A lost teddy bear was successfully reunited with its owner in Cedar Rapids, just in time for Christmas. The heartwarming story highlights a positive community connection during the holiday season.
Cedar Rapids News & Updates
Stay informed about the latest events and activities in Cedar Rapids
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The Red Cross reported a 20% increase in home fires during winter, with tragic incidents occurring on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Fire officials are sharing prevention tips to help keep families safe during the colder months.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Residents of Cedar Rapids can find information on where to dispose of their Christmas trees. This service is available for proper disposal of holiday trees in the area.
Monday, January 5, 2026
Cedar Rapids residents can dispose of their live Christmas trees at designated locations. It is important to distinguish between live, flocked, and artificial trees for proper disposal.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
A Cedar Rapids bar is organizing fundraisers to support a family impacted by a fire on Christmas Day. The community is coming together to help those affected by the tragedy.
The Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation is hosting a First Day Hike to kick off the new year. This event offers a chance for outdoor activity and enjoying the winter season.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Dense fog and a powerful blizzard disrupted travel for Cedar Rapids residents. One traveler, dressed as an elf, was on her way to a family Christmas celebration when flights were canceled.
Astrid Rustebakke of Cedar Rapids was seen checking out a Christmas tree at Cedar's Edge Evergreen Market in Ely, Iowa. The event took place on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Mercury Diner & Drinks in Cedar Rapids is accepting reservations for New Year's Eve. The restaurant will be closed on New Year's Day.
Monday, December 29, 2025
A dry fall season may force a Christmas tree farm to replant seedlings next spring. Cedar Rapids police are investigating an early morning shooting incident.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Police have identified the woman who died in a house fire on Christmas evening in Cedar Rapids. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency is providing guidance on how to properly recycle Christmas lights and other holiday decorations. This helps ensure responsible disposal of seasonal items.
A deadly house fire on Christmas day in Cedar Rapids was caused by an auxiliary heater in the garage, according to fire officials. The victim has been identified.
The Cedar Rapids-Linn County Solid Waste Agency is offering advice on what can be recycled and what needs to be thrown away. This includes guidance on Christmas lights and trees.
Cedar Rapids firefighters responded to a residential fire on Bluebird Drive Southwest on Christmas evening. The blaze resulted in a fatality, and the victim has now been identified.
Police have released the name of the woman who died following a house fire on Christmas evening in Cedar Rapids. The incident is being investigated.
A collision on a foggy Christmas day resulted in a fatality in western Iowa. Separately, a Christmas Day blaze in Cedar Rapids also claimed a life.
A fire on Christmas Day in Cedar Rapids has resulted in the death of a woman. The Iowa State Fire Marshal Division has been tracking fire deaths throughout the year.
First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids held a well-attended Christmas Eve service. This event provided a spiritual gathering for the community during the holiday season.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Meals on Wheels, in partnership with Oaknoll, has united to deliver holiday cheer to local seniors. This initiative aims to bring festive spirit to those in need during the holiday season.
KCRG aired a special Christmas Livestream broadcast on December 25, 2025. The broadcast provided holiday programming and festive content to viewers.
Above-normal temperatures were expected to continue through the weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. An arctic chill was forecast to arrive later, bringing colder conditions.
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Hundreds of people attended the Christmas Eve service at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. The event took place on Christmas Eve, filling the church.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Meyers Nursery in Waterloo is continuing the tradition of selling Christmas trees as the holiday approaches. The article also mentions Cedar Rapids launching a real-time snow plow tracker.
Yesandia Improv is hosting its '12 Laughs of Christmas' event at the Opus Concert CafΓ© in Cedar Rapids to conclude the year. This show is described as the biggest night of entertainment.
Cedar Rapids residents have multiple options for disposing of their live Christmas trees after the holiday season. Both curbside collection and drop-off recycling are available.
Yesandia Improv is presenting '12 Laughs of Christmas' as part of their 'Everyday Iowa' series. This event offers comedic entertainment for the holiday season.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The First Alert Forecast predicts a cloudy and warmer Christmas Day for Cedar Rapids, IA. This update comes from Chief Meteorologist Joe Winters.
A lost teddy bear found in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was successfully reunited with its owner after a Facebook post in December 2025. The bear was found in the Hobby Lobby parking lot.
Information is available on where to recycle Christmas trees and lights in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids areas. This guide helps residents dispose of holiday items responsibly.
This report details locations for recycling Christmas trees and lights in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids vicinities. Residents can find convenient options for post-holiday disposal.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is experiencing a gradual warming trend, setting the stage for a noticeably mild holiday week. Temperatures are expected to climb above seasonal averages.
Lamaria Purchase is presenting a Christmas show in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, inspired by her experiences at a holiday concert. The event aims to bring people together to celebrate.
A screening of the PG-rated film 'Elf' starring Will Ferrell is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23rd, at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids. Tickets cost $15.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is set for a calm and mild week with no significant travel concerns anticipated. The weather forecast indicates stable conditions for the coming days.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Experience "A Magical Cirque Christmas," a dazzling holiday variety show designed to captivate audiences of all ages. This event promises a festive and enchanting performance for everyone to enjoy.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
A Santa Claus, who is a cancer survivor, returned to a treatment center to spread Christmas cheer. His visit was described as a very special occasion for patients.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Drexler Middle School students successfully raised approximately $8,000 to purchase Christmas presents for families in need. This initiative directly supports local families during the holiday season.
