ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 21, 2026) — 2nd Saturdays presented by Gas and Electric Credit Union returns to the heart of Downtown Rock Island June 13, bringing more energy, activity, and reasons to explore downtown alongside the QC Farmers Market.
Held on the second Saturday of the month, June through October, this free, all-ages series turns downtown into a lively community destination with fitness classes, live music, bubble stations, giant lawn games, pop-up shops, local food and drink specials, and more.
Whether you're grabbing fresh produce, meeting friends for brunch, shopping local or spending the day with family, 2nd Saturdays offers something new to discover each month. The 2nd Avenue Festival Street, Arts Alley, Green Lawn, the iconic ROCK ISLAND letters and surrounding businesses continue to create a welcoming and vibrant gathering space for residents and visitors all season long.
“We are undergoing an exciting transformation downtown, and 2nd Saturdays is a chance for the community and visitors to show up together and experience what makes this place special,” said Jack Cullen, Executive Director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance.
Monthly Programming:
2nd Avenue Festival Street, 1800 2nd Ave
- 8AM-12PM QC Farmers Market featuring local produce, baked goods, specialty foods, flowers, artisan goods, and more
Arts Alley, 1719 2nd Ave
- 9-10AM Yoga-Pilates Fusion with Refined Fit Lab (RSVP encouraged)
- 10AM-2PM Pop-Up Shops featuring rotating makers, artists, and small businesses
Green Lawn, 1801 2nd Ave
- 8AM-12PM Giant lawn games
- 9:30-11:30AM Bubble stations by Absolute Science and live music curated by Common Chord on the Blue Collar Bagels deck
Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 101 17th St
- 8:30am-10PM Spray fountains, playground, and public restrooms
Downtown Businesses
- Additional experiences and offerings from downtown businesses and community partners
Parking
- Free on-street parking
- Free parking in public lots
- Bike racks
See the full details, including monthly music lineup and business specials, on our website.
About the Rock Island Downtown Alliance
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance formed in 2023 as a joint effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen livability and quality of place in Downtown Rock Island. The Downtown Alliance, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber, partners with the City of Rock Island to staff, manage, and implement Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) programs.
