Clear Lake Events
Thursday, May 16 – Wednesday, May 24, 2024
View our Events Calendar
Central Gardens of North Iowa is now open for the season!
All events are free unless noted
Cards & Creativity
Cards & Creativity meets every Thursday that the library is open at 1:00 p.m. This is a weekly opportunity to meet up with others to play games or engage in your creative outlet of choice. You can work on fiber art, writing, music, drawing, or anything else that inspires you! We’ll provide light refreshments as well as coloring supplies and games for you to use!
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St
Casual Chess Club
The spring session of Casual Chess Club will run through May 16 on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Players of all ages and abilities are invited to join us during this time. Attend on weeks that you are able to play a game with a friend or a stranger.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library Meeting Room B, 200 N 4th St
Meat BINGO Night at Elly’s
Join us for Meat Bingo Night at Elly’s on Thursdays at 6:00 PM! Get ready for an evening filled with fun, laughter, and the chance to win some amazing prizes! It’s first come, first serve, so be sure to secure your spot early! Plus, the prizes are sizzling hot – it’s meaty madness! All prizes are from Louie’s Custom Meats and More.
Must be over 21 to participate.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Visit Elly’s on Facebook
Elly’s Lounge, 12 South Shore Drive
Nature of Native Plants
Have you long admired the natural look of yards sporting native plants but are unsure about how to grow them yourself? If so, join ISU Extension wildlife biologist Dr. Adam Janke on Thursday, May 16 from 6:30-7:30 upstairs at the Nature Education Pavilion in Central Gardens. Adam will share information about some of his favorite native plants that are best suited for our north Iowa climate. This free program is co-sponsored by Central Gardens, the Clear Lake Public Library and Iowa State Extension.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Visit Central Garden’s Website
Central Gardens of North Iowa- Inside the Nature Education Pavilion, 800 2nd Avenue North
NOW PLAYING: IF (PG)
From writer and director John Krasinski, IF is about a girl who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends — and what she does with that superpower — as she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids. IF stars Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell alongside many more as the wonderfully unique characters that reflect the incredible power of a child’s imagination.
Thursday, May 16 & Friday, May 17 at 7:00 PM Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Purchase tickets online
Lake Theatre, 4 N 4th Street
$5 adults, $4 children 12 & under
Karaoke @ TAP’d
We been doing this karaoke thing for a little while now & only with the best karaoke service, MOJO Productions All Star Karaoke! Jared & his crew are constantly updating their song book & coming up with new on-stage effects to make it so much fun! Whether you love to sing or just want to watch, karaoke night is a hoot! Open @ 4 to pregame for KARAOKE @ 8!
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 8:00 PM – midnight
Visit our Facebook Event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue
Live Music @ TAP’d
Iowan Live Music journeyman, Kris Karr, makes his TAP’d debut for a Friday night show! Kris concentrates on music around the 1970s such as Three Dog Night, The Eagles, & Bread, while sprinkling in some originals for us! KRIS takes the stage at 9!
Friday, May 17, 2024, 9:00 PM – Midnight
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue
Fly-In Breakfast
Fly-in pancake breakfast, North Iowa Air Service open house, and airplane rides.
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visit the Facebook event
North Iowa Air Service, 9184 265th Street, Suite 10 (next to Mason City Airport) $8 breakfast. PIC and children 8 and under eat free. Airplane rides $30.
Plant Sale and Gardening Fair
Plant Sale and Gardening Fair at Central Gardens’ Activity Lawn is this Saturday from 8 am to noon. Grab bargains on a wide option of plants, grasses, and broken-in gardening tools!. Stroll through the vendors’ mart and enjoy the kids dancing around a May Pole at 10 AM. Admission is free.
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visit Central Garden’s Website
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Avenue North
Farmers Market
The mission of the Clear Lake Farmers Market is to offer healthy, fresh produce and handcrafted products to consumers while building community connections and supporting the local economy.
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visit the Farmers Market on Facebook
Surf Ballroom Parking Lot – 460 North Shore Drive
2024 Season is May 18th until October 12th
Live Music @ 173° Craft Distillery
Kickstart your adventure at 173° Craft Distillery with Jeff Reinartz, a singer/songwriter from Austin, Minnesota. He’s been performing live for over 30 years and is a veteran of several bands.
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Visit 173° Craft Distillery’s website
173° Craft Distillery, 306 1st Avenue North
Live Music @ TAP’d
Sierra Griggs makes her way from Southern Iowa to TAP’d to play us a nice array of country, pop and classic rock on a Saturday night! You’ll hear all your favorites from Taylor Swift, Laney Wilson, & Miranda Lambert to go along with her Nashville recorded singles! Sierra takes the stage at 9! Come support this female artist as she takes the TAP’d stage for the first time!
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:00 PM – Midnight
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
A Country Music Hall-of-Fame member, five-time Grammy® Award-winner, and AMA Lifetime Achievement honoree, Marty Stuart makes “the music that’s in your heart.” He built his early career backing up country and bluegrass royalty on the road and in the studio with Johnny Cash; and now he’s a star in his own right. Marty Stuart has released more than 20 albums, scoring platinum sales, hit singles, and just about every honor the industry could bestow along the way.
Sunday, May 19, 2024, 3:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Click here for tickets
North Iowa Community Auditorium 500 College Drive Mason City, IA 50401
Tickets start at $20
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 6:00-7:00pm on Monday nights whenever the library is open. Free!
Monday, May 20, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Visit the Library’s Website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St
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, May 21, 2024, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (weather permitting)
Visit Central Garden’s website
Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Avenue North
Every Tuesday morning through September 17
Book Chat: Lessons in Chemistry
Book Chat meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 12:00 pm in the library meeting room. May’s selection is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hasting Research institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with of all things her mind. True chemistry results.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St
Iowa State University Tailgate Tour
The 2024 Cyclone Tailgate Tour is coming to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake! This free family-friendly event is for Cyclone fans of all ages! Interact with Iowa State coaches, administrators and other special guests including Jamie Pollard, John Walters, Matt Campbell, T.J. Otzelberger, Bill Fennelly, Christy Johnson-Lynch, Kevin Dresser and Cy.
All kids in attendance will receive a gift courtesy of the Cyclone Club. Food and beverage will be available for purchase, along with official Iowa State merchandise.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 05:30 PM – 07:30 PM
Visit the event’s website
Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr
BINGO @173° Craft Distillery
Kickstart your adventure at 173° Craft Distillery! Savor expertly crafted cocktails, mingle with others, have fun, and win prizes!
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Visit 173° Craft Distillery on Facebook
173° Craft Distillery, 306 1st Ave N
Game card available with purchase of food or drink.