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An Affiliated Event is a community event happening during June or July in Cedar Rapids or surrounding areas. Affiliated Events are not Freedom Festival produced events, but are registered events that are marketed by the Festival.
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Register your event for $350.00. This gets your event featured in our Festival Guide, website, social media outlets, and in the Gazette!
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Register your event here: www.freedomfestival.com/affiliated-events!
Affiliated Events
Five Seasons Ski Team Waterski Show
The Five Seasons Ski Team presents a stunning hour long waterski show, with daredevil jump acts including helicopters and flips, 50 mph barefoot pyramids and much more. Watch as monster triple engined towboats pull world record level pyramids with 30 or more skiers. With 50 costumed performers, an award winning announcer and rapid fire action these shows have been featured on ESPN and OLN television. Free shows every Thursday at 7 pm this summer at Ellis Park, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bleachers and concessions on site.
Event Date(s):
June 19th June 24th
June 26th July 1st
July 3rd July 4th
Event Time: 7:00PM
Event Location: Ellis Park, Cedar River, 2021 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA
For more information, visit: www.5ssst.com
Root Beer Festival
Join us for the 5th Annual Root Beer Festival on the lawn at The History Center! Official Freedom Festival Event! Music and Entertainment provided by: Scott Dix 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. Prestige Dance Studio 11:15 a.m. Acoustic Jack 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. The Pointe Dance Studio - 1:30 p.m. Free event souvenir stadium cup for the first 800 people. 1 Free Root Beer or Root Beer Float per person. Bounce House for the kids! Admission includes access to the museum exhibits. Admission is $5.00 per person. To receive the $1.00 Freedom Festival button discount, TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE GATE. No discount for online ticket purchases.
Event Date(s): June 21st
Event Time: 10:00AM
Event Location: The History Center, 800 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
For more information, visit: https://www.historycenter.org/rootbeer
Freedom in Song
A variety show featuring the Metro Mix Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus as well as local community performers both vocal and instrumental. Metro Mix Chorus is a dynamic organization of women singers committed to performing quality barbershop music to enrich our lives and communities. This concert will celebrate the freedoms we all enjoy living in this great country! It will feature Metro Mix Chorus as well as many community musicians joining us and showcasing their talents.
Event Date(s): June 26th
Event Time: 7:00PM
Event Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1285 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/metromixchorusIowa/
The Linn County Fair
Wednesday, June 25 - Sneak Peek day; FREE gate admission
Thursday, June 26 - Youth Day (Grandstand Event: ECIPA Truck & Tractor Pull)
Friday, June 27 - Community Appreciation Day (Grandstand Event: Chris Cagle)
Saturday, June 28 - General Mills Day (Grandstand Event: Dylan Scott)
Sunday, June 29 - Military Appreciation Day (Grandstand Event: Tough Trucks!)
Event Date(s): June 25th - 29th
Event Time: June 25th 7:00AM through June 29th
Event Location: The Linn County Fairgrounds at 201 Central City Rd, Central City, IA
For more information, visit: https://www.thelinncountyfair.com/
Midsummer Garden Arts Fair
This will be the fourth annual Midsummer Garden Arts Fair. The official program will begin at 7:00pm, but activities, including a chance to take your picture with the one and only Bard, William Shakespeare, will begin at 6:30. Light refreshments will be available for a "good Will" offering, featuring Shakespeare cookies and other delights of the era. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, and additional treats and beverages. In the unwelcome chance of rain, the event will be moved to the Overlook Pavilion in Ellis Park. There will be an abundance of dance, music, drama, and frivolity. The event is open to the public and is a free, family event sponsored by: The Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival, Cedar Rapids Garden Club, the City of Cedar Rapids, The Wednesday Shakespeare Club, and Friends of the Shakespeare Garden.
Event Date(s): June 28th
Event Time: 7:00PM
Event Location: Ellis Park, Shakespeare Garden, 916 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA
For more information, visit: https://friendsofshakespearegarden.org
Star-Spangled Organ Concert
The Star-Spangled Organ Concert will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 310 5th St SE. Sponsored by the River Valley AGO Chapter (American Guild of Organists), this free event invites the community to enjoy an afternoon of patriotic organ music in celebration of Independence Day.
The concert is designed for audiences of all ages, with music selections that both children and adults will appreciate. While admission is free, a free-will donation will be accepted to support the event.
Event Date(s): June 29th
Event Time: 3:00PM
Event Location: First Presbyterian Church, 310 5th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
For more information, visit: River Valley AGO Facebook page.
Music by Twilight with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band
The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band celebrates 75 years of providing FREE quality concerts around the metro area. All ages are encouraged to attend. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, friends and neighbors, and enjoy an hour of marches, soloists, serenades, movie medleys, and more from the city's own concert band.
Cancellations will not be made earlier than two hours prior to start. For the safety of everyone, concerts are cancelled immediately if lightning is seen.
If the heat index rises too high, the Band Commission may decide that it is best for everyone to cancel the concert. Announcements will be made on our website and also on Facebook and Instagram.
Event Date(s) & Locations:
June 4th (The History Center) June 8th (McGrath Amphitheatre)
June 11th (Noelridge Park) June 15th (Bever Park)
June 18th (McGrath Amphitheatre) June 22nd (Bever Park)
June 25th (Johnson STEAM Academy) June 29th (Ellis Park)
July 2nd (Guthridge Park) July 6th (McGrath Amphitheatre)
July 9th (Washington HS Auditorium) July 13th (Ballantyne Auditorium)
July 16th (Ellis Park) July 20th (Bever Park)
July 23rd (Noelridge Park) July 27th (Ellis Park)
July 30th (Hughes Park)
Event Time: 7:30PM
For more information, visit: https://www.crmuniband.org
https://www.facebook.com/CRMuniBand
CRBT Movies on the Riverbank
Presented by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Join us for two unforgettable summer evenings of free outdoor movies, family fun, and community celebration at the McGrath Amphitheatre in Downtown Cedar Rapids!
Location: 475 1st St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Time: Gates & Kids' Activities open at 7:00 PM | Movies start at dusk
Admission: Free & open to the public
Event Dates & Feature Films
• June 14, 2025 – Inside Out 2 (PG)
Special guest appearance by college basketball star Hannah Stuelke from 7:00–8:00 PM!
• July 12, 2025 – Despicable Me 4 (PG)
Event Highlights:
• Face painting, balloon artists, inflatables
• Lawn seating—bring chairs & blankets
• Food vendors: Moo Moo’s Ice Cream, The Street Food Fighter (June), LoosiesCR (July), plus free popcorn from El Kahir Shriners
Allowed items: Soft coolers, outside food & drinks, blankets, bagged lawn chairs
Not allowed: Hard coolers, pets (service animals welcome), alcohol, weapons, glass containers, fireworks, scooters, bikes, skateboards
In case of weather cancellation, updates will be posted on our Facebook page.