The Ursid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak just before Christmas. This celestial event offers a unique opportunity for stargazing during the holiday period.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Kennedy Mall in Dubuque is extending its hours to accommodate last-minute Christmas shoppers. The mall will also be hosting free special events for the holiday season.
Everyday Iowa featured a segment on a "Pit Crew BBQ Christmas." The content mentions Cedar Rapids, IA, suggesting a local holiday-themed event.
The article discusses the possibility of Eastern Iowa missing out on a white Christmas this year. It mentions the Five Seasons Lights display in Cedar Rapids, which runs daily from December 5th through 28th.
Police in Cedar Rapids, IA, disposed of jars of marijuana that were found near a high school Christmas tree sale. The items were left behind and intended as a holiday gift.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Salvation Army is requesting Christmas donations to support residents in eastern Iowa shelters. Donations are crucial to ensure services can continue, especially as weather has impacted recent giving.
The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids is appealing for community support after recent weather conditions have slowed down donations. They anticipate serving a similar number of people for the Christmas meal.
Sharon Center United Methodist Church in Kalona was filled with Christmas cheer on Sunday, with representatives from various churches present. Churches from Iowa City and Cedar Rapids were among those in attendance.
A historical look back at Christmas programs held at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. The article references 'The Finding of the King' as a past event.
Monday, December 15, 2025
The 24th annual TubaChristmas event brought the sound of dozens of tubas playing Christmas music in unison to the Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library. This festive gathering celebrated the holiday season with a unique musical performance.
Over a hundred children in Eastern Iowa are set to receive a special Christmas present this year: their very own bicycle. Volunteers worked to fix and clean bicycles to ensure these gifts reach families in need.
A volunteer served pie during a holiday meal at the Willis Dady overflow shelter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This event provided a sense of hope and community during the festive season.
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Cedar Falls is holding its yearly holiday event. The center has decorated with approximately 40 Christmas displays for families to enjoy.
Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, IA, has been recognized for its holiday experiences. It was ranked among the top holiday experiences, even surpassing the "A Christmas Story" house.
Hanna Rumora will perform Candlelight Christmas Carols in Aledo. Rumora is the Cello Instructor at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has led masterclasses nationwide.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Christmas at Luther: Fling Wide the Door is available for streaming via video-on-demand. The performance can be streamed from December 12th to January 2nd.
Several Cedar Rapids restaurants are featuring Christmas pop-ups this holiday season. These locations offer beautiful Christmas lights and festive decorations for visitors to enjoy.
Brucemore in Cedar Rapids has been recognized as one of the best holiday historic home tours. The mansion is a symbol of the Midwest's history and offers Christmas attractions.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been recognized for its popular holiday tours. This destination is among those featured in a list of the country's best historic home tours for the Christmas season.
Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is noted for its poignant Christmas tours, being featured as one of the country's best historic home holiday tours. The property offers a stunning experience during the holiday season.
A study indicates that Iowans love Christmas music, placing the state within the top 20 most festive. Cedar Rapids is mentioned in the context of this festive scale.
Christmas Town Station is an event taking place at Czech Town Station in Cedar Rapids. This event is mentioned in conjunction with the opening of a new nostalgic music and movie store at Lindale Mall.
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' by watching the special. Information on where to view this holiday classic is provided.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
This week in Eastern Iowa, catch Disney's 'Frozen' at Theatre Cedar Rapids and holiday performances like Amy Friedl's 'Christmas' at Paramount Theatre. Jane Lynch's 'A Swingin' Little Christmas' is also featured.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
A runaway reindeer prompted an hours-long drone search after it fled from a Christmas event. The incident occurred near Cedar Rapids, IA.
Merry TubaChristmas is scheduled for Saturday, December 13th at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Hundreds of tubas will be featured, and musicians can register on the day of the event.
Santa Village at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will not open on Sunday, December 7th, due to snowy conditions. The sensory-friendly day has been rescheduled.
Monday, December 8, 2025
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids hosted its annual Old World Christmas Market this past weekend. The event delighted attendees with Czech and Slovak holiday traditions.
Cedar Rapids' Green Square tree has been lit up to celebrate the holiday season. The tree lighting ceremony marked the start of festive celebrations in the city.
The Cedar Falls Community Theatre's production of 'A Christmas Carol' is currently running and delivering a timely message. The show offers a festive holiday entertainment option for the area.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The Waverly Symphony will present "Christmas Carol" featuring a cast of local area residents. The event is scheduled to take place in Cedar Falls, IA.
The Marion Ice Loop has opened, featuring a display set up by Alpha-Lit Iowa from Cedar Rapids. The display was part of "Christmas in the Park" on December 5, 2025.
Melania Trump visited hospitalized children, sitting in a chair before a Christmas tree to read a book. She wished the children strength and toys from Santa during her visit.
A Clinton neighbor has opened their yard to an overflowing holiday light display, adding to the festive season. This follows the recent Cedar Rapids Christmas Tree lighting.
The Cedar Rapids Tree Lighting ceremony will take place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Greene Square. This event features the ceremonial lighting of Greene Square Park's 25-foot tall Christmas tree.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Czech celebrations of Christmas were held at the Czech Village Bandstand in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The event featured traditional Czech Christmas customs.
Chorale Midwest presented a Christmas performance as featured on Everyday Iowa. This event is part of the holiday programming in Cedar Rapids.
Marion's ice loop has officially opened during the Christmas in the Park event. The opening experienced weather-related delays.
Christmas Town Station is taking place at Czech Town Station in Cedar Rapids. This event is part of New Year's and 'Noon Year's' Eve celebrations across Eastern Iowa.