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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image of blocks and the words children's program

After School Decompression Session

Monday, February 9, 2026 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
School Age

Need a space to hang out and decompress after a busy day at school? We'll have comfy lo-fi music and a rotating series of stations with passive activities like coloring pages, puzzles, a reading corner, and more!

Cancelled
art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with.

Upcoming
Registration Required
maker spaces words over a gear

Puppy Love: Pet Portraits

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Technology Classroom at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Maker Room and Technology
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Create beautiful historic-style pet portraits. Turn your yorkie into a distinguished general, your tabby cat into a knight, or your lizard into a prince! Patrons will need clear high-resolution images for this project.

Upcoming
Registration Required
art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts With Tanager

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Ladd Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

Cancelled
icon with words of teen program and visual of sneaker

Teen Steam

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Union at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Teen

Join us every other Thursday for various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, & math) projects. 

icon of a star and the words learn a new skill

Tango Práctica

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Join us weekly for Tango Práctica (practice), where you will learn the basic steps of tango and grow your skills in an encouraging, welcoming group. No partner required. Smooth-soled shoes recommended. 

art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, February 13, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Downtown Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

Family Fun written over a green circle.

Family Valentine Party

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Drop in for Valentine’s Day crafts and activities immediately following Saturday Story Time. All ages welcome. 

image of blocks and the words children's program

After School Decompression Session

Monday, February 16, 2026 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
School Age

Need a space to hang out and decompress after a busy day at school? We'll have comfy lo-fi music and a rotating series of stations with passive activities like coloring pages, puzzles, a reading corner, and more!

Cancelled
icon with words of teen program and visual of sneaker

Teen Maker Club

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Technology Classroom at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Maker Room and Technology
Age Group:
Teen

Teens will learn skills related to our Maker Spaces and equipment, such as the 3D Printer, laser cutters, sewing, and an introduction to basic designs using computer software. This club meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with. Each program will be presented at Ladd and Downtown with the same materials.

Upcoming
Registration Required
icon of a star and the words learn a new skill

Tango Práctica

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Join us weekly for Tango Práctica (practice), where you will learn the basic steps of tango and grow your skills in an encouraging, welcoming group. No partner required. Smooth-soled shoes recommended. 

art supplies and words create art

Expressive Arts with Tanager

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age

Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers at the Downtown Library. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders. 

image of a dragon and words dungeons and dragons

Dungeons & Dragons Club Presents: Character Creation

Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join our Dungeons & Dragons Club's Lead Dungeon Master as he shows you step by step how to build a new character for the world's most popular table-top role-playing game (5th Edition, 2024). 

Upcoming
Registration Required
icon with words of teen program and visual of sneaker

The Teen Zone

Monday, February 23, 2026 at 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Teen

Teens are invited to game, create art, and vibe. Activities will alternate between gaming, art, and more! 

art supplies and words create art

Family Art Night

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen

Join us for Family Art Night this winter! Different art supplies will be provided each program for families to experiment and learn new concepts with.

Upcoming
Registration Required
icon with words of teen program and visual of sneaker

Teen Steam

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Union at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Teen

Join us every other Thursday for various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, & math) projects. 

Scissors and the word "Crafting" over a yellow circle.

Large-Scale Cross-Stitch Wall Hanging

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ladd Library Community Room at Ladd Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies
Age Group:
Adult

Create a beautiful cross-stitch piece to hang on your wall using a peg board and yarn. Participants will learn the basics of cross-stitch and follow a pattern to create an 11x17-inch wall hanging. 

Upcoming
Registration Required
icon of a star and the words learn a new skill

Tango Práctica

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Crafts & Hobbies, Games and Activities
Age Group:
Adult

Join us weekly for Tango Práctica (practice), where you will learn the basic steps of tango and grow your skills in an encouraging, welcoming group. No partner required. Smooth-soled shoes recommended.