Uptown Friday Nights Will Return for 3 Nights at a New Location

We have some good news to report! Uptown Friday Nights are BACK for a few dates this summer!

Since 1988, Uptown Friday Nights has been a popular summer event in Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, it was announced early this spring that the annual concert series at the McGrath Amphitheatre would NOT be returning anytime soon. Back in the summer of 2021, the Cedar Rapids Jaycees were forced to abruptly cancel the remainder of the dates for the year, and the event has been on a hiatus ever since.

In a surprise post from the Jaycees on Friday, June 16th, it was revealed that there actually WILL be a few Uptown Friday Nights this year, just at a new location! The post reads:

"We're excited to announce that Uptown Friday Nights are BACK! A huge thank you to Hazzard County for approaching us with the idea for a refreshed version of Cedar Rapids' favorite summer event! Join us as we bring more energy to downtown Cedar Rapids this summer."

As of right now (June 19th), none of the musical acts for the three Uptown Friday Nights have been revealed, but we do have the dates:

• June 30th
• July 14th
• August 25th

Hazzard County may not be an outdoor venue, but they have tons of space and huge garage doors that open up to the patio, which is the next best thing! Plus, it's a good location if the weather doesn't cooperate. It was actually used as an Uptown Friday Nights venue on dates with bad weather back in 2021 and it worked out great. We're so happy that the Jaycees were able to make the event happen again in 2023!

When there is more information about Uptown Friday Nights, we will be sure to update this article! In the meantime, you can follow the Cedar Rapids Jaycees Facebook page HERE.