Holiday Hours

Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25. 

Event List

Featured Events

Twinkle lights in an orange circle around the words "Holidays at the Library."

McKinley STEAM Academy Jazz Band Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Library Commons at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Special Performances

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
A portrait of Jane Austen.

Jane Austen Birthday Tea Party & Trivia

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
maker spaces words over a gear

Holiday Express Maker Hours

Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:30am - 12:30pm
Maker Spaces at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Maker Room and Technology

Age Group:

Adult
The characters of the Fellowship of the Rings look at the camera as Ringwraiths gallop below them.

"Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" Movie & Costume Contest

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Characters from "The Two Towers" stare into the distance in front of the tower of Sauron.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" Movie & Craft

Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Frodo holds up the Ring while Aragorn brandishes a sword, with other characters between them

"The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" Movie & Craft

Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs, Other

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family LEGO Challenge Night

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library

Program Type:

Family Programs, Games and Activities

Age Group:

School Age, Teen, Adult
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Twinkle lights in an orange circle around the words "Holidays at the Library."

McKinley STEAM Academy Jazz Band Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Library Commons at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

The McKinley STEAM Academy Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band will perform seasonal music in the library Commons. These groups are made up of 6th-8th grade students from curricular instrumental music classes.

The Cedar Amateur Astronomers logo with pine trees, stars, and moon.

NASA Voyager Film Showing with the Cedar Amateur Astronomers

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Special Performances
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join the Cedar Amateur Astronomers for a night of films about NASA's Voyager space craft. Learn about the voyager missions and their connection to the James Van Allen Observatory at the University of Iowa.

An owl sits on a handler's arm.

Superb Owl Party

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B, Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Are you ready for some raptors. Join us to celebrate all things owl beginning at 5:30 pm with a scavenger hunt, owl art, and owl games. Stay for an informative presentation from Raptology to see these majestic creatures in person!

The words Library Music Concert over an illustration of a guitar on a blue circle.

Pied Piper: Percussion

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 9:30am - 10:15am
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Adult

Orchestra Iowa presents a free concert designed for preschool-aged children. February highlights percussion.

Shows will be at 9:30 and 10:30 am in Whipple Auditorium.

The words Library Music Concert over an illustration of a guitar on a blue circle.

Pied Piper: Percussion

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, Adult

Orchestra Iowa presents a free concert designed for preschool-aged children. February highlights percussion.

Shows will be at 9:30 and 10:30 am in Whipple Auditorium.