Halloween Fun in the QC 2021
Some people think of Halloween as a one-day celebration. Still, others embrace the season and celebrate it for the entire month or more. The Quad Cities chooses to celebrate the season to its fullest with scary and not-so-scary adventures that are worth a day trip or overnight stay.
The Circa '21 Speakeasy, located next to the historic vaudeville era Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, presents The Rocky Horror Show in October with shows at 7 and 11 pm on October 22, 23, 29, 30, and 6 pm on Oct. 24 and 31. The theatre is located at 1818 3rd Avenue in Rock Island, Illinois. Doors open one hour before curtain. Seating is limited. For more information and ticket reservations, call 309-786-7336 or visit www.thecirca21speakeasy.com.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Outing Club in Davenport, Iowa, hosts numerous special events open to the public. On October 21-22, Ballet Quad Cities will catch the energy and movement of the '70s and disco. Thirteen professional dancers will transform The Outing Club and bring electric performances inspired by the legendary era. Celebrate with cocktails and dinner while enjoying the nightclub vibe. The best dressed for the age will be taking home prizes. Go-go boots never looked so good! For more information and tickets, call 309-786-3779 or visit www.balletquadcities.com. Ballet Quad Cities is the longest-running resident professional ballet company in Iowa, one of only 100 in the U.S.
Zombie Hayrack Hunt happens the last two weekends in October from 6pm-10pm at Snowstar Extreme Sports. Admissions is $15 and includes 100 paintballs.
Family Activities
The Quad Cities is all in for families, and several kid-friendly events and parades will excite your little ones. Dress up your little ghosts and goblins for the annual Not So Scary Halloween Walk at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave. in Rock Island, Illinois. Bring flashlights and explore the nooks and crannies of the Sun Garden – search for spiders, bats, jack-o-lanterns, and toads as you wander down the darkened pathways. Enjoy refreshments, games, and crafts and get a glimpse of the Halloween train in the popular train garden. It's not so scary in the gardens, making this event great for all ages. Take home a goodie bag after the fun. Dates are October 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The walk takes place both indoors and outdoors. Purchase your online tickets here.
The Empower House’s Spooktacular 5K and Fall Festival on October 23rd at Quinlan Court in Davenport, Iowa is from 9 am-2 pm with the 5K kicking off the event. There will be a craft/vendor fair with nearly 20 vendors to date with more registrations coming in. The mix of vendors is inclusive for anyone, from small independent vendors and crafters to larger businesses. This event is for the kids a well, we will have children’s crafts and activities. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. The race is for registered participants.
Join us on Saturday, October 23rd from 4pm-6pm for the first annual Silver Bell Hollow Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat Event! This event is packed with fall fun for the entire family! We will begin the celebration with a grand costume parade led by the alpacas. Be sure to dress up and join in the fun! Following the parade, families will be free to roam the event area. We will have a variety of activities including an alpaca meet and greet, photo opportunities, games, crafts, and trunk or treat stations. There are no additional fees. All of the fun is included in your admission price of $12.50 per guest (Preregistration/pay required) There’s something for everyone! We will also be serving free hot dogs and bottled water.
Get in the spirit for Halloween at the annual event for all families in the Quad Cities, not just members of Girl Scouts. Take part in traditional Halloween activities with a camp twist and find adventure! Attendees can also purchase tickets to scale the climbing wall, zoom through the trees on the zip line, and hit a bullseye in archery. Los Primos food truck will also be at the event. Family Halloweekend is Saturday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Camp Liberty, 4415 295th Street New Liberty, Iowa. Event participation costs $5/person, with additional tickets available for purchase for specialty activities. Walk-ins are welcome, and tickets can be reserved in advance at www.GirlScoutsToday.org.
Each year the Figge Art Museum, in partnership with LULAC Quad Cities and Hola America, celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with unique installations and events. Explore how Hispanic culture celebrates and remembers the lives of their lost loved ones through collective traditions, art-making, and storytelling. View larger-than-life Catrinas throughout the gallery space and a traditional altar. The installation can be viewed through November 14. On October 24, a Day of the Dead Family Day will take place from 12-3 p.m. outside on the Figge Plaza. Enjoy music, dancing, performances, and traditional foods. Come dressed as a Catrina to win a prize for best costume.
