Visit our full events calendar
All events are free unless noted
Exhibition: Seeking an Upward Thermalby Roberta Condon, Lorraine Ortner-Black, & Debra Grall
Like birds riding rising thermals, we are drawn to the invisible forces that lift us. Soaring on pockets of warm air, birds harness nature’s upward currents—gliding, climbing, and dancing through the sky. In this spirit of ascension and exploration, three women artists offer over 50 unique interpretations in pastel, gouache, and bead work sculpture. Discover the power of flight, form, and imagination. Join us at the exhibit and experience these evocative works up close.
Exhibition is on display through August 30
Arts Center Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Visit the Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S. 4th St.
Summer Reading Program: Level Up at Your Library
Join us for a summer of puzzles and games as we explore the iREAD theme, “Level Up at Your Library!” Come to the library anytime during the program to register. Children going into 5th grade or younger will register downstairs—those going into 6th grade or above, plus adults, can register upstairs at the desk. Work through the log to earn weekly prize tickets and a chance for an end-of-summer grand prize. Complete the board to earn a completion prize for your age group!
Through August 8, 2025
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. 4th St
Summer Story Time
Join us each Wednesday Memorial Day – Labor Day at 10:30 a.m. for a family story time for ages 0-5. Story time consists of stories, body movement activities, songs, and rhymes, helping children grow the skills they need to become lifelong readers. After the stories, feel free to stay and play and make new friends! Young children and their grown-ups are invited to join us for these free weekly events.
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. 4th St.
Dealt Hand Murder Mystery
In this all-new interactive game, brought to you by The Dealt Hand, participants will generate a completely unique murder mystery as a group – determining characters, motives and the victim on the fly! This neat format will give folks who want to act scenes chances to do that, but also keep the wallflowers on the wall if they want! *Registration Required*
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. 4th St
NOW PLAYING: Bad Guys 2 (PG)
The now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
Plays through Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Showtimes are Weekdays at 7:00 PM
Saturdays & Sundays at 1:00PM, 4:00PM, & 7:00PM
Lake Theatre, 4 N 4th St.
$5 adults, $4 children 12 & under
Purchase tickets online
Karaoke at TAP’d
Karaoke is at its summer home, Wednesday nights! For 123 weeks TAP’d and Mojo Productions All Star Karaoke have brought karaoke to Clear Lake! Jared & his crew are constantly updating the song book & coming up with new on stage effects to make it so much fun!
Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 8:00 PM-Midnight
Follow TAP’d on Facebook
TAP’d, 313 Main Ave.
Mystery Book Swap
Can you feel the anticipation? The room is full of books and you get to choose whichever one you’d like to take home. The catch? You have no idea what it is until you unwrap it! This event is geared toward adults. To participate, wrap your selected book using brown bag wrapping or wrapping paper. Write a brief description on the wrapping to entice others – maybe bullet points with a genre and 2-3 clues, the first sentence of the book, or draw a picture related to the book. Then, bring it to the library on August 7th at 5:00 p.m. to place it among the selection tables. Participants then get to make their way around the tables as they try to deduce which book sounds most intriguing to them.
Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. 4th St
Back to School Block Party
The Community Health Center of Mason City will host its annual Back-to-School Block Party in observance of National Health Center Week. The event is designed to celebrate the mission of community health centers while helping families prepare for the upcoming school year. In addition to the evening festivities, the health center will begin offering medical and dental services for children starting at 10:00 a.m. that day. Healthcare services will include well-child checks, immunizations, sports physicals, and dental exams. Appointments are available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with walk-ins accepted during the block party from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. All healthcare services will be provided inside the Community Health Center building. Parents and guardians are encouraged to call 641-450-0601 to schedule an appointment. Online registration is also encouraged and can be accessed through a link at chcfd.com. This year’s event once again collaborates with United Way of North Central Iowa and The Salvation Army. United Way’s Kicks for Kids program will provide a new pair of shoes to each child attending the event, while The Salvation Army will be distributing backpacks filled with school supplies to help local students start the year prepared. A variety of community organizations will also be on-site, offering games, resources, and helpful information for families. A free meal will be served starting at 5 pm while supplies last, made possible by the generous support of local businesses who have donated food, services, and their time to make the event a success. The meal, shoes, backpacks, and all activities will take place in the parking lot of the Community Health Center, while healthcare services will be offered inside the facility.
