Quad City Arts Festival of Trees

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Nature & SeasonDavenport
DatesDates TBA · Usually NovemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsWhat began as a two-day, single-room
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Quad City Arts Festival of Trees in Davenport

Quad City Arts Festival of Trees is a nine-day holiday exhibition at the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport, featuring more than 150 designer-decorated trees, wreaths, and a Gingerbread Village. Launched in 1986 as a fundraiser for Quad City Arts's residency program, its 2025 edition marked forty years, closing out the holiday season with the largest helium balloon parade in the Midwest.

Quad City Arts Festival of Trees traces back to December 1985, when the Quad City Arts Council, itself founded in 1970 and already running the Visiting Artists Inc.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What began as a two-day, single-room fundraiser in 1986 has grown into a nine-day exhibition of more than 150 designer-decorated trees, wreaths, and hearth-and-home displays, making it one of the larger holiday tree exhibitions in the Midwest

02

The mystery stays covered

Its balloon parade, billed as the largest helium balloon parade in the region, and a fully realized Gingerbread Village give it distinct signature moments beyond the tree displays themselves

03

The city starts moving

The event carries a notable piece of entertainment trivia: actor Cary Grant had been booked to headline the 1986 fundraiser but died of a stroke in Davenport shortly before his scheduled appearance, a detail permanently woven into the festival's origin story

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Gingerbread Village and the large helium balloon parade have become the festival's two signature recurring attractions beyond the tree displays themselves

Water and renewal

Living ritual

giving the event distinct visual centerpieces each year

The sacred route

Living ritual

The festival's origin story

The local code

Living ritual

including the planned but ultimately unrealized Cary Grant appearance at its 1986 debut

Tradition 5

Living ritual

remains a fixed piece of local lore retold in coverage of each anniversary edition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually November

Getting around

For Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, plan transport around the exact Davenport venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Since the event is entirely indoors at the RiverCenter convention center, warm outerwear is needed only for arrival and departure in the cold late-November weather; standard indoor clothing...

Safety

Keep distance from unsafe water edges and follow local crowd or weather warnings.

Where to stay

For Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, stay near the part of Davenport you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.52 N, 90.58 WOpen in Google Maps

Davenport, IA

Nearest airportMLI — Quad City
TransportFor Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, plan transport around the exact Davenport venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, stay near the part of Davenport you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Davenport via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Davenport, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearSince the event is entirely indoors at the RiverCenter convention center, warm outerwear is needed only for arrival and departure in the cold late-November weather; standard indoor clothing works for the exhibition itself.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Quad City Arts Festival of Trees?

Quad City Arts Festival of Trees is listed for November · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Quad City Arts Festival of Trees take place?

The festival is listed in Davenport, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Davenport, IA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLqcfestivaloftrees.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually November
Source statusOfficial source linked
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