A 2022 Grammy Award nominee for the recorded version of his Netflix special The Great Average American, an hour of comedy that Paste magazine called “full of sharp observations and hilarious insights into regular life,” standup sensation Nate Bargatze returns to Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 16 with his national "The Be Funny Tour," the comedian also noted for his Comedy Central Presents and Prime Video specials and multiple appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

On December 16, famed YouTuber Edwin Rodriguez - better known by his stage moniker Ed Bassmaster - will bring his national tour to Davenport for two standup performances in the Rhythm City Casino Resort Rhythm Room, the comedian's YouTube channel boasting more than 2.7 million subscribers and running comedy videos where, as various characters, Bassmaster puts people into awkward situations or downright pranks them.

With their show's creation supported in part by an Arts Dollars grant from Quad City Arts, the talents of West Liberty, Iowa's Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre bring their family-friendly gifts to Davenport's German American Heritage Center on December 16, the delightful presentation The Bremen Town Musicians accompanied by live music and held in conjunction with a finger-puppet-making workshop following the performance.

Boasting sumptuous period designs, spellbinding stage effects, one of the world's most iconic scores, and some of the United Kingdom's fiercest dance talents, the 2016 performance of the Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker will be available for online viewing December 16 and 17 through the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries, the presentation of this holiday staple by Britain's flagship ballet company made possible by the statewide collaboration Illinois Libraries Present.

A two-evening celebration of the Swedish tradition based on the legend of Saint Lucia, Queen of Light, the 2023 Lucia Nights Festival in Bishop Hill will, on December 8 and 9, deliver a seasonal treat featuring live music, a barn dance, a chili supper, a tree-lighting ceremony, carriage rides, and more.

On December 9 and 10, one of the Quad Cities' most adored holiday traditions returns to Davenport's Adler Theatre when the professional talents of Ballet Quad Cities perform Tchaikovsky's holiday dance classic The Nutcracker, this eagerly awaited family experience boasting choreography by Artistic Director Courtney Lyon, live musical accompaniment by Orchestra Iowa, a cast of 60, and the return of popular guest artist Domingo Rubio, the longtime portrayer of the company's dancing Dracula.

A Broadway-style presentation centered around an infusion of contemporary circus arts, the touring sensation Cirque Dreams Holidaze lands at Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 13, delivering an exciting seasonal production filled with new sets, scenery, and storylines sure to put a twinkle in the eye of every member of the family.

Delivering a blend of comedy, music, and improv that's both familiar and like nothing seen before, entertainer Michael Leahy brings his alter ego Clownvis to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on December 13, this singular figure having toured with Insane Clown Posse, Neil Hamburger, and Mac Sabbath, and boasting a stage act that was lauded by L.A. Weekly as "better than the real Elvis."

An avidly anticipated holiday tradition returns to Augustana College from December 9 through 15 when the John Deere Planetarium hosts the week-long presentation Season of Light, a fascinating and beautiful holiday presentation hosted by the college's planetarium director and professor of physics and astronomy Dr. Lee Carkner.

Delivering a a thought-provoking conversation about mental health in anticipation of the winter holiday season, a New York Times bestselling author and co-host of the Dear Therapists podcast will present a special virtual program on December 6 presented by the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries, with Surviving the Holidays with Lori Gottlieb made possible by the statewide collaboration Illinois Libraries Present.

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