Thursday, August 7, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Click here for more information
Community Health Center, 404 N Federal Ave., Mason City
Jesse Calvert Music
Live music on the dock!
Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Follow The Landing on Facebook
The Landing, 1603 South Shore Dr.
Thursdays on Main
Start your weekend early at Thursdays on Main! This Chamber summer event series features live entertainment, classic cars, bounce houses, extended retail store hours, vendor street market, and more!
Main Avenue activities are 6:00-9:00pm
6:30-7:00pm Clear Lake Band & Drumline
7:00-9:00pm: Live Music on the street stage: Come Back Buddy
Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Follow Clear Lake Chamber on Facebook
Downtown Clear Lake
Thursdays on Main Afterparty at TAP’d
TAP’d is the official “Thursdays on Main” afterparty! We bring back DJ Kessel to keep the party going playing all your favorites all night long! DJ Kessel takes the stage @ 8.
Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 8:00 PM – Midnight
Follow TAP’d on Facebook
TAP’d, 313 Main Ave.
Fresh on Fridays
Celebrate summer every Friday morning at Central Gardens with activities, treats, and take-home treasures for all ages.
Beautiful Bouquets: Brighten your weekend with a stunning bouquet, freshly picked and arranged by talented volunteers, available at reasonable prices.
Complimentary Refreshments: Relax on the Pavilion patio with complimentary coffee, refreshments, and samples of organic veggies and herbs grown in the Bee Happy Discovery Garden.
Garden Explorers for Kids: Bring the kids for hands-on garden adventures, from tasting fresh veggies to exploring plants and insects, creating nature-inspired art, and more.
Find out what’s abuzz each week on Facebook!
Friday, August 8, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Visit Central Gardens of North Iowa on Facebook
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Ave. N.
Live Music at TAP’d
Jebediah Stone (Ogden) makes their TAP’d debut for a Friday night show! Jebediah Stone is a reunited band from the 70’s playing all your favorite classic rock songs by ZZ Top, The James Gang & many more. Jebediah Stone takes the stage @ 9pm.
Friday, August 8, 2025 from 9:00 PM – Midnight
Follow TAP’d on Facebook
TAP’d, 313 Main Ave.
Yoga by the Lake
Join us for an energizing and serene experience at Yoga by the Lake! Every Saturday June through August, head down to the Seawall in downtown Clear Lake at 7am. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking sunrise over the picturesque Clear Lake as our certified instructors guide you through a revitalizing yoga session. No pre-registration needed, making it ideal for weekend visitors. Just bring your mat, wear comfy clothes, and enjoy this drop-in class for only $2 per session. Discover the perfect blend of relaxation and invigoration amidst a truly unique setting. Don’t miss out!
Saturday, August 9, 2025, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Follow Clear Lake Athletics & Wellness Center on Facebook
Downtown at the Seawall
Clear Lake 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 9, 2025 from 9:00 AM – Noon
Follow Clear Lake Farmers Market on Facebook
Surf Ballroom Parking Lot, 460 North Shore Dr.
Bash at the Lake
Bash at the Lake is an amazing FREE event, suitable for all ages hosted at Clear Lake City Park. It’s full of inspirational, fun activities for everyone from games to live Christian bands headlined by famous local and well-known international musicians.
Clear Lake City Park is the place to be on Saturday, August 9, as Bash at the Lake returns for a joy-filled day of music, laughter, and community! Starting at 11:00am, this one-day festival is packed with family-friendly entertainment that celebrates what matters most—faith, fun, and time together. This year’s lineup features inspiring performances from some of today’s most engaging Christian artists. Leanna Crawford brings heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals that resonate with audiences of all ages. Presence Music Band will lead the crowd in high-energy worship that’s both joyful and soul-stirring. Pacific Island Worship will bring the island vibes and show us a different form of worship than we may normally see. She was recently nominated for four Dove Awards!
But Bash at the Lake isn’t just about the music—it’s an experience for the whole family. Kids (and adults!) will love the interactive stage shows from KidzBlitz, known for its hilarious, high-energy games with a gospel message, and Weather Guy Science, where science and faith collide in mind-blowing experiments that wow the crowd.
With help from our generous sponsors—including local businesses, churches, and individuals—this event is completely free to attend and designed to be a blessing to the community. Whether you’re dancing in the grass, laughing with your kids, or connecting with friends, Bash at the Lake is a day you won’t want to miss.
