The Putnam Museum & Science Center is bringing back its beloved Polar Express Pajama Party, now celebrating its 19th year. The festive tradition will run Thursday, Dec. 18 through Sunday, Dec. 21.

Since launching the event in 2007, the Putnam (1717 W. 12^th St., Davenport) has welcomed thousands of families for a night of holiday magic. Over the years, the celebration has grown to include a hot cocoa bar, face painting, crafts, a “lights-out” scavenger hunt through the exhibits, and take-home goodie bags featuring an exclusive keepsake ornament.

The highlight of the evening is a screening of The Polar Express, the animated holiday classic starring Tom Hanks, shown in the Putnam’s Giant Screen Theater. This year, guests can look forward to an exciting new addition: a chance to see live reindeer! All ticket holders, regardless of which day they attend the party, are invited to return on Saturday, December 20 to visit the reindeer at no additional cost.

Tickets opened to the public last month, so showtimes are already beginning to sell out, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

There are many different ticket options this year, so families can choose the experience that best fits them. Event-only tickets, priced at $10, allow guests to enjoy all party activities without attending a movie screening. General Tickets, available for $16, include full access to the activities as well as admission to the movie time of your choice. For an upgraded experience, VIP Tickets offer all activities plus priority movie seating and exclusive items including a bell, lanyard, wristband, and t-shirt. Guests looking for the most festive package can purchase the Ultimate VIP Experience, which includes all VIP perks along with a small popcorn combo, a JP Polar Plush, and a JP pin.

For full details and ticket purchases, visit putnam.org/polar-express-pajama-party.

The museum will be closed to the public during all scheduled Polar Express Pajama Party sessions, but remains open seven days a week, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

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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.