SPECIAL EVENTS FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER
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 2, 6-7PM. The event includes cocoa, cookies, and carolers.
2nd Avenue Holiday Market
The 2nd Avenue Holiday Market in Downtown Rock Island will be open Sunday, December 7, 11AM-4PM. Market vendors include Blue Collar Bagels, Flaherty’s Irish Candy, Fleet Feet, and Timber Lane Tree Farm. Holiday fun for the entire family includes a live reindeer exhibit, train rides, holiday music, photos with Santa and the Rock Island Rotary Reindeer Ramble 5K Run/Walk. Second Avenue Holiday Market event details here.
HOLIDAY DISPLAY CHALLENGE
Throughout the three downtowns, more than seventy businesses will participate in the Holiday Display Challenge by decorating their storefronts for the holidays. Twenty 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 November 20, 2025–January 1, 2026, 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. To play, official hunt cards can be picked up at one of the more than thirty participating businesses. Those who find ten pickles November 20, 2025–January 1, 2026, and turn in their completed card at either the German American Heritage Center or Downtown Davenport Public Library will win a pickle ornament, crafted by artist Carolyn Krueger, for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize. Pickle Hunt participating businesses and hunt info here.
In Downtown Rock Island, patrons will hunt for the holiday train ornament, inspired by the rich railroad history in Rock Island. Back for a fourth 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 more than thirty businesses in Downtown Rock Island. Those who find ten holiday trains November 20, 2025–January 1, 2026 and turn in their completed stamp card at Quad City Arts, Quad City Botanical Center, Downtown Rock Island Library, or Skeleton Key Art and Antiques will win a train ornament for their own tree (while supplies last). Participants will also be entered to win a grand prize. Train Hunt participating businesses and hunt info here.
MORE INFO
Find all the details at each downtown website:
- Downtown Bettendorf Organization
www.downtownbettendorf.org/events/yearly-events/deck-the-downtowns/
- Downtown Davenport Partnership
www.downtowndavenport.com/deck-the-downtowns
- Rock Island Downtown Alliance
