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Large crowd on Riverloop Expo Plaza with sample drinks in hand, mingling and enjoying themselves at the festival. Vendor tents lined up on either side of the crowd.

Experience Culture with the
Waterloo Center for the Arts

Culture creates vibrancy for us individually & collectively. Join us for our many inclusive events for all.

One-of-a-Kind Events

Support your local culture and art scene by experiencing some of the most unique events and festivals in the Cedar Valley! These events are created by passionate community members, staff and volunteers at the Waterloo Center for the Arts and all around the Cedar Valley. 

Local Haitian community gathered in celebration wearing red and blue with Haitian flags in hand.

Haitian Flag Day

Saturday, May 16, 2026
11:00am-4:00pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Band Guilty of Treason performing on the main stage at Chroma63, 5 band members on stage in front of a standing crowd of people

Chroma63
Art & Music Festival 

Saturday, June 13, 2026
12:00-9:00pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Dancers performing at Fiesta in traditional dress with black base and beautiful and colorful floral lace layers and are flowing through the air as she spins.

¡Fiesta!
A Celebration
of Latin Culture

¡

Saturday, July 18, 2026
1:00-9:30pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Band performing on the RiverLoop Amphitheatre on a sunny day, including band members playing the guitar, trumpet and drums.

Live Music at the
RiverLoop Amphitheatre

Rock with the Loft
Friday, July 24, 2026
5:30-9:30pm
Nur-D and DJ Hayes
Friday, August 14, 2026
5:30-9:30pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Large crowd on Riverloop Expo Plaza with sample drinks in hand, mingling and enjoying themselves at the festival. Vendor tents lined up on either side of the crowd.

Cedar Valley Stem & Stein

Saturday, August 8, 2026
4:00-8:00pm
RiverLoop Expo Plaza
Tickets: $40
Groups of people mingling as they browse and shop at one of many artists booths at Holiday Arts Festival

Holiday Arts Festival

November 8 & 9, 2025
9:00am-4:00pm
Waterloo Center for the Arts
Free Admission
Mom and child high-fiving in celebration after winning a prize at Holiday Arts Festival, Pink decorations on tables and green lights illuminate wall in the background.

Palentines

Saturday, February 7, 2026
6:00-8:00pm
Waterloo Center for the Arts
Tickets: $25

COLLABORATIVE EVENTS

The Waterloo Center for the Arts works with a handful of community partners to offer free music, fitness or other community events outside of the WCA general programming.

Tables lined with various fresh and brightly colored fruits and vegetables; worker helps patron load items into bag in friendly exchange.

Waterloo Urban
Farmers Market

May 2-October 31, 2026
8:00am-12:00pm
RiverLoop Expo Plaza
Free Admission
View of municipal bands brass and percussion section, members seated in half circle in matching teal polos focused as they play.

Waterloo
Municipal Band

June 4, 11, 18, 25 &
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026
7:30-8:30pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
American flags waving in front of dark sky filled with fireworks. Reflection of fireworks and lights from bridge reflect on river below the flags.

Red, White & Loo Fireworks
 

Friday, July 3, 2026
6:00-9:30pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Riverloop Amphitheatre with people on stone seating following outdoor Yoga Class led by Gray Lanes Yoga

Yoga on the River
with Gray Lanes Yoga
 

Wednesdays
May 13-September 2, 2026
5:30-6:15pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Crowd standing applauding members of Ballet Des Moines as they are lined up, hand-in-hand bowing to crowd after their performance.

Ballet Des Moines
 

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Activities
5:00-6:30pm
Performance
6:30-7:45
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
Crowd of people on Amphitheatre seating with a group of teens and children in traditional clothing preforming on stage.

IBosna Fest

Riverloop Amphitheatre canopy with orange, green, blue and purple lights illuminating band and dancing patrons below.

My Waterloo Days 
Movie Night
 

Thursday, June 4, 2026
9:00pm or sunset
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission
People sitting in a circle on the Riverloop Amphitheatre each with their own drum playing in unison. A rug with extra drums sits in the middle of the group with two kids enjoying the rhythm of the drums.

Drumming on the Cedar

June 28, July 26, August 30 & September 27, 2026
2:00-4:00pm
Free Admission
Donations Welcomedods
Saturday, September 26, 2026
1:00-5:00pm
RiverLoop Amphitheatre
Free Admission

Artist and Exhibition Receptions

Layered wood carvings in shape of turtle with depictions of faces, hands and birds intertwined together beautifully painted using blues, yellows and oranges.
Kid in costume sitting on tractor interacting with simulator which allows kids to drive though and experience Grant Wood paintings.

Join the Phelps Youth Pavilion for Some Fun Family-Friendly Events!

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Waterloo Center for the Arts

225 Commercial Street | Waterloo, IA 50701-1313

(319) 291-4490

museum@waterloo-ia.org

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The Waterloo Center for the Arts stimulates inquiry, provokes dialogue & connects people through the arts

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