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Adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, the Quad City Botanical Center is comprised of an indoor tropical atrium, outdoor gardens including a Children’s Garden with water feature, a G-Scale garden train exhibit (seasonal), educational greenhouse, a three-season event canopy, indoor banquet facility and gift shop.
As a public garden we maintain hundreds of plants ranging from tropical varieties to regional Zone 5 perennials. A garden for all seasons, our tropical atrium is splendid throughout the winter months and has been turned into a sandy beach on occasion, and our rare conifer collection is unique to the Quad Cities. In spring, flowering bulbs enliven the garden, including a stunning iris collection. Other special collections include day lilies, mums and ornamental grasses. Our outdoor butterfly garden attracts pollinators by the hundreds, and is lively from early spring to late fall when the monarchs start their migration.
As an educational resource we offer staff-guided tours of our gardens, grounds and greenhouse, serving 10,000 students annually. In addition, we participate in outreach programs at school campuses and set up educational booths at various community events. Our expert staff is on hand to answer questions and help interpret the garden and exhibits.
As a banquet facility we serve thousands of guests throughout the year and host events for affinity groups, service clubs, businesses, brides and grooms, birthday and anniversary party honorees, and classmates seