Concerts & Live Music

•  The Struts (glam/alternative rock) — Friday, Oct 2, 8:00 PM at Mississippi Moon Bar, Diamond Jo Casino. Must be 21+. 

•  Pop Rocks / PopROCKS (rock covers/party band) — Saturday, Oct 3, 8:00 PM at Mississippi Moon Bar, Diamond Jo Casino. Free show, 21+. 

•  Dubuque Symphony Orchestra: Classics 1 – “The Fire Within” — Saturday, Oct 3 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, Oct 4 at 2:00 PM at Five Flags Theater. Program includes Glinka’s Russlan and Ludmilla Overture, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 (with Ilya Yakushev), and Brahms Symphony No. 1. Free pre-concert lecture Sunday at 1 PM. 

Key music venues: Mississippi Moon Bar (Diamond Jo Casino), Five Flags Center/Theater, The Lift, Wicked Dame, Heritage Center, and various downtown spots that often have live music on weekends.

Other Events

•  First Fridays (arts event) — Friday, Oct 2, various downtown locations (galleries, studios, live entertainment). Free. 

•  Spirits of the Past — Friday, Oct 2, 6–9 PM at Mathias Ham Historic Site. Cocktail experience + historic trolley tour + brewery stop (21+, RSVP required). 

•  Dubuque Farmers’ Market — Saturday, Oct 3, 8 AM–12 PM on Iowa Street (11th–13th Streets). Local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, crafts, and on-site prepared food. 

•  Dubuque Latinx Fiesta (“Entre Tonos: Living Between Cultures”) — Saturday, Oct 3, 1–7 PM in the Millwork District (with Dubuque Museum of Art). Free, family-friendly: live music (including Mariachi Sol de Madison), dance, Latin American food vendors, artisans, activities, and more. 21+ after-party later at The Goose. 

•  Dubuque Fighting Saints hockey (season opener) vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders — Saturday, Oct 3, 7:05 PM at ImOn Arena. 

•  Music in the Gardens — Sunday, Oct 4, 4–6 PM at Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Free outdoor family music (bring a chair/blanket). 

•  9th Annual Steeple Square Fest — Sunday, Oct 4, noon–2 PM at Steeple Square Plaza. Picnic, games, inflatables, petting zoo, etc. 

Nearby options include Galena Oktoberfest (Sat, Oct 3) if you want to cross the river.

Food Trucks & Casual Eats

Food trucks regularly appear at the Dubuque Farmers’ Market (Saturday mornings) and other events like the Latinx Fiesta. Common ones to look for (check their Facebook/Instagram for exact weekend spots, as locations rotate):

•  Adobos Mexican Grill — Known for breakfast burritos/bowls (especially popular at the market).

•  Birds. Fried Chicken — Fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, etc.

•  Bob & Lou’s — Coffee/espresso truck.

•  Others frequently mentioned: Hibachi Time / Happi Hibachi, Magoo’s Pizza, The Crepe Iron (often market-only), Rockin 5k BBQ, and more. 

Food Festival Fridays occur on select Fridays (not every week this late in the season), so the market and Latinx Fiesta are your best bets this weekend for trucks.

Places to Eat (Restaurants)

Top highly rated spots include:

•  Brazen Open Kitchen | Bar — Elevated New American, local/seasonal ingredients, craft cocktails (frequently tops local lists).

•  L. May Eatery — Gourmet comfort food, thin-crust pizza.

•  Copper Kettle, 7 Hills Brewing Company, Foodie Garage Eatery, Driftless Pizza, Smokestack, Woodfire Grille (at Diamond Jo), Vinny Vanucchi’s (Italian), and Convivium Urban Farmstead. 

Casino options (Diamond Jo / Q Casino) and downtown/Millwork District spots are convenient near many events. For casual or market-day eats, the Farmers’ Market and Latinx Fiesta food vendors are ideal.

Check local sources like Dubuque365.com, Julien’s Journal, venue sites (FiveFlagsCenter.com, DiamondJoDubuque.com, RiverMuseum.org), or social media for last-minute changes, tickets, or exact food truck locations. Have a great weekend!