The holiday season is kicking off in the Quad Cities with a host of annual events and activities. Here’s a look at some of the upcoming Christmas and holiday happenings to help you get into the holiday spirit:
- Grow Clinton Jingle Bell Jam holiday party, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, The Rusty Barrel Lounge, 224 Fifth Ave. South, Clinton, Iowa. $35 for members; $45 for non-members. Visit the website for more information and to register.
- Geneseo Christmas Walk: Gingerbread House Party, Saturday, Dec. 9, Geneseo, Illinois; 8:30 a.m. Jingle Run, 5-8 p.m. Lighted Christmas Parade, Gingerbread House Competition, Youth Essay/Coloring Contest, Christmas shopping and more.
- Humility Homes and Services, Inc. Holiday Sip N’ Shop, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 9, Fresh Start Center, 522 N. Fillmore St., Davenport. Holiday music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa, treats, shopping at the Fresh Start Center thrift store and more.
- Polar Express Pajama Party, Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 14-17, Putnam Museum and Science Center, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. Cost is $16 for adults and $14 for youth, or $30 for a VIP package. Festivities at the museum include showings of “The Polar Express 3D,” make-and-take sleigh bells, face painting, a hot chocolate bar and much more. For more information, a complete schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the website.
- “A Christmas Story: The Musical,” through Saturday, Dec. 30, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 Third Ave., Rock Island; $56-$63.. For tickets and more information, call (309) 786-7733. ext. 2.
- Deck the Downtowns, a series of jolly holiday promotions encouraging people to eat, drink, shop and be merry Downtown Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island, through Monday, Jan. 1. The event features a Holiday Display Challenge with decorated storefronts painted by local artists (pick up a flier at downtown businesses to find all locations and vote for your favorite for a chance to win gift cards and goodies); a holiday pickle ornament hunt downtown Davenport (pick up a card at a downtown business, find the pickles and win a pickle ornament); a holiday train ornament hunt downtown Rock Island (find 10 trains to win a train ornament), and more.
- Winter Lights, through Monday, Jan. 1, Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 Fourth Ave., Rock Island. Bundle up and explore more than 225,000 glowing lights throughout the Sun Garden, Children’s Garden, lawns, pond, pocket gardens and more; $10 adults, $6 youth ages 2-15, free for kids under 2.
- Holiday Light Shows, Illuminate at Weed Park, Muscatine, Iowa, through New Year’s Eve. A $10 donation is suggested. Norbert F. Beckey Bridge will have a nightly synchronized music and light show at 7:45 p.m. from Friday, Dec. 1, to Monday, Jan. 1.
- Miracle at The Freight House, through Sunday, Dec. 31, 421 W. River Drive, Suite 2, Davenport. Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up bar with over-the-top kitschy, festive decor and a themed cocktail menu. Visit the website for more information.
