DAVENPORT, Iowa — The holidays are celebrated across the Quad Cities region in many ways. From tree lightings to parades to holiday light walkthroughs, WQAD has compiled a list of events around the area that will help you get into the holiday spirit.
If you have an event to add to our list, please email our newsroom here. The events below are listed in chronological order.
QC Botanical Center Winter Lights
The QC Botanical Center is presenting its eighth annual Winter Lights show, opening on Nov. 21.
The outdoor gardens will be filled with more than 250,000 glowing lights. The center's Sun Garden, Children's Garden and ponds will be open to explore. New additions for 2024 include more lighted elements and nature motifs, a lighted tunnel, an additional holiday vignette, a new dancing light show performance, and lighting in the parking lot gardens.
The exhibit runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 15, on Wednesdays through Sundays from 5-9 p.m. From Dec. 18 to Dec. 31, the show will run daily from 5-9 p.m. The last entry each night will be at 8:30 p.m. The center will be open on New Year's Eve. It will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
The light show is included with general admission to the Botanical Center. Adults are $11, youth ages 2-15 are $7, and children under two are free. Free crafts are available for kids to make and take. Hot drinks, cocoa and treats will be available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased on the center's site here.
The show will also feature multiple special events:
- Opening Night: Thursday, Nov. 21, 5-9 pm., 5:30 p.m. lighting
- Lights & Flights: Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m. lighting, 6-8 p.m.
- Members Free Admission Nights: Wednesdays from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m.
- Lights & Leashes: Sundays, Nov. 21-Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m.
- Winter Lights|Culture Bright: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 5-9 p.m., 7 p.m. fireworks
- Krampus Nights: Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m.
- Santa and the Mrs. Visit: Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m.
- Lights & Flights (Event #2): Thursday, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19, 6-8 p.m.
- ImpactLife Blood Drive: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 3-6 p.m.
Deck the Downtowns
Downtown Davenport Partnership, Downtown Bettendorf Organization, and Rock Island Downtown Alliance are teaming up to promote local businesses in a festive way.
More than 80 businesses are participating in Deck the Downtowns, which includes a series of holiday promotions from Nov. 21 through Jan. 1. Businesses will also decorate their storefronts for the event and compete in the Holiday Display Challenge, with the best display being voted on by patrons.
Those looking for a challenge are in luck as Davenport and Rock Island will have specific ornaments throughout the downtown area for people to find. Those who find 10 pickle ornaments in Davenport or 10 holiday train ornaments in Rock Island will receive their own respective ornament for their tree. Those who find 10 will also be entered to win a grand prize.
Festival of Trees parade, event
The 38th annual Quad City Arts fundraiser Festival of Trees returns with 100,000 twinkling lights in its displays. The holiday tradition kicks off Friday, Nov. 22, and runs through Nov. 30 at the RiverCenter in Davenport.
The Holiday Parade takes place in downtown Davenport on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. The parade features giant helium character balloons, marching bands, floats and Santa. The parade route begins at 3rd Street and Pershing Avenue. The route heads west to Scott Street, then turns left to make its way back east on 2nd Street, before finishing at 2nd Street and Iowa Avenue.
The parade marks the kick-off to the family-friendly attraction that shows off over 100 decorated trees, designer displays, a gingerbread village, an entertainment stage, a model train set, a gift shop and more.
Purchase tickets online to attend the event itself or one of its special occasion events, such as its Premiere Party: The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, a Teddy Bear Tea, SugarPlum Ball, Celebrity Lunch, and Silent Disco.
The Festival is the main fundraiser for the Quad City Arts. Admission gates are pre-paid or card payment only (no cash) and can be purchased at their website for $12 for adults, and $5 for children ages 2-9.
Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl
The Downtown Davenport Partnership will host a Cookie Crawl on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., after the Festival of Trees parade. Visitors can enjoy free cookie tastings at 26 participating businesses. The cookies are supplied by Blue Spruce General Store, Cookies & Dreams, and Tiphanie's.
Visitors who make 5 purchases at those participating stores will be entered to win a grand prize giveaway filled with goodies and gift cards to downtown businesses. A list of participating businesses, along with their special offers for the event, can be found by clicking here.
Lighting on the Commons
The annual Lighting on the Commons in downtown Moline lights up the night of Saturday, Nov. 23 from 3:30-6 p.m. The John Deere Commons will host Santa Claus, live music, a children's craft area and horse-drawn wagon rides around the neighborhood.
An official lighting ceremony happens at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks.
The ceremony flips the switch on the holiday lights around the Commons, including the 45-foot-tall Christmas tree that was delivered to the Vibrant Arena on Nov. 7.
K-Square Christmas Tree Lighting
The City of Davenport, along with Downtown Davenport Partnership, is kicking off the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting in K-Square.
The tree lighting will occur Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Kaiserslautern Square, located at 119 E. 3rd St. in Davenport.
Davenport mayor Mike Matson has invited participants from Project Renewal to help flip the switch and light the tree. Project Renewal is celebrating 50 years of providing Davenport children with a safe environment for year-round education, recreational, and social activities. Caroler from QC Rock Academy will be on the scene. Free cookies and hot cocoa will also be provided.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making multiple stops in the Quad Cities region on Wednesday, Nov. 27. It is set to arrive in Clinton at 3:15 p.m., Davenport at 6:00 p.m., then Muscatine at 7:45 p.m. The featured performers are KT Tunstall and American Authors.
The Davenport stop is serving as a collection site for Churches United, as it will collect non-perishable, non-expired food items for its 22 food pantries, hot meal site and domestic violence shelter. The stops are free, but donations will be accepted and appreciated.
"Tis the Season:" Free holiday event for Quad City seniors
The City of Bettendorf is inviting seniors from across the Quad Cities area for a holiday event just for them. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the city will put on 'Tis the Season, featuring live entertainment from bands, choirs, dancers, and more. Refreshments will also be provided. The event runs from 1:30-3 p.m.
While the event is free, registration is required and must be done by Nov. 30. You can register online here or call (563) 344-4113.
Geneseo Christmas Walk
The 2024 Geneseo Christmas Walk will take place Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in Geneseo. This year’s theme is “Too Many Santas.”
The day kicks off with the Geneseo Jingle Run 5K at 8:30 a.m. A gingerbread house competition will be hosted by the Geneseo Art League and Gallery, 125 N. State Street. The Lighted Christmas Parade steps off in downtown Geneseo at 5:00 p.m. The parade leads up to the traditional Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of State and Second Streets. The "Living Windows" in downtown Geneseo will be active from 5 to 8 p.m. For all activities, check out their website here.