2018 Hottest Events
SNEAK PEAK – Check out Mason City’s hottest events that visitors love and locals can’t get enough of! Grab your calendars, it’s time to start planning your vacation days for 2018.
JANUARY
1/5 – 1/6 ‘A Day of Thunder on Syrup’ North Iowa Events Center Don’t miss this two day, action-packed event. Karts, cage karts, bikes and quads will tear up the super sticky coke syrup track with crazy fast laps. Be there as past champions and rookie drivers battle it out to win the 2018 title.
FEBRUARY
Catch exciting hockey action with the North Iowa Bulls, members of the North American 3 Hockey League. Home Games are played at the North Iowa Events Center in the Ice Arena.
2/16 & 2/17 – VS. St. Louis Jr. Blues
2/24 – VS. New Ulm Steel
3/2 & 3/3 – VS. Lacrosse Freeze
3/11 – VS. Wausau RiverWolves
MARCH
Mason City is fortunate to be the host community for some of the greatest performances all presented in the comfortable atmosphere of the North Iowa Community Auditorium. The entertainment lineup offers something for everyone including national touring productions featuring cultural dancing, award winning musicals, motivational speakers, and holiday events for the entire family. CLICK HERE to learn More.
3/22. Brian Regan, North Iowa Auditorium
Brian Regan is a unique comedian whose material is relatable to generations of fans and revered by comedians as the best in the business. Setting a comedic standard of excellence that others continually try to follow, Brian Regan made history on September 26, 2015 with the critically acclaimed live broadcast of Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall, the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history. On May 8, 2015, Brian made his 28th and final stand-up performance on Late Show with David Letterman the most of any comic since the show moved to CBS in 1993. GET TICKETS
APRIL
4/7, River City Chorus Spring Show, North Iowa Auditorium
59th Annual Spring Show, showcasing chorus, quartets and featuring a guest Barbershop Quartet, Signature.
4/14, The Home Fires, Fat Hill Brewing
An Americana duo based in Minneapolis, The Home Fires are comprised of critically acclaimed singer/songwriters Sarah Morris and Vicky Emerson. Sarah and Vicky are established touring artists and after developing a close friendship and playing live shows together, they unearthed a gorgeous new sound featuring Sarah’s clear, melodic voice and Vicky’s warm, weathered harmony. They describe their duo as “a modern day version of The Judds”, emphasizing harmonies, humor, and traditional country songs. Covers that they love to play are remakes of “oldies but goodies” like Hank Williams’ “Cold Cold Heart” or fun spins on popular 90’s hits from Dwight Yokum and Shania Twain.
4/27, Kenny G, North Iowa Auditorium
In a recording career that spans almost three decades and 23 albums, Grammy®, Award-winning saxophonist Kenny G has grafted elements of R & B, pop and Latin to a jazz foundations solidifying his reputation as the premier artist in contemporary jazz. Since the early ’80s, his combination of unparalleled instrumental chops and indelible melodies has resulted in sales of more than 75 million records worldwide and more than a dozen climbs to the top of Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart.
MAY
5/5 Free Comic Book Day, Oak leaf Collectibles
Stop by Oak Leaf Collectibles and receive a FREE comic book. Door prizes, comic specials, and inflatables will be on site for a ton of fun! Special guest appearances – Ghost Busters of Iowa with an Ectocar, Korriban Squad A & Jurassic Park Explorer – Bring your camera for photo ops!
5/6 Conestoga Cook-Out, Kinney Pioneer Museum
Old fashioned barbeque with music and craftsmen exhibiting their arts. Serving pork sandwiches, homemade potato salad, baked beans, desserts & beverages.
5/24-5/27 North Iowa Band Festival, Central Park
This annual event is the largest free marching band competition in the Midwest. The festival features free music, entertainment and various types of events for young and the young at heart. Bring the entire family to enjoy a carnival, marketplace, car show and plenty of food and beverages all weekend long.
JUNE
6/3, Vintage Car Day, Kinney Pioneer Museum
Bring the whole family for a day of fun! Vintage cars on the front lawn, refreshments, music and children activities. Hot dogs, brats, root beer floats, ice cream sundaes, and popcorn are available to purchase.
6/9 MacNider Art Festival, Charles H. MacNider Art Museum
This family-friendly event allows children to use their imagination while creating make-and-take activities and games. Visitors are invited to stroll through the Outdoor Art Market filled with artists selling original works of art while listening to the sounds of live music. FREE pancake breakfast served to all, so fill up!
6/16 Greek Festival, Greek Orthodox Church
Annual Greek Festival, enjoy authentic Greek food, wine and beer. Dance the night away with Greek dancing to a live Greek band – A fun time for the whole family! Children’s booth available on location.
