Step into a winter wonderland at Brucemore, Cedar Rapids, where a series of enchanting events awaits to make your holiday season unforgettable. From hands-on art workshops to mesmerizing Christmas tours, Brucemore offers a unique blend of creativity and tradition. Delight in the joy of crafting with the Art at Brucemore workshops, explore festive pasts with A Brucemore Christmas, and bask in the glow of Holiday Nights. Kids can relish magical moments with Santa, and arts enthusiasts can savor the charm of A Modern Salon. Discover the magic of Brucemore this holiday!

A Festive Journey Through Brucemore: Art, History, and Holiday Magic

Welcome to a vibrant celebration at Brucemore, Cedar Rapids, where history meets the arts in a series of unforgettable events. This summer, Brucemore Inc invites you to join an extraordinary lineup of performances and gatherings that cater to diverse tastes and interests. From the electrifying video game music experience of 'Level Up Live!' to the poignant ASL production of 'Bury Me,' and the lively family-friendly 'Bluesmore,' there's something for everyone. Immerse yourself in these community-driven events that promise to inspire, entertain, and connect us all.

Discover Brucemore's Cultural Festivities: A Celebration of Art, Music, and Community

This summer, Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, IA, is set to become a vibrant hub of creativity and culture with its eclectic lineup of events. From intimate studio performances to sprawling outdoor concerts, Brucemore, Inc. is offering an array of experiences that celebrate local talent and community spirit. Events like 'Music at the Big House', 'Bluesmore', and 'Live from the Artisan Studio' promise to introduce attendees to fresh musical and theatrical expressions, all set against the backdrop of Brucemore's picturesque venues.

Exploring the Artistic Pulse of Eastern Iowa at Brucemore

This summer, Brucemore Inc is hosting a series of vibrant events that highlight the rich cultural tapestry of Eastern Iowa. From the intimate setting of Live from the Artisan Studio to the lively outdoor gatherings of Bluesmore, At the Garden, and Music (Not) in the Courtyard, there's something for everyone. Each event promises unique performances from local artists, turning the historic Brucemore estate into a bustling hub of creativity and entertainment. Whether you're a music lover, theater enthusiast, or just looking for a fun family outing, Brucemore has it all this season.

Brucemore's Artistic Summer: A Celebration of Local Talent and Family Fun

Santa Claus is coming to Brucemore, and he wants to meet all the little ones in Cedar Rapids to make sure they made the Nice List this year. So, kids, make sure to bring your wish list to share with Santa, and adults, have that camera ready for the perfect snapshot! Enjoy other holiday activities inside the mansion during this event, including a craft, story time in the Nursery, and a take-home snack.

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Santa, Snacks, and Stories 2025

Brucemore

This self-guided tour of the mansion is sure to fill you with holiday cheer! Explore our award-winning holiday tour experience, complete with over a dozen dazzling Christmas trees, sparkling seasonal décor, and a glimpse into the holidays of the past at Brucemore. Follow in the footsteps of the families of Brucemore as you explore the history of the mansion.

A Brucemore Christmas

During this workshop, participants will create a charming, handmade Clay Gingerbread Family ornament. Using wet clay, you will carefully shape and customize each member of your gingerbread family. Whether you’re making a cozy family of two or a bustling bunch, this heartwarming keepsake will be a treasured addition to your holiday décor.

This workshop is hosted in the Brucemore Carriage House. All instructions and materials are provided during the workshop. Following the workshop, the instructor will take the projects to the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio for firing in their kiln. Your creation will be ready for pick-up from the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio approximately three weeks following the class date.

Art at Brucemore: Clay Gingerbread Family Ornament

Brucemore is partnering with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio for another popular workshop, just in time to kick off the holiday season! In this workshop, participants will design candy can ornaments made of glass. Using a warm glass technique, you can craft your candy cane into a traditional design or create a colorful treat to hang on your tree!

