Bettendorf Announces 2026 Holiday Happenings: 20+ Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

The City of Bettendorf is ready for the holiday season with plenty of fun and festive opportunities planned for "kids from 1 to 92." Here is a look at our Holiday Happenings in 2026:

• Senior Angel Tree
• Neighborhood Toy Store Day
• Giving Trees
• Palmer Hills Golf Shop Open House
• Nostalgic Holiday Displays
• Letters to the North Pole
• Holiday-Themed Cake Decorating Workshop
• Holiday-Themed Balloon Twisting Workshop
• Opening of The Landing Ice Rink
• Holiday-Themed After School Kids Lab
• Holiday-Themed Young Artists Paint Party
• Reindeer Day
• Pack a Police Car & Fire Truck
• Santa's Day Out
• Holiday-Themed Seasons in Bloom
• Holiday-Themed Junior Chefs Cooking Class
• 'Tis the Season
• Holiday Jammie Jam
• Breakfast with Santa
• Holiday-Themed Art Academy Saturday Series
• Winter Reading Program: Unplug & Rewind
• Baby Rave
• Noon Year's Eve
• Unique Gift Ideas

Senior Angel Tree
Dates: Tuesday, November 17-Friday, December 4
Location: Bettendorf Police Department (1609 State Street)
Description: The Bettendorf Police Department (BPD) is once again partnering with CASI - Center for Active Seniors, Inc. to provide gifts to seniors in our community. Anyone can stop by BPD and choose a name tag from the Senior Angel Tree, then buy gifts for that person and return the unwrapped items to BPD by December 4.

Neighborhood Toy Store Day
Date: Saturday, November 14
Location: The Fox & Bee, located inside the Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Description: Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping at The Fox & Bee with 15% off the entire store! Family Museum Members get 25% off. Remember: The Fox & Bee is always tax-free, and you don't have to pay Family Museum Admission to shop!

Giving Trees
Dates: Monday, November 30-Monday, December 28
Locations: Bettendorf Community Center (2204 Grant Street) & Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department and the Family Museum are asking for donations of supplies for their programs, camps, exhibits, and the Imagination Studio. Items include everything from crayons and markers to gently used board games and DVDs! Stop by and grab a tag, then return your item(s) by December 28.

Palmer Hills Golf Shop Open House
Date: Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28
Location: Palmer Hills Golf Course (2999 Middle Road)
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Description: Nearly all merchandise will be on sale, plus enjoy a discount on 2027 Season Passes, and donate an item to our Toys for Tots box.

Nostalgic Holiday Displays
Date: Friday, November 27-Thursday, December 24
Location: Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Description: The Von Maur windows are a Quad Cities tradition dating back to the 1950s when the store was Peterson, Harned, Von Maur in what is now the Common Chord in Downtown Davenport. The elaborate, mechanized "animatronic" displays were powered by clockwork or early electric mechanisms, and were designed to surprise and entertain passersby. They, along with the former Duck Creek creatures from Animal Christmas and our fabulous ornament drop and dual train mountain scene, will be on display from November 27 through December 24.

Letters to the North Pole
Dates: Monday, November 30-Sunday, December 20
Mailbox Locations: The Landing Ice Rink (2255 Middle Road) & Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Description: We have some special "elves" who can help you get in touch with the North Pole! Kids can drop off a letter and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to one of two special mailboxes located at The Landing Ice Rink or the Family Museum, and we will make sure they receive a response from the North Pole!

Holiday-Themed Cake Decorating Workshop
Date: Thursday, December 3
Location: Bettendorf Community Center (2204 Grant Street)
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with Little Sweets Cake Design for a holiday-themed cake decorating workshop. This workshop is designed for one or two participants (either two adults 18+ or one adult 18+ and one child 8+). This event requires registration by November 23. Sign up and see the cake you'll make here.

Holiday-Themed Balloon Twisting Workshop
Date: Thursday, December 3
Location: Bettendorf Community Center (2204 Grant Street)
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with QC Clown Around for a holiday-themed balloon twisting workshop. This event requires registration by November 29. Sign up here.

Opening of The Landing Ice Rink
Date: TBD (Weather Permitting!)
Location: The Landing Ice Rink (2255 Middle Road)
Description: We're excited to open this beautiful amenity for the 3^rd season! While we wait on Mother Nature to announce our opening date, click here for information on birthday parties, fundraising nights, private rentals, special events, and how to participate in our Zamboni Naming Contest!

Holiday-Themed After School Kids Lab
Dates: Wednesdays - December 2, December 9, and December 16
Location: Bettendorf Public Library (2950 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Description: After School Kids Lab is an opportunity for school-aged kids to have fun on early-out Wednesdays with STEAM-based activities. Drop in any time between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. to create, have fun, or explore something new!

• December 2: Candy Cane Coding
• December 9: Cup Snow Globes
• December 16: Holiday Sweater Collage

Holiday-Themed Young Artists Paint Party
Date: Saturday, December 5
Location: Bettendorf Community Center (2204 Grant Street)
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with Art with Kare for a holiday-themed painting class. Kids ages 7-14 will learn to paint a piece of art and enjoy pizza while their paintings dry. This event requires registration by December 3. Sign up and see the painting you'll create here.

Reindeer Day
Date: Saturday, December 5
Location: Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Description: This event is included with paid admission and features real live reindeer, a variety of reindeer games, and a special performance from the Family Museum Dance Company!

