By Hola Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, Marion, Dubuque, Waterloo and other cities will host family celebrations between July 2 and July 5 for Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary.
Several eastern Iowa cities will have fireworks, live music, parades, markets, food and family activities during Fourth of July weekend.
Celebrations begin Thursday, July 2, in Cedar Falls and North Liberty, continue Friday, July 3, in Marion, Amana, Anamosa, Dubuque, Dyersville, North Liberty and Waterloo, and continue Saturday, July 4, with major events in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville and Independence.
Cedar Rapids will have fireworks at McGrath Amphitheatre
Cedar Rapids will celebrate the Fourth of July with Celebration of Freedom, part of the Freedom Festival. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 1st Street SW.
Fireworks will begin after sunset. This year’s schedule also includes the Egg Roll Eating Contest in partnership with Egg Roll Lady CR.
The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival brings together several weeks of activities and ends with the July 4 fireworks display.
Marion will celebrate Fireworks & Fireflies on July 3
Marion will hold its sixth annual Fireworks & Fireflies celebration Friday, July 3, at Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th Street.
The event starts at 6 p.m. and includes live music by Well Lit, food trucks, face painting and a fireworks finale.
Iowa City will combine jazz and fireworks
Iowa City will have downtown fireworks as part of the 2026 Iowa City Jazz Festival, scheduled for July 3-5.
The display will take place near the Old Capitol Museum on Saturday, July 4, at approximately 9:30 p.m. The festival includes two stages with live jazz and performances by national, international and emerging artists.
The University of Iowa announced traffic and parking changes for the weekend because the festival will coincide with other major events in the area, including Savannah Bananas games at Kinnick Stadium and the Big & Rich concert in Coralville.
Iowa City also maintains local restrictions on the use of commercial fireworks within city limits. In 2026, consumer fireworks may only be used on specific days and during specific hours set by the city.
Coralville will host 4thFest and fireworks at S.T. Morrison Park
Coralville will celebrate 4thFest with activities starting July 3 and fireworks on Saturday, July 4, at S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 7th St.
The July 4 schedule includes family activities, patriotic music in the park and a fireworks display expected at 9:45 p.m.
The park will also host afternoon activities, including a petting zoo, bingo, community performances, music by the Iowa City Community Band and special hours at the Coralville Community Aquatic Center.
More eastern Iowa cities will host events on July 3
Amana will hold the Firecracker 4th Antique & Vintage Market at Amana RV Park, with activities Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4. The fireworks display will take place the evening of Friday, July 3.
Anamosa will have an Independence Day celebration organized by the Rotary Club of Anamosa on Friday, July 3, at Monroe Field/Bill Carlson Baseball Field. The event starts at 6 p.m. and includes live music, bounce houses, food and fireworks at dusk.
Dubuque will host Dubuque Air Show & Fireworks on Friday, July 3, at A.Y. McDonald Park, 1450 Hawthorne St. Parking will open at noon, food and beverages will be available starting at 4 p.m., and fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m.
Dyersville will celebrate July 3 at Commercial Club Park, 225 11th St SE. Admission will be $5 for people ages 6 and older. Gates open at 4 p.m., and fireworks will begin at dusk.
Waterloo will hold Red, White & Loo, its Independence Day Bash, on Friday, July 3, at RiverLoop Amphitheater. Music begins at 6 p.m., with fireworks expected at 9:30 p.m.
Cedar Falls and North Liberty will have events starting July 2
Cedar Falls will hold Fireworks Over the Dome on Thursday, July 2, at the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa. Parking lots and green spaces will open at 7 p.m., and fireworks are expected at 9:40 p.m.
North Liberty will host Fanfare & Flight on Thursday, July 2, at Centennial Park, with a drone show instead of fireworks. The event begins at 7 p.m.
North Liberty will also have fireworks Friday, July 3, during Red, White, and Bluegrass at Club 76 the Lodge, 2349 Mehaffey Bridge Rd NE. The event begins at 3 p.m., and fireworks are expected at 9:30 p.m.
Independence will celebrate from July 3 to July 5
Independence will celebrate Celebrate Indee from July 3 to July 5 with activities around Riverside Park.
The schedule includes a beach wrestling tournament, a parade, bands, a magic show and other family activities. Fireworks over the Wapsipinicon River are expected at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4.
Main dates and times
Cedar Falls: Thursday, July 2, fireworks at 9:40 p.m. at UNI-Dome.
North Liberty: Thursday, July 2, drone show at Centennial Park; Friday, July 3, fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Club 76 the Lodge.
Marion: Friday, July 3, Fireworks & Fireflies starting at 6 p.m. at Lowe Park.
Dubuque: Friday, July 3, fireworks around 9:45 p.m. at A.Y. McDonald Park.
Waterloo: Friday, July 3, fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at RiverLoop Amphitheater.
Cedar Rapids: Saturday, July 4, Celebration of Freedom from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at McGrath Amphitheatre.
Iowa City: Saturday, July 4, fireworks near the Old Capitol Museum during the Iowa City Jazz Festival.
Coralville: Saturday, July 4, fireworks at 9:45 p.m. at S.T. Morrison Park.
Fourth of July celebrations in eastern Iowa will run from July 2 to July 5, with family events, music, food and traffic restrictions in some areas of Iowa City and Coralville.
Stay connected to the stories that matter: visit HolaAmericaNews.com for the latest news, culture and community updates.
Facebook Comments