In the eagerly awaited return of a seasonal Quad Cities tradition, visitors can experience the wonders of a classic Victorian holiday season in Moline's unique Deere-family homes through 19th Century Christmas, the Butterworth Center's and Deere-Wiman House's annually beloved December 3 event boasting litany of yuletide treats including live music performances, interactive tours, make-and-take activities, refreshments, and, of course, a special visit by Santa Claus.

Beloved for her colorful, detailed depictions of a wide variety of animals and human cultures ranging from Scandinavia to Africa, children's-book author Jan Brett will visit the Davenport Public Library's Eastern Avenue Branch on December 2, her area appearance courtesy of Prairie Lights Book occurring in tandem with the grand opening of the library's new Enhanced Children’s Area.

Presenting a pair of exhibitions that seamlessly marry classical painting styles with a contemporary edge, Dubuque's Voices Studio, through January 28, will showcase the works of two remarkably talented artists, with the arresting pieces by Timothy Rees of Maquoketa and Evan Ventris of Dubuque embodying an evocative blend of traditional techniques with a touch of modern sophistication.

Continuing their 2023-24 season with performances at Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 2 and Moline High School's Bartlett Performing Arts Center on December 3, the stunning musicians of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra deliver a spectacular seasonal treat in Masterworks III: Winter Wonders, a repertoire of Mozart, Handel, and other classic composers boasting extraordinary solo work by QCSO Principal Oboe Andrew Parker.

Delivering a live performance of iconic country and folk tunes blended with seasonal favorites, Los Angeles' Rick Schuler brings his touring tribute act Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas to Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 3, presenting a salute to the music legend that will boast unforgettable songs from Denver's Grammy-winning repertoire alongside heartwarming inspirational carols and holiday classics from his memorable TV specials and Christmas albums.

Winners of two Loudwire Music Awards for Live Act of the Year, and one of the only groups to achieve top-five Billboard success on both the Hard Rock and Comedy charts, Steel Panther brings its unique blend of glam metal and hilarious lyrics to East Moline's The Rust Belt on December 3, the California musicians appearing on their "On The Prowl Winter Holidaze Tour," and lauded by Blabbermouth as “a genuinely brilliant '80s-inspired heavy metal band.”

On December 1, yule-minded audiences are invited to listen to carols from around the world and experience a beloved University of Dubuque tradition in Christmas at Heritage Center: All the Souls on Earth Shall Sing!, a concert event celebrating the spiritual meaning of the Christmas season presented part of the 11th-annual Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series.

Curated by Christine Chandler, curator of Natural Sciences at the Putnam Museum & Science Center, the enthralling exhibition Tales from Tails: Storybook Beasts will be on display at the Davenport venue through May 28, inviting guests to embark on a wild adventure through the world of literature.

Between November 24 and 26, a beloved animated special will come to delightful stage life in Countryside Community Theatre's A Charlie Brown Christmas, an hour-long theatrical entertainment being presented at Davenport's Lincoln Community Center, and one filled with all the memorable characters, crises, and music that made the Emmy-winning TV version a cherished holiday perennial.

With the show boasting, according to the Washington Post, “a momentum and ebullience worthy of the Pixar era,” playwright Ken Ludwig's family-comedy version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas enjoys a run of morning and afternoon performances at Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, this holiday delight's November 30 through December 23 sure to demonstrate why the Post added, “You might think the show itself was a product of Santa’s workshop.”

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