Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will bring an interactive space experience to Cedar Rapids when its Compass Center opens later this year.
The center’s first featured attraction, Astronaut, is designed to give visitors a hands-on look at space exploration. The exhibit will include 26 interactive stations focused on rocket launches, astronaut training, microgravity, mission challenges, and the day-to-day realities of living in space.
Cedar Crossing also announced 16 additional concerts and comedy performances for its growing entertainment calendar, expanding the schedule through June 2027.
Astronaut Exhibit Coming to Cedar Rapids
Astronaut is expected to run from November 2026 through February 2027 at the Compass Center, a space planned for arts, culture, education, and STEM programming at Cedar Crossing.
The exhibit was created by Scitech, a science education organization based in Perth, Australia, and produced by Imagine Exhibitions. Visitors will be able to explore the physical and technical challenges astronauts face before and during missions.
Rather than operating as a traditional display-only exhibit, Astronaut will use interactive activities to help guests understand concepts such as weightlessness, space travel, launch preparation, and life aboard a spacecraft. The format could make the experience especially appealing for families, students, and visitors interested in science and technology.
Linn County school groups will receive free admission for field trips, creating an added educational opportunity for local classrooms. The Compass Center is intended to serve as more than a casino amenity, with programming designed to support learning, community engagement, and cultural events.
Cedar Crossing Adds 16 Entertainment Acts
Along with the space exhibit announcement, Cedar Crossing revealed 16 new entertainment bookings scheduled between December 2026 and June 2027.
The newly announced slate includes classic rock band Foghat, post-grunge group Hinder, country artist Trace Adkins, Grammy-winning rock band Los Lonely Boys, and actor and comedian David Koechner.
Foghat is scheduled to perform on Jan. 15, 2027, while Hinder is booked for Feb. 13 and Trace Adkins is set for April 16.
The expanded schedule adds to Cedar Crossing’s previously announced programming, which includes concerts, comedy, live events, and other entertainment. The project’s event center is expected to host more than 100 shows each year, positioning the property as a regional entertainment destination in addition to a gaming venue.
Tickets for the newly announced shows are scheduled to go on sale at 10 a.m. on Oct. 9, 2026. Cedar Crossing charter members will have access to a presale beginning 24 hours before the public on-sale date.
Cedar Crossing Casino Opening Timeline
Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center is a $275 million development planned along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids. The 160,000-square-foot project is expected to open in mid-November 2026, ahead of its previously projected late-December opening.
A grand opening celebration is planned for Dec. 4 and 5, 2026.
The Hawkeye State recently closed its last riverboat casino. The Bally's Marquette began a new era in casino gaming along the Mississippi River.
Cedar Crossing is expected to combine casino gaming with dining, concerts, comedy, educational programming, and community-focused attractions. Its event center is planned to seat about 1,500 guests, while the Compass Center will give the property a dedicated STEM and cultural component.
For Cedar Rapids, the Astronaut exhibit and expanded entertainment schedule offer an early look at how Cedar Crossing plans to position itself as a broader destination—not only for casino guests, but also for families, students, concertgoers, and local organizations.
