Independence Day Celebration

Clear Lake’s largest annual celebration that started in 1973, spanning nearly a week around July 4 every year, offers a festive blend of carnival rides, open-air markets, live music, a family fun day, Independence Day parade, and a spectacular fireworks display. Local tip: Walk to the lakeshore just a couple blocks away and get a good spot for the fireworks about an hour early.  You'll be among thousands of spectators, and the amazing show will be right in front of you!

Winter Dance Party '50s in February

Enjoy days of great music and dancing with lots of artists during this special week in Clear Lake in early February.  A tribute to the legendary last performance of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper at the iconic Surf Ballroom, this multi-day festival in late January features live tribute bands, 50s-style dance lessons, vintage theme nights, a museum exhibit, and a visit to the memorial site.  The Surf District is just 2 blocks away!  Local tip: The live music isn't only at the Surf, it's all over town!

Farmers Market

Held Saturdays from May through October at the Surf Ballroom parking lot, the Clear Lake Farmers Market features fresh local produce, artisanal baked goods, meats, crafts, food trucks, and live music—making it a neighborhood favorite for both residents and visitors. Just two blocks away, and our kitchen it perfect for preparing all your great finds!

Thursdays on Main

There's no better place to be on a Thursday night! Running June through August, this weekly street festival energizes downtown Main Avenue with craft vendors, local food, classic car displays, live music, movie nights, and interactive kid‑friendly entertainment—ideal for a summer evening outing. Just 3 blocks away!

Color the Wind Kite Festival

Held each February along the frozen lakefront, this is the Midwest’s largest winter kite festival. Spectacular inflatable and custom-design kites fill the sky while food trucks, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities line the Seawall and City Park. This is so big traffic backs up on the interstate! Just 2 blocks away, and one of the busiest weekends in Clear Lake.  

Antiques in the Square

A beloved annual treasure hunt in City Park! Featuring 40–50 quality antique and vintage dealers from Iowa and Minnesota, this show offers a rich variety of collectibles, furniture, stoneware, toys, petroliana, mid-century pieces, and more. Just 3 blocks away.

Christmas By the Lake

Get ready for a magical weekend! in Clear Lake (first weekend of December) is a festive celebration of holiday cheer for all ages. 

From a Lights on 5K and Candy Cane Fun Run to a tree lighting ceremony in City Park, the weekend is packed with joy. Dive into events like breakfast with Santa, craft fairs, hayrack & carriage rides, petting zoos, storytelling, holiday movies, and the much-anticipated lighted parade & fireworks over the lake.  On Sunday, brave souls can join the Polar Bear Plunge, or catch the family matinee and visit Santa one more time. 

Whether you’re shopping local, sipping cocoa, or watching Main Avenue glow with lights, this is the season’s must-attend winter festival.

Harvest Festival

Celebrate the flavors and fun of fall at Harvest Festival in downtown Clear Lake! On the first weekend of October, Main Avenue comes alive with a huge farmers market, wine, beer, and spirits sampling, and dozens of local vendors. 

Start your day with the bubbly Champagne 5K fun run/walk, then cheer on the salsa contest, grape stomp, enjoy hayrides, listen to live music, and snack from food trucks. 

Be an Experience supporter and grab a Harvest Bag with wine glass, coupon perks, popcorn, and more. (Contact the Chamber ahead of time)

It’s the perfect way to toast autumn with community, flavor, and fall vibes.

Be sure to take in the fall colors around the lake, or make time for a hike through McIntosh State Park.

Central Gardens

Nestled in downtown Clear Lake, Central Gardens of North Iowa offers nearly 3 acres of peaceful beauty, with over 20 themed garden beds, winding brick paths, terraces, ponds, and a pavilion. It’s a welcoming place to explore, reflect, or gather — and best of all, admission is free.

Throughout the summer, the Gardens come alive with regular programming: Fresh on Fridays (Friday morning gatherings), Picnics & Performances (free Sunday evening concerts) and kid-focused events like Garden Explorers on Friday mornings featuring nature activities, guest speakers, and art projects. 

It’s more than just a garden — it’s a seasonal hub where community, music, learning, and nature intersect.

McIntosh State Park

Discover the quiet beauty and lakeside charm of McIntosh Woods State Park, a 60-acre natural gem nestled on the northwest shore of Clear Lake. Whether you’re casting a line from one of its jetties or launching a kayak via its full boat ramp, the park is a popular access point to Clear Lake’s fishing and boating life. 

Stroll the 1.5-mile boardwalk trail through marshland, visit the wildlife blind, or pedal the adjacent paved bike route through Ventura West Cove. With picnic shelters, playgrounds, ADA-friendly facilities, and sunset views over the lake, McIntosh Woods offers something for outdoor lovers of all kinds.

Other popular hiking areas nearby include Limecreek Nature Center in Mason City and Pilot Knob.

