Cedar Crossing Casino Pushes Public Opening to November 23, Announces Preview Days

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center has moved its public opening to November 23 at noon, four days later than previously announced. The $275 million development will begin 24-hour gaming operations that day, marking the arrival of Linn County’s first casino.

Casino officials announced the revised schedule on November 9, replacing the November 19 opening date confirmed in October. The change will give employees additional time to prepare through a series of invitation-only preview events before the property welcomes the general public.

Cedar Crossing Casino Schedules Preview Days Before November 23 Opening

The casino will hold special preview days from November 16 through November 22 for construction workers, property employees and invited Charter Members. These events will operate with limited hours and capacity, allowing staff to familiarize themselves with daily operations before the public opening.

General Manager Kim Pang said the revised schedule was designed to help employees become more comfortable with their responsibilities and identify potential operational issues before opening day.

Pang explained that management plans to review the preview events each day, assess what worked and make adjustments ahead of November 23. The gradual opening process is intended to prepare the resort for the crowds expected when public access begins.

The change represents a slight delay from the November 19 opening announced in October. However, the casino remains on track to begin operations more than a month ahead of its original December 31 target.

Located at 777 Fourth St. NW, Cedar Crossing will feature approximately 700 slot machines and 22 table games. The development also includes restaurants, bars and a 1,500-seat entertainment venue designed to host concerts, comedy performances and other events.

Interactive Astronaut Exhibit Opens November 25

Two days after the casino opens to the public, its Compass Center will launch its first interactive exhibition, titled “Astronaut”, on November 25.

The 5,000-square-foot arts, culture and STEM facility will provide educational experiences for families and school groups, with a dedicated entrance separate from the casino’s gaming floor.

Developed by Australian nonprofit Scitech and produced by experiential design company Imagine, the exhibition will feature 26 interactive experiences exploring space travel, astronaut training and life aboard spacecraft.

Activities include simulated rocket launches, spacecraft landing exercises, experiments involving microgravity and challenges involving teamwork and problem-solving.

The attraction will operate Wednesday through Sunday and is expected to remain available through February 2027.

December 5 Grand Opening Celebration Remains Unchanged

Although Cedar Crossing has adjusted its initial public opening, the property’s formal ribbon-cutting ceremony remains scheduled for December 5.

The grand opening celebration will include a sold-out performance by country music group Old Dominion at the casino’s entertainment center. Other announced performers include Foghat, Hinder, Steve-O, Josh Blue, The Commodores and Trace Adkins.

The venue’s live entertainment schedule begins November 25 with a performance by The Pork Tornadoes, coinciding with the opening of the Astronaut exhibition.

Developed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment in partnership with the Linn County Gaming Association, Cedar Crossing received approval from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in February 2025, following unsuccessful licensing efforts in 2014 and 2017.

The project also carries a commitment to direct 8% of its annual net adjusted gross gaming revenue to the Linn County Gaming Association for distribution to local nonprofit organizations.

With preparations entering their final stages, the immediate focus is on completing staff training and preview events before the November 23 opening. The revised date gives visitors a confirmed timetable for accessing the casino, while the December 5 celebration will mark the property’s formal debut.

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