This workshop is hosted in the Brucemore Carriage House. All instructions and materials, as well as protective eyewear, are provided during the workshop. Following the workshop, the instructor will take the projects to the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio for firing in their kilns. Your creation will be ready for pick-up from the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio approximately three weeks following the workshop date.

Art at Brucemore: Glass Candy Cane Ornament

Bachtoberfest brings Orchestra Iowa back to Brucemore! Bring a picnic and enjoy a cold beer while the Orchestra Iowa chamber orchestra plays all the Bach hits under the open sky.

Bachtoberfest – Presented by Orchestra Iowa

Rooted in over 20 years of tradition, Brucemore’s Music in the Courtyard series brings you bespoke performances from the areas best musicians. This, year we’re changing the location (we can’t be in the Courtyard this year and you’ll understand the reason why is a really good thing when you arrive!), but bringing you the same style of show that you know and love. Relax outdoors amongst good company and enjoy listening to music under the stars.

Music (Not) in the Courtyard

The Grant Wood Sleeping Porch is turning 100, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate! In August of 1925, Irene Douglas hired Iowa’s most famous artist to create a decorative mural on the wall’s of the sleeping porch outside her youngest daughter’s room. Today, that mural remains a beautiful example of Wood’s interior design work. You are invited to join us in celebrating the 100th birthday of this Iowa treasure.

Grant Wood Porch Birthday Party

Join us in Brucemore’s Formal Garden for an evening of original content.

At the Garden

Enjoy a summer night of family fun and live music!

Bluesmore returns this summer for a night of unforgettable entertainment. Enjoy a powerhouse lineup featuring Buckmiller Schwager Band, Avey Grouws Band, and Ghost Town Blues Band. Bring your lawn chair for an evening filled with live music, delicious food, and cold drinks in the beautiful setting of Brucemore’s front lawn.

Bluesmore

Join us in the intimate Carriage House studio space for an entertaining evening. This series curated by the arts professionals behind Brucemore’s Artisan Studio gives you a chance to discover something new from talented local artists. You’ll be delighted and surprised by these unique events, showcasing the best of music, spoken word, theatre, and more created right here in Eastern Iowa. Check out the list of dates below for more information about upcoming events!

Live from the Artisan Studio

Discover new music with this innovative series! Stay tuned for details about this event.

Music at the Big House

Ballet Des Moines returns to Cedar Rapids with this year’s Summer STEM tour: See the Music. From coding and choreography to sound waves and virtual reality, this year’s tour explores how we can “see the music” and visualize the invisible. 

Experience mini-science demonstrations from the stage from the NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium and the Science Center of Iowa, Brucemore’s Artisan Studio bringing spoken word poetry and live music performances to every stop, and the dancers of Ballet Des Moines performing excerpts from their 24-25 season. 

This free event includes accessible, hands-on activities that will spark understanding, curiosity, and creativity in the midst of an immersive live performance. Join us to experience what happens when you approach a concept from a creative and unexpected direction.

Ballet Des Moines Summer STEM Tour

Originally written and produced for Starlighters II Theatre, Bury Me is a is a modern re-telling of Antigone performed in American Sign Language. The story explores the relationship of estranged sisters Andi and Izzy as they grapple with loss and each other after their brother’s suicide. This production stars four ASL-fluent actors (Jeff Dahle, Gretchen Brown-Waech, Brenda Falgier, and Jasmin Headley) with four English speaking translators. The performance will be followed by a talk-back with the actors, director and professional ASL interpreter Jennifer Smith, and playwright Grant Freeman.

Live from the Artisan Studio: Bury Me

Experience summer at Brucemore with an evening of excellent food, delicious drinks, and good company in an easygoing atmosphere. Our annual cocktail party is the perfect way to enjoy a night out with friends while supporting Brucemore’s mission to inspire community interaction with history, preservation, and the arts. This year, we’re celebrating the summer near the Formal Garden, so you can enjoy your cocktail among the beautiful blooms of early summer. Your ticket includes food, drink, and a great time!

