Visit our full events calendar

All events are free unless noted

City Beach Splash Pad to remain open
From Water Department Superintendent Adam Theiss: The City Beach Splash Pad will remain open, and we will go week to week weather permitting. We do realize school has started but we still have a lot of usage at this time as the temperatures stay warm. We will give it a few more weeks giving us plenty of time for end of the year shut down and maintenance.
Splash Pad operates daily 10:00am-8:00pm
City Beach Splash Pad information

Paper and Clay Exhibition
A Legacy of Artistic Friendship, Form & Figure by Jo Ann Hendricks and Maureen Seamonds. Captivated by human form and figure, the exhibit is a beautiful collection of paintings and sculptures.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Exhibit runs through August 31, 2024.
Visit the Clear Lake Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St

NOW PLAYING: Reagan (PG-13)
From dusty small-town roots, to the glitter of Hollywood, and then on to commanding the world stage, REAGAN is a cinematic journey of overcoming the odds. Told through the voice of Viktor Petrovich, a former KGB agent whose life becomes inextricably linked with Ronald Reagan’s when Reagan first caught the Soviets’ attention as an actor in Hollywood, this film offers a perspective as unique as it is captivating. Dennis Quaid brings to life a story that transcends the boundaries of a traditional biopic, offering a profound exploration of the enduring impact of the power of one man who overcame the odds, sustained by the love of a woman who supported him in his journey.
Thursday, August 29-Wednesday, September 4 showtime 7:00pm nightly
Purchase tickets online
Lake Theatre, 4 N 4th Street
$5 adults, $4 children 12 & under

Karaoke at TAP’d
Kick off your Labor Day Weekend with us on Thursday for Karaoke kicking off 4 days of live music at TAP’d! Jared & his crew are constantly updating their song book & coming up with new on stage effects to make it so much fun!
Thursday, August 29, 2024, 8:00 PM – Midnight
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue

Fresh on Friday
Savor Friday mornings in the Garden! Select from a number of beautiful garden fresh bouquets put together by a talented group of volunteers. Enjoy complimentary coffee and refreshments on the patio and sample veggies and herbs picked straight out of the Bee Happy Discovery Garden! Kids activities abound! Our youth group, Gardeners of Tomorrow, will be selling a wide variety of organically grown veggies and herbs! Come join us for this popular event!
The Bee Happy Discovery Garden buzzes with excitement each Friday morning as kids of all ages connect with the garden, community and each other! Taste what’s growing, explore, help out, and observe using all one’s senses! Magnifying glasses, watering cans, art materials and books help kids connect with the garden at their own pace. Each Friday features special garden activities and community visitors. Follow our Facebook page for updates.
Friday, August 30, 2024, 9:00am – 11:00am
Visit Central Garden’s website
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Ave N

Tommy James & The Shondells
Tommy James’ road to superstardom began when a nightclub DJ in Pittsburgh discovered a two-year-old record by “The Shondells” and played it at his weekend dances. The crowd response was so overwhelmingly positive that radio deejays started spinning it and an enterprising record distributor bootlegged it, selling 80,000 copies in ten days. By May of 1966 “Hanky Panky” was the number one record in Pittsburgh and Tommy James was a sensation.
To date, Tommy has sold over a hundred million records sold worldwide, and has received five BMI “Million Air” awards in recognition of 22 million broadcast spins of his songs. Today Tommy is still rockin’ , performing his many timeless hits to sellout crowds across the country, and celebrating his 50th year in the music business by recording a new album.
Friday, August 30, 2024, doors open at 8:00pm
Visit the Surf Ballroom’s Website
Surf Ballroom, 460 North Shore Drive
Tickets $45 advance / $50 at the door

Live Music at TAP’d
Friday night we bring back the OG party boy from Des Moines, Jake Schrodt! Jake plays a wide variety of country and rock from Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers to Van Morrison, Bill Withers, Tom Petty and a whole lot more! Jake’s shows are always a party playing all your favorite country and rock songs while mixing in your fun requests! He will literally play anything! Jake takes the stage at 9!
Friday, August 30, 2024 at 9:00 PM
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue

 Farmers Market
Come out to the Clear Lake Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings! With 50+ vendors each week, you’ll find fresh produce, baked goodies, meats, handmade crafts, coffee, lemonade, and more. Grab a bite from food trucks, enjoy live music, and let the kids have a blast with fun activities. It’s a great way to support local and have a good time!
Saturday, August 31, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Visit the Farmers Market on Facebook
Surf Ballroom Parking Lot – 460 N Shore Dr

