Event List

Featured Events

Children smile inside a school bus above the words "Back to school social."

Back to School Social

Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Urban Plaza at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Early Learning, Family Programs, Foundation, Games and Activities

Age Group:

Preschool, School Age
A Minecraft Movie with several actors posing for the camera.

"A Minecraft Movie" Showing & Building Activities

Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B, Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Family Programs

Age Group:

Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
image of sun with words saturday program

Jigsaw Puzzle Speed Competition

Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Games and Activities

Age Group:

Teen, Adult
Three paintbrushes in a jar that says Tiny Art Show.

Tiny Art Workshop

Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Children's Program Room at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
Three paintbrushes in a jar that says Tiny Art Show.

Tiny Art Gallery Opening at Ladd Library

Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Ladd Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
Three paintbrushes in a jar that says Tiny Art Show.

Tiny Art Gallery Opening Downtown

Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Library Commons at Downtown Library

Program Type:

Crafts & Hobbies, Family Programs

Age Group:

Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult
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Age Group
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An abstract painting with blue and purple swirls.

"Sonder," a Solo Show by Lauren Manninen: Third Floor Gallery

All Day
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

"Sonder" explores the quiet weight of intertwined living beings. Each individual human, animal, or plant carries their own inner experiences and climate.

Five designers in stylish vintage and upcycled clothing are posed in front of and on a black metal staircase on a sidewalk. The is stylized with a transparent pink/purple exposure. Above the image is the text: The Exposure Fashion Show. Below the image text gives the Date: September 11 and a start time of 5pm and Location: Cedar Rapids Public Library..

The Exposure Fashion Show

Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

This family-friendly fashion show features local creatives and designers from around Iowa. Mingling and morsels open the evening, with the show starting at 5:30 pm.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Two bats hang upside down in a cage.

Incredible Bats!

Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Family Programs, Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Teen, Adult

Kim White from Incredible Bats will be visiting for a special informative program on bats! Learn about and interact with bats and other animals from around the world.

The Littlest Mermaid - A Children's Opera, with the Cedar Rapids Opera

Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Babies & Toddlers, Preschool, School Age, Adult

This charming English adaptation of the Czech opera Rusalka, composed by Dvořák, offers a happy ending for the mermaid Rusalka and her prince. This is the CRO's Season 28 children's outreach opera.

Dragons & Rayguns bookcover

Poetry Reading with Iowa Poet Laureate Vince Gotera

Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Books and Reading, Special Performances
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Iowa Poet Laureate Vince Gotera will read from his books of poetry, "Dragons & Rayguns" and "The Coolest Month." A book signing and chance to meet the author will follow. Books will be available for purchase.

All Hallows' History: The Historical Evolution of Halloween

Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Dive into the captivating journey of Halloween as we explore its origins and transformations from ancient times to the present day. 

A logo has a colorful geometric shape around the words "Sounds Heal Studio."

Sound Bath Mediation

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beems Auditorium A/B at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Performances
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Join us for this uplifting sound meditation with Natalie Brown of Sounds Heal Studio and feel calmness and freedom from worries and stress. Registration required.

Upcoming
Registration Required