Spooky Halloween Weekends on Tap in Downtown Rock Island and Davenport
The downtown organizations in Rock Island and Davenport are planning weekend spooky fun this month.
First this weekend, the Rock Island Downtown Alliance invites you to Back from the Dead, Oct. 11-12, 2025, a weekend filled with thrills, chills and Halloween fun for all ages. Hop on a free trolley ride to explore everything from haunted houses and ghost tours, to the QC Farmers Market and the Rock Island Artists’ Market. There are plenty of family-friendly activities in the heart of Downtown Rock Island.
“We promise to be a downtown that moves you — and that’s exactly what Back from the Dead delivers,” said Jack Cullen, executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance. “This event is all about exploring downtown, rediscovering its energy during the peak of spooky season and celebrating the authentic, creative spirit our businesses bring to life. There’s something special here for everyone to experience.”
Saturday activities include:
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 2nd Saturdays on 2nd Ave.
Green Lawn, 1801 2nd Ave.
- A free, family-friendly celebration during the QC Farmers’ Market. The event features a power sculpt yoga class; festive facepainting; bubble stations sponsored by Gas & Electric Credit Union; and live music by Quad Cities musician Gunner Eberhard.
- Cost: Free.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. BOOtique Shopping Bash
Brick and Motor Boutique, 1629 2nd Ave.
- Free spooky gift bags with spooky accessories for any purchase (no minimum purchase amount). Snacks & mimosas offered while you shop!
- Cost: Free.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. MBP’s Halloween Sidewalk Sale
Mellow Blue Planet, 2212 5th Ave.
- Special sale prices on horror and Halloween-related items.
- Cost: Free.
12-4 p.m. Eudell’s Old-Fashioned BBQ & Book Sale
Arts Alley & The Iconic Event & Reception Venue, 1719 2nd Ave.
- This Rock Island Public Library Foundation event will feature a used books sale; amazing food cooked by Eudell Watts III; complimentary beer and soda; live music; fun activities for all ages; raffle items and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Lorene Evans Watts Fund, established in honor of Eudell’s late mother.
- Cost: No admission to used book sale; $50 ticket for BBQ.
1-3 p.m. Skellington Manor SpookStop
Skellington Manor Event Center, 420 18th St.
- Enjoy a pop-up pit stop for mini escape room games and puzzle boxes, face painting and perfectly haunted photo ops before the haunted house opens in the evening.
- Cost: Free.
2-4 p.m. Boo & Build: STEAM Halloween Edition
STEAM on Wheels, 2106 4th Ave.
- A family-friendly Halloween celebration filled with creativity and fun. Kids may design glowing laser-cut lanterns, enjoy festive face painting and bring spooky scenes to life with canvas art.
- Cost: $40 for a family of four / $15 for individuals.
4-8 p.m. Spooky Swim at YWCA QC
YWCA Quad Cities, 513 17th St.
- Get ready to make a splash this Halloween season … inflatable games, pumpkin relay and frightfully fun snacks like bloody popcorn.
- Cost: $10 for non-members; members free.
5-10 p.m. Back from the Dead Spooky Cocktails
Rock Island Ale House, 226 17th St.
- A spooktacular night full of creepy cocktails and food features! Come dressed in costume for a chance to win a small prize! *Not a costume contest. The winner will be chosen randomly.*
- Cost: Free.
7-11:30 p.m. Terror at Skellington Manor
Skellington Manor Event Center, 420 18th St.
- Come at night (if you dare), when it’s time to get your SCARE for a bone-chilling adventure like no other! Step into the dark side of Skellington Manor to experience “Theatre of the Macabre,” where fear and fun collide in the most exhilarating haunted manor experience of your life!
- Cost: General Admission $25 | Fast Pass $30; Tickets available online or at door.
7-11 p.m. Shock House Haunted House
QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave.
- Blind Crow Productions presents Shock House! At Shock House, we assault your senses. You will be stalked, startled and disoriented as you travel through the passageways of Shock House. Features include live stage shows, indoor restrooms and waiting areas.
- Cost: General Admission $20, VIP Fast Pass $30; Tickets available online or at door.
7:30 p.m. Garden Cinema: Night of the Living Dead
Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.
- A screening of the 1968 masterpiece “Night of the Living Dead” in the back garden of Rozz-Tox. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Food and drinks available for purchase.
- Cost: Free.
8 p.m. Gangsters & Ghosts Tour
2nd Ave. & 19th St.
- QC Haunts & History Tours presents a 90-minute ghost tour about the time of gangsters and speakeasies, when Rock Island was notorious vice lord John Looney’s town and prohibition didn’t matter.
