2026 Alternating Currents Festival, August 13 through 16

Thursday, August 13, through Sunday, August 16

Downtown Davenport and Surrounding Areas

Taking place in two states and among more than 40 local venues, the popular summertime traveling festival Alternating Currents returns to downtown Davenport and other Quad Cities locales from August 13 through 17 – an area-wide celebration of music, film, comedy, and the arts boasting more than 200 music performances, comedy sets, film screenings, local art displays, and family activities.

Founded in 2017 by the Downtown Davenport Partnership, Alternating Currents has grown into one of the Midwest’s most unique festival experiences as a free, multi-city celebration of the arts that transforms downtown businesses, galleries, parks, bars, shops, museums and public spaces into a walkable cultural experience across the Quad Cities region.

Unlike a traditional gated festival, Alternating Currents is designed to immerse attendees directly into downtown districts and local businesses. Festivalgoers move between dozens of independently operated venues and outdoor stages throughout the weekend, discovering performances and experiences ranging from nationally touring musicians and indie filmmakers to stand-up comedy, mural installations, artist markets and interactive programming.

“This festival is really about discovery, collaboration, and creating energy throughout our downtowns,” said Alisha Espey, Alternating Currents Festival Director. “One of the most exciting parts of ACQC is that attendees can build their own experience throughout the weekend, whether that means discovering a new local artist in a small shop, catching a nationally touring act on a downtown loading dock or stumbling into something completely unexpected around the corner.”

There’s something for music lovers of all genres at Alternating Currents. From pop and rock to R&B and hip-hop, the festival features dozens of bands and artists taking the stage at some of the most historic venues in the Midwest. This one-of-a-kind festival is open to all genres and every music lover can find an artist they connect with at Alternating Currents. This is where you explore vibrant QC downtowns beside the mighty Mississippi River, as you dance from one venue to the next, enjoying great music all along the way.

This year's lineup of music artists, said Espey, "reflects exactly what Alternating Currents is designed to do, creating moments of discovery and energy throughout our downtowns. We’re bringing together artists from across the country alongside some of the Quad Cities’ most exciting creative voices and inviting people to experience music in spaces that feel immersive, unexpected and uniquely local.”

If you're the type who loves a good laugh (and who isn't?), then get ready for this weekend-long laugh fest. Dozens of comedians will be at Alternating Currents, producing cackles through a wide range of comic styles. The festival embraces all comic styles, whether you’re a fan of stand-up, sketch comedy, or improv. Alternating Currents is where you can create your own personalized comic experience in the region’s largest live comedy-event of the year.

"Comedy has become such an important part of the Alternating Currents experience because it creates opportunities for discovery and connection," said Espey. "This year's lineup brings together incredible stand-up comedians, nationally recognized comedy experiences, longtime local favorites and collaborations that simply wouldn't exist without the relationships built through this festival."

Beyond being a showcase for professional and aspiring comedians, Alternating Currents is the Quad Cities' largest film festival, boasting dozens of movie screenings from rising auteurs, and showcasing many of the best independent and short films. With a wide array of genres, filmmakers leverage the festival audience to make new contacts and promote their work. Alternating Currents is where film producers and enthusiasts come to connect, while showcasing the best of Midwest and independent filmmaking.

Davenport venue The Last Picture House, co-founded by Quad Cities natives and Hollywood filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, serves as the festival’s primary venue, offering filmmakers and audiences an intimate setting designed by filmmakers for filmmakers.

“Independent filmmakers spend years bringing these stories to life, and we're proud to showcase them in a venue built by people who understand that journey,” said Espey. “Every official selection will screen at The Last Picture House, giving filmmakers the opportunity to share their work in a world-class setting while becoming part of a larger celebration of music, comedy, film and visual art happening throughout the festival. It creates an experience that feels personal, collaborative and deeply rooted in community.”

Art lovers also converge at Alternating Currents to find awe-inspiring exhibits created by leading regional artists. Get excited for interactive exhibits, where festival-goers can make personal connections that lead to unforgettable artistic experiences. Alternating Currents is where you discover art that speaks to you, while connecting with the artists who poured their hearts and souls into each piece.

As part of the festival's visual-art focus, Mural Fest is a growing part of the Alternating Currents Festival. Each summer, professional muralists work live on-site during festival week, transforming building facades, side streets and overlooked spaces into vibrant, large-scale public art. The murals remain long after the music fades and stages come down, becoming part of everyday downtown life. They are intentionally public-facing, meant to be walked past, photographed, talked about and lived with.

Alternating Currents is powered through regional placemaking partnerships including Downtown Davenport Partnership, Downtown Bettendorf Organization and Rock Island Downtown Alliance. Leading supporters include Presenting Sponsors, Regional Development Authority (RDA) and Rhythm City Casino Resort; Major Partners, The Jeff & Reggie Goldstein Family Foundation, Luxtown.com, Scott County Regional Authority; Music Partner, T-Fiber; and Accessibility Sponsor, Bechtel Trust.

Additional programming and supporting sponsors include Nature’s Treatment of Illinois, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Bent River Brewing Company, Express Employment Professionals, Quad Cities Film Office, Front Street Brewery, Hive Event Consulting, The Last Picture House, and Visit Quad Cities. Media partners include KWQC TV-6, WQPT, The Planet 93.9 and Townsquare Media.
The full 2026 Alternating Currents festival schedule is live on the event's Web site, and the festival app invites fans to start crafting their personal weekends of fun.

For more information on Alternating Currents and access to the festival app, visit AlternatingCurrentsQC.com.