The Weather Outside is Frightful: Community Activity Highlights for December 2024

You can get a copy of the full guide to classes and programs in our Community Center, which includes our Recreation Center, Library, Aquatic Center, Gerdin Conference Center and other spaces, published three times each year, in person at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., or online. These highlights of the coming month are published on the third Thursday of each month. You can sign up to have this emailed to you at northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe.

News & Updates

The North Liberty Community Center will be closed on the following dates in December in celebration of Christmas and the New Year: Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

Registration opens 6 a.m. on Dec. 2 for most Recreation Department programs online and in person.

In Case You Missed It

North Liberty residents have free, year-round access to the Community Center’s indoor track for walking, jogging and running. Stop by the Recreation Department front desk to get a facility pass.

Upcoming Events

Holiday Vendor Fair
Dec. 7, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Community Center, Free
Get your holiday shopping list completed. Local crafters, makers and vendors will have items on display and available to purchase.

Wrapping Room
Dec. 7 – 12 and Dec. 19 – 23, Regular Hours, Library, Free
Need to get some gift wrapping done away from prying eyes?  Wrapping supplies provided or fell free to bring your own and use the space.

Winter Reading Program
Dec. 16 – Jan. 31, Library, Free
Ready, set, READ! The North Liberty Library encourages readers of all ages to challenge themselves to become reading machines this winter. Read and log at least 300 minutes during the challenge to earn a completion prize from the library and be entered into a drawing of your choice.

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Doodlebugs with the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Ruth Asawa created sheer sculptures that seemed to float in midair. Join us for a story and to create your own hanging creation that can double as holiday décor.

School-Aged Youth

Super Tuesday: Lego
Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Build a Lego castle, Lego monster, Lego planet, whatever Lego creation your heart desires! Get creative with us and show off your building skills at our Lego free building program.

Nacho Party!
Dec. 4, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Whether you like them cheesy, spicy, or piled high with toppings, this is your chance to create the ultimate personalized plate of nachos. Come hang out with friends, enjoy some tasty food, and see who can build the most epic nacho creation. This program is intended for youth in grades sixth through 12th.

Tweendom: Board Games
Dec. 10, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Sitting at home, dreading the cold? Beat your boredom with a board game night with the youth and teen staff. We’ll have a variety of board games you can pick from to challenge staff and friends.

Teen Tuesday: Needle Felting
Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m., Library, Free
Discover a new craft with us and learn how to needle felt. Create your own figurines or designs to share with friends and family or to display on your shelves!

Taekwondo – Youth & Adults
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 3 – 19, 5 – 6 p.m., $35
WTF/UI Taekwondo teaches respect, discipline, and self-control. Learn kicks, hand strikes and forms for respective levels. A sparring coach is available to students who want it. Beginner and advanced levels provided.

Adults & Senior

Cocoa, Cookies, and Knitting for Newbies
Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
Join us at the Ranshaw House for this fun intro to knitting session with cookies and hot cocoa for a cozy winter night.
Register

Let’s Get Abstract
Dec. 11, 6:00 p.m., Library, Free
Join Erin Thomas from the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art for an adult-level abstract art painting night! Abstract art can be almost anything, and doesn’t have to be anything in particular. Express yourself, get silly or let your mind wander as you create in a no-pressure environment
Register

Taekwondo – Adults
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 3 – 19, 12 – 1 p.m., $60
WTF/UI Taekwondo teaches respect, discipline, and self-control. Learn kicks, hand strikes and forms for respective levels. A sparring coach is available to students who want it. Beginner and advanced levels provided.

Yoga Nidra
Dec. 21, 4 – 5:15 p.m., Recreation Center, $15
Want to continue or restart your yoga practice? Join us on Sundays to reset for the coming week. Yoga Nidra is a guided yoga sleep.

Families

Winter Break Open Swims
Dec. 26, 27, 30, 1 – 4 p.m., Aquatics Center, $3 children and $4 adults
Join us for extended holiday swims when school is out!