6/23 Friday Night Live, Central Park
Join us at Central Park in Downtown for the start of Main Street Mason City’s outdoor concert series! Inflatables, games, craft show, miniature trolley railroad, food vendors, beverage tent, live music and more! Series Dates: 7/20 & 8/17
6/23 Cannonball Day, East Park
Don’t miss an exciting, jam-packed day filled morning ’til night! Fun activities for the entire family – Kick the day off with the Cannonball Kids Fun Run! Enjoy the remainder of the day playing at the inflatable playground, eating at the Chicken BBQ, and participating/watching the Bill Riley Talent Search show – PLUS, evening entertainment.
JULY
7/8, Homemade Ice Cream Social, Kinney Pioneer Museum
Homemade ice cream will be made and served all day long. Enjoy music and special displays at the museum.
7/19-7/22 North Iowa Fair, North Iowa Event Center
The annual North Iowa Fair is a place where being who you are and doing what you love always shines. The 2018 fair features a free gate, free parking, free carnival rides, agriculture events and entertainment that includes the 3rd Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally (free), free radio control fun fly, free pony rides, Mason City Motor Speedway wheeled events, the return of the Small Stage Music Festival and more!
7/27-7/28 Up in Smoke BBQ Bash, East Park
It’s the event everyone waits all summer for! Great barbecue with over 60 teams competing to be number one. Plus, great bands flood the park with live music!
AUGUST
8/5, Kids Day, Kinney Pioneer Museum
Special day dedicated to pioneer type children activities including indoor and outdoor games, hands-on activities, face painting, music, magic show & more! Cook your own hotdog and/or marshmallow over an open fire.
8/4-8/10 PGI, North Iowa Events Center
The Pyrotechnics Guild International presents “Fire and Thunder”, intense fireworks that will be sure to knock your socks off! During the week, be amazed by three nights of meticulously choreographed displays with music and special effect surprises. These shows are produced and executed by the best pyrotechnic experts in the industry.
SEPTEMBER
8/31 – 9/1 Craft Beer Shindig & Street Food Fair, East Park
The Shindig, a festival of beer, food and music! Over 40 Iowa beers on tap, 20+ of the finest area food trucks and vendors, ciders, wine, local and regional musicians and much more! This festival is held in conjunction with the annual North Iowa Spin Cannonball Cross held 9/1-9/3.
Typically held second weekend in September, Civil War Battle Encampment, East Park
Discover the experience of a Civil War soldier. Offering live entertainment and re-enactments of battles in which Iowa troops participated. Enjoy medical demonstrations, camp life, live music, military dress ball, ladies tea, pirates’ treasure hunt and so much more!
9/21-9/22 The Great River City Festival, Central Park
A celebration of Mason City’s history, and commemoration of the robbery of First National Bank, by John Dillinger and his gang. Catch narrated re-enactments of the famous robbery, multi-Ethnic lunch, expanded Main Street Market, and Friday Night Live.
9/28-9/30, North Iowa Studio Tour, Various Locations in Mason City & Clear Lake
19 artists in 3 days – The self-guided North Iowa Studio Tours gives you the opportunity to visit a variety of artist in their studios. Watch demonstrations, visit with artist and purchase unique gifts.
9/30 Apple Cider and Donut Day, Kinney Pioneer Museum
Homemade cider is made with 100-year old apple press, served hot or cold, with homemade donuts. Enjoy special exhibits, demonstrations and an apple product bake sale.
OCTOBER
TBD, Artoberfest, Charles H. MacNider Art Museum
Raise your glass to the Arts and celebrate with your favorite brew! Festivities include live music, fabulous autumn-inspired fare, and a variety of fermented beverages from Midwestern brewers for guests to imbibe. For those not hip on hops, beverages from the vine as well as a non-alcoholic versions will be available.
NOVEMBER
11/23-12-29, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Music Man Square
Kick off the holidays with a visit to the Music Man Square and experience nostalgia and warm memories of Christmas past. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season as you stroll the 1912 Streetscape adorned with vintage animated window displays, décor and holiday music.
11/24. Home for the Holidays, Central Park
Main Street invites you to bring the family and enjoy cookie decorating, storybook readings, letters to Santa and more! After a day of festivities, stick around for the Jingle Mingle Bar Hop – drink specials for those participating.
DECEMBER
12/8, Tuba Christmas, Southbridge Mall
Listen to all of your favorite Christmas Carols performed by (over) 100 tuba, Sousaphone, baritone and euphonium musicians from across the state.
