Dancers from Prestige Dance Studio make their way through downtown Cedar Rapids after their first performance at Market After Dark in a prior year. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Organizers today announced new details for the popular Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Rain, and lightning, put a damper on the event last year, which attracted more than 50,000 people in a record-setting year in 2019.

See photos from the 2022 Market After Dark.

This year, the eighth annual event will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Read more from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which hosts the market:

The 8th annual Market After Dark is on, thanks to ImOn Communications, this Saturday, August 26 with one of the largest footprints in the history of the event. In addition to the 120 vendors, 20 entertainment options, and special lighted attractions, this year’s market will include dance parties and cashless payment options at all beverage tents.

Find details on more than 50 Eastern Iowa farmers markets on the Homegrown market list.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the experience for all of our patrons who attend
Market After Dark,” said Coady Sierra, events coordinator at Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.
“It’s important to keep bringing fresh ideas to the nighttime market so everyone can come together
and enjoy the last days of summer in a fun and memorable way.”


Two new dance parties will take place inside the venue. Z102.9 will rock out to today’s top hits in the
Second Street pocket park located between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue and True Streez Production will be spinning a variety of electronic dance music on the corner of 4th Avenue and 3rd Street.

Other attractions to Market After Dark include the Cedar Rapids Welcoming Wings photo installation in the Community Foundation parking lot and the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra will offer an
enchanting performance in a lighted alleyway on 3rd Street between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue.

Six beverage tents will be scattered across the venue and will offer locally crafted beer, wine, and
seltzer including the lemonade seltzer from Lion’s Bridge Brewery, Witch Slap from Clock House
Brewery, Topek from Quarter Barrel, and the Citrus Surfer from Big Grove Brewery. A variety of
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery wine will be for sale, as well as non-alcoholic drinks from Millstream at the non-alcoholic tent. In addition to Millstream soda, ice-cream floats will be available at the non-
alcoholic tent and water and Sprite Zero will be sold at all locations.

All beverage tents will have a cashless option where patrons can pay via debit or credit card.
Market vendors will be located on 2nd Avenue SE, 3rd Avenue SE and 4th Avenue SE between 2nd
Street SE and 5th Street SE.

Entertainment returns with two stages located throughout the venue.
Kevin Moore will perform on the main stage at 4th Avenue and 5th Street from 6:30-7:15pm and the
High & Mighty will continue the fun from 7:30-10:30pm. A variety of local talent will also be rotating
through our local stage located at 2nd Avenue SE and 2nd Street SE.

Market After Dark runs from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and patrons 21 years and older can take part in an
open-container environment within the designated market area during this timeframe. Alcohol will
also be sold at participating downtown establishments.
Streets located inside the venue will close at noon and reopen at 1am. Towing will be enforced.

More event details can be found here: https://www.cedarrapids.org/economic-alliance-
events/market-after-dark/