Visit our full events calendar
All events are free unless noted
Lake Area Quilt Guild Annual Show
Experience vibrant fabric creations and intricate designs come to life. This year’s showcase features a stunning array of quilts, from classic patterns to contemporary masterpieces, all crafted by local talent.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Exhibit runs through October 5th, 2024.
Visit the Clear Lake Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St
Growth Paradox: A Collection of Drawings and Sculptures by Katie Walberg
This exhibition features a diverse collection of drawings and sculptures by Katie Walberg – Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about their creative processes using mediums of paper and wood. The Growth Paradox exhibit will be on display until October 25th.
Arts Center is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Exhibit runs through October 25th, 2024.
Visit the Clear Lake Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St.
NOW PLAYING: The Wild Robot (PG)
From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. The Wild Robot stars Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (Us, The Black Panther franchise) as robot Roz; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) as fox Fink; Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, Best in Show) as opossum Pinktail; Oscar® nominee Bill Nighy (Living, Love Actually) as goose Longneck; Kit Connor (Heartstopper, Rocketman) as gosling Brightbill and Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once, this summer’s The Fall Guy) as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. The film also features the voice talents of Emmy winning pop-culture icon Mark Hamill (Star Wars franchise, The Boy and the Heron), Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, The SpongeBob Movie franchise) and Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible films, Pulp Fiction). A powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things, The Wild Robot is written and directed by three-time Oscar® nominee Chris Sanders—the writer-director of DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch—and is produced by Jeff Hermann (DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby 2: Family Business; co-producer, Kung Fu Panda franchise).
Monday-Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, & 7:00 PM
Purchase tickets online
Lake Theatre, 4 N 4th St.
$5 adults, $4 children 12 & under
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 coloring supplies and cards for you to use!
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St.
Chess Club
The 1st session of Chess Club will run October 3 – November 21 (not October 31) on Thursdays from 3:30 5:00 p.m. Players of all ages & abilities are invited to join us during this time. The first 30 minutes will include instruction and snack, followed with lots of free play games. Children ages 8+ wishing to ride the bus from Clear Creek must register for the program, but teens and adults are welcome to join us on a drop-in basis. If you only want to play (no instruction), feel free to join us from 4-5 p.m. for some pick-up games. Please direct all questions to Brianna at librarykids@cltel.net.
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St.
Brave New World Book Club: Tender is the Flesh
Dystopia is an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice. Usually these imagined states end up ominously reflective of our own society. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica: His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.” Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing. Then one day he’s given a gift: a live specimen of the finest quality. Though he’s aware that any form of personal contact is forbidden on pain of death, little by little he starts to treat her like a human being. And soon, he becomes tortured by what has been lost—and what might still be saved.
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Visit the Event on the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St.
Trivia Thursday
Think you know it all? Gather your friends and put your knowledge to the test every Thursday at Lake Time Brewery for a night of fun, friendly competition, and craft beer! The trivia topics change weekly, so make sure to check our Facebook page for updates. Whether you’re a history buff, pop culture fanatic, or just love a good challenge, there’s something for everyone. Great prizes, great brews, and great times await—see you there!
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Visit Lake Time Brewery on Facebook
Lake Time Brewery, 801 Main Ave.
Karaoke at TAP’d
Karaoke is back home to Thursday nights & is really starting to heat up! Jared & his crew are constantly updating the song book & coming up with new on stage effects to make it so much fun!
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 8:00 PM – Midnight
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Ave.
The Nightmare Haunted Hike
Come on out and see our new exciting sets and longer hike! If you dare – we will scare! Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure like no other at The Nightmare Haunted Hike in Clear Lake, Iowa. If you’re brave enough to dare, this hair-raising experience will have you screaming for more! As you traverse the eerie and dimly lit trail, prepare to be startled and spooked at every twist and turn. The Nightmare Haunted Hike promises a night of heart-pounding scares and chilling encounters that will test your courage to the max. Enter at your own risk and find out if you have what it takes to survive the frightful journey through the haunted hike!
Open Fridays & Saturdays in October 7:00 PM- 10:00 PM
Thursday, October 31st from 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Friday, November 1st & Saturday, November 2nd 7:00 PM -10:00 PM
Visit The Haunted Hike on Facebook
2532 South Shore Dr.
Admission is $20
Live Music at TAP’d
Rural Route comes to us from Boone to play us some country and rock! This new 3 piece band will play anything from Dolly Parton to Zach Bryan to Cheap Trick to Alanis Morrisette while playing a few originals.
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Visit the Facebook event
TAP’d, 313 Main Ave.
