The Quad Cities area is offering a variety of family-friendly activities this holiday season aimed at entertaining residents and visitors as well as offering holiday shopping opportunities.
Here’s a look at some of the events planned across the QCA
ROCK ISLAND
The Augustana College John Deere Planetarium, 820 38th St. Rock Island, will present its annual holiday show, “Season of Light,” from Saturday, Dec. 6, to Friday, Dec. 12. Planetarium Director Dr. Lee Carkner will lead the program, which uses images, video, animation and sound to explore the connection between holiday traditions and the night sky. The show also explains the seasons, winter constellations and offers speculation about the Star of Bethlehem.
Shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. on weekdays. Doors open 15 minutes prior to each show, and latecomers will not be admitted. The program is not recommended for children ages 7 and under. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made at here.
The Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island, is hosting “Winter Nights Winter Lights,” showcasing more than 315,000 lights across five acres of gardens. The 2025 event introduces the Culture Bright Neon Forest, additional themed areas, and fire tables with s’mores stations.
The 2nd Ave. Holiday Market in Downtown Rock Island will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The market includes vendors such as Blue Collar Bagels and Flaherty’s Irish Candy, along with a live reindeer exhibit, train rides, photos with Santa, and the Rock Island Rotary Reindeer Ramble 5K Run/Walk.
BETTENDORF
Bettendorf Family Museum has a series of holiday themed events including:
Reindeer Day: Live reindeer, games, and a performance by the Family Museum Dance Company from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Included with museum admission.
Skate with Santa: Santa will visit The Landing Ice Rink for open skating from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15. He will meet with children, collect letters and take pictures from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Holiday Jammie Jam: Wear pajamas to the Family Museum in Bettendorf for a free event featuring holiday music on Friday, Dec. 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
DAVENPORT
Hilltop “Do Over” Small Business Saturday – With the recent snowstorm putting a damper on post-Thanksgiving shopping, Hill Top Campus Village (HCV) is offering a “Do Over” Saturday Dec. 6th, where shoppers can meet Santa, and pick up some Hilltop Bucks to be used in the Hilltop Campus Village neighborhood.
HCV will be at Ascentra Credit Union, 1800 N. Brady St. from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday handing out our traditional grab bags and Hilltop Bucks. Other activities include Santa in the Hilltop (8-9 a.m.). Santa will be stopping by all of the HCV eateries.
Also getting in the holiday spirit is the Hilltop Mansion. Events include:
- Dec. 6 – Holiday Open House – Free to the public. Grab Photos, Have Hot Cocoa, and Have Holiday Delights.
- Dec. 7 – Mimosas & Glitter and Tipsy Elves Cookie Bake.
- Dec. 14 – Frosting & Family Fun as well as Mimosas & Sprinkles
Fejervary Learning Center
In Davenport, the Fejervary Learning Center‘s “Fejervary Holiday Lights” offers a park-and-watch experience with a 15-minute light show synchronized to music broadcast on 107.5 FM. The show runs daily from 5- 9:30 p.m. through Jan. 4.
German American Heritage Center and Museum
Drawing inspiration from German Expressionist prints, this German American Heritage Center and Museum’s hands-on workshop in exploring printmaking techniques led by Western Illinois University faculty and graduate students.
In addition to the workshop, the German American Heritage Center and Museum at 1712 W. Second St., Davenport, will host the Christkindlmarkt Quad Cities on Saturday, Dec. 13, featuring food, drinks and seasonal items in open-air stalls.
The workshop fee is $5 for the center’s members and $10 for non-members. Register online or call (563) 322-8844 as space is limited. All necessary supplies will be provided.
Putnam Museum and Science Center
The Davenport museum will host a Polar Express Pajama Party on Thursday, Dec. 18, featuring a hot cocoa bar, crafts, face painting, and a 3D showing of The Polar Express.
DOWNTOWN QC
In addition to the Rock Island Holiday Market, more than 70 businesses across the downtowns of Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island are participating in the Holiday Display Challenge. Twenty local artists have been hired to paint and decorate festive windows for the businesses. Patrons can vote for their favorite display through Jan. 1 for a chance to win gift cards.
Two ornament hunts are also running until Jan. 1, 2026:
Downtown Davenport: Patrons hunt for a holiday pickle ornament at 30+ businesses. Those who find 10 pickles and turn in a completed card at the German American Heritage Center or Downtown Davenport Public Library will win a custom-crafted pickle ornament (while supplies last) and be entered to win a grand prize.
Downtown Rock Island: The fourth annual hunt features a holiday train ornament at 30+ businesses. Participants who find 10 trains can turn in their stamp card at locations including Quad City Arts or the Downtown Rock Island Library to win a custom-crafted train ornament (while supplies last) and be entered into a grand prize drawing. For more details on all events, visit the websites for Downtown Bettendorf, Davenport, and Rock Island.
LECLAIRE, Iowa
Christmas in LeClaire will hold its 41st annual, three-day event Saturday, Dec. 6, featuring shopping, activities, and free trolley rides.
DEWITT, Iowa
DeWitt Hometown Christmas Celebration
DeWitt’s annual Hometown Christmas celebration is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, offering a full day of free and low-cost family events.
The festivities kick off with the Kids’ Christmas Carnival from 9-11 a.m. Santa Claus will make his entrance at 9 a.m., arriving by firetruck. Following the carnival, a free family holiday movie, “The Christmas Chronicles,” will be shown at DeWitt’s Operahouse Theatre with the DeWitt Nite Lions providing a free hot dog lunch. Both the movie and lunch are free with a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for the DeWitt Referral Center. Seating is limited.
The evening culminates with the Lighted Parade, Tree Lighting, and Christmas Walk starting with the parade at 5 p.m. No registration is required; lineup is from 4:30-5 p.m. between Journey Fitness and the DeWitt Pet Hospital.