A Night Out at Brucemore

Power up and get down at Level Up Live! Following last year’s Themes from the Digital Age performance, this event is your chance to experience music from your favorite video games in a way you’ve never heard before. Listen to these memorable melodies played by some of the area’s finest musicians as dazzling lights illuminate Brucemore’s iconic mansion. Join directors/arrangers/producers Dillon Rairdin and Lincoln Ginsberg as they dive even deeper into the music from classic and cutting-edge video games that helped define cultures and generations.

Level Up Live!

Are you ready to shake up your weekend routine? Join us in the intimate Carriage House studio space to experience entertaining and engaging performances. This series curated by the arts professionals behind Brucemore’s Artisan Studio is your chance to discover something new from talented local artists. You’ll be delighted and surprised by these unique events, showcasing the best of music, spoken word, theatre, and more created right here in Eastern Iowa. Check out the list of dates below for more information about upcoming events!

Brucemore - Gerard Estella, EJ Swavv, and Jason Alberty

Brucemore proudly announces a groundbreaking collaboration with filmmaker and photographer Jeremy Glazier on the powerful and evocative project, From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era. This feature-length documentary sheds light on the untold stories of Iowans who served their country during the Vietnam era, capturing their experiences with honesty, respect, and heartfelt authenticity.

From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era represents years of community engagement, collaboration, and storytelling. The film offers a deeply personal exploration of the lives of ordinary Iowans who grew up in the 1950s and 60s, left the idyllic landscapes of small-town America, and faced the realities of war in foreign lands. Through Glazier’s lens, the film chronicles the veterans’ journeys, from the turbulence of war to the challenges of reintegration upon returning home. It provides a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by a generation whose narratives have often been overshadowed by history.

From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era

Brucemore’s Artisan Studio presents a staged reading of the new play Everything/Something/Nothing by Brigid Martin.

Artisan Studio Showcase: Everything/Something/Nothing

Brucemore and SPT Theatre are excited to bring A Modern Salon back to the Great Hall of the mansion! Join us for an evening of music and stories with SPT founders and a special guest. Emulating the Parisian salons at the turn of the 20th century, guests can experience an evening of wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts as if they were friends of the Douglas family who called the estate home.

A Modern Salon

Santa Claus is coming to Brucemore, and he wants to meet all the little ones in Cedar Rapids to make sure they made the Nice List this year. So, kids, don’t forget to bring your wish list to share with Santa, and adults, have that camera ready for the perfect snapshot! Check-out the other holiday activities inside the mansion, including a craft, story time, and take-home snack.

Santa, Snacks, and Stories

Experience the festive cheer of the mansion aglow in holiday lights. With over a dozen Christmas trees and thousands of twinkling lights, this breath-taking view of Brucemore is sure to bring Christmas alive for the whole family. These self-guided tours give you the opportunity to indulge in the cozy splendor of the season on select evenings in December.

Holiday Nights: A Brucemore Christmas Experience

Explore our award-winning holiday experience, complete with over a dozen dazzling Christmas trees, sparkling seasonal décor, and a glimpse into the holidays of the past at Brucemore. Follow in the footsteps of the families of Brucemore as you explore the history of the mansion.

As a thank you for your generosity and support, we invite you to a special donor-only holiday preview the week before we open to the public! This self-guided tour of the mansion is sure to fill you with holiday cheer! Be the first to explore our award-winning holiday experience complete with over a dozen Christmas trees, sparkling décor, and a glimpse into the holidays of the past at Brucemore.

Donor Holiday Preview

Art at Brucemore workshops are offered in partnership with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. Join us this holiday season to craft three glass creations that you can use to add holiday cheer to your home.

Art at Brucemore

The Brucemore summer season comes to a close with Hello Fall, set amid the beautiful formal garden. This original show blends music and other disciplines to creatively bid adieu to summer and celebrate the transition to autumn.

Tickets for Hello Fall will go on sale August 1. Stay tuned for more information about the performance!