Bring the kids to celebrate Halloween on Thursday, October 28, for Fright Night in the Park in Downtown Rock Island, Illinois, at Schwiebert Riverfront Park from 5–7:30 p.m. This free Halloween Party for kids will be a blast with DJ Jeff James, Goodie Bags, Kids Games, Raffle Prizes, and surprise costume judging. For more information, contact Rock Island Parks & Rec at 309-732-7275 or www.rigov.org.
Trick or treat at Niabi Zoo during Boo at the Zoo on October 30-31, 9 am-3 pm. Local businesses and non-profit organizations decorate their designated area in a Halloween theme and give out candy to the kids as they trick-or-treat around the zoo. Niabi Zoo is located at 13010 Niabi Zoo Rd. in Coal Valley, Illinois.
Halloween Parades
Downtown LeClaire, Iowa, hosts a Witches' Walk on Saturday, October 30, at 10:30 am-1:30 pm. Registration and photos will be inside the Civic Center from 10:30-11:30am (ONLY if people want to be judged.) NO formal “parade” this year. At 10:30am, Trick or Treaters will be allowed to immediately head up Cody Road to Trick or Treat at the participating shops. There will be some games at the Civic Center parking lot, too.
The City of Davenport's Halloween Parade is Saturday, October 30, at 6:30 pm, starting at 3rd and Pershing.
The City of Bettendorf, Iowa, hosts a night-time Halloween parade on Saturday, October 30, at 6:00 pm. The parade starts at Middle Road and 23rd Street and ends at the Life Fitness Center.
Haunted Houses
Experience the deepest, darkest haunted forest in the Quad Cities where suddenly, you will find yourself traveling in the middle of acres of unrelenting darkness, trying to get to the outpost. QC Haunted Forest at Adventure Quest is open starting October 9 on Friday and Saturday nights from 7–11 pm. Admission is $18. The QC Haunted Forest serves snacks, hot and cold beverages, as well as a full bar. QC Haunted Forest is located at 3501 207th St. N., Port Byron, Illinois. For more information, call 309-523-3619 or visit www.qchauntedforest.com.
At Shock House in Rock Island, Illinois, it's an assault on your senses. You will be stalked, startled, and disoriented as you travel through the passageways of Shock House. There is indoor waiting for hundreds. Psycho Circus 3D features work from the world-famous Stuartizm Designs, memorable characters, and more. The Shock House was voted one of the top 10 haunted houses in Illinois. Opening September 24 on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 pm to midnight and select Thursdays from 7–10 pm in October. Admission is $17. For more information, visit www.qcshockhouse.com
Terror at Skellington Manor is an immersive, haunted attraction voted one of Illinois Top 10 haunts. This theatre of the Macabre is a Terrifying Haunted Manor Experience located at 420 18th Street in Rock Island, Illinois. Doors open at 7 pm starting October 1, and they are open weekends in October, including Halloween. Admission is $20. For more information, visit www.skellingtonmanor.com
After 25 years, Factory of Fear is the Quad Cities largest and longest-running haunted attraction. It was rated a top ten haunt in 2018 by the review team at hauntedillinois.com and voted top ten by the users of hauntedillinois.com. The Factory of Fear has added another 5,000 sq. ft. addition with new characters and new rooms. Doors open at 7 pm starting September 24, and they are open weekends in October, including Halloween. Admission is $25. Your scares await you at 5027 4th Ave. in Moline, Illinois. For more information, visit www.qcfactoryoffear.com.
Be prepared for an experience that may reach into the depths of your mind, where true torment originates. Open all weekends in October. Fridays & Saturdays: 7 pm – 12 am; Sundays & Halloween 7 pm – 10 pm at Torment at Twelve Hundred in Orion.
Asylum of Mad Dreams Scream Park is open at the Cordva International Raceway. It's open Fridays and Saturdays in October from 7-11:30 pm.
Guided Walking Tours
Want to find out where the ghosts live? Book a spot on a guided walking tour with QC Haunts to see haunted places in downtown Rock Island.
Go on a guided walking tour to see the darker places of Davenport's past. The German American Heritage Center leads evening and some morning tours.
Check out the local favorite pumpkin patches to get your jack o'lanterns and visit our event calendar for even more October events.