Pack a Police Car & Fire Truck
Date: Saturday, December 5
Location: Family Museum Parking Lot (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 12-2 p.m.
Description: Before or after visiting the reindeer, anyone is welcome to visit the Bettendorf Police and Fire Departments and drop off a new, unwrapped toy in a police car and/or a fire truck!

Santa's Day Out
Date: Saturday, December 5
Location: Bettendorf Community Center (2204 Grant Street)
Time: 3:15-7:30 p.m.
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department is inviting kids ages 5-12 to be dropped off for an afternoon of fun so Santa can get his shopping done! This event includes festive crafts, games, treat decorating, and many other activities before wrapping up the day with pizza and a holiday movie on the big screen. This event requires registration by November 29. Sign up here.

Holiday-Themed Seasons in Bloom
Date: Saturday, December 12
Location: Bettendorf Community Center (2204 Grant Street)
Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with the City of Bettendorf's Horticulture Technician Maggie Penry-Cole for a holiday-themed workshop creating a door-hanging swag with evergreen boughs. This event requires registration by December 5. Sign up here.

Holiday-Themed Junior Chefs Cooking Class
Date: Saturday, December 12
Location: Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Description: The Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Department is holding its monthly Junior Chefs Cooking Class with a holiday theme. Kids ages 6-12 will learn to make cherry tarts with green frosting drizzle, decorated ice cream cone trees, and extra-special old-fashioned sugar cookies. This event requires registration by December 10. Sign up here.

'Tis the Season
Date: Sunday, December 13
Location: Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street)
Time: 1:30-3 p.m. (Doors open at 1 p.m.)
Description: This is a free event specifically designed for seniors in our community. It includes live entertainment from bands, choirs, dancers, and more. Refreshments are served by the Bettendorf City Council and City Staff. The event is free, but registration for all individuals attending is required by clicking here or by calling (563) 344-4014.

Holiday Jammie Jam
Date: Friday, December 18
Location: Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
Description: Families are invited to this free event to show off their holiday pajamas and sing some holiday favorites together in the beautifully decorated Great Hall!
Sponsored By: Tower Trust & Investment Company

Breakfast with Santa
Date: Saturday, December 19 or Sunday, December 20
Location: The Landing Ice Rink (2255 Middle Road)
Time: 8-9:15 a.m. or 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Description: Gather your family for breakfast, ice skating, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa himself! This event requires registration by December 13. Sign up here.

Holiday-Themed Art Academy Saturday Series
Date: Saturday, December 19
Location: Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Description: Create a special holiday keepsake while learning simple painting techniques to create colorful greenery, berries, and more on these seasonal wreaths. Then, add an extra touch of holiday cheer by decorating with sequins, ribbons, and other fun embellishments. This event requires registration by December 14. Sign up here.

Winter Reading Program: Unplug & Rewind
Dates: Monday, December 21-Monday, February 1
Location: Bettendorf Public Library (2950 Learning Campus Drive)
Description: Cut the cord and build a habit of reading! From December 21-February 1, book lovers of all ages are invited to unplug with the Bettendorf Public Library and read their way to prizes.
Funded By: Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library

Baby Rave
Date: Thursday, December 31
Location: Bettendorf Public Library (2950 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 9-9:45 a.m.
Description: "Ring" in the New Year with a baby dance party featuring music, lights, and family fun! This free event is best for kids ages 4 and under. A quiet room will also be available for those who need a break.
Funded By: Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library

Noon Year's Eve
Date: Thursday, December 31
Location: Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive)
Time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Description: The grown-ups get to stay up until midnight, which means the kids get to celebrate a countdown to 12... Noon! A limited number of tickets are required for this event and go on sale December 1. Note: On December 31, Family Museum Hours are 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sponsored By: Ascentra Credit Union

Unique Gift Ideas

• 2027 Zooseum Pass
  • This special "ticket" provides General Admission to a group of up to 5 people for the Family Museum and the Niabi Zoo from April 15 through October 15, 2027. From Friday, November 27-Thursday, December 31, it's on sale for $115. Starting January 1, 2027, the price will go up to $125. For more information, click here.
• Family Museum Memberships
  • This one-year membership includes admission to all exhibits, drop-in programs, and special events, as well as a 10% discount at The Fox & Bee, guest passes to share with friends, and reciprocal admission to more than 300 other museums in the Association of Science and Technology Centers Passport Program. For more information, click here.
• Gift Cards to The Landing Ice Rink or a Bettendorf Parks & Recreation Program
  • Stop by the Bettendorf Community Center to purchase a gift card for a fun experience at The Landing Ice Rink or registration to one of our many recreation programs, such as Pickleball Clinics, Cake Decorating Workshops, Junior Chefs Cooking Classes, Tumbling Classes, and more.
• Custom Gifts from the Bettendorf Public Library Makerspace
  • Personalize tumblers, greeting cards, home decor, and much more with the tools in the Creation Studio, including a laser engraver and cutter, a sublimation printer, a heat press, Cricut and Silhouette machines, and more. All tools are free to use. Materials (such as the tumbler to engrave) must be supplied by the user. For more information, click here.
• 2027 Season Pass to Palmer Hills Golf Course and Gift Cards to The Forge Putting Course
  • Stop by the Palmer Hills Golf Shop (2999 Middle Road) to purchase a season pass or gift card.