DAVENPORT, IOWA (November 5, 2025) — Starting November 19, 2025, explore the Deck the Downtowns promotions with fun holiday activities, unique local shopping, seasonal displays, ornament hunts, delicious goodies and opportunities to win prizes along the way. Deck the Downtowns is a joint promotion of the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, Downtown Davenport Partnership and Rock Island Downtown Alliance — all organizations of the Quad Cities Chamber.
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 & Custom Paint, can be discovered at more than thirty businesses in Downtown Rock Island. Those who find 10 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.
TREE LIGHTINGS
Downtown Rock Island Tree Lighting
Downtown comes alive with light, music and local creativity on display on Wednesday, November 19, 5-7PM, in Arts Alley and Schwiebert Riverfront Park. This kick-off to The Cultural Trust’s Culture Bright series includes the ceremonial tree lighting by Rock Island Mayor Ashley Harris; caroling by Rock Island High School Chamber Choir; and shopping at Arts Alley Holiday Market vendor stalls featuring Catalpa Natural Cleaning Services, Danndee Flowers, Moon House Medicines, and SEAL Ceramics. In addition, attendees can enjoy crafts, games, a photo booth, and live music, as well as photos with Santa and Mrs Claus. Tree lighting event details here.
City of Davenport Community Tree Lighting
On Saturday, November 22, join Davenport Mayor Mike Matson to light the twenty-foot community tree displayed in K-Square. Festivities start at 6PM, including hot cocoa, cookies, and carols performed by Voices ByShare Youth Performance Group.
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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl
On Saturday, November 22, 11AM-3PM, after the Festival of Trees Holiday Parade, visit Downtown Davenport businesses for the Deck the Downtowns Cookie Crawl. At 25+ participating businesses visitors can enjoy free cookie tastings from ½ Nelson, 392, 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.
Cookie Crawl participating businesses and deals here.
2nd Ave Holiday Market
The 2nd Ave Holiday Market in Downtown Rock Island, presented by Valley Construction, 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. 2nd Ave. Holiday Market event details 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
www.downtownrockisland.org/yearly-events/deck-the-downtowns
Downtown Davenport Partnership, Rock Island Downtown Alliance, and Downtown Bettendorf Organization are organizations of the Quad Cities Chamber.
