Concerts, Comedy & Fall Festivals – Eastern Iowa October Events
October is going to be a busy month here in Iowa! Here are some of the big events happening in Eastern Iowa and beyond:
Ottumwa Oktoberfest
- Wednesday, September 28th through Saturday, October 1st
- Greater Ottumwa Park in Ottumwa
- Featuring live music, BINGO, a parade, food, drinks, and more
What Cheer Flea Market
- Dates/Times
- Thursday, September 29th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday, September 30th & October 1st from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, October 2nd from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Keokuk County Fairgrounds in What Cheer
- "We have 450 vendors on 750 spaces over 20 acres!!"
- Admission is $5 on Thursday, $3 Friday & Saturday, and free on Sunday
Amana Oktoberfest
- Friday, September 30th through Sunday, October 2nd
- Amana Colonies
- Featuring a food tent, live music, beer, games, a brat eating competition, a parade, and more
- Admission is $10 for a one-day pass and $15 for a two-day pass
NewBo City Market Oktoberfest
- Saturday, October 1st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- Featuring live music, games, competitions, food, drinks, and more
Anamosa Pumpkinfest
- Saturday, October 1st
- Main Street in Anamosa
- Featuring a giant pumpkin weigh-off, a parade, games, vendors, food, tournaments, and more
RoughRiders Hockey
- Dates/Times
- Saturday, October 1st at 7:05 p.m.
- Saturday, October 15th at 7:05 p.m.
- Friday, October 21st at 7:05 p.m.
- ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids
- Purchase tickets HERE
Josh Turner Concert
- Thursday, October 6th at 8 p.m.
- Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport
- Purchase tickets HERE
Fall Into Downtown
- Thursday, October 6th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Downtown Cedar Falls
- "It's officially fall and it's that time to grab your favorite people for a night out in the District! Take a stroll downtown and discover what your favorite merchants have in store for you!"
Chocolate Walk
- Friday, October 7th from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Uptown Marion
- "Enjoy strolling historic Uptown Marion and the new north plaza at this after hours, adult-only shopping event. Visit your favorite stores, discover what's new just around the corner and savor a sweet treat from participating businesses. Performers include Billy Heller in the Uptown Artway, street magic by Jackson Green in the north plaza, and Piano by Elisabeth Kissling at Philip's Diamond Shop."
Friday Fright Nights
- Dates/Movies
- Friday, October 7th - Gremlins
- Friday, October 14th - Scooby Doo Monsters Unleashed
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- "The NewBo yard will be converted into a complete haunted attraction with roving monsters of the night, Spooky snacks and Boo beverages will be available for purchase. The 1st 300 kids will get Ghoulie bags."
Waverly Oktoberfest
- Kohlmann Park
- Friday, October 7th & Saturday, October 8th
- Featuring live music, a beer garden, food, inflatables, competitions, a cornhole tournament, and more
- Ticket information is not yet available
Northside Oktoberfest
- Saturday, October 8th
- Northside Neighborhood in Iowa City
- Featuring Iowa City BrewFest, the Outdoor Bier Hall, entertainment, games, contests, live music, food, and more
- The Outdoor Bier Hall is general admission, but BrewFest tickets are $94 - purchase yours HERE
Mount Vernon Chili Cook-Off
- Saturday, October 8th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Main Street in Mount Vernon
- Featuring 25 different chilis
- "Biodegradable sample chili cups are available for $1 each, or a 25-sample punch card for $20"
Bill Burr Comedy Show
- Saturday, October 8th at 7 p.m.
- Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
- Purchase tickets HERE
Game for Love - Live Dating Gameshow
- Saturday, October 8th at 7:30 p.m.
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer
- Sunday, October 9th at 7:45 a.m.
- Mercy Medical Center Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids
- Get registered HERE
Thomas Rhett Concert
- Thursday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m.
- Vibrant Arena in Moline
- With special guests Parker McCollum & Conner Smith
- Purchase tickets HERE
Cider Stroll
- Friday, October 14th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- NewBo & Czech Village Districts in Cedar Rapids
- "Samples will be a variety of themed drinks and treats - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - in retail locations in the Czech Village and New Bohemia."
- 21+ event
Misery
- Select dates from October 14th through October 29th
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- "Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, the tense cat-and-mouse game will grip you until the very end"
- Purchase tickets HERE
Brett Young Concert
- Friday, October 14th at 7 p.m.
- Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
- Purchase tickets HERE
Junkin’ Market Days
- Dates/Times
- Friday, October 14th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 15th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids
- Admission is $5
Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide To School
- Saturday, October 15th at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
- Theatre Cedar Rapids
- "With a jillion tips, tricks, and trip-ups, Junie B. shares her hard-won expertise and shows us all how school is sometimes scary, sometimes super-fun, and ALWAYS something to sing about!"
