Upcoming Events
The Ports of Discovery has a variety of annual festivals and events, as well as periodic special events, all featured right here on our Events Calendar.
List View
Learn to Paint with Sally Marshall
The Left Bank can be reached via phone to answer any questions at +1 563-329-2010
Trivia Night at Backwoods
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
Trivia Night at Backwoods
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
Trivia Night at Backwoods
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
Trivia Night at Backwoods
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
City-Wide Garage Sales-Save the Date
Watch the Times-Register for details on how to participate later in March.
Lend a hand recruitment fair
Learn about the variety of volunteer opportunities available in our area and sign up to win a prize from each participating organization. There are many fun ways you can help make your community a better place to live.
Flea Market Under the Bridge
The Flea Market takes place May 24th, 25th and 26th from 9-4. Contact Marquette City Hall for vendor details.
Flea Market Under the Bridge
The Flea Market takes place July 4th, 5th and 6th from 9-4. Contact Marquette City Hall for vendor details.
Flea Market Under the Bridge
The Flea Market takes place August 30th, 31st and September 1st from 9-4. Contact Marquette City Hall for vendor details.
End of Summer Blast in Marquette
Fireworks, music and family-friendly activities are being planned. This event will replace the 4th of July Fireworks in Marquette beginning in 2025. Save the date for details!
Farm to Fork Dinner for Clayton County
Save the Date We’re planning a feast featuring Clayton County’s abundant harvest and locally sourced products.
Great River Road Road Race
Save the date! Registration and more information will be available here https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/McGregor/GRRRRGreatRiverRoadRoadRoadRace as we get closer.
Flea Market Under the Bridge
The Flea Market takes place October 4th and 5th from 9-4. Contact Marquette City Hall for vendor details.
Flea Market Under the Bridge
The Flea Market takes place October 11th and 12th from 9-4. Contact Marquette City Hall for vendor details.
Trivia Night at Backwoods
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
Learn to Paint with Sally Marshall
The Left Bank can be reached via phone to answer any questions at +1 563-329-2010
Trivia Night at Backwoods
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
Backwoods Trivia Night
Every Thursday night at 7pm from January 16th through March of 2025
Make and Take Lanterns with Wine
Cozy up with a glass of wine at Eagles Landing Winery as we enjoy a lantern crafting session lead by the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce. Craft supplies, jar and light are included. Register by emailing mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com.
🎅🏻 Santa at the Centre
🎅🏻 Santa at the Centre
Santa will be making his annual visit to Marquette! Get your photo with Santa and enjoy holiday treats, hot chocolate and fun kid activities. Hosted by the American Legion Post #305.
🛍️ 2nd Thursday’s: Meet Me in McGregor
2nd Thursday’s are BIG here in McGregor! Several of our shops stay open until 7pm on the 2ND THURSDAY of each month.
Our current list of participating businesses:
By The Spoonful
Daisy Kay Crystals, Coffee, & Gifts
Free Spirit Boutique By Laura Davies Carlson
Navy Rose Co.
Paper Moon
Rivertown Fine Books
The Left Bank
Treats By Taylor
Visit McGregor-Marquette, Iowa
Food Drive for Clayton County Food Pantry
The CPKC Holiday Train will not pass through Marquette this year as it has for many years. Last year the event brought in 2,449 pounds of donated items and $12,656 in monetary donations to the Clayton County Food Shelf. This is a big void to fill. Drop off monetary or food donations from 5-7pm in the Marquette Park Shelter on December 12th. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided with more details to come.
🎄 Festival of Trees
🎄 Festival of Trees
A magical small town festival complete with children’s activities, musical performances, a bake sale and a hall full of beautifully trimmed Christmas Trees. Mark your calendars to attend this special event and check back here in November for more details.
🥃 Festival of Trees: Spirits of Christmas Pub Crawl
🥃 Festival of Trees: Spirits of Christmas Pub Crawl
Join us for the Spirits of Christmas Pub Crawl which takes place on Friday evening during the Festival of Trees. This cheerful social outing is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Check back here in November for more information.
🍰 Festival of Trees: Dessert Among the Trees
🍰 Festival of Trees: Dessert Among the Trees
Join us for Dessert Among the Trees which takes place on Thursday evening during the Festival of Trees. Attendees are treated to homemade cheese and holiday music while mingling among the beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at the Left Bank, City Hall or the Chamber Office. Check back here in November for more information.
🥜 Festival of Trees: Christmas Trivia
🥜 Festival of Trees: Christmas Trivia
As a prelude to the Festival of Trees, join us at Old Man River for Christmas Trivia. Bring a team or just yourself and we’ll help you find a team. Check back here in November for more information.
Pink Takes the Cake on Pink Friday
Here is a description of what Pink Friday is. Stay tuned for details of participating businesses at the beginning of November.
Pink Friday is the newest arrival on the holiday shopping event scene, debuting in 2020. The movement is the brainchild of The Boutique Hub — the world’s largest boutique industry community connecting small businesses, ecommerce retailers, wholesalers, and industry services and experts.
Sara Burks, director of education at The Boutique Hub, says the event formed out of “an abundance of need to support small business retailers during an unprecedented time.” Now, it complements Small Business Saturday.
“We believe that shopping small should happen first — before Black Friday and all of the big shopping days of the year,” says Ashley Alderson, CEO of The Boutique Hub, when explaining the Pink Friday event in a video.
That’s why Pink Friday 2024 is Nov. 22, exactly one week before Black Friday. It encourages collaboration among the small boutique community to advance the #shopsmallfirst mindset.
🛍️ 2nd Thursday’s: Meet Me in McGregor
2nd Thursday’s are BIG here in McGregor! Several of our shops stay open until 7pm on the 2ND THURSDAY of each month.
