In the eagerly awaited return of a seasonal Quad Cities tradition, visitors can experience the wonders of a classic Victorian holiday season in Moline's unique Deere-family homes through 19th Century Christmas, the Butterworth Center's and Deere-Wiman House's annually beloved event boasting litany of yuletide treats including live music performances, interactive tours, make-and-take activities, refreshments, and, of course, a special visit by Santa Claus on December 7.

Local artisans, trolley rides, a lot of ugly sweaters, and, of course, appearances by St. Nick are among the guaranteed sights at the eagerly anticipated 41st-Annual Christmas in LeClaire weekend, with holiday-themed events and family activities scheduled at more than a dozen downtown locales between December 5 and 7.

With the events held in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth, one of history's greatest novelists will be showcased in the performance piece A Visit with Jane Austen, in which Debra Ann Miller will portray the beloved author at the Davenport Public Library's Eastern Avenue Branch and the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch, both presentations taking place on December 6.

A must-see yuletide event designed to usher in the magic of the season, the touring sensation Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland makes a stop at Davenport's Adler Theatre on November 28, this thrilling blend of world-class circus artistry and your favorite holiday music resulting in a spectacular production that will transport you to a winter wonderland of awe and enchantment.

Family audiences are invited to the Vibrant Arena at the Mark from December 4 through 7 to experience the wonderful world of Disney – on Ice – in the delightful touring sensation Mickey's Search Party, with the Moline venue transformed into an enormous skating rink and some of the studio's most beloved characters joining Mickey Mouse and friends for an unforgettable adventure.

With FVNTVNV Records playing a range of jazz, soul, funk, and R&B, as well as music from Quad City hip-hop artists. the label and Roaring Rhetoric will host a Vinyl and Poetry Night at Rock Island's Rozz-Tox on November 29, the eclectic evening also boasting spoken-word performances by Aubrey Barnes, Sabur Muhammad, Henry Morray, and Whois Ardimus.

In the latest program in the German American Heritage Center's popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series, Honorary Consul Patrick Van Nevel will be discussing Belgium's role in the founding and expansion of the European Union, as well as Belgian immigration to the Quad Cities from 1850 to 1920, in The Belgian Connection: Belgium's Influence Abroad & in the Quad Cities, presented at the Davenport venue on November 23.

The rain may not start to pour, but staffers at Great River Brewery will be there for you – like they've been there before! – on November 21, the evening of which will find the Davenport venue inviting patrons to share their best guesses on Central Perk factoids in the sitcom- and holiday-themed FriendsGiving Trivia Night.

On November 18, a virtual evening of cooking insights, techniques, and foodie exploration will be delivered as Illinois Libraries Present and the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries host a presentation of J. Kenji López-Alt: A Journey Through Food & Science, a delightful how-to program with the award-winning cookbook author and New York Times food columnist.

A reading, discussion, and Q&A with a noted psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, veteran, and poet will take place at the University of Dubuque's Multicultural Student Center on November 11, with Jessi Atherton the latest guest in the university's Archway Reading and Lecture Series.

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