WEEKENDER BLOG

Musicians with the Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association perform at Movies Under the Moon
(photo courtesy Community Main Street 2016)

As the days begin to warm, more of us are looking forward to time spent outside. In 2021, outdoor venues welcome back talented local and regional musicians to their stages. And, it's easy to make your visit to any of these venues a weekend stay in Cedar Falls with an overnight and dinner at local, award-winning restaurants. 
 

1.  Friday Loo, May 14 – September 3, 2021

This is a “T.G.I.F party” that kicks the weekend off right! Stop by Lincoln Park in Waterloo between 5:30 and 9:30 pm beginning in May and grab dinner from one of the food trucks. The live music is free!  
 

2.  RiverLoop Rhythms, May 21 - August 20, 2021

The RiverLoop Amphitheatre and the Waterloo Center for the Arts invite you to the 2021 season of RiverLoop Rhythms in Waterloo! Enjoy a series of family-friendly concerts throughout the summer. Live music is free, 5:30 - 9:30pm!

3. Cedar Falls Municipal Band, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27  and September 6, 2021

2021 will be a summer of fun with the Cedar Falls Municipal Band, one of Iowa’s oldest concert bands. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an evening of music under the shady trees of Overman Park in Cedar Falls. Featured musician concerts begin at 6:30 pm or 6:45 pm and full band concerts begin at 7:30 pm. In August, band concerts will being at 7:00 pm. The band will also play during the Sturgis Falls Celebration on Sunday, June 27, at 4:00 pm. Free!

4.  Waterloo Municipal Band, June 3, 10, 17, 24 and July 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021

The Waterloo Municipal Band will rev up summer with their 2021 theme of "Down by the Riverside" at RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo. Evening concerts are FREE and begin at 7:30 pm. 

Cedar Falls Municipal Band concerts at Overman Park 
 

5.  Live to 9, June 4 – July 30, 2021

Want to wrap up your work week with live music? The Live to 9 season for 2021 begins Friday, June 4, with Bob Dorr & The Limestoners at River Place Plaza in Cedar Falls. Gates open at 5:30 pm and the evening’s band plays 6-9 pm. Check their Facebook page for a list of all the musicians performing this summer. The concerts are free! 
 

6.  My Waterloo Days, June 7 - 13, 2021 

Music in the Park, the parade, car show, Movies on the Cedar and Beach Party all return in 2021 for My Waterloo Days! Purchase a $3 tickets from businesses in Cedar Falls and Waterloo in advance or purchase tickets online for $4. It will get you into all the events. Be sure to check their Facebook page for announcements.  Rock the Park!   
 

7. wcfsymphony, June 12, July 3 and September 4, 2021

The wcfsymphony will celebrate summer with outdoor concerts beginning June 12 during My Waterloo Days. The July 3 concert will take place during the Mayor’s Fireworks at 8:00 pm and the September 4 concert will begin at 7:00 pm. All Concerts take place at RiverLoop Amphitheatre.   

8.  Fox Ridge Winery, June 12, July 10, 24, August 7, 21 and September 11, 25, 2021

Enjoy outdoor concerts at this family-owned vineyard and winery located northwest of Traer in the rolling hills Tama County. Sip some wine on the deck, enjoy the view of the surrounding vineyard and countryside and live music on special Saturdays throughout the summer beginning at 7:00 pm. 

Justin Adams performed at the Gateway Park Stage, part of the 2014 Sturgis Falls Celebration
 

9.  Cedar Basin Music Festival, June 25 - 27, 2021

The Heritage Stage at Sturgis Park in Cedar Falls will be filled with the sounds of Dixieland jazz, rock/folk and a little old time country music during The Cedar Basin Music Festival. And if one venue wasn’t enough, Dixieland jazz will be playing throughout the weekend at NewAldaya in Cedar Falls. Visit their website to see the who, when and where of this year's festival. Free!   
 

10.  Sturgis Falls Celebration, June 25 - 27, 2021

There's always great music taking place at the Sturgis Falls Celebration and they have several stages of FREE entertainment! As the sun goes down, enjoy the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band at Overman Park in Cedar Falls on June 26. At Sturgis Park enjoy the Cedar Basin Music Festival on the Heritage stage or head to Gateway Park across the river. The stage at Gateway Park will feature the Pork Tornadoes Friday night and the Arch Allies on Saturday night. It's all walkable! Visit their website for a full schedule of concerts and events. Closer to the celebration, pick up a FREE Sturgis Falls Celebration program at the Cedar Falls Visitor Center (6510 Hudson Road).
 

11.  Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association at Movies Under the Moon, July 9 and August 27, 2021

The 2021 movies have been announced! Families always look forward to special Friday evenings when it means a trip to Overman Park in Cedar Falls to watch a movie under the moon (June 4, 18, July 9, 23 and August 13, 27). Movies begin at dusk, but arrive early with your lawn chair and blanket to enjoy music from the Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association at 6:30 pm on July 9 and August 27. Visit the Cedar Falls Community Main Street website for a list of all the movies showing this summer. Free!

Always watch for weather and any possible COVID-19 announcements on their websites and social media channels.

Want more ideas of places to visit while in Cedar Falls? Give us a call at the Cedar Falls Visitor Center. We can be reached at 319-268-4266 (800-845-1955). Or, stop by and see us at 6510 Hudson Road. We’re open Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Click here to find more Things to Do, Places to Eat & Drink and Places to Stay. To find more events, visit our online calendar at CedarValley365.com. 
 

We’d be happy to help you!
 

2nd Marine Division Band from Camp Lejeune