Beginner Guitar
Always wanted to learn guitar? Here is your chance! Instructor Kristie Hayner will host beginner guitar classes every Saturday July-August! These group style, relaxed classes are for beginner-intermediate students to learn the basics of this beloved instrument. All students 4th grade and up are welcome. Learn some chords, get strumming and play some good old fashion Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Surf Ballroom Music Enrichment Center this Summer! Surf Ballroom Music Enrichment Center Saturdays July-August 9:00-10:00AM- Beginner 10:00-11:00AM- Intermediate Free No Registration Required Drop-ins Welcome
Saturday, August 31, 2024, 9:00am – 11:00am
Visit the event website
Surf Ballroom Enrichment Center, 509 Buddy Holly Place

Live Music at TAP’d
Australian sensation, Luke Thomas, is back at TAP’d for Labor Day Weekend! Luke picked up the guitar at 13 taking inspiration from the classic greats of George Strait, Tim McGraw, and Johnny Cash while learning the more modern songs of Eric Church, Luke Combs, Blake Shelton & Luke Bryan! Luke Thomas takes the TAP’d stage at 9PM!
Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 9:00pm
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue

Antiques in the Square
The 32nd annual “Antiques in the Square” in City Park downtown Clear Lake is THIS SUNDAY, September 1st, 2024, from 9:00am to 4:30pm. The event features 40 plus quality antique dealers from Iowa and Minnesota with antiques, collectibles, stoneware, petroliana, furniture, toys, sportsman items and much more. Zion Lutheran Church will hold a church service at 10:00 AM and entertainment will be provided in the afternoon by the sensational “Tom & Betty Show” of Betty and the Gents. The Clear Lake High School Dance Team will have their annual fundraising food stand at the gazebo as well as other food trucks on site. Local businesses will have extended hours. Come and enjoy the day.
Sunday, September 1, 2024, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Visit the Facebook event
City Park

Church in the Park
Whether you’re a lifelong Christian or just exploring faith, everyone is welcome. Held at the bandshell in Clear Lake’s City Park, services run every Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Come and experience a message of truth, life, and community in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Sunday, September 1, 2024, 10:00am – 11:00am
Church in the Park’s Website
City Park

Picnics & Performances
Celebrate local talent at this eight-week, family friendly, FREE concert series! Bring a lawn chair, a picnic, a bottle of wine, and enjoy music in the beauty of the Gardens. This week’s performance by Jordan Messerole blends the sounds of his guitar with thoughtful lyrics, an engaging stage presence, and rack harmonica to tell gritty American tales that are bound to evoke emotion from listeners.
Sunday, September 1, 2024, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Visit Central Garden’s website
Central Gardens of North Iowa Activity Lawn, 800 2nd Ave N

Sunday Runday
Lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement for a self-led 5K run. No registration, no rules – just you and the open road. Finish strong at 173° Craft Distillery with half-price tap beer, canned options, and non-alcoholic drinks for all runners! Not a runner? No worries! Be the MVP by arriving early and grabbing a table for your running pals.
Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 5:00pm
Visit the Facebook event
173° Craft Distillery, 306 1st Ave N

Live Music at TAP’d
Iowa Live Music journeyman, Kris Karr, makes his way back from the very talented town of Fort Dodge to play a put the finishing touches on Labor Day Weekend! Kris concentrates on music around the 1970s such as Three Dog Night, The Eagles, & Bread, while sprinkling in some originals for us!
Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 9:00pm
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue

Line Dancing with Mary Jo
Free Line Dancing is back at Central Gardens! Join instructor Mary Jo Kennan for a free hour of instruction every Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 at the Fountain Plaza inside the main gates. Anyone wanting to have fun and get some exercise is welcome, regardless of skill level or age. Bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle, and a smile!
Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 9:30am – 10:30am (weather permitting)
Visit Central Garden’s website
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Avenue North

Mystery Book Club: Dancing with the Octopus
The Mystery Book Club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm in the library. September’s selection is Dancing with the Octopus by Debora Harding. Summary: One Omaha winter day in November 1978, when Debora Harding was just fourteen, she was abducted at knifepoint from a church parking lot. She was thrown into a van, assaulted, held for ransom, and then left to die as an ice storm descended over the city. Debora survived. She identified her attacker to the police and then returned to her teenage life in a dysfunctional home where she was expected to simply move on. Denial became the family coping strategy offered by her fun-loving, conflicted father and her cruelly resentful mother. It wasn’t until decades later – when beset by the symptoms of PTSD- that Debora undertook a radical project: she met her childhood attacker face-to-face in prison and began to reconsider and reimagine his complex story. This was a quest for the truth that would threaten the lie at the heart of her family and with it the sacred bond that once saved her.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St

Stand Up Comedy Open Mic Night
Every First Wednesday @ The Boulevard Bar & Grill in Clear Lake Iowa is a fun Open Mic for Stand-Up Comedy hosted by Matthew Douglas. Sign up before 7pm before the open mic or anytime online!
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Click here to sign up
The Boulevard Bar & Grill, 1311 Bayou Rd