-8pm. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213. 

Santa's Workshop - Saturdays
Visit Santa and his elves at River Place Plaza. Don't forget to bring your letter to Santa with return address included so Santa can send you his reply. December 2023, TBA; 11am-2pm. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213. 

Eat, Drink & Be Merry
A different spin on Hoopla Cheer--Eat, Drink & Be merry will be a fun event happening December 8-10! You will receive a bingo card of all the drinks and/or specials at each participating bar & restaurant. You will have all weekend long to get it completed instead of just one night. December 2023, TBD. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213

Baby It's Cold Outside
The streets of the Cedar Falls Downtown District come alive with holiday magic. Shop and then watch as ice sculptors create delicate works of art with their chainsaws. December 2023, TBD. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213.

Movie Magic - The Santa Clause
Enjoy a free showing of "Santa Clause" in the nostalgic Oster Regent Theatre in the Cedar Falls Downtown District. December 2023, TBD; 10am. Oster Regent Theatre, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213. 

Reindeer Games 2022
Help Santa and his reindeer with their big flight on Christmas Eve! Games, activities and treats for all ages! December 2023, TBD. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0213.

January 2024

Frosty Buns Race Series
Iowa Games Snowshoe 5k and 10k events will be offered and run on a variety of snow surfaces including: packed, powder, and single track. Snowshoes are available if needed. George Wyth State park (lodge). TBD, 2024.

Iowa Games Fat Bike Race
Participants will ride their bikes around a snow-trampled course in this unique and challenging race. Route will be similar to cyclocross races, laps will be short 5-10 minutes each with a citizen (beginner) and open (experienced) divisions offered. George Wyth State Park (lodge), Waterloo.TBD 2024.

Iowa Boat, RV and Vacation Show
Iowa's largest boat show, featuring cabin cruisers to fishing boats from over 25 Iowa dealers, plus motor homes, resorts and fishing tackle. UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls. 319-290-1996. January 26-28, 2024.

February 2024

Ice Harvest Festival
The Cedar Falls Historical Society will bring history alive, celebrate the ice-harvesting industry in long ago Cedar Falls and promote their historic Ice House Museum at the Ice Harvest Festival. Activities are  FREE and may include ice-harvesting and ice-carving demonstrations, STEM and outdoor fun, photo-ops, ice fishing and blacksmithing presentations, and more. TBD, 2025; 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Big Woods Lake, north shore. 319-266-5149

Hawkeye Farm Show 
More than 250 companies display over 800 lines of products and services at the UNI-Dome. Join over 18,000 agricultural producers from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin to review the latest technologies in agriculture. Attend daily seminars by leading experts. Free admission and parking. February 27-29, 2024 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily). UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls.  507-437-7969.

March 2024

Frosty Buns Race Series: Sticky Stride
This annual event will occur rain or shine...or snow! Choose from 5k, 10k, or kids 2.5k timed races. Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Cedar Falls. March TBD, 2024. 319-277-2187

Maple Syrup Festival
This annual event will include a pancake breakfast and a visit to the sugar shack to learn how to make real maple syrup; from collecting the sap to boiling it down into syrup. Reservations are required. Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Cedar Falls. March TBD, 2024. 319-277-2187.

Eastern Iowa Sports Show 
Iowa's largest sport show features extensive displays of recreational vehicles, boats, hunting, fishing tackle, resorts, fishing camps and other summer activities. Seminars and Jungle Safari entertain and educate the family. March 8-10, 2024. UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls. 319-290-1996.

FIRST Robotics Competition Iowa Regional
Watch the robotic wonders created by teams from throughout the region as they come to the Cedar Valley to compete in this unique event. UNI-Dome and the McLeod Center. March 20-23, 2024. 
319-273-7050.

April 2024

Waverly Horse Sale 
Visitors world wide attend this semi-annual sale at the Waverly Sale Barn. Hundreds of horses and all types of equipment are sold. Waverly, Iowa. April 3-5, 2024. 319-352-2804.

Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival
A one-day celebration benefitting Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area features Iowa foods, beverages, chefs, authors and AG products. Waterloo Convention Center. April TBD, 2024. 319-234-4567.

RodCon
RodCon is a mini comic book convention celebrating all things comic books, gaming, pop culture, anime and science fiction in a fun, high-energy and inclusive environment. April 6, 2024. Rod Library (UNI), Cedar Falls. 

Hops: Iowa Craft Beer Tasting
Held annually in April, this is the premier beer sampling sell out event in the Cedar Valley. Enjoy yourself as you hop around the Cedar Falls Downtown District sampling beer from around the state. April TBD, 2024. 319-277-0213.