Hello Fall

Discover new music with this one-of-a-kind series. Debuting in 2024, this experimental program will share the talents of musicians performing in diverse musical genres. Produced by local music professionals and set against the iconic backdrop of our Queen Anne Victorian mansion, this will be an evening of musical entertainment that you can only experience at Brucemore.

Music at the Big House: Themes of the Digital Age

Come see what we cook up with some of the best musicians & performers in a big melting pot of styles and forms. This show, created specifically for Brucemore, is one weekend only. In the setting of this Iowa treasure, come enjoy the camaraderie of fellow community and the talent of people you know – and don’t yet know – and be surprised, surprised, surprised by what they do!

Music in the Courtyard: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Music in the Courtyard: What’s in a Name

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, The Light in the Piazza will sweep you off your feet as it transports you to the summer of 1953 in sun-drenched Florence. Margaret Johnson, an elegant and strong-willed Southern woman, has taken her daughter Clara on a vacation to Italy. A fateful gust of wind blows Clara’s hat right into the hands of a young Italian gentleman, and it’s amore at first sight. But Clara isn’t quite what she appears, and soon they must all confront a secret that’s been kept in the shadows for far too long. With soaring operatic melodies, The Light in the Piazza 

The Light in the Piazza – TCR Outdoors at Brucemore

The first 2024 Artisan Studio Showcase kicks off with singer-songwriter Marcy Each telling stories through her original songs. Her first album was recorded in Nashville and her most recent album, which is being recorded right here on the Brucemore estate with co-producers Jim Coates and Brucemore Artisan-in-Residence Gerard Estella. Bring your own chair (or blanket), picnic, and beverage to enjoy great music under the stars on the Artisan Studio Lawn.

Artisan Studio Showcase: Marcy Each

Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script by Mo Willems, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon – you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! – TCR Outdoors at Brucemore

Join us for a Friday Night Out with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio at Brucemore. This workshop is for guests 21+ and participants are welcome to BYOB.

During this workshop, participants will sculpt a beautiful, fluted vase using various hand-building techniques and tools to create texture and movement in their creation. This project is perfect to personalize your potted plants!

Art at Brucemore: Friday Night Out

Music at the Big House: In the Round

Relax and reconnect with friends and neighbors at Brucemore! Join us for a cocktail party with excellent food, delicious drinks, good company, and easygoing ambience. Your ticket includes food, drinks, and fun – the best combination! Capacity is limited for this one night event.

‘ annual statewide tour shares inspiring artistry alongside interactive science activities. This year the ballet company will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tom Mattingly’s new work Love Letters, following an afternoon of interactive STEM and arts activities. Come experience the whimsy of storytelling, the wonder of night, and the magic of our community. Community STEM programming explores the sounds and habits of nocturnal animals, constellation maps, moon cycles, and the science of sleep and dreaming.

Ballet Des Moines' Summer STEM Tour

Move from the cold of winter to the freedom of summer with this multi-disciplinary performance in Brucemore’s formal garden. Enjoy poetry, dance, and music set against a background of blossoming flowers. With new works and familiar songs, audiences will join in the artists’ exploration of mental well-being while welcoming the warmth of a new season. Featuring poets Ruth Thomas and co-producer Kelsey Bigelow, dancers Maddy Benidt and Madi Brauer and, music by Kelsey Madsen, and Gerard Estella.

Hello Summer

Music at the Big House: Level Up Live!

Satisfy your curiosity about Brucemore! This 90-minute all-access guided tour takes you across the estate and inside rarely-seen rooms of the mansion. Peek inside typically closed buildings built for servant housing or hobby use, discover the curiosities and oddities of the mansion, and get the answer to a frequently-asked question – what is behind that door?  As part of this tour, you will see the infamous mansion basement and experience the sights and sounds of a “rainstorm” in the Tahitian Room, which is an exclusive perk of the Nooks and Crannies tour!

