Kick off the holiday season and help feed the hungry!  The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolls into Davenport at 2PM today at the corner of River Drive and Western Streets. Enjoy thousands of lights, cookies and hot chocolate as you watch live artists perform. Please bring non-perishable food items as a donation to benefit the 25 food pantries of Churches United.

Everyone loves a hilarious cat video, but what if we told you there was a way to see tons of adorable cats in one convenient location while supporting a good cause ALL AT THE SAME TIME!  Help our friends at Nerdwerx decide whether to donate $500 to United Way, Gilda's Club, or Red Cross by checking out their Nerdy Merry X-Mas Cat Video Generator!  Awesome, right? Help the cause and have a good laugh while you're at it!

Angelic voices...gorgeous scenery...magnificent dancing... these are just a few words to describe Ballet Quad Cities' presentation of The Nutcracker! Head out to the Adler Theatre this weekend to experience this holiday favorite.  The performance will feature live music by Orchestra Iowa this year!

In the mood for some captivating dirty folk and bluegrass by a band that has opened for Keller Williams? Check out Dumptruck Butterlips at River Music Experience for just $5 on Saturday!  You can even meet our very own Miss Iowa 2012 on Saturday at RME, too.   The Rock Island Jazz Band will host a free performance on Thursday, while the SAU Jazz Ensemble and STAMVOJA perform on Tuesday. Come out to support local high school and university talent!

The Vineyard Church will release their second CD this Friday at RME during the Davenport Vineyard Church Concert. As a special gift for coming, the CD's are free!  Rhythm City Casino will host two great performances of its own this weekend when North of 40 and Crazy Bad take the stage.

Make your way to the German American Heritage Center Saturday to try Free Sausage Samples from Wisconsin's Bavaria Sausage Company! While you're there, shop local at their Christkindlmarkt gift shop for some coffee mugs, beer glasses, tasty food items, and other goodies that  make great gifts! Don't forget about the Bus Trip to Chicago to see the classic musical The Christmas Schooner,too.

What better way to spend the holiday season than relaxing and building gingerbread houses? Enjoy holiday activities inspired by the current Quilts exhibition during the Figge's Holiday Workshop tonight. Make sure you catch a tour of the Quilts: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum on Sunday and check out the other great exhibitions like the 2012 College Invitational, as well.

Each Saturday during December, Santa and his Farmer helpers will be at the Freight House Farmers Market! Stop by with the kids to visit with Santa while enjoying samples and treats from vendors.  Don't forget to support local downtown businesses this holiday season! Peruse our many great retailers here and pick up gifts you can't find anywhere else in the QC.

Brewery Tours

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

Exhibition: Grimm Brothers Fairytale Exhibit

Where: German American Heritage Center

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $3 Kids)

Website

Free Sausage Sampling

Where: German American Heritage Center

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Website

Freight House Farmers Market

The Adler will host to back to back hits this weekend! The Quad City

Symphony Orchestra performs Shakespeare in Concert on Saturday with sounds inspired by works ranging from Romeo and Juliet to a Midsummer Night's Dream. On Sunday, an international cast of over 30 multi-talented and brilliantly costumed artists come to life when Lujack Lexus presents Cirque Dreams Holidaze. See gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires and more!

Treat yourself to Trampled Under Foot this Saturday at River Music Experience and hear the songs that won first place in the 2008 International Blues Challenge! While on the Blues kick, be sure to hear the artistic voice of Maggie Brown Thursday, too. If you prefer your rock a little harder, check out Dynoride with The Post Mortems, My Pal Trigger, and 9th St. Memory. RME will also feature River Prairie Minstrels , Blues Cafe, or and Open Mic & Jam.

Doing some holiday shopping but want nothing but completely unique and awesome gifts? Shop local during the Handmade City 5 Arts & Crafts Show at Bucktown!  With 33 amazingly talented vendors plus Bucktown's own shops, we're certain you'll find the perfect gift. Of course, there are many other great retailers downtown too, so be sure to stop in all of our stores while you're here.

The Figge Art Museum is thanking all members this weekend during their Member Appreciation Weekend. Members enjoy double discounts in the Museum store and free gift wrapping all weekend long. Guests of members attending Sunday's tour of Quilts: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum also receive FREE admission to the museum. Brush up on your quilt-making skills by attending the Quilt Workshop Saturday, too!

Looking for more tunes? The German American Heritage Center hosts its annual Christmas Concert with the Davenport Zither Ensemble on Sunday, featuring special guests the Bee Sharp Vocal Ensemble from St. Ambrose University. River City 6 makes their way back for a performance at Rhythm City Casino as well on Friday, while Lee Blackmon takes the stage Saturday.  River Action will be hosting the first of the season's Chili Loop Rides.  Enjoy our local bike trails and top it off with hot soup at the Freight House Farmers Market, as well.

Bring along some canned food to donate to the local food pantry when you head out to Great River Brewery for the tapping of the Abbey Ale Saturday. While you're at it, make a difference by leaving donations for Toys for Tots in the Brewer's Lounge.  Saturday,  River Action will be hosting the first of the season's Chili Loop Rides.  Enjoy our local bike trails and then top it off with some hot soup at the Freight House Farmers Market.

Love a good game of pool?   Don't miss the MPA Pool Tournament starting on Wednesday at the River Center.  Stay tuned for more details on this big event next week!

Brewery Tours

Where: Figge Art Museum

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($7), or FREE with membership

Website

Exhibition: Grimm Brothers Fairytale Exhibit

Where: German American Heritage Center

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Price: Museum Admission ($5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $3 Kids)

Website

Freight House Farmers Market