Everything You Need to Know for the 2025 Cedar Rapids Market After Dark
"One of Downtown Cedar Rapids’ most popular, free, open-air events" is coming up quick! The 10th annual Market After Dark with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance will take place on Saturday, August 23rd, and we've got all the details for you!
When/Where Is It?
The 2025 Cedar Rapids Market After Dark will take place Saturday, August 23rd from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The market boundaries are within 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Ave SE between 2nd and 5th St SE, with some areas extending out a bit further. Check out the official map below:
Here are the different points of entry for the event:
- 1st St & 2nd Ave
- 2nd St & 1st Ave
- 3rd St & 1st Ave
- 5th St & 1st Ave
- 5th St & 4th Ave
- 3rd St & 5th Ave
Where Do I Park?
There is quite a bit of street parking outside of the market boundaries, but there are also a few parking ramps that will be open, too. That includes:
- Five Seasons Ramp - 400 1st Ave NE
- Convention Center Ramp - 325 1st Ave SE
- GTC Ramp - 201 4th Ave SE (enter from 5th Ave)
- 4th Ave Ramp - 349 4th Ave SE (enter from 5th Ave)
If you'd prefer not to park at all, the drop off/pick up area for taxis, Lyfts, and Ubers is at the 1st St & 2nd Ave entrance.
Is It an Actual Farmers Market?
YES! There aren't as many vendors at the Market After Dark as there typically are at a regular downtown market, but there will still be plenty to check out! The website says there are more than 120 scheduled to be at the 2025 event. You can check them out on the market map for August 23rd HERE.
Can I Drink Alcohol?
You sure can! The Market After Dark is the only Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market with an open container policy. After showing your ID for a wristband, you'll be able to stop at various beverage tents within the market boundaries to purchase wine and beer, which are served in a designated Market After Dark cup (hard liquor and seltzers are NOT included in the open container policy).
According to the market map, here are the 6 locations where you can get a wristband:
- 5th St & 4th Ave (near the main stage)
- 5th St & 3rd Ave
- 5th St & 2nd Ave (near KCRG)
- 4th Ave near the railroad tracks
- 3rd St & 3rd Ave
- 2nd St & 2nd Ave
As far as drinks go, here are your local beer/cider/wine options for 2025:
- Paha Cider Sweet Cherry Cider
- Lion Bridge TAG
- Big Grove Easy Eddy
- Clockhouse WitchSlap
- Busch Lite
- Field Day Featherweight Lime
- Fireside Winery Brianna
- Cedar Ridge Harvest Blush
Beverage tents at the Market After Dark will ONLY accept card payments this year. It's also important to note that any sealed alcoholic beverages that are purchased from the market vendors are for off-site consumption, meaning you cannot open them up and drink them during the event. You will also be able to purchase drinks at participating businesses within the market boundaries, but hard liquor and seltzers cannot be brought outside of the business you purchased them from. The list of participating bars and restaurants for 2025 includes:
- Bricks Bar & Grill
- Cliff’s Dive Bar & Grill
- Deb’s Deli
- Hazzard County
- Need Pizza
- Pub 217
- Rock Bar
- The District CR
- Tycoon/Fat Wally’s
The open container policy ends at 10:30 p.m.
Who's Performing This Year?
There are multiple areas with live entertainment throughout the market, but the main stage is located at 4th Ave and 5th St SE near Greene Square Park and the Cedar Rapids Public Library. The Surf Zombies will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Crazy Delicious will finish out the night from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Other entertainment includes:
- Game Zone - Greene Square Park
- Local Stage - 3rd Ave & 2nd St (in front of the Paramount Theatre)
- Salon Voche Glam Station - 2nd Ave & 2nd St
- CR Facepainting - 3rd Ave in front of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
An article from the Cedar Rapids Gazette also mentions a few other additional features you can expect to see throughout the night, like lighted ballerinas, a light tunnel, and a floral wall for photo ops.
Can I Bring My Dog?
Unlike the regular Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Markets, dogs are NOT welcome at the Market After Dark (except for service animals). This event typically brings anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000 people to the downtown area.
Other things not permitted at the market include coolers, outside beverages, chairs, and smoking.
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