Plain Ol’ Pumpkins
Come out to Plain Ol’ Pumpkins for some old-fashioned fun every weekend this October! Get lost in the corn maze, take a hay rack ride, dive into the corn pool, or race around the pedal kart track. There’s endless fun for the whole family, from the grain truck slide and wagon basketball to the hay pyramid and pedal tractor course. Climb aboard a tractor, try your hand at slingshots (extra cost), or play pumpkin tic-tac-toe. Don’t forget to snap some memorable photos and, of course, pick the perfect pumpkin to take home!
Warm up by the campfire and enjoy s’mores, plus check out the food truck lineup each day:
October 5: Smokin’ Mana’s, October 6: Hubba Bubba Cuppa & Firecreek Charcuterie
Saturdays 9:00 AM-5:00 PM & Sundays 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM through October 27, 2024
Visit Plain Ol’ Pumpkins on Facebook
Plain Ol’ Pumpkins, 4333 260th St.
General Admission: $10 per person (2 and under free) – includes all activities except slingshots.
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!
Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM through October 19, 2024
Visit the Farmers Market on Facebook
Surf Ballroom Parking Lot – 460 N Shore Dr.
Pritchard’s Youth Wrestling Clinic
This FREE event, sponsored by Pritchard Companies, will feature hands-on training from well-known and highly accomplished wrestlers and coaches, including Bill Zadick, Kennedy Blades, David Carr, Adam Coon, and Lilly Luft. Attendees will receive a hat, towel, drawstring bag, signed poster, and Q&A time with USA Wrestling representatives.
Saturday, October 5th Session 1 (1st-5th Graders) 9-11AM | Session 2 (6th-12th Graders) 1-3PM
Sunday, October 6th | Session 1 (1st-5th Graders) 9-11AM | Session 2 (6th-12th Graders) 1-3PM
Click here to register
Mason City High School Fieldhouse, 1700 4th St. SE, Mason City
Athletes must have a current USA Wrestling membership to register
20th Annual Harvest Festival
Bring your friends and family and celebrate the 20th Annual Harvest Festival, a fun fall day filled with community spirit, delicious food, and live music!
Champagne 5K Fun Run/Walk: Kick off your day with some bubbles! The Champagne 5K starts at 9 a.m., with packet pickup at 8 a.m. Enjoy a scenic run along South Shore and celebrate at the finish line with a glass of champagne (21+). Register here.
- Outdoor Vendor Market & Farmers Market: From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., explore a variety of vendors and local produce on Main Avenue.
- Hayrides: Embrace the fall vibes with hayrides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Shore Drive & Main Avenue. (Free with tasting pass, $2 all others)
- Salsa Contest: Think you’ve got the best salsa recipe? Registration and check-in are from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with public tasting from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Winners announced at 2 p.m.
- Wine, Beer & Spirits Sampling: From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., sip and savor a variety of drinks along Main Avenue.
- Grape Stomp Competition: Channel your inner Lucy and join the Grape Stomp Competition from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Chamber Office.
- Food Trucks & More: Dive into delicious eats from various food trucks, a special photo opportunity, light pole decoration contest, and more!
- Live Music: Enjoy live performances throughout the day!
- 4th Street & Main Avenue Main Stage: Gen X Jukebox from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- 5th Street & Main Avenue Stage (The Dock): Last Minute Combo from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Nova Jazz from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Lady of the Lake: The Mockingbirtds from 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
- TAP’d: Bradford Johnson from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jared Benson from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.,and Jake Schrodt at 9pm
- Elly’s Lounge: The Sweet Nuthins from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
- VFW: Jarno Solo from 7-10pm
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Visit the Harvest Festival Event Page
Downtown Clear Lake
Scribble Saturdays
Hey, future Picassos and mini Monets! Get ready for a morning full of artistic adventures as we dive into the FUN-damentals of art!
1st & 3rd Saturdays through December 7, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visit the Clear Lake Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St
$12 per child per session
3 Live Music Shows at TAP’d
Harvest Festival 2024 featuring 3 live music shows @ TAP’d!
Bradford Johnson kicks things off and comes to us from Des Moines to play us a nice mix of original music and covers ranging from punk to pop from the 50s to the 2000s! Bradford is the lead singer of the bands Dirty Rotten Scoundrels & MINT! Bradford takes the stage from 10 AM-1 PM!
TAP’d is very excited to bring back Jared Benson for another Harvest Festival! Jared comes to us from the very talented Fort Dodge corridor. Jared is ready to play us some rock and country! We’ll hear everything from Johnny Cash to Morgan Wallen while kicking in some Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steve Miller Band. Jared takes the stage from 3 PM – 7PM after Bradford Johnson kicks things off in the morning!