Nooks & Crannies Tour – SOLD OUT

Discover over a century of Cedar Rapids history during Spring Break at Brucemore! From Wednesday, March 13 through Sunday, March 17, all visitors receive the student ticket rate for self-guided tours. Whether you are young or simply young at heart, everyone is a kid when they visit Brucemore during spring break. Tickets for tours of the mansion are available for advance sale on our website. Guests may also purchase tickets the day of their visit, subject to availability. Tour entry times are limited and can sell out. Following your tour, Brucemore welcomes you to explore the 26-acres of grounds and gardens on your own at no additional cost.

$5 Spring Break Tours!

In the glow of thousands of twinkling lights, enjoy a showcase of over a dozen Christmas trees and relish in the magic of the Brucemore mansion at night. Our Holiday Nights experience gives guests the opportunity for self-guided exploration of four floors of holiday splendor, including the famous basement Tahitian Room and Grizzly Bar. This breathtaking view of Brucemore is sure to bring Christmas alive for the whole family.

Santa Claus is coming to Brucemore, and he wants to meet all the little ones in Cedar Rapids to make sure they made the Nice List this year. So, kids, make sure to bring your wish list to share with Santa, and adults, have that camera ready for the perfect snapshot! While at Brucemore visiting Santa, check-out the other holiday activities inside the mansion, including a craft and story time.

This self-guided tour of three floors of the mansion is sure to fill you with holiday cheer! Explore our award-winning holiday experience, complete with over a dozen dazzling Christmas trees, sparkling seasonal décor, and a peek into the holiday seasons of yore at Brucemore. Follow in the footsteps of the families of Brucemore as you wander through three floors of history and holiday spirit.

A Brucemore Christmas: Self-Guided Tours

Roll up your sleeves and create a magical holiday tree! Form your tree using hand-building techniques and then use scissors and other tools to create the boughs and branches. Finally, paint on colored glaze and add decorations to your tree to create depth to your project. All materials and instructions are provided, and no experience is necessary to participate!

Art at Brucemore: Ceramic Holiday Tree

As a thank you for your generosity and support, we invite Brucemore donors to a special holiday preview the week before we open to the public. This self-guided tour of the mansion is sure to fill you with holiday cheer!

Brucemore is partnering with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio to bring a brand new ceramics workshop to the site,  just in time for spooky season! In this workshop, participants will build their own unique witch’s hat using various hand-building techniques. Once the hat is the perfect size and shape, participants can add spook-tacular decorations to their creations with colored glazes and various textures.

Art at Brucemore: Witch’s Hat

Take a peek behind the curtain and witness the artistic journey at Brucemore’s Live from the Artisan Studio series, featuring Jake Stack. Jake has spent the summer on-site at Brucemore writing, refining and recording his latest album, Prove It. Come out to enjoy his new music and hear first-hand about his experience and process within the Artisan Studio.

Live from the Artisan Studio: Jake Stack

Brucemore is partnering with the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio to bring you a project to personalize your potted plants! In this workshop, you will design your own glass plant stake to decorate your garden or planter. Participants will use geometric glass shapes to create this 3″x12″ art piece.

Art at Brucemore: Glass Plant Stake

What happens when you ask five powerhouse singers from different mediums – what songs have you always wanted to share with an audience? You get a show that is so large in scope that you need two weekends to make sure you can cover everything. Welcome to “Hear, There, and Everywhere,” featuring Jane Pini, Scott Dix, Alisabeth Von Presley, and Zane Hadish. If that isn’t big enough, they are backed by the Brucemore Boyz Band – Jim Coates, Gerard Estella, Lincoln Ginsberg, Greg Kanz, and Dave Nanke. Presenting a night of music and heart that you can sing along to. Hear the roars and the whispers, and the lows and the highs, of artists who have been here, there, and everywhere and have the t-shirts to prove it!

Music in the Courtyard: Hear, There, and Everywhere

During select Sundays this summer members of the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra will perform in the Brucemore formal garden. Visitors are welcome to bring a seat and stay for the full performance or listen to the music while they take a stroll around the grounds. There is no charge to visit the garden, so these performances are free and open to all! While you’re here, consider completing your visit with a ticketed guided or self-guided tour of the mansion.

