It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Quad-Cities.

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 19, explore the Deck the Downtowns promotions with fun holiday activities, unique local shopping, seasonal displays, ornament hunts, delicious goodies and opportunities to win prizes along the way.

Deck the Downtowns is a joint promotion of the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, Downtown Davenport Partnership and Rock Island Downtown Alliance – all organizations of the Quad Cities Chamber.

Throughout the three downtowns, more than 70 businesses will participate in the Holiday Display Challenge by decorating their storefronts for the holidays. Twenty local artists have been hired to paint many of the festive storefronts. Patrons can pick up a flyer at downtown businesses to find all participating locations and vote for their favorite display Nov. 20 – Jan. 1, for a chance to win gift cards and goodies.

ORNAMENT HUNTS

In Downtown Davenport, patrons will join in the German tradition of hunting for the holiday pickle ornament. To play, official hunt cards can be picked up at one of the 30+ participating businesses. Those who find 10 pickles Nov. 20 – Jan. 1 and turn in their completed card at either the German American Heritage Center or Downtown Davenport Public Library will win a pickle ornament, crafted by artist Carolyn Krueger, for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize. Pickle Hunt participating businesses and hunt info here.

In Downtown Rock Island, patrons will hunt for the holiday train ornament, inspired by the rich railroad history in Rock Island. Back for a fourth consecutive year with a new design, the custom-crafted train ornaments laser cut by Crawford Company and decorated by Jackson Autobody & Custom Paint, can be discovered at 30+ businesses in Downtown Rock Island.

Those who find 10 holiday trains Nov. 20 – Jan. 1 and turn in their completed stamp card at Quad City Arts, Quad City Botanical Center, Downtown Rock Island Library or Skeleton Key Art & Antiques will win a train ornament for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize. Train Hunt participating businesses and hunt info here.

TREE LIGHTINGS

Downtown Rock Island Tree Lighting 

Downtown comes alive with light, music and local creativity on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Arts Alley and Schwiebert Riverfront Park. This kickoff to The Cultural Trust’s Culture Bright series includes the ceremonial tree lighting by Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris; caroling by Rock Island High School Chamber Choir; and shopping at Arts Alley Holiday Market vendor stalls featuring Catalpa Natural Cleaning Services, Danndee Flowers, Moon House Medicines and SEAL Ceramics. In addition, attendees can enjoy crafts, games, a photo booth and live music, as well as photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Check out the tree lighting event details here.

City of Davenport Community Tree Lighting 

On Friday, Nov. 21, join Davenport Mayor Mike Matson to light the 20-foot community tree displayed in K-Square (119 E. 3^rd St.). Festivities start at 6 p.m., including hot cocoa, cookies and carols performed by Voices ByShare Youth Performance Group.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl 

On Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., after the Festival of Trees Holiday Parade, visit Downtown Davenport businesses for the Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl. At 25+ participating businesses visitors can enjoy free cookie tastings from ½ Nelson, 392, Cookies & Dreams and Small Town Pastry (while supplies last), plus exclusive deals and fun holiday games and activities. Crawlers that make five purchases will be entered to win a grand prize giveaway.

Bite into Cookie Crawl participating businesses and deals here.

Find all the details at each downtown website:

• Downtown Bettendorf Organization — www.downtownbettendorf.org/events/yearly-events/deck-the-downtowns/

• Downtown Davenport Partnership — www.downtowndavenport.com/deck-the-downtowns

• Rock Island Downtown Alliance — www.downtownrockisland.org/yearly-events/deck-the-downtowns

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Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner -- who has called the Quad Cities home since 1995 -- has decades of experience as a professional journalist and pianist. His experience writing for daily newspapers, public radio and local TV encompasses a wide range of subjects, including the arts, politics, education, economic development, historic preservation, business, and tourism.

Jonathan most loves writing about music and the arts (which he now does as a freelancer for the River Cities Reader and Visit Quad Cities). He has a passion for accompanying musicals, singers, choirs and instrumentalists, including playing for QC Music Guild's 2023 productions of RENT and SWEENEY TODD. He is assistant music director and accompanist for the spring 2025 Music Guild show, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. He wrote an original musical based on The Book of Job, which premiered at Playcrafters in 2010. Jonathan penned a 175-page history book about downtown Davenport, that was published by The History Press in 2016, and a travel guide about the QC published by Reedy Press in 2022.