- Cost: Free; RSVP required in advance at qchaunts.com, limit 20 people.
Sunday’s activities include:
10-11 a.m. Pumpkin Pilates
Refined Fit Lab, 313 20th St.
- Welcome Shalome in coaching her first Pilates class! She will be practicing to become one of Refined Fit Lab’s consistent Pilates instructors. Mats and props are provided. Halloween-themed energy drink concoctions and decor surround you while you soak in the benefits of the workout! Costumes are welcome!
- Cost: $5 drop-in fee; RSVP online.
12 – 5 p.m. Rock Island Artists’ Market
Skeleton Key Art & Antiques, 520 18th St.
- Join dozens of local artists, makers and more for the final Rock Island Artists’ Market of the 2025 season! Food, sweet treats and live music by Roger Carlson.
- Cost: Free.
12-5 p.m. Eerie Emporium
Arts Alley, 1719 2nd Ave.
- QC Haunts & History presents the Eerie Emporium, a Halloween and all-things- spooky market featuring costume contests (Abernathy’s), a scary tattoo contest (Penny Lane Tattoo) and more!
- Cost: Free.
12-2 p.m. Cobweb Clothing Swap
Refined Fit Lab, 313 20th St.
- Dust off those cobwebs from your clothes that no longer serve you and bring them to the Lab to trade off for a new wardrobe! Clothes will be sorted by size on tables. Feel free to sort your things and then start “shopping” immediately! All leftover clothing will be donated to a local charity/shelter.
- Cost: Free.
1-3 p.m. Skellington Manor SpookStop
Skellington Manor Event Center, 420 18th St.
- Enjoy a pop-up pit stop for mini escape room games and puzzle boxes, face painting and perfectly haunted photo ops before the haunted house opens in the evening.
- Cost: Free.
2-4 p.m. Boo & Build: STEAM Halloween Edition
STEAM on Wheels, 2106 4th Ave.
- A family-friendly Halloween celebration filled with creativity and fun. Kids may design glowing laser-cut lanterns, enjoy festive face painting and bring spooky scenes to life with canvas art.
- Cost: $40 for a family of four / $15 for individuals.
5:45 p.m. Gangsters & Ghosts Tour
2nd Ave. & 19th St.
- QC Haunts & History Tours presents a ghost tour about the time of gangsters and speakeasies when Rock Island was notorious vice lord John Looney’s town and prohibition didn’t matter.
- Cost: Free; RSVP required in advance at qchaunts.com, limit 20 people.
7-10 p.m. Terror at Skellington Manor
Skellington Manor, 420 18th St.
- Come at night (if you dare) when it’s time to get your SCARE for a bone-chilling adventure like no other! Step into the dark side of Skellington Manor to experience “Theatre of the Macabre,” where fear and fun collide in the most exhilarating haunted manor experience of your life!
- Cost: General Admission $25 | Fast Pass $30; Tickets available online or at door.
7-10 p.m. Shock House Haunted House
QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave.
- Blind Crow Productions presents Shock House! At Shock House, we assault your senses. You will be stalked, startled and disoriented as you travel through the passageways of Shock House. Features include live stage shows, indoor restrooms and waiting areas.
- Cost: General Admission $20, VIP Fast Pass $30; Tickets available online or at door.
Two weeks later, you can take a spine-tingling stroll through Downtown Davenport on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 3 p.m., presented by the Downtown Davenport Partnership. This frightfully fun Halloween event is filled with treats, photo ops and festive surprises around every corner.
“The spooky season is here, and Downtown Davenport is celebrating! Local businesses will be handing out candy, offering fall-inspired specials, hosting sales and creating unique Halloween experiences throughout downtown,” said Haley Moore, manager of placemaking and marketing for DDP.
How it works:
- Dress in your best Halloween costume
- Pick up an event map at any participating business
- Stroll through downtown, collect treats and enjoy all the spooky fun the local businesses have in store!
Participating businesses:
- Abernathy’s
- Allied Barber & Supply
- Barrel House
- Bix Bistro
- Brady Street Blends
- City Loafers at The Current
- CoWork QC
- Freight House Farmer’s Market
- Front Street Brewery
- German American Heritage Center & Museum
- Great River Brewery
- Mac’s Tavern
- Mississippi River Distilling Company Downtown Lounge
- Raccoon Motel
- Supreme Legacy Barbershop
- The Last Picture House
- Theo & Co.
For a full listing of downtown Rock Island events and times, visit the Downtown Rock Island website. For more info on the Oct. 25 events, visit the Downtown Davenport Partnership site.
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