That Dam Shopping Trip, a bi-state shopping tour of downtown Rock Island and Davenport small businesses, is back for 2021 and will be taking place Friday, November 26 and Saturday, November 27 from 11 am to 5 pm. Ten businesses, skirting both sides of the dam, will offer sales and prizes as they welcome customers to our downtown on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. That Dam Shopping Trip is a free event, and shoppers can pick up their stamp sheet at any participating location, visit the stores in any order, and turn in completed stamp sheets at their last stop. Each of the stores has donated... Read More

The Augustana College Department of Music presents Christmas at Augustana, December 4 and 5, 2021 in Centennial Hall. Presented by Quad City Bank & Trust, Christmas at Augustana is returning live after a one-year hiatus. Christmas at Augustana has thrilled audiences in sold-out performances for over a decade. Student musicians will take the stage to share their talents in what has become a highlight of the Augustana and Quad-Cities holiday season. Featuring performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble... Read More

Everyone’s favorite holiday performance is back on the Adler Theatre stage! Celebrate the holidays with an enchanted experience for the whole family. Be swept away on a journey to the land of sweets, as Orchestra Iowa & Ballet Quad Cities present The Nutcracker. Breathtaking sets, dazzling costumes, incredible dancers, and extraordinary music. This performance will leave you with memories to cherish for years to come. December 11th at 2:30pm & 7:30pm December 12th at 2:30pm Tickets to The Nutcracker – Davenport  Read More

Deck the Downtowns promotions are going on NOW in Downtown Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island. Each downtown will promote their own unique activities encouraging people to eat, drink, shop and be merry downtown. “This is the first time the three downtowns managed by the Quad Cities Chamber have come together to showcase the businesses that make each downtown unique with Deck the Downtowns,” said Kyle Carter, VP of Place Management, Quad Cities Chamber. “There is so much to offer in each downtown during the holidays – whether it’s enjoying a holiday event with your family, date... Read More

Oh, What Fun! The Kwik Star Festival of Trees is BACK in person this year! Returning to the River Center, November 20 – November 28, this year’s Festival brings the magic of the holiday season to life in our NEWLY designed Festival Village, complete with the Tree of Lights as the focal point of the main town square.  In its’ 36th year as the annual fundraiser for Quad City Arts, over 30,000 people experience the 10-day Festival of Trees each year and an additional 45,000 watch the Holiday Parade, making this event one of the largest attractions in the Quad Cities. Festival of Trees features... Read More

Entertainment is a tricky thing. One person’s wholesome fare is another person’s demon-possessed trash. From time to time, I’ll get emails from irate people who are disappointed that I’ve recommended some bit of entertainment they find to be offensive. One of them messaged me about it. Another called me, taking me to task for “leading children down the path of evil.” How she knew I’d been a tour guide at Disneyland is beyond me. But nonetheless, this lady wasn’t pleased. “You shouldn’t be telling parents to let their children go to demonic concerts…you should be warning them... Read More

Circa ’21’s “Winter Wonderland” gave me everything I would want in a holiday special — it was lighthearted, cute, funny and full of snowflake fluffy holiday cheer. It’s what you want in a Christmas special, and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a perfect family gift for the holiday season. Expertly produced, director/choreographer Sean McCall, musical director Ron May, scenic designer Susan Holgersson, costume designer Greg Hiatt and lighting designer Heather Hauskins have created a winter wonderland of their own on the stage, a beautiful and cozy setting for... Read More

The Augustana College Department of Music presents Christmas at Augustana, December 4 and 5, 2021 in Centennial Hall. Presented by Quad City Bank & Trust, Christmas at Augustana is returning live after a one-year hiatus. Christmas at Augustana has thrilled audiences in sold-out performances for over a decade. Student musicians will take the stage to share their talents in what has become a highlight of the Augustana and Quad-Cities holiday season. Featuring performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble... Read More

Jen Dobrunz, executive director of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust, will serve as a Grand Marshal at the 2021 Kwik Star Festival of Trees Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 20 in downtown Davenport. Dobrunz has dedicated her career to the non-profit sector, raising nearly $100 million over the last 15 years. She is a Quad City native who lives in LeClaire, Iowa with her three children. She has served as the QCCT executive director for three years. During her tenure, QCCT started and completed a record-breaking campaign that brought the trust’s endowment to over $32 million, which has allowed for... Read More

Oh, What Fun! The Kwik Star Festival of Trees is BACK in person this year! Returning to the River Center, November 20 – November 28, this year’s Festival brings the magic of the holiday season to life in our NEWLY designed Festival Village, complete with the Tree of Lights as the focal point of the main town square.  In its’ 36th year as the annual fundraiser for Quad City Arts, over 30,000 people experience the 10-day Festival of Trees each year and an additional 45,000 watch the Holiday Parade, making this event one of the largest attractions in the Quad Cities. Festival of Trees features... Read More