Music in the Garden Presented by Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra

Thursday, August 24 performance of A Little Night Music has been cancelled due to extreme heat. Current ticket holders may click here to exchange their tickets to another performance date of their choice. For questions about ticket exchanges, please contact TCR at 319-366-8591.

Theatre Cedar Rapids Live and Outdoors at Brucemore’s Peggy Boyle Whitworth Amphitheater

A Little Night Music – TCR Outdoors at Brucemore

Join Daren Barker, Lacie De Souza, and Layton White for a musical evening all about staying positive in the modern age and reveling in all the good things. A truly eclectic evening that brings together three very different performers focused on a lot of fun and thoughtful music. They will be joined by multi-instrumentalists EJ Swavv, Gerard Estella, and Dillon Rairdin.

Music in the Courtyard: Hope and Other Foolish Things

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world. Fun for the whole family!

Madagascar – TCR Outdoors at Brucemore

CR Opera Double Feature

From innocent beginnings to toxic conflict and enduring companionship, explore the many facets of romance and chemistry between two people with featured artists Caleb Woods and Melissa Tormene and musicians Jim Coates, Ethan Dix, Lincoln Ginsberg, and Dave Nanke.

Music in the Courtyard: Facets of Love

Art at Brucemore: Greek Key Terracotta Tile

Satisfy your curiosity about Brucemore! During this 90-minute all-access guided tour that takes you across the estate, peek inside typically closed buildings built for servant housing or hobby use, discover the curiosities and oddities of the mansion, and get the answer to a frequently-asked question – what is behind that door?  As part of this tour, you will see the infamous mansion basement and experience the sights and sounds of a “rainstorm” in the Tahitian Room, which is an exclusive perk of the Nooks and Crannies tour!

Nooks and Crannies Tour

Participants will design a beautiful double glass tree decoration using warm glass techniques. Both trees will share a single wooden display stand, so you can create a forest of sparkling holiday trees to brighten your home for the holidays. Projects include a wooden display stand.

This workshop is hosted in the Brucemore Carriage House.  All instructions and materials, as well as protective eyewear, are provided during the workshop. Following the workshop, the instructor will take the projects to the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass studio for firing in their kilns. Your creation will be ready for pick-up from the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio approximately three weeks following the class date, just in time to decorate for the holidays!

Art at Brucemore: Double Glass Holiday Tree

Calling all curious minds looking for a unique night out! Mansion Mixers are your chance to explore Brucemore after hours while diving into fascinating stories from history. Each program includes time for self-guided tours of the mansion, an entertaining presentation from one of our public historians, mocktails in the Tahitian Room, and an activity tied to the evening’s theme. If you’re looking for a fun and casual way to learn something new while connecting with other history fans, then this event is for you!

Mansion Mixers: Twisted Tidings

Step into an elevated night of entertainment as Brucemore welcomes SPT Theatre back for A Modern Salon. Inspired by the Parisian salons of the early 20th century, this intimate event blends music and storytelling for a unique night of entertainment in a sophisticated setting. Before the performance, guests will enjoy a curated wine tasting paired with hors d’oeuvres. Intermission brings sparkling wine and decadent desserts.

This event is designed to give guests a taste of the luxurious parties hosted by the families who called Brucemore home. We invite you to celebrate in style with cocktail or creative evening attire that would impress even Irene Douglas.

Brucemore Inc

Jul 25 - Dec 5, 2025

Live from the Artisan Studio

Nov 28 - Dec 31, 2025

A Brucemore Christmas

Dec 7, 2025

Art at Brucemore: Double Glass Holiday Tree

Dec 19, 2025

Mansion Mixers: Twisted Tidings

9 - 24 Jan, 2026

A Modern Salon

Nov 30 - Dec 2, 2025

Santa, Snacks, and Stories 2025

Nov 28 - Dec 31, 2025

A Brucemore Christmas

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Brucemore Inc