Summer is almost here and things are starting to pick-up here in Iowa! Here are some of the big May events happening in Eastern Iowa and beyond:

Kenny Chesney Concert

  • Thursday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Vibrant Arena in Moline
  • With special guest Kelsea Ballerini
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Thomas Rhett Concert

  • Thursday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
  • With special guests Cole Swindell Nate Smith
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Tulip Time

  • Thursday, May 4th through Saturday, May 6th
  • City of Pella
  • Featuring 300,000+ tulips, food & beverages, a craft market, live entertainment, parades, and more

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour

  • Friday, May 5th at 6 p.m.
  • Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids
  • "Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special. Will there be monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore? You bet! So get ready to shake those wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party!"
  • Purchase tickets HERE

The SpongeBob Musical

  • Select dates from May 5th through May 28th
  • Theatre Cedar Rapids
  • "When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and friends come together to save the fate of their undersea world."
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Chase Rice Concert

  • Friday, May 5th - doors at 8 p.m.
  • Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
  • With special guest Conner Smith
  • Show is SOLD OUT

Spring Plant & Art Sale

  • Saturday, May 6th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids
  • "The Friends of the Nature Center are ready to fill your yard and garden with a variety of beautiful wildflowers, hostas, geraniums, perennials, prairie plants and MORE at their annual Spring Plant and Art Sale. Also available for purchase will be: Milkweed, Seedlings and seed packets, Garden accessories, home decor and art, ICNC Honey & Maple Syrup, organically-raised eggs from Etzel Sugar Grove Farm and more!"

Ely Garage Sales

  • Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • City of Ely
  • "If you want your garage sale to be on the official sale map, stop in to the library to fill out the registration form and pay the $5 registration fee by Wednesday, May 3rd at 7pm. The forms are available at the library and on our website.
    Official sale maps will be available on our website (ely.lib.ia.us), the Ely Public Library, and the Ely Casey's on the date of the event"

Swisher City Wide Garage Sale

  • Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • City of Swisher
  • "Maps for distribution can be picked up at Swisher City Office beginning Monday, May 1st."

Coralville City Wide Garage Sale

  • Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • City of Coralville
  • "Maps will be available for pick up starting at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Coralville Recreation Center. Start your day with a limited first-come, first-served continental breakfast."

Chalk the Walk

  • Saturday, May 6th & May, 7th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Main Street in Mount Vernon
  • Featuring 500 artists, a community mural, food & drink vendors, live music, and more

Maifest

  • Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th
  • Amana Colonies
  • Featuring a parade, a food truck festival, live music, dancing, kids' activities, and more

Iowa Pop Art Festival

  • NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
  • Saturday, May 6th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • "Come vibe with more than 120 artists, musicians, vendors, thrifters, and creatives... ALL from Iowa!"

Monticello Spring Craft & Vendor Show

  • Monticello Berndes Center
  • Saturday, May 6th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Featuring 60+ crafters and vendors

The Kinnick Derby

  • Saturday, May 6th at 2:30 p.m.
  • Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City
  • Featuring bourbon tasting, a live blue grass band, a silent auction, food and drinks, airing of the Kentucky Derby on the jumbotrons, and more
  • Proceeds benefit the Northwestern Mutual Eastern Iowa's Nursing Support Fund
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Annie

  • Tuesday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Buddy Guy Concert

  • Wednesday, May 10th - doors at 7 p.m.
  • Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
  • With special guest Tom Hambridge
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Metro Motor Madness Bike Night

  • Thursday, May 11th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Metro Harley-Davidson Suzuki Can-Am in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring live music, food, drinks, and a bike giveaway
  • Benefits the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

Linn County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale

  • Dates/Times
    • Friday, May 12th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 13th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Lowe Park in Marion
  • "Shop for an amazing selection of annuals, vegetables, perennials, native plants and more! You'll find heirloom veggies and so many of our personal favorite varieties - tried and true for years by our Master Gardeners. All of our plants are grown and propagated locally in the Lowe Park greenhouse or the homes of our Master Gardeners."

Marion City-Wide Garage Sale

  • Saturday, May 13th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • City of Marion
  • "Residents who are interested in participating will be asked to fill out a form indicating their addresses and indicate the types of items that will be for sale. A map of participating residences will be created prior to the event and posted prior to the event."

