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Holiday Events Quad Cities 2020

From a new exhibit about toys and decorated historic houses to holiday performances, you won't want to miss a minute in the Quad Cities that will bring you a child-like glee in November and December.  Use #tistheQCeason in social media to show off your Quad Cities holiday fun.

Tis the QCeason

New Pop-Up Christmas Cocktail Bar - Nov. 14-Dec. 13

New this year in the Quad Cities, and the first and only one in Iowa!  Serving Christmas-themed cocktails crafted by master mixologists at Cocktail Kingdom, this pop-up bar is inside the Freight House, 421 W. River Drive in downtown Davenport, Iowa.  You’ll find it’s a mashup of Macy’s Christmas and your childhood living room, but with a distinctly adult sense of humor.  The Miracle franchise started in New York City in 2004.  This year there will be 118 Miracles in 7 countries and 35 U.S. states.  The QC location is open from 5 p.m. to midnight every day and you can make reservations at www.miracleqc.com.  You’ll also find their cocktail menu on the website, and there are plans for cocktails to-go with curbside pick-up.

Julmarknad – Nov. 27-29 & Dec. 5-6

Prepare for the holidays by attending Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, in Bishop Hill, Illinois.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27-28, and Dec. 5.  On Sunday, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, the hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  In Sweden, the Julmarknad tradition started in the 14th century, with the market typically held in the town square. The attractions in Bishop Hill include Swedish folk characters, traditional Swedish holiday decorations, and unique Christmas gifts for sale. The traditional foods and handicrafts offered for sale give a glimpse of life in the past, as well as the opportunity to incorporate them into modern life.  All our shops, museums, and restaurants will be open to satisfy your holiday needs.  A working model railroad will be on display in the Steeple Building Museum.  Due to COVID-19, Illinois businesses do require masks indoors and have capacity limits.  For more information about 2020 Julmarknad activities, please call 309-927-3899, email [email protected], or visit www.visitbishophill.com

straws goats swedish christmas decorations

NEW MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Play: The Story of Toys is a new exhibit that opens November 21, 2020, at the Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1717 W. 12th St. in Davenport, Iowa.  Play: The Story of Toys looks at the history (and a bit of the science) of toys and play from prehistoric times to modern day, including pop culture toys, toy fads, dangerous toys, local toy manufactures, and more.  This new exhibit features items from the Putnam Museum’s vast collections and will be included with general admission.  Advanced ticketing is highly encouraged, and you can purchase tickets online.  Admission will be based on timed entry.

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES

The Nutcracker at Home

You can enjoy a special Nutcracker experience at home this year with The Nutcracker in a Box from Ballet Quad Cities! Your support today will ensure that they can keep dancing in the future. Each Box includes: Four Nutcracker sugar cookies, A signed photo of the Ballet Quad Cities Dancers, A link to view last year's Nutcracker performance, A generous Green Thumbers coupon, and a wooden Nutcracker. Available for pick-up at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA on November 30th and December 1st from 1pm to 5pm. Shipping option available.

Order your box today!

Nutcracker ballet with Cara and her grandfather

Maddie Poppe’s Acoustic Christmas – Dec. 19

Iowa native Maddie Poppe is coming to the Adler Theatre on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for her Acoustic Christmas concert.  Maddie Poppe is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Clarksville, Iowa, and Season 16 winner of American Idol. Maddie fell in love with music at a young age, learning to play guitar, ukulele and piano and in 2016, Maddie released her debut album, “Songs from the Basement,” which she wrote, produced and recorded alongside her father, Trent. After years of performing locally in Iowa, she decided to audition for American Idol - a decision she calls her “saving grace.”  Tickets ($29.50 & $39.50) for this socially-distanced event will be sold in Pods of 2, 3, 4 and 5. Guests must purchase all tickets in a selected pod. All guests will be expected to follow new health and safety guidelines, which includes wearing face coverings, maintaining distance between groups, and staying home if sick or if a person has had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Patrons are encouraged to review health and safety protocols at AdlerTheatre.com.

maddie poppe christmas concert tour flyer

Learn more about holidays in the QC and where to shop local this season here!