Antique Boat Show

Admire beautifully restored wooden and fiberglass boats from makers like Chris-Craft, Century, Higgins, and more, both in the water and on land. 

Chat with proud owners about their restoration stories, cast your vote for Skipper’s Choice and People’s Choice awards, and (weather permitting) hop aboard for a cruise departing City Dock. After the show, all participants are invited to a social and awards presentation at the Clear Lake Yacht Club. 

Best of all? Admission and registration are free — whether you’re showcasing a gem of a boat or just stopping by to gaze. 

Don’t miss this elegant display of craftsmanship and lake heritage — it’s a summer tradition that steers history right into Clear Lake’s shoreline.

CLASS Car Show Weekend

Get ready to roll during CLASS Car Show Weekend in Clear Lake — where horsepower meets hometown pride!

This two-day celebration, organized by the Clear Lake Auto Social Society (CLASS), kicks off on Friday evening with a classic car Cruise and a live concert at the Surf.

On Saturday, downtown is transformed into a car lover’s dream with hundreds of cars around City Park and lining downtown streets. Awards await winners at the bandshell at 3 PM — including Best of Show plus trophies across 28 classes, with dash plaques for the first 500 entrants. 

To top it off, there's live music at the City Park bandshell on Saturday night.

CLASS Car Show Weekend is the ultimate summer drive-in for enthusiasts and spectators alike.

Brews on the Beach

Raise your glass lakeside!  Brews on the Beach, Clear Lake’s annual craft brew fest, is held in City Park along the shores of the lake. 

Sample dozens of beers from Iowa breweries, enjoy the waterfront ambiance, mingle with fellow craft beer lovers—and take home a souvenir tasting glass. 

VIP ticket holders get early access, while general admission opens later for live tastings.

With limited capacity (only 1,000 tickets available), this festival sells out fast—so don’t wait to secure your spot!

Leave the car at the house and safely walk home after the fun.

TRI Clear Lake

Get ready to push your limits at TRI Clear Lake — Clear Lake’s signature triathlon event bringing competitors, family and spectators from all over the country.

Held annually in the heart of town, the race kicks off with a swim at City Beach, follows with a fast, scenic bike loop along South Shore Drive, and finishes with a lakeside run past the Surf Ballroom into downtown City Park. 

Once you cross the finish line, celebrate your accomplishment with a vibrant lakefront finisher party, featuring music, local food, and drinks for participants and spectators. 

Whether you’re racing or cheering on friends, TRI Clear Lake offers thrills, community spirit, and an unforgettable weekend in Clear Lake.

Live Music at the Surf Ballroom

Step into music history at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake—where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper played their final show—and catch live concerts year-round on its iconic stage. With room for up to 2,100 fans and flexible seating layouts, the Surf hosts national acts, tribute shows, and its seasonal Summer Concert Series, blending vintage charm with a top-notch live-music experience.  Walk to dinner and the show from our perfect location just two blocks away!

Event information can be found at www.surfballroom.com

Church in the Park

Each Sunday morning during summer in Clear Lake, Church in the Park gathers neighbors and visitors alike under the open sky at City Park for a relaxed, inspirational worship service. Bring a blanket or lawn chair—acoustic music, uplifting messages, and the soft rustle of leaves set the tone. Afterward, mingle with new friends, enjoy coffee and snacks, and soak in the spirit of community by the lake.

Bike Around Town

Have a bike or renting one? Clear Lake is a great biking town whether just exploring or going for a more energetic ride around the lakeshore (14 miles around) Lake Life Rentals on Main & 8th has eBikes for rent.

Golf Carts

What’s with all the golf carts? Clear Lake recently became a golf cart town by allowing registered owners to use their carts in city limits with certain rules. Get it on the fun by renting a themed cart for your group from Lake Life Rentals on Main & 8th. It’s a great way to explore!

Lady of the Lake

No boat? No Problem. Take a cruise around the lake from the airy top deck or covered first floor of this historic paddleboat. Located at the seawall downtown, you're just a few blocks away from your adventure. Bar service is also available.  Visit www.cruiseclearlake.com for more info and schedules.

Golfing

Clear lake has two public golf courses: Veterans Memorial (tee times recommended) on North Shore and Oak Hills (no tee times, walk ons only) near State Park on South Shore. Both are 9 hole courses and offer carts, beverages and a great time one the course.  No matter how you play, a day on the course is always better than a day at work!

Art Sail (Art in the Park)

Celebrate creativity by the lake at Art Sail, Clear Lake’s long-running summer art fair hosted by the Clear Lake Arts Center! Set in beautiful City Park, this juried event showcases talented artists from across the Midwest featuring fine art, jewelry, ceramics, photography, metalwork, textiles, and more.

Enjoy live music, food vendors, and hands-on art activities for all ages while you browse booths under the trees just steps from the lake. Whether you’re an art collector or a casual browser, Art Sail is a must-see summer tradition in Clear Lake!