Chicago Concert

  • Saturday, May 13th at 7 p.m.
  • Xtream Arena in Coralville
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Breaking Benjamin Concert

  • Saturday, May 13th at 7 p.m.
  • Five Flags Center in Dubuque
  • With special guests BUSH & Another Day Dawns
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Eastern Iowa Pet Expo

  • Saturday, May 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • National Guard Armory in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring pet seminars, photos, vendors, food trucks, microchipping, local animal rescues, and more
  • Pets allowed with proper vaccinations
  • Entry is $5 per person - $3 for ages 3 to 10

Tony Danza Concert

  • Saturday, May 13th at 8 p.m.
  • Rhythm City Casino in Davenport
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Mother's Day Pop-Up

  • Saturday, May 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • City Center Square in Coralville
  • Featuring vendors and food trucks

2nd Annual Spring Fever Event

  • Saturday, May 13th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Dubuque County Fairgrounds
  • Featuring boutiques, crafters, home decor, desserts, jewelry, loaded bloody Marys and mimosas, and more

Kernels Baseball

  • Dates/Times
    • Tuesday, May 16th at 6:35 p.m.
    • Wednesday, May 17th at 12:05 p.m.
    • Thursday, May 18th through Saturday, May 20th at 6:35 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 21st at 1:05 p.m.
    • Tuesday, May 23rd at 6:35 p.m.
    • Wednesday, May 24th at 12:05 p.m.
    • Thursday, May 25th through Saturday, May 27th at 6:35 p.m.
    • Sunday, May 28th at 1:05 p.m.
  • Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Willie Nelson & Family Concert

  • Wednesday, May 17th at 8 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
  • With special guest Austin Snell
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Whose Live Anyway?

  • Wednesday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Five Flags Center in Dubuque
  • Featuring Ryan StilesGreg ProopsJeff B. Davis, & Joel Murray

Houby Days

  • Friday, May 19th through Sunday, May 21st
  • Czech Villages in Cedar Rapids
  • "Celebrate Czech and Slovak traditions as well seeing what new Czech Village has to offer. We will have live music and entertainment, food and craft vendors, classes, costume walk, and of course Kolaches! The Fun Run will be back again this year as well as a Vintage Car Expo."

Hanson Concert

  • Friday, May 19th at 8 p.m.
  • Riverside Casino
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Blues Night in the Park

  • Friday, May 19th from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids
  • Featuring Kevin B.F Burt and the Keeshea Pratt Band, Mathias Lattin, and Ken Valdez
  • Entry is $5 per person - bring your own chairs

Downtown Summer Shop Crawl

  • Friday, May 19th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Downtown Iowa City
  • "We invite the community to join us downtown for a fun night of shopping, seltzers, sangrias, and spritzers. The Downtown Summer Shop Crawl is the perfect time to visit your favorite shops and discover new ones while shopping around with access to special sales at each participating location."
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Marion Arts Festival

  • Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Uptown Marion
  • Featuring vendors, a 5k, food, family activities, and more

Marion Iowa Community Kite Festival

  • Saturday, May 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Baseball Diamonds at Lowe Park in Marion
  • "Great American Kites specializes in producing the most astonishing and colorful outdoor giant kite displays, with over 15 years of providing giant kite flying experiences and unique aerial displays. The come-and-go event features displays that provide lasting memories for attendees of all ages."
  • Event is free

Micky Dolenz - The Voice of the Monkees Concert

  • Saturday, May 20th at 8 p.m.
  • Rhythm City Casino in Davenport
  • Purchase tickets HERE

2X Monster Trucks

  • Saturday, May 20th at 12 p.m.
  • Dubuque County Fairgrounds
  • "Monster Jam Champion trucks, motocross stunt show, RZR backflip attempt, pre-show meet and greet and you can RIDE in a real monster truck!"
  • Purchase tickets HERE

2023 NewBo Cocktail Classic

  • Tuesday, May 23rd from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
  • "Ticket holders will enjoy a Welcome Cocktail crafted by Cedar Ridge, 10 craft cocktail samples from local bartenders, a $10 voucher to NewBo City Market Shopkeepers, and excellent live, local music from VIBE."
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Good Makers Market

  • Dates/Times
    • Friday, May 26th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 27th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • "Eastern Iowa's hippest market! Shop the best hand picked vendors from around the Midwest. Here you'll find handmade artisan goods, score some amazing vintage, shop our on trend mobile boutiques, eat from our delicious food trucks and listen to local live music."
  • Entry is $10 per person - kids 12 and under are free

DenimFest

  • Friday, May 26th
    • Smash Mouth and Big & Rich
  • Saturday, May 27th
    • Dierks Bentley
  • Sunday, May 28th
    • Jelly Roll
  • Forest City, Iowa
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market

  • Saturday, May 27th from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Downtown Cedar Rapids

Iowa Renaissance Festival

  • Saturday, May 27th through Monday, May 29th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Middle Amana Community Park
  • "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)."

Dwight Yoakam Concert

  • Saturday, May 27th at 7 p.m.
  • Five Flags Center in Dubuque
  • With special guest Aaron Lewis
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Flo Rida Concert

  • Saturday, May 27th at 7:30 p.m.
  • Q Casino in Dubuque
  • With special guest Too Hype Crew
  • Purchase tickets HERE

Gary Allan & Tracy Lawrence Concert

  • Sunday, May 28th at 7 p.m.
  • McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
  • Purchase tickets HERE

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