Free concerts, murals, markets, and museum time

Memorial Day weekend starts strong with a free North Liberty concert, a new downtown Iowa City mural, farmers market browsing, and a few easy museum and family options across the corridor. Here’s your verified Friday-to-Sunday shortlist.

Featured

Music

North Liberty kicks off amphitheater season with The Pork Tornadoes

55+ Connections: Week of 5/17/2026 | City of North Liberty The Pork Tornadoes play Friday, May 22 from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park in North Liberty. Price: free.

• Why go: The city bills it as a Memorial Day weekend kickoff and part of the inaugural Hy-Vee Amphitheater season.
• Where: Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park, 1565 St. Andrews Drive, North Liberty.

Arts

A new downtown Iowa City mural gets its ribbon-cutting Friday afternoon

Events from April 1 – May 23 – Think Iowa City The “One Earth” Mural Ribbon Cutting is set for Friday, May 22 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in downtown Iowa City. Price not listed.

• What to know: The listing says the City of Iowa City and project partners will celebrate the installation of the new public mural.
• Timing: It lands neatly ahead of evening concerts and dinner plans downtown.

Shopping

Saturday’s Iowa City Farmers Market is an easy weekend anchor

Events from April 1 – May 23 – Think Iowa City The 2026 Iowa City Farmers Market runs Saturday, May 23 from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp in Iowa City. Price not listed.

• Where: Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 415 E Washington St, Iowa City.
• Weekend move: A strong first stop before Saturday art, music, or neighborhood events.

Museums

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art keeps a Midwest classic in view

Barn Storm: Picturing a Midwestern Icon | Cedar Rapids Tourism Barn Storm: Picturing a Midwestern Icon is open Friday, May 22 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids. Price: 0-$10.

• On display: The exhibition explores how barns appear across works in the museum’s collection.
• Good fit: An easy downtown Cedar Rapids add-on for a lunch break or afternoon wander.

Community

Cedar Rapids adds a business brief with a new-facility ribbon cutting

Sub-Zero Group, Inc. Open House and Ribbon Cutting | May 22 2026 | Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Sub-Zero Group, Inc. hosts an open house and ribbon cutting Friday, May 22 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at 10015 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids. Price not listed.

• What’s happening: The Economic Alliance listing says the event celebrates the opening of the company’s new Cedar Rapids facility.
• Quick stop: A short afternoon event for readers tracking local growth and development.