Our current list of participating businesses:
By The Spoonful
Daisy Kay Crystals, Coffee, & Gifts
Free Spirit Boutique By Laura Davies Carlson
Navy Rose Co.
Paper Moon
Rivertown Fine Books
Visit McGregor-Marquette, Iowa
McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Cerermony
This event is for McGregor-Marquette Chamber members.
Mysterious McGregor-Paranormal Walking Tours with Adrian Lee (Copy) (Copy)
Explore the eerie past of Downtown McGregor with your ticket for a Mysterious McGregor Paranormal Ghost Tour—an unforgettable journey with Adrian Lee from Unscripted Paranormal! Wander through the heart of downtown McGregor as your guide blends ghost hunting, captivating storytelling, and mysterious intrigue. Don’t miss out on this exclusive fall ghost tour series—tickets are limited, so book yours now before they vanish!
Paranormal ghost tours will be held on select dates (listed below) in late October and early November, with tour sessions beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., departing from the McGregor Historical Museum in downtown McGregor.
Tickets sales will go live beginning at 11:59pm on Friday, August 23rd! There are a limited number of tickets available so be sure to get your ticket booked in advance. (Groups are encouraged to book together. ) https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mysterious-mcgregor...
The 5:30 p.m. tour is considered to be the PG version for the 'faint of heart' and children 8+. It is at the parents’ discretion to determine whether or not their child is easily scared and which tours are appropriate for them.
Mysterious McGregor-Paranormal Walking Tours with Adrian Lee (Copy) (Copy)
Explore the eerie past of Downtown McGregor with your ticket for a Mysterious McGregor Paranormal Ghost Tour—an unforgettable journey with Adrian Lee from Unscripted Paranormal! Wander through the heart of downtown McGregor as your guide blends ghost hunting, captivating storytelling, and mysterious intrigue. Don’t miss out on this exclusive fall ghost tour series—tickets are limited, so book yours now before they vanish!
Paranormal ghost tours will be held on select dates (listed below) in late October and early November, with tour sessions beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., departing from the McGregor Historical Museum in downtown McGregor.
Tickets sales will go live beginning at 11:59pm on Friday, August 23rd! There are a limited number of tickets available so be sure to get your ticket booked in advance. (Groups are encouraged to book together. ) https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mysterious-mcgregor...
The 5:30 p.m. tour is considered to be the PG version for the 'faint of heart' and children 8+. It is at the parents’ discretion to determine whether or not their child is easily scared and which tours are appropriate for them.
Mysterious McGregor-Paranormal Walking Tours with Adrian Lee
Explore the eerie past of Downtown McGregor with your ticket for a Mysterious McGregor Paranormal Ghost Tour—an unforgettable journey with Adrian Lee from Unscripted Paranormal! Wander through the heart of downtown McGregor as your guide blends ghost hunting, captivating storytelling, and mysterious intrigue. Don’t miss out on this exclusive fall ghost tour series—tickets are limited, so book yours now before they vanish!
Paranormal ghost tours will be held on select dates (listed below) in late October and early November, with tour sessions beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., departing from the McGregor Historical Museum in downtown McGregor.
Tickets sales will go live beginning at 11:59pm on Friday, August 23rd! There are a limited number of tickets available so be sure to get your ticket booked in advance. (Groups are encouraged to book together. ) https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mysterious-mcgregor...
The 5:30 p.m. tour is considered to be the PG version for the 'faint of heart' and children 8+. It is at the parents’ discretion to determine whether or not their child is easily scared and which tours are appropriate for them.
75th Anniversary Commemmoration
The public is invited to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Effigy Mounds National Monument with the signing of the executive order by Harry S. Truman on October 25, 1949.
The day will begin with an honoring of the flags of the 19 affiliated tribal nations followed by short speeches and a keynote talk by Dale Henning Ph.D. Dale will share his remembrances of times before and after the monument’s establishment.
A reception will follow and afterwards visitors can earn the park's new 75th anniversary junior ranger badge as well as learn about new hiking challenges!
At 12:30 pm park staff will have four special tours to Yellow River boardwalk, Fire Point, Marching Bears and Sny Magill. Visitors can earn their first hiking challenge reward by completing these hikes.
Commemoration Event Schedule
10 a.m.- Speeches
Noon- Reception
12:30p.m.- Ranger Guided Hikes to Yellow River, Fire Point, Sny Magill, and Marching Bears
🎃 Halloween Parade and Festival
🎃 Halloween Parade
McGregor businesses and homes compete in fall and halloween decor competitions to help celebrate the season. The parade route leaves the Middle School, down Main Street, and turns on 1st St, returning to school via B St.
Games and activities at Triangle Park following the parade.
*A schedule of activities will be posted mid-October. Sponsored by Peoples State Bank.
Mysterious McGregor-Paranormal Walking Tours with Adrian Lee (Copy)
Explore the eerie past of Downtown McGregor with your ticket for a Mysterious McGregor Paranormal Ghost Tour—an unforgettable journey with Adrian Lee from Unscripted Paranormal! Wander through the heart of downtown McGregor as your guide blends ghost hunting, captivating storytelling, and mysterious intrigue. Don’t miss out on this exclusive fall ghost tour series—tickets are limited, so book yours now before they vanish!
Paranormal ghost tours will be held on select dates (listed below) in late October and early November, with tour sessions beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., departing from the McGregor Historical Museum in downtown McGregor.
Tickets sales will go live beginning at 11:59pm on Friday, August 23rd! There are a limited number of tickets available so be sure to get your ticket booked in advance. (Groups are encouraged to book together. ) https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mysterious-mcgregor...
The 5:30 p.m. tour is considered to be the PG version for the 'faint of heart' and children 8+. It is at the parents’ discretion to determine whether or not their child is easily scared and which tours are appropriate for them.
