This Month in Waterloo
October in Waterloo: Hello Spooky Season!
Plan out your month in Waterloo by finding local live music and events!
October in Waterloo is action-packed and filled with non-stop excitement! Celebrate autumn traditions at Downtown Fall Fest, soak in the season under the night sky at Arboretum Under the Stars - Harvest Fest, or embrace spooky thrills with Strolling with the Spirits and Spooky Loo. Whether you are craving live music at the Isle Oasis, high-energy roller derby, or classic Halloween fun, Waterloo has everything you need to make the most of the season!
Grab your calendar and start planning your perfect month with these standout events and attractions.
Strolling with the Spirits
As twilight falls, history comes alive at Waterloo Cemetery! Guided tours feature costumed actors bringing the true stories, triumphs, and legacies of remarkable local figures back to life. Advance registration is required.
🗓️ Saturday, October 10 | Guided Walks at 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM & 10:00 PM
📍 Waterloo Cemetery (1830 Kimball Ave)
Downtown Fall Fest
Celebrate the season in style at Downtown Waterloo's Fall Fest! Your one-stop destination for all things autumn. Stroll the streets, explore retail specials from your favorite downtown shops, discover unique finds from local pop-up vendors, and enjoy festive family fun for everyone.
🗓️ Saturday, October 10 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Downtown Waterloo
Arboretum Under the Stars - Harvestfest
Celebrate fall under the stars at the Cedar Valley Arboretum! Enjoy sunset yoga, spooky stories, Halloween mask-making, a pumpkin patch trick-or-treat, and bonfires with s'mores. End the night looking skyward for the Orionid meteor shower. Costumes encouraged!
🗓️️ Friday, October 16 | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
Cedar Valley Roller Derby vs. Des Moines Roller Derby
Catch high-octane, fast-paced roller derby action as the Cedar Valley Roller Derby Push-Up Brawlers host Des Moines Roller Derby for their first bout of the season! Doors open at 5:30 PM, with main track action kicking off at 6:30 PM, followed by an official after-party at Studio 13.
🗓️ Saturday, October 17 | Doors Open @ 5:30 PM (Action starts @ 6:30 PM)
📍 The Hippodrome
Fright Night Prom: An Adults Only Halloween Bash
Dust off your prom attire for an 21+ Halloween bash at the Grout Museum! Enjoy a night of dancing, costume contests, mystery artifact games, and signature Blood Bag Punch with classic horror vibes.
🗓️ Friday, October 23 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Grout Museum District
Death and Candy Corn Murder Mystery Dinner
Step into an interactive murder mystery experience at the historic Weis Mansion B&B! Enjoy a multi-course dinner featuring pork medallions or garlic chicken, asparagus, roasted baby potatoes, and assorted cheesecakes.
🗓️ Saturday, October 24 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 The Weis Mansion B&B (800 West 4th St)
Grout Spooktacular
A favorite Halloween tradition for families! Explore the Grout Museum District for interactive science experiments, candy stops, costumed fun, and hands-on activities across the museum floor.
🗓️ Saturday, October 24 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Grout Museum District
Witches Hallowed
Something magical is brewing at the Arboretum! Bring the family for an afternoon of witchy garden fun featuring the Dysart Dance Team teaching the Witches' Dance (at 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM), Halloween crafts, friendly witches handing out trinkets, and custom brooms for the first 50 kids. Costumes encouraged!
🗓️ Sunday, October 25 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
Two Murders and a Podcast: Who Killed Warren Grout?
Put your detective skills to the test in this podcast-themed murder mystery dinner at The Weis Mansion B&B. Work through interactive clues over a delicious meal to discover who killed Waterloo history icon Warren Grout.
🗓️ Friday, October 30 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 The Weis Mansion B&B
Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Bring the whole family downtown for Waterloo’s annual Halloween tradition! Show off your costumes and trick-or-treat your way through participating local businesses, then head to Lincoln Park for games, extra treats, and festive family fun.
🗓️ Saturday, October 31 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Downtown Waterloo & Lincoln Park
MORE DETAILS
Reoccurring Events
29th Annual Waterhawks Haunted Hayride
Looking for the perfect October thrill? The woods of Eagle Lake come alive with horror-movie-inspired scares, ghosts, and ghouls! Take a tractor-driven wagon ride through the dark, grab a bite from on-site food trucks and concessions, and make this classic spooky tradition part of your October plans.
🗓️ October 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 & 30 | Dark until 11:00 PM
📍 Eagle Lake (Evansdale, IA)
Waterloo Black Hawks Hockey
Catch USHL hockey action live on home ice at Young Arena! Experience the high-stakes energy, cheer on the Black Hawks, and enjoy a favorite Waterloo sports night out.
🗓️ October 2, 10, 17, 30, 31
📍 Young Arena
Waterloo Urban Farmer’s Market
Stock up on fresh, locally grown produce, handmade crafts, and delicious baked goods. Connecting the community directly with local growers, bakers, and makers is the best way to support our small businesses.
🗓️ Every Saturday morning May-October | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍RiverLoop Expo Plaza (460 Jefferson St.)
Isle Oasis Live Music
The Isle Casino turns into a premier weekend destination featuring live sets from popular regional bands, refreshing drinks, and an energized, casual summer concert environment.
🗓️ Every Friday & Saturday night | 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
📍Isle Casino Hotel