Fall Festivals 2023

Checkout this year’s line-up of can’t-miss fall festivals in and around the Cedar Rapids area. We’ll see you there!

September

2023 Women’s Arts Festival, NewBo City Market
September 2, 2023, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebrate women’s arts through musical performances, visual art demonstrations, the Women’s-Owned Business Market, yoga with live music and much more!

Fall Festival, Bass Farms
Weekends, September 9 - October 31st
Bring the family to enjoy a hay rack ride, pick out your won pumpkins, and shop the specialty food store for the best-tasting apple butter and scoop of Snap O’Lantern ice cream on a crunchy waffle cone!

Intercultural Festival 2023, Lowe Park
Sunday, September 10, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Celebrate the 8th Annual Cultural Festival with FREE admission, DJ, food vendors and sampling, artisan crafts, salsa dancers, fashion show and so much more!

Harvest Hay Rack Nights: Sunset Pumpkins & Night Owls, Usher's Ferry
Wednesdays, September 13th and 27th
Sunset Pumpkins (5 - 6:30 p.m.): This program is for families with young children (older children welcome). Bring your dinner and come to the village for an early evening hay rack ride, bonfire, and simple craft before bedtime. Popcorn and sarsaparilla will be available for purchase in the saloon.
Night Owls (6:30 - 8 p.m.): Take a hay rack ride through the valley, gather around a bonfire with hot cocoa to roast marshmallows, make a simple craft,
and join us in the saloon for some card games. Popcorn and sarsaparilla will be available for purchase.

BrewNost, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
September 15, 2023, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Enjoy food and beverage from some of the area’s finest restaurants, local breweries and distilleries, along with international beers, wine, and spirits. Supporting the educational and cultural mission of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, this festive outdoor celebration includes live music from the Czech Plus Band, live and silent auction prizes and the drawing of the BrewNost raffle prize — a trip for two to Prague!

5th Annual Farm Fresh Reggae, Troy’s Farm - Springville, IA
September 15-16
The 5th annual festival featuring live music, art, food camping and more is a great family-friend festival where kids 15 and under get free admission.

Festival Latino, McGrath Amphitheatre
September 16th, 11am-6pm
Celebrate and experience the richness and diversity of the Latin American culture in Cedar Rapids. Bring your family and friends to enjoy live music performances, different types of food from various countries and the many activities for kids! Entrance to the event is FREE.

Marion Oktoberfest, Uptown Marion
September 16, 2023, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a fun afternoon sampling a wide variety of beer brands and styles from the best breweries in Iowa and surrounding areas. The 2023 Oktoberfest will feature 30 breweries bringing a variety of styles. Music and games! Traditional stein holding contest and hammerschlagen, and enjoy festive music by Lyle Beaver and the Brass Notes. The festival will take place in Uptown Marion on 7th Avenue. Each attendee will receive a commemorative tasting glass, access to samples, and complementary water.

Apfelfest, Amana Colonies
September 16-17, 2023
Apfelfest is a festival dedicated to America’s favorite fruit! It’s a beautiful time to visit the Colonies and you’ll find apple treats, apple gifts, and apple desserts at many of the businesses. 

BLOCKtoberfest II, Downtown Cedar Rapids
September 22nd, 2023, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
The Pork Tornadoes hit the corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue to rock downtown Cedar Rapids. The Midwest’s most well-known and loved party band is join by opening act Running Place. With an admission price of just $5, this is a can’t miss fall event! 

Fall Festival, Bloomsbury Farm
September 22-October 29, Friday-Sundays 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Bloomsbury Farm is the best place to be during the autumn season! You’ll find u-pick pumpkins, iconic fall-themed photos ops, our 10-acre corn maze, 30+ attractions.

9th Annual Asian Fest, NewBo City Market
September 23rd, 12-8 p.m.
Don’t miss this FREE event to celebrate and recognize culture and heritage from all over Asia located right here in Eastern Iowa. Dine, dance, and develop an appreciation of the Asian communities with local food vendors, cultural villages, a kid zone, live performances and, of course, the annual fashion show!

Ely Fall Festival, Downtown Ely
Saturday, September 23rd
Spend your day shopping at the vendor fair, check out the massive car show, eat delicious food and most importantly, don't miss Ely's best Kids Zone ever! The Fall Fest 5K will take place on Sunday, September 17th.

Lincoln Highway Arts Festival, Mount Vernon Main Street
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Lincoln Highway Arts Festival has been a staple in Mount Vernon for over 15 years. Featuring artists booths and demonstrations, activities for kids, live music, food and more! 

101st Annual Czech Goulash Day, Saint Wenceslaus
Sunday, September 24th
This century-long tradition provides live entertainment, tasty food (goulash, wenceburgers, kolaches and more!), tours of Saint Wenceslaus Church, bingo and a kid zone.

Oktoberfest, Amana Colonies
September 29 – October 1
At the official Amana Colonies Oktoberfest Grounds, enjoy Amana Colonies Meat Shop & Smokehouse brats, along with pork trotters, sides, and desserts. We’ll have live music from bands like Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, the Colony Folksingers, Alpensterne, Die Freistadt Alte Kamerade, and more, along with beer – lots of beer. We’ll host games during the day on Saturday between bands, and even our annual brat eating competition.

Uptown Fall Market, Uptown Marion
Saturday, September 30th, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Uptown Fall Market offers fresh fall produce, baked goods, flowers, Iowa wines, and a wide variety of artisan items – all from local vendors. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy live entertainment from some of the area’s finest musicians.  

October

Chocolate Walk, Uptown Marion
Friday, October 6th, 6-9 p.m.
What could be more delightful than shopping and chocolate? Adding a fall night in Uptown Marion! Enjoy strolling historic Uptown Marion at this after hours, adult-only shopping event. Visit your favorite stores, discover what’s new just around the corner and savor a sweet treat from participating businesses.

Iowa Renaissance Festival, Middle Amana Community Park
October 7-8, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Iowa Renaissance Festival celebrates 31 years of family fun! Come experience live entertainment featuring comedy, swordplay, music, magic, and even horseback jousting. Explore a marketplace full of unique merchandise from around the land. Enjoy tasty treats and drinks in the royal food court (including adult libations like honey mead). The village awaits your visit!

Harvest Hay Rack Nights: Sunset Pumpkins & Night Owls, Usher's Ferry
Wednesday, October 11th
Sunset Pumpkins (5 - 6:30 p.m.): This program is for families with young children (older children welcome). Bring your dinner and come to the village for an early evening hay rack ride, bonfire, and simple craft before bedtime. Popcorn and sarsaparilla will be available for purchase in the saloon.
Night Owls (6:30 - 8 p.m.): Take a hay rack ride through the valley, gather around a bonfire with hot cocoa to roast marshmallows, make a simple craft,
and join us in the saloon for some card games. Popcorn and sarsaparilla will be available for purchase.

Cider Stroll, The District
October 13th, 2023
Dive info fall with FREE Cider & Fall-Flavored food and drink samples as you explore participating locations through Czech Village and New Bohemia.

Fall Festival, Hiawatha Park
October 29th, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dress up in your best costume and join us for tricks and treats at the Hiawatha Farmers Market! Enjoy treats from the vendors, performances by Prestige Dance Studio and a costume contest sponsored by Metro Kiwanis!