Going head-to-head with Market After Dark, Orchestra Iowa’s Brucemorchestra returned to the lawn of the historic Brucemore estate on Aug. 29, 2026, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Brief showers only slightly dampened the 2026 Market After Dark, which went head-to-head with the return of Brucemorchestra.

Both popular outdoor events took place on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Cedar Rapids.

Orchestra Iowa’s concert, on the lawn of the historic Brucemore estate, returned for the first time since 2021, after weather cancellations in 2022.

Last year, Market After Dark celebrated its 10th anniversary of the open-air event, which typically draws crowds of 30,000 to 50,000 people to downtown Cedar Rapids.

Live entertainment for 2026 included Diamond Empire Band; Dances with Scissors; the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy and Lighted Ballerinas with Prestige Dance.

Light showers about halfway through the market did little to diminish the crowds, as thousands of people lined up for food and beverages, and customers bought fresh produce, crafts, flowers and more.

See photos from the 2025 Market After Dark and more from this year, below: