Digital Backpack

Welcome to the Digital Backpack!

Dubuque is lucky to have a wide variety of events that support the education, health, wellness, quality of life, and enrichment of our students and the entire community. The district's Digital Backpack is a central, paperless way to share non-profit and educational information with families.

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Dubuque Girls Independent League (DGIL) Softball Registration

January 12 – February 28, 2026
Location Online
Event For Girls in grades pre-k through 8th grades
Cost Depends on division
Organization DGIL
Contact Rachel Daykin
Phone (563) 580-6438
View Flyer
Additional Information
Softball registration for the 2026 summer season

Mindful Musicians

January 25 – March 1, 2026
Start Time 9:15 a.m. or 9:30 a.m.
Location Centrally Rooted, 2230 Central Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001
Event For Pre-K
Cost $15
Organization Centrally Rooted
Contact Jill Klinebriel
Phone (563) 500-7641
Additional Information
Mindful Musicians drop-in classes are being offered this winter. Classes are for 0-6 year-olds with a caregiver. Mindful Musicians programming is confidence-building through creativity. Families will explore instruments, sing original songs designed to boost positive self-talk and have fun together!

Nate the Great – The Musical

January 23 – February 1, 2026
Location The Grand Opera House - 135 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA 52001
Event For Elementary school students and their families
Cost $17 - Adults and $12 for under 18
Organization The Grand Opera House
Contact Nick Halder
Phone (563) 588-4356
View Flyer
Additional Information
A funny, sweet, rollicking good time that celebrates art, friendship, creative thinking, and of course, pancakes! This stage adaptation of the classic children's book series is perfect your young audiences and the young at heart. Running Time: approximately 1 hour with no intermission.

Loras MLK Day Clinic

January 19, 2026
Start Time 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.AM
RSVP By January 19, 2026
Location Patrick J. Lillis Athletic Wellness Center on Loras College Campus
Event For boys and girls in Pre-K–8th grade
Cost $25
Organization Loras College Men's Basketball
Contact Chris Martin
Phone (563) 588-7738
Additional Information
This clinic is open to boys and girls in Pre-K–8th grade and is all about learning skills, having fun, and loving the game. The clinic will be led by our college coaches and players.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration

January 19, 2026
Start Time 7 a.m.
RSVP By January 12, 2026
Location Grand River Center
Event For Dubuque Community
Cost $30/11 and older; $20/ages 4-10; Free/age 3 and younger
Organization faces&voices
Additional Information
Join faces&voices for this annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast served at 7 a.m.; program begins at 7:30 a.m. Children are encouraged to attend! Activities related to the day's topics will be available for youth attendees age 10 and younger.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Contest March and Gathering

January 18 – January 18, 2026
Start Time 1 p.m.
Location Multicultural Family Center
Event For All Schools
Cost Free
Organization Dubuque Branch NAACP
Contact RRS Stewart
Phone (612) 501-9747
Additional Information
Gather at Jackson Park at 12:30 p.m. for a march beginning at 12:45 p.m. The Tribute ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the Multicultural Family Center. Immediately after, there will be a reception. The work of student honorees and honorable mentions will be displayed at Carnegie Stout Public library.

Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Summer String Camp Early Registration

January 12 – January 18, 2026
RSVP By January 18, 2026
Location Online
Event For String students entering grades 7-12
Cost Variable, see website
Organization Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Contact Kathleen Hoeper
Phone (563) 557-1677
View Flyer
Additional Information
One Week Only - EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT - January 12-18 https://dubuquesymphony.org/youth-music-camp

Middle School Video Game / Esports Club

January 13 – May 12, 2026
Start Time 6-8p.m.
RSVP By January 24, 2026
Location Dubuque Esports League
Event For Middle School Students
Cost $100 For Scholarships - reference to DBQ City Leisure Services
Organization Dubuque Esports League
Contact Susie Quinn
Phone (563) 590-9169
Additional Information
Video Game / Esports Club

4th & 5th Grade Video Game / Esports Club

January 10 – May 9, 2026
Start Time 10 a.m.
RSVP By January 24, 2026
Location Dubuque Esports League
Event For Elementary
Cost $100.00 - For Scholarships; reference to City of Dubuque Leisure Services
Organization Dubuque Esports League
Contact Susie Quinn
Phone (563) 590-9169
Additional Information
Video Game / Esports club - Team Building, Safe Gaming environment. Learn Safe Gaming

High Five: Portraits by Dubuque’s 5th Graders

January 7, 2026
Start Time 4:00 p.m.
Location Dubuque Museum of Art in the Millwork District - 1000 Jackson Street, suite 105 Dubuque
Event For Families
Cost Free
Organization Dubuque Museum of Art
Contact Ivonne Simmonds
Phone (563) 580-9888
Additional Information
This portrait installation features over 700 fifth-grade student photography portraits from Dubuque Community Schools, created through the expanded Arts Trek program at the Dubuque Museum of Art.