BETTENDORF, IOWA (November 7, 2024) — The holiday season is upon us and Downtown Davenport Partnership, Rock Island Downtown Alliance, and Downtown Bettendorf Organization are excited to announce Deck the Downtowns, presented by TBK Bank, a series of jolly holiday promotions encouraging people to eat, drink, shop, and be merry downtown November 21, 2024–January 1, 2025.
HOLIDAY DISPLAY CHALLENGE
Throughout the three downtowns, eighty businesses will participate in the Holiday Display Challenge by decorating their storefronts for the holidays. 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 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. In order to play, official hunt cards can be picked up at one of the forty-plus participating businesses. Those who find ten pickles and turn in their completed card at either the German American Heritage Center or downtown Davenport Public Library will win a pickle ornament for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize.
In downtown Rock Island, patrons will hunt for the holiday train ornament, inspired by the rich railroad history in Rock Island. Back for a third consecutive year with a new design, the custom-crafted train ornaments laser-cut by Crawford Company and decorated by Jackson Autobody and Custom Paint, can be discovered at 35 businesses in downtown Rock Island. Those who find ten holiday trains and turn in their completed stamp card at the downtown Rock Island Library, Quad City Arts, or Quad City Botanical Center will win a train ornament for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Arts Alley Celebration and Tree Lighting
Celebrate the official opening of Arts Alley in downtown Rock Island with a tree lighting and more on Wednesday, November 20, 3:30-5PM. The unveiling reveals the more than $500,000 in improvements to the outdoor event space, which include large-scale murals, decorative lighting, pop-up retail vendor stalls, and more. The event features a tree-lighting ceremony in partnership with the City of Rock Island; caroling by the Rock Island High School Chamber Choir; unveiling of the new Quad Cities Cultural Trust-sponsored OneSound Piano; and signature drinks provided by Icons Martini and Theo’s Java Cafe. Two brand-new retail vendor stalls, crafted by Crawford Company, will be added to Arts Alley and will debut with Buttercupp Candles and Lagomarcino’s during the event.
Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl
On Saturday, November 23, 11AM-3PM, after the Festival of Trees Parade, visit downtown Davenport businesses for the Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl. At 26 participating businesses, visitors can enjoy free cookie tastings from Blue Spruce General Store, Cookies and Dreams, and Tiphanie’s (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. All the details on participating businesses and activities are available here.
City of Davenport Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Kaiserslautern Square
On Saturday, November 23, join Davenport Mayor Mike Matson to light the 20-foot community tree displayed in K-Square. Festivities start at 5:30PM, including hot cocoa and cookies.
Arts Alley Holiday Market
The Arts Alley Holiday Market in downtown Rock Island, presented by Valley Construction, will be open weekends, 10AM-4PM, starting November 29 through December 22. Over these four weekends, ten different local businesses will open a pop-up shop in Arts Alley’s new retail vendor stalls. In addition, each weekend will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, tree farm, train rides, Santa visits, and more. The full schedule and details on participating businesses and activities are available here.
Blessing Tree Lighting in Be the Light Park
Gilda’s Club will host the Blessing Tree Lighting in Be the Light Park in downtown Bettendorf on Tuesday, December 3, 6-7PM. The event includes cocoa, cookies, and carolers.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
On Saturday, December 14, 3-6PM, free horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered on E 2nd St in downtown Davenport — coinciding with the German American Heritage Center’s Christkindlmarket and the Adler Theatre’s evening showing of The Nutcracker.
Find all the details at each downtown website:
Downtown Davenport Partnership, Rock Island Downtown Alliance, and Downtown Bettendorf Organization are divisions of the Quad Cities Chamber.
