Early Explorers: M is for Mangrove
Saturday & Tuesday, February 1 & 4
10-11 AM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Early Explorers is open to children ages 2-5 along with a parent or caregiver. Programs include a variety of hands-on and active activities, including a craft and a game. A parent and/or caregiver can attend the program for free with the toddler. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
New Car & Truck Show
Saturday & Sunday, February 1-2
Saturday, 11 AM-6 PM; Sunday, 11 AM-3 PM @ Grand River Center
View the largest selection of new vehicles in the Tri-State area under one roof in a climate-controlled environment. Concession stands will be open during the show for food and beverage. Hosted by Anderson Weber Toyota; Riley Subaru; Richardson Honda, GMC, Cadillac; Finnin Ford & Kia; and McGrath Hyundai, VW, and Chevrolet. For more information, email AFinnin@MikeFinnin.com.
Wags At The Flags
Wednesday, February 5 and March 5, 12 & 26
4-8 PM @ Five Flags Arena
Wags at the Flags is an indoor dog park featuring separate areas for small and large dogs, along with the Barka Lounge for owners to enjoy food, drinks, and adult refreshments. Each week will have themed events and local vendors. Proceeds benefit the Dubuque Regional Humane Society and Whispurring Hope. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Wild West Wednesdays
Wednesday, February 5, 12, 19 & 26
7-11 PM @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Come for country dance music and fun. All ages. Visit DBQFair.com
Dubuque County Business Competition Fundraising Fair
Thursday, February 6
5 PM @ The Innovation Lab, 210 Jones St.
For the second consecutive year, ambitious entrepreneurs will have an avenue to help launch their business or help it grow. The businesses rated in the top six will be selected to pitch at the live event at 6:30 PM. Then the top three will receive seed funding. Visit InnovationLab.us/DBQBizComp.
Fabulous Fridays Artists Series
Fridays, through March 28
12-12:30 PM @ St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Fabulous Fridays began in 1992 and over the years these informal downtown performances have grown to include hundreds of locally and nationally recognized artists. Performances and desserts are free, but baskets are provided for contributions to People In Need (PIN) and the church’s Jesus Fund. Visit StLukesDbq.org/FabulousFridays.
DEL Oregon Trail
Friday, February 7
4 PM, 6 PM & 8 PM @ Dubuque Esports League, 3220 Dodge St.
Showcase your survival skills on the esport game Oregon Trail. Step back to your nostalgia days and raise some money for DBQ Esports High School and Middle School Leagues. This pioneering event is all about having fun. Dress in your best digs, conjure up your best back story, and blaze the trail. Teams are in four players. Visit DBQEsports.org.
First Fridays
Friday, February 7
@ Various Locations in Dubuque
First Fridays is Downtown Dubuque’s monthly visual art series, hosted by galleries, museums, and venues, celebrating Dubuque’s great visual arts scene. Visit DbqArt.org/First-Fridays.
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Friday, February 7
7:30 PM @ Heritage Center, University of Dubuque
Visit DBQ.edu/HeritageCenter.
Sensory Morning
Saturday, February 8
8-10 AM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
The museum welcomes anyone who may benefit from a sensory-friendly environment. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Ice Golf Classic
Saturday, February 8
@ Mid-Town Marina (East Dubuque, IL)
Sign-up for 18-holes of ice golf. There will be a 50-50, raffle drawings, and a silent auction during the event. All proceeds benefit the kids in St. Mark Youth Enrichment programs. Visit StMarkYouthEnrichment.org.
Get a CLUE with JDIFF
Saturday, February 8
5 PM @ Hotel Julien Dubuque Ballroom
This event brings out the FUN in fundraising. Dress in cocktail attire or your favorite CLUE film character. There will be lots of mystery and fun, along with dinner, live & silent auction and first look at trailers for films accepted to the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF) 2025. All inspired by the film CLUE. Visit JulienFilmFest.com.
Aboveboard
Thursdays & Fridays throughout February, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 8 & 15, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 22, 2 PM
Sundays, February 7-23, 2 PM @ The Bell Tower Theater, 2728 Asbury Rd.
When Nick’s food starts disappearing from his apartment fridge, he immediately suspects his best friend Milo, a magician who lives down the hall. When Milo refuses to confess, Nick installs a camera to catch the culprit in the act and finds an unlikely trespasser. Surprises multiply in this romantic comedy about magic, misunderstanding, and running out of milk. Visit BellTowerTheater.net.
Snow Sculpting Festival
Sunday, February 9
12-4 PM @ Washington Park
Everyone is invited to the Winter Arts community activities and people’s choice voting on Sunday, February 9. A cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the first prize sculpting team. Visit CityOfDubuque.org/WinterArts.
Why You Must Know Indigenous History
Sunday, February 9
12-1 PM @ EB Lyons Center at Mines of Spain, 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd.