We bring back the OG party boy from Des Moines to close out show #3 of your Harvest Fest 2024! Jake Schrodt 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!
Saturday, October 5, 2024, three shows starting at 10 AM!
Visit TAP’d on Facebook
TAP’d, 313 Main Avenue
Live Music at the VFW
Jarno Solo performs after Harvest Festival!
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Visit the VFW on Facebook
VFW, 219 Main Ave.
Fall Walleye Classic
Join us on Clear Lake for the Fall Walleye Classic! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this tournament offers the perfect mix of competition and fun. Enjoy the stunning autumn views as you test your skills and try to reel in the elusive walleye. It’s a great day on the water with fellow anglers. This tournament will be in CPR format through the My Catch app.
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 7:00 AM
Visit the Clear Lake Fishing Club’s Website
Lynne Lorenzen Boat Ramp, E Lake St., Ventura
Clear Lake Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
Come support the Clear Lake Fire Department
Secret fire fighter pancake recipe, handed down from generation to generation since 1871 (or so) plus our locally sourced world famous sausage. Come hungry and leave full.
Sunday October 6th doors open at 7:00AM and close at 1:00PM if you stay 1 minute after 1:00PM it is assumed you are volunteering to help clean up, so thank you!
Profits from the annual breakfast are used to purchase specialized firefighting and rescue equipment and maintain the 9/11 memorial, upkeep and improvements to the Fire Museum and maintenance and renovation of the antique equipment on display. This year, funds raised will also go towards the Cade Hartwig Memorial Scholarship.
If while you are in the fire house and you get caught up in history and nostalgia of the fire service we are always looking for good men and women to volunteer to fill boots. So talk to a fire fighter and tell them you are interested in what its like to volunteer. It might be what you need in your life! It is the best volunteering commitment you will ever make. Plus you get free pancakes after you join!
By reading this in the event of a fire during pancake hours you are also agreeing to step up and help cook and serve pancakes while we go put out the fire! Or we can stay and cook pancakes while you go put out the fire?
If you are still reading this just be at the fire house sometime between 7am and 1pm to eat pancakes.
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Visit the CLFD on Facebook
Clear Lake Fire Station, 711 2nd Ave. N.
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, October 7, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Visit the Library’s website
Clear Lake Public Library, 200 N 4th St.
Lenoid & Friends
Leonid & Friends have blown the minds of fans with their uncanny ability to capture the spirit, musicality, and fire of American supergroup Chicago. Leonid Vorobyev scoured Europe with the intention of building a group of performers to create and fulfill a vision of “musicians for musicians.” They have since expanded their repertoire to include Earth Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat & Tears, Ides of March, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Deep Purple, and new original material. This incredible 11-piece band has over 700,000 followers across social media and an astonishing 200+ million video views. The future is only looking up for Leonid & Friends.
Monday, October 8, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Click here for tickets
North Iowa Community Auditorium, 500 College Dr., Mason City
Tickets start at $25
Clay with Jude: Beginner Throw on the Wheel
Join our immersive four-week clay class and delve into the art of intricate ceramics making. You’ll try your hand at beginner friendly to advanced techniques. Become detailed in hand-building and precision wheel throwing. Each session will focus on refining your skills to craft your unique pieces. (Adult Class)
6-week course on Wednesdays through October 9, 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Visit the Clear Lake Art Center’s website
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th St
$125 registration fee + $35, 25lb clay fee
Hearts of Glass Film Screening & Panel Discussion
Kicking off National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October! Join 43 North Iowa at the NIACC Muse-Norris Conference Center on October 9th from 5-7 pm for a film screening and panel discussion regarding inclusive employment and innovation. A light meal will be provided.
Hearts of Glass follows the tumultuous first 15 months of operation of Vertical Harvest, a multi-story, state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse that grows crops while providing meaningful, competitively paid jobs for people with disabilities. The film weaves the story of Vertical Harvest’s launch with the personal journeys of several employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plants and people grow together in this intimate portrait of innovation, inclusion and opportunity. Audio description will be provided for an inclusive event.
View Hearts of Glass Trailer
Stay with us after the film for a panel discussion with the filmmaker, featured employee(s) from the documentary, local resources and participant(s) of employment services.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Click here to register
NIACC Muse-Norris Conference Center, 500 College Dr., Mason City
Free registration (free will donations accepted)
Bean Bag Night at the VFW
VFW weekly bean bag night is every Wednesday. Sign up at 6:30pm, play begins at 7pm. $1 entry per person, prize money awarded each week. Bring a snack to share if you like!
Wednesday Nights, register at 6:30 PM, play begins at 7:00 PM
Visit the VFW on Facebook
VFW, 219 Main Ave.