- Purchase tickets HERE
2022 NewBo Bash
- Saturday, October 15th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids
- "Guests will enjoy appetizers, sip on signature cocktails, open beer and wine bar, and savor the talents of our Shopkeepers that comprise the heart of the Market. With live music provided by Vandello for smooth tunes throughout the night."
- Purchase tickets HERE
Falliday Market
- Saturday, October 15th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Lowe Park in Marion
Dogs Forever Chili Cook-Off
- Saturday, October 15th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Geonetric Building in Cedar Rapids
- Featuring chili tasting, a silent auction, and a bake sale
- Suggested admission is a $5 donation
Wag-O-Ween
- Sunday, October 16th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City
- "Attendees will enjoy meeting adoptable dogs and kittens, a bounce house, pumpkin decorating, a costume contest and more!"
- Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 2 to 18 - vaccinated dogs are welcome
Nate Bargatze Comedy Show
- Sunday, October 16th at 7 p.m.
- Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids
- Purchase tickets HERE
Whose Live Anyway?
- Wednesday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m.
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- Featuring Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, & Joel Murray
- Purchase tickets HERE
Wine With the Witch
- Thursday, October 20th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins
- "You will enjoy an evening full of deliciously frightful finger food, wine, entertainment by Wheezy the Witch & Friends, as well as VIP access to two of our indoor haunted attractions!"
- 21+ event
- Purchase tickets HERE
Priscilla Block Concert
- Thursday, October 20th at 7 p.m.
- Wooly's in Des Moines
- Purchase tickets HERE
Walker Hayes Concert
- Friday, October 21st at 7 p.m.
- Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids
- With special guest Parmalee
- Purchase tickets HERE
Quiet Riot Concert
- Friday, October 21st at 8 p.m.
- Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake
- With special guest Throw the Fight
- Purchase tickets HERE
Little River Band Concert
- Friday, October 21st at 8 p.m.
- Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
- Purchase tickets HERE
Dark Harvest Halloween Parade
- Saturday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
- NewBo & Czech Village Districts in Cedar Rapids
Safe Halloween for Kids
- Sunday, October 23rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Ushers Ferry Historic Village in Cedar Rapids
- "Enjoy the annual old-fashioned Halloween at the village with trick-or-treating, games, and costume contests."
- Register for the event HERE or by calling 319-286-5566
Trunk or Treat
- Sunday, October 23rd from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Lynn Dunn Memorial Building on the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City
- For ages up to 10
Jason Aldean Concert
- Thursday, October 27th at 7:30 p.m.
- Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines
- With special guests Gabby Barrett & John Morgan
- Purchase tickets HERE
Bert Kreischer Comedy Show
- Friday, October 28th at 7 p.m.
- Purchase tickets HERE
Nikki Glaser Comedy Show
- Friday, October 28th at 8 p.m.
- Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport
Peppa Pig's Adventure
- Friday, October 28th at 6 p.m.
- Five Flags Arena in Dubuque
- Purchase tickets HERE
Orchestra Iowa Pops I: Jurassic Park With Live Orchestra
- Friday, October 28th & Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 p.m.
- Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
- "Experience the thrills of the adventure in Jurassic Park while Orchestra Iowa performs the John Williams score LIVE at the Paramount."
- Purchase tickets HERE
District Trick or Treat
- Saturday, October 29th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- NewBo & Czech Village Districts in Cedar Rapids
- "Businesses throughout Czech Village & New Bohemia welcome trick-or-treaters with candy and goodies!"
Fall Arts & Crafts Show
- Saturday, October 29th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Grand River Center in Dubuque
- "This is the area's largest show with over 125 talented exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique handmade products such a oak furniture, jewelry, floral arrangements, lawn and garden art, pottery, ceramics, quilts, and many more original products."
- Admission is $5 - ages 10 and under are free
Halloween at the Farm
- Saturday, October 29th & Sunday, October 30th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bass Farms in Mount Vernon
- Featuring games, hay rack rides, pumpkin bowling, a corn maze, balloon animals, face painting, and more
- Admission $10 per person - ages 2 and under are free
Wickiup Fall Fest
- Saturday, October 29th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Toddville
- "Come out and experience our friendly trick or treat hike through the woods, pumpkin bowling, straw scramble, creepy critters, and more! Aimed at ages 3-10, but younger and older siblings welcome. Costumes encouraged!"
- Cost is $3 per child
Judas Priest Concert
- Saturday, October 29th at 8 p.m.
- Vibrant Arena in Moline
- With special guest Queensryche
- Purchase tickets HERE
Lindsey Buckingham Concert
- Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 p.m.
- Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines
- Purchase tickets HERE
Cedar Rapids Haunted Halloween Ball
- Saturday, October 29th
- DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Complex in Cedar Rapids
- Live music from The Schmidt Brothers
- More details coming soon
Fun Places in Iowa to Check Out With the Family This Fall
Whether you want to stay close to home here in Eastern Iowa or take a little road trip, there are plenty of places to visit with the family this fall! Here are a few of your options!