Engage in this historical dialogue with Dr. Eugene Tesdahl. He is an Associate Professor of History at University of Wisconsin-Platteville specializing in indigenous histories, early American history, women’s history and histories of gender, as well as public history. All ages. Visit MinesOfSpain.org.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class
Wednesdays, February 12 through March 19
2-3:30 PM @ Stonehill Caregiver Resource Center, 3485 Windsor Ave.
This is a free, 6-week class designed to provide non-professional caregivers with skills to take care of themselves. Weekly classes offer tools and support to help caregivers reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate needs, deal with difficult feelings, and make tough caregiving decisions. Space is limited; register by February 7. Visit StoneHillDBQ.com.
Homeschool Days: Epic Journeys
Thursday, February 13
10 AM-4 PM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Discover a variety of hands-on science activities. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Birds of a Feather Get-Together
Thursday, February 13
7-8:30 PM @ EB Lyons Interpretive Center, 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd.
Come to the “Birds of a Feather Get-Together” social event. Decaffeinated coffee provided, and water fountains will be available, and you are welcome to bring other beverages. This is a great opportunity to share ideas for activities and programs, ask birding questions, and learn more about the Dubuque Audubon Society. Visit AudubonDubuque.org.
Battle of the Bluff Rodeo
Friday & Saturday, February 14-15
7 PM @ Five Flags Center
The Battle of the Bluff Rodeo is set to showcase the best of rodeo action, featuring elite athletes from across the region competing in events like bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding, and more. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
DSO Spring Family Concert
Saturday, February 15
1 PM @ Five Flags Theater
Really Inventive Stuff makes their Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) debut as part of their 20th Anniversary Peter and the Wolf World Tour. This vaudeville-inspired performance is sure to capture the imagination of all ages. One-hour kid-sized concert also includes music from the Barbie movie and Disney’s Encanto. Stick around for post-concert activities. Costumes encouraged. Visit DubuqueSymphony.org.
DSO’s “Beethoven’s 5th”
Saturday & Sunday, February 15-16
Saturday, 7:30 PM; Sunday, 2 PM @ Five Flags Theater
The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has commissioned DSO Principal Flute Timothy Hagen’s first Flute Concerto – an exciting world premiere featuring the composer as soloist. Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Maestro William’s signature piece with the DSO, has been performed countless times over the years, yet keeps inspiring and moving both performers and audiences. Visit DubuqueSymphony.org.
She Unites
Wednesday, February 19
6:30-7:30 PM @ The Innovation Lab, 210 Jones St.
Come together for an evening of socialization and education. She Unites features rotating speakers, talking about anything and everything pertaining to women in a chill environment. Make a new friend, have authentic conversations, and leave with powerful inspiration. Visit SheUnitesIowa.com/Events.
Miss Nelson is Missing! – The Musical
Friday, February 21 & 28, 7 PM
Saturday, February 22 & March 1, 10 AM
Sunday, February 23 & March 2, 2 PM @ The Grand Opera House
The classic children’s book is adapted for the stage in this new musical.
Miss Nelson’s class is the worst behaved in the whole school, sending the gentle, long-suffering teacher over the edge. But the students of Room 207 are in for a surprise when Miss Nelson goes missing and is replaced by Viola Swamp, a no-nonsense substitute who assigns piles of homework. The students learn lessons of appreciation and respect as they set out to find their beloved Miss Nelson. Visit TheGrandOperaHouse.com.
Dubuque on Ice Brewfest
Saturday, February 22
12-4 PM @ Five Flags Center
The Five Flags Center hosts Dubuque’s 13th annual premier tasting event. Guests can savor a wide selection of craft beer, liquor, wine, and local coffee from over 60 vendors.
Compete in the beer stein contest, a fun highlight for attendees. VIP admission is 12 PM; general admission is 1 PM. Proceeds benefit Research for the Kids and the National Brewery Museum. Tickets are available online or at a Dubuque Kwik Stop. Ages 21+. Visit DubuqueBrewfest.com.
Iowa Raptor Project
Sunday, February 23
12-1 PM @ EB Lyons Center 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd.
Iowa Raptor Project will give a close-up program introduction to three or four live raptors. Participants can learn more about each species and discuss topics of conservation related to raptors. All ages. Visit MinesOfSpain.org.
True Story of Will Dilg
Friday, February 28
7-9 PM @ Babka Theatre, Heritage Center, University of Dubuque
Baritone, river historian, photographer, and filmmaker Steven Marking
will bring to life the inspiring true story of Will Dilg and showcase a beloved river with A Visit from Will Dilg and songs from Our Mighty Mississippi. Marking will play environmental leader Dilg in a multi-media show, sharing the story of the grassroots activism that led to the protection of America’s first Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Visit DBQ.edu/HeritageCenter.
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