This year's Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is shaping up to be a good one! The dates for this year's events have been set, and we have a rundown of everything you need to know.

2026 Freedom Festival Buttons

As usual, many of this year's Freedom Festival events are free or discounted with the purchase of a Freedom Festival button. They're $10 apiece and will be available at the Freedom Festival Office and at the gate at Freedom Festival events. Ages 5 and under do not need a button for any of the events, and veterans are able to claim a free button at the Freedom Festival office or at any of the 2026 activities.

Buttons are also available to buy in bulk (buy 10, get 1 free). For more information, email info@freedomfestival.com.

Fundraising Events

Freedom Feastival

• Thursday, June 11th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Greene Square Park, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Event features a "wide variety of dishes" from local restaurants and food trucks, plus live music, family-friendly activities, and local small businesses vendors

2026 Events

Dock Dogs

• Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
• Dates/Times
  • Friday, June 26th from noon to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 27th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 28th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Features a series of three competitive dog jumping events: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieval
• Register to compete HERE
• Spectators are FREE with a Freedom Festival button
• Try Dock Dogs (non-competitive)
  • Thursday, June 25th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • "The Let’s Try group of handlers who will be working with your dog are comprised of competitors from around the Midwest who have many years and many championships under their belts in a variety of dog sports and DockDogs. Never competed before? No problem! Try DockDogs is designed for that very reason."
  • Cost is $20 - pre-registration is required HERE

Freedom Drone Show

• Friday, June 26th from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Marion Airport, Marion
• Event features hundreds of drones forming "intricate patterns, shapes, and scenes that celebrate freedom, community, and the spirit of the festival," plus live music, food trucks, and kids activities
• FREE with a Freedom Festival button

Cardboard Boat Regatta

• Saturday, June 27th from noon to 3 p.m.
• Manhattan/Robbins Lake Park, Cedar Rapids
• Event Details
  • Open to teams of 2 to 8 people (ages 16+)
  • Each team will design and build a cardboard boat to race
  • Boats must be "made entirely out of corrugated cardboard and propelled by canoe paddles, oars, or kayak paddles"
  • Competitors are encouraged to "get creative" with their boats
  • Race format will be timed, head-to-head heats of two boats at a time
  • Awards will be given to the three fastest competitors, as well as the Most Patriotic boat, the boat that has the "most spectacular" sinking (Titanic Award), and the best-looking boat & best-dressed team (Vouge Award)
  • Cost is $40 per team

Parade

• Saturday, June 27th at 10 a.m.
• Route in Hiawatha
• Event Details
  • Theme is “Party Like It’s 1776: America’s Birthday Bash”
  • Awards will be given for Judge’s Choice, Best Birthday Spirit, and Most Patriotic Party
  • New route for 2026
• Registration closes on June 12th HERE

Freedom Bike Ride & Kids Ride

• Sunday, June 28th at 9 a.m. - Kids Ride at 11 a.m.
• Begins at South Troy Park, Robins
• Event features "freebies, food and drink deals at local businesses along the route"
• Registration is available online HERE

Tribute to Heroes Breakfast & Flag Raising Ceremony

• Tuesday, June 30th from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building, Cedar Rapids
• Event Details
  • Begins with a ceremonial flag raising
  • Features a breakfast honoring "individuals who have gone above and beyond in service to others"
• Purchase tickets HERE

Rock N Bowl

• Thursday, July 2nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• SpareTime, Cedar Rapids
• Event Details
  • Designed for "individuals with disabilities, along with their friends and family"
  • Features free bowling in the Elite Suite, a photo backdrop, balloon twisting, and face painting

Pancake Breakfast

• Saturday, July 4th from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Event Details
  • Includes pancakes, sausage, and coffee
  • Meals will be $10/$5 with a Freedom Festival button (ages 5 & under eat free)

Patriotic Pop-Up

• Saturday, July 4th from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building (Armory), Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Event features a marketplace with a variety of local makers, small businesses, and artisans

Car Show

• Saturday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to noon
• 1st Street SW & 2nd Ave Bridge, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Event Details
  • Features classic, vintage, and custom vehicles in a family-friendly environment
  • "The Car Show is a judged show with awards for top 25 and seven special categories including: Engine, Paint, Interior, Wheels, RatRods, Motorcycles, and Best In Show!"
  • Registration for vehicles is $20 in advance and $25 day-of (registration ends at 9 a.m.)

Yoga on the Island

• Saturday, July 4th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Mays Island/Plaza Park, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• All skill levels welcome
• FREE with a Freedom Festival button

Celebration of Freedom

• Saturday, July 4th from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
• Event features live performances, family-friendly activities, and a huge fireworks display
• FREE with a Freedom Festival button

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