This year the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees celebrates 30 years of holiday cheer! Festival of Trees at the RiverCenter features many beautiful, uniquely designed trees, stunning designer displays, handcrafted stockings and ornaments, a variety of miniature designs, special events, model train display, gingerbread village, and the North Pole children's activity center.

There are additional ticketed events that happen in conjunction with the Festival of Trees. NEW this year: "Cheers to 30 Years," a beer and wine tasting that will offer a "sneak peek" of the event. There is also the Silver Bell Social for seniors, Grand Premiere Party, Sizzlin' Soiree for a girls night out, Sugarplum Ball for dads and daughters, Celebrity Lunch, Jingle Jam teen dance, and Family Days for military families.

Then the Festival of Trees Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 21 features over 20 large helium-filled character balloons, marching bands, the Distinguished Clown Corps, and participation from over 50 organizations. There are more balloons than Macy's! The parade begins at 10:15 a.m. and goes through the streets of downtown Davenport.

Back by popular demand, Cirque de la Symphonie returns with an all new show for the Holiday Pops at the Adler Theatre in Davenport on Nov. 20-21. The Holiday Pops includes three performances, one each night at 8 p.m. and a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Artists include aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, and music by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.

Enjoy a heart-warming performance of A Wonderful Life at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island. George Bailey's story remains a timeless tale of dreams, love, and extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Based on the popular movie, A Wonderful Life performance dates are Nov. 13-Dec. 27.

More holiday performances include :

A Christmas Story: The Musical, Dec 3-6, Quad City Music GuildJunie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells, Dec 5-6, Galvin Fine Arts CenterThe Nutcrackers, Dec 12-13, Adler TheatreA Christmas Carol, Dec 11-20, The District Theatre

Christmas at the historic John Deere family mansions in Moline, Illinois, has become a holiday tradition. On Sunday, Dec. 6, step back in time for the free 19th Century Christmas celebration from 12-5 p.m. Also, visit with living-history volunteers, hear carolers, and participate in make-and-take activities.

Starting Friday, Nov. 27 visitors can also enjoy the upcoming holiday films at the Putnam Museum and Science Center. Watch The Polar Express 3D and Frozen 3D on the National Geographic GIANT Screen Theater. BRAND NEW this year is Frozen Sing-Along Sundays where you can see this adored film and sing along to the words on the screen each Sunday at 4:15 p.m. from Nov. 29 to Dec. 27!

The Amazing Advent Adventure exhibit at the German American Heritage Center features Advent calendars of all kinds?some by local artists, some by students in Davenport's Sister City (Kaiserslautern, Germany) and some from local collectors. The German American Heritage Center itself is turning its building into an Advent calendar! Starting December 1, they will light up a different window like an Advent calendar until the 24th.

Rock Island, IL: Teens and adults will find plenty of events at the Rock Island Public Library next week. Teens ages 12 to 18 who are fans of the Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins and the movie franchise based on the books can take part in a free Mockingjay party at the Main Library on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The event will show the first installment of the Hunger Games series finale before the 2nd portion is released next Friday. Teens can catch up on the plot, play for prizes in a Hunger Games scavenger hunt, and enjoy snacks. The event is from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

On Thursday, the library screens a different type of cinema with a Teen Anime Night. The event celebrates the art of Japanese animation with anime showings from the library's subscription to Crunchyroll, lessons in writing Japanese characters and Japanese snacks. The event is Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, also at the Main Library. Both teen events are for ages 12 to 18.

Adults can catch a rescheduled presentation next Tuesday on the explosive impact of Albert Einstein's 1915 Theory of Relativity as part of an extended Frieze Lecture series with co-partner Augustana College. Dr. Cecilia Vogel, Augustana College physics department, will discuss the reception to Einstein's theory, how it forever changed our perception of the universe, and new or competing theories that have also arisen. The free presentation takes place at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room.

A newly added event next Wednesday is a presentation from Dr. Art Pitz on Quad City Jewish Heritage. Offered in cooperation with the Putnam Museum and Science Center's exhibit of the same name, the free program will be offered from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room. Participants can also view a traveling exhibit on "A Welcome Place: Quad City Jewish Heritage" in the library's art gallery space next to the Community Room.

For more information about Rock Island Library hours, services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

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Enjoy this classic tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann as performed through dance! Dance Me a Story complements Ballet Quad Cities' season with public programs that tie together ballet performances and the literature that inspires the choreography. Participants first learn how the literature inspires the choreographer and dancers, then see costumes, head pieces, props and pointe shoes-all important elements to bring the story to life.

On Thursday, November 12th Quad Cities Interfaith will host its 7th Annual Individual Donor Breakfast from 7:30am to 8:30am in the Rogalski Center Ballroom at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. This year's theme is "Building A Beloved Community".

Our guest speaker is Rev T. Ray McJunkins, pastor at Union Baptist Church, Springfield, Illinois and President of Gamaliel of Illinois.

To reserve your spot, call 563-322-4910