Trout Stocking Family & Kids Day
Bring the kids and enjoy a day of fishing fun. The Cedar Valley Walleye Club along with the Iowa DNR and Cedar Falls Parks Department will stock North Prairie Lake with trout. April TBD, 2024. North Prairie Lake (Viking & Hudson Road). 

May 2024

Girls' Night Out
Enjoy a fun evening of shopping, dining and making memories the first Thursday (and Friday and Saturday) in May and October from 5-9 pm. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. May 2, 2024. 319-277-0213.

Downtown Show and Shine
Take a stroll down Main Street and view a showcase of amazing cars and motorcycles. Downtown District, Cedar Falls. May 5, 2024; Noon-4pm. 319-277-0213.

Veterans Memorial Day Parade
The annual Memorial Day Parade is held in downtown Waterloo. May 27, 2024 at 10 a.m.

June 2024

Cedar Falls Municipal Band
Free, open-air concerts on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm in Overman Park (weather permitting). Tuesday Evenings, June & July. Overman Park is at the corner of 2nd & Franklin Streets, Cedar Falls.

Cedar Valley Cup
Over 1600 participants in this three day tournament. June TBD, 2024. Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, Waterloo.

Cedar Valley Soccer Moonlight Classic
The Moonlight Classic Tournament is a unique tournament offered by the CVYSA. Designed for travel/competitive teams, the Moonlight Classic provides an opportunity for teams to enjoy playing under the lights! Playing under the lights, on some of the best soccer fields in the State, is a great memory for all the players and their fans. June TBD, 2024. Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, Waterloo.

College Hill Arts Festival
Juried arts festival showcasing over 75 Midwest artists presenting original works in various media. Performing arts events are presented in a traditional, open-air campus setting to enliven the festival. June TBD, 2024. University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. 319-277-4972.  

Sturgis Falls Celebration 
Enjoy multiple stages of live music and entertainment, parade, 5K, arts and crafts fair, carnival, talent contest and more. June 28-30, 2024. Overman Park, Gateway Park, Cedar Falls. 319-277-0996.

Cedar Basin Music Festival
This three-day festival is full of free, live music in a variety of styles (jazz, blues, contemporary rock and folk) at two venues, Sturgis Park and NewAldaya in Cedar Falls. June 28-30, 2024.

July 2024

Cedar Falls Municipal Band
Free, open-air concerts on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm in Overman Park (weather permitting). Tuesday Evenings, June & July. Overman Park is at the corner of 2nd & Franklin Streets, Cedar Falls. 

The Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival
Enjoy chamber music performed by local and visiting artists in the Great Hall of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. See website for performance times and artists. July TBA, 2024. 319-481-8590.

Iowa Shrine Bowl Football Game
A week of special events surrounding this prestigious event culminates with a parade and championship game. July 20, 2024. UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls. 319-493-5371. 

Iowa State Trap Shoot
Over 500 gun enthusiasts from 15 states compete for money and prizes at this event hosted by the Cedar Falls Gun Club. July TBA, 2024. 319-268-4266.

Black Hawk County 4-H Fair
Come enjoy exhibits and farm animals raised by Black Hawk County 4-Her's. July TBA, 2024. National Cattle Congress Grounds, Waterloo. 319-234-7515.

Cedar Falls Bible Conference 
One of America's largest Bible Conferences, this event presents a tremendous program with nationally renowned biblical scholars, speakers, and well-known religious musicians. Last Saturday of July through the first Saturday of August. July TBA, 2024. Riverview Conference Center, Cedar Falls. 319-268-0787.

August 2023

Cedar Falls Municipal Band - August Ensembles
Free, open-air concerts on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm in Overman Park (weather permitting). Tuesday Evenings, August. Overman Park is at the corner of 2nd & Franklin Streets, Cedar Falls.

Iowa Irish Fest
The Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association is holding the 8th Annual Iowa Irish Fest in an around the Lincoln Park area and East 4th and Mulberry Streets in downtown Waterloo. Iowa’s only large-scale Celtic festival boasts three stages of music and entertainment, Celtic gifts, food and highland games. Everyone is Irish during this fabulous weekend! August 2-4, 2024. Lincoln Park, Waterloo. 319-233-8350 or 800-728-8431.

Old Time Power Show
Step back to a time of steam engines, threshing, and old time fun. Live demonstrations, museum, tractor pulls, Parade of Power, huge flea market, and lots of food!  Daily Admission charged; 12 & under FREE. August 16-18, 2024. Antique Acres, 7620 Waverly Road, Cedar Falls. 319-987-2380

Cedar Valley Pridefest
This event features live music, food and beverage vendors, information booths, drag impersonators, art exhibit, speakers and much more. August TBA, 2024. 300 Block of W. 4th St., Waterloo.