So pack your lawn chairs, bring your crew, and get ready to celebrate family, faith, and unforgettable fun at Bash at the Lake 2025!
Other activities include: Faith Adventure Docks, Photo Booth, Nine Square in the Air, Gaga Ball, Yard Games, Dunk Tank, Strider Bikes, & Food Trucks.
Saturday, August 9, 2025 starting at 11:00 AM
Follow Bash at the Lake on Facebook
Clear Lake City Park
Draw Tangled Sunflowers Class
Ready to relax and get creative? Join us for a fun, sun-filled Zentangle session that’s all about drawing, unwinding, and making something beautiful. The Zentangle® Method is simple, mindful, and meditative pattern drawing. It is essentially an artwork that is inspired by and/or includes Zentangle pattern drawing. Tangled Sunflowers is a ZIA class—we’ll use the Zentangle Method to draw our sunflowers. No experience is required! If you can hold a pen and make a mark, you can do this. Come tangle with us—your inner artist (and your stress levels) will thank you! Ages 16+
Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 9:00 AM-Noon
Visit the Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S. 4th St.
$50 class fee
One Vision Dunk Tank at Bash at the Lake
Join One Vision at this free community event for some splashy fun! We’ll be hosting a fundraiser Dunk Tank—plus a new Spin-to-Win game—with all proceeds supporting services that empower individuals with disabilities to pursue their best life.
Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Follow One Vision on Facebook
One Vision Thrift Store, 830 Hwy 18
Live Music at TAP’d
7PM start time! John Gold (Nashville, TN) is traveling through our beautiful town and asked if he could play a couple sets for us! At 7PM come to TAP’d for some original folk rock! At 9PM Let’s bring it in for one of our very own Clear Lakers! Maclane will play a nice mixture of classic and new country while mixing in some southern rock! You’ll hear all the great songs from Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings to Garth Brooks & Lynyrd Skynyrd!
Saturday, August 9, 2025, 7:00 PM – Midnight
Follow TAP’d on Facebook
TAP’d, 313 Main Ave.
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, August 10, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Clear Lake City Park
Will Barnett Music
Live music on the dock!
Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Follow The Landing on Facebook
The Landing, 1603 South Shore Dr.
Picnics & Performances: Come Back Buddy
Come Back Buddy is a 3-piece rock-n-roll band inspired by the legendary Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The group’s repertoire includes music from the 50s including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, and, of course, Buddy Holly. Bring a lawn chair, a picnic, a beverage of your choice, and enjoy music in the beauty of the Gardens. Celebrate local talent at this eight-week, family friendly concert series! Bring a lawn chair, a picnic, a beverage of your choice, and enjoy music in the beauty of the Gardens.
Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Visit Central Gardens of North Iowa on Facebook
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Ave. N.
SBDC Lunch & Learn
Come learn about the $96 million investment to support small businesses, manufacturers, and entrepreneurship! Lunch is provided by Cabin Coffee.
Did you know that Iowa has a $96 million investment from the Department of Treasury to support Iowa’s small businesses, startups, and manufacturers?
Join us for a free lunch and learn informational panel event at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, August 11th from 11:30 am – 1 pm to learn about the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs. The panel is made up of leaders from the organizations who distribute the funds to entrepreneurs.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by a federal award number 21031-0015 awarded to America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Monday, August 11, 2025 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Click here to register
Lakeview Room, 10 N Lakeview Dr.
Writing Group
Bring a pencil and some paper (or grab your laptop) and join a community of writers. Use the time to work on a project or join in on the prompts and games provided. The group meets from 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday nights whenever the library is open.
Monday, August 11, 2025 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. 4th St
Teen Lock-In at the Library
Teens that complete and turn in their reading log will be invited to an overnight adventure in the library. Plenty of snacks provided, as well as an optional rest/quiet time. Teens get to help decide how they want to spend their night at the library – watching movies, playing card/board games, video game contests, or other activities! RSVP to Myra at clplassist@gmail.com. Check-in begins at 7:30 pm on the 11th and pick-up begins at 7:30 am on the 12th.
Monday, August 11, 2025 from 8:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N. 4th St.
Line Dancing
Join us inside the main entrance in the fountain courtyard for line dancing with Mary Jo. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Visit Central Gardens of North Iowa on Facebook
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Ave. N.