Labor Day Weekend
The last holiday weekend of the summer is a perfect time for a Quad Cities getaway! Event highlights include:
- Rock Island Grand Prix - Go-karts rule the streets in downtown Rock Island on Sept. 2-3. It is the largest in the U.S. There is also a car show, live music, and kids fun zone.
- Fall Harvest Festival - Period dressed people demonstrate crafts, and there's children's games, make-it-take-it crafts, old time music, and more on Sept. 3-4 at the Walnut Grove Pioneer Village.
- It wouldn't be a holiday weekend without parades! On Sept. 4, Rock Island has a parade at 9:30 a.m. and East Moline has a parade at 11 a.m.
- Backwater Gamblers - Free waterski shows Sept. 3
- Mercado on 5th - Hispanic market with food, entertainment and vendor booths Sept. 1
- Friday Live @ 5 - Free live, outdoor concert on the River Music Experience Sept. 1
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (musical) - Dinner theatre at the historic Circa 21' Dinner Playhouse Sept. 1-3
Culture Splash
Throughout September, arts and culture make a splash on the Quad Cities entertainment scene through a mix of events that celebrate the heritage of this wonderful area on the Mississippi River. Discover our Latino, Celtic, Belgian, German cultures, the history of farming, and regional artists that bring it to life on canvas and through sculpture, pottery, glass, and more.
- The VIVA Quad Cities Fiesta celebrates over 20 years of highlighting the rich and vibrant Latino culture in the area on Sept. 2.
- The John Deere Pavilion tractor parade and show on Sept. 9 features all brands/colors 1970 and older. Admission to the parade and show are free.
- The Beaux Arts Fair brings arts vendors to the Figge Art Museum plaza on Sept. 9-10, along with children's activities and free Figge admission.
- The Celtic Festival & Highland Games on Sept. 15-16 has athletic games of strength, Celtic bands, workshops, storytelling, food vendors, and more.
- Spend time browsing the artist's booths at Riverssance Festival of Fine Art on Sept. 16-17. The annual festival features over 100 of the finest regional and national artists.
- The Fall Flemish Fest on Sept. 17 honors the Belgian history with activities, rolle bolle, Belgium waffles and beer.
Try Augmented Reality
The Putnam Museum brings the first augmented reality experience to the Quad Cities. Visitors can interact in real-time with amazing 3D characters and animals and "touch the untouchable". The Putnam's first augmented reality adventure, "Air, Land & Sea," is centered around a dynamic, ever-changing watering hole that allows visitors to meet a diverse range of animals from Africa to the Arctic as they graze, drink and interact with the environment around them. Augmented reality explorers will be able to go eye to eye with an elephant, pet a polar bear, and dance with penguins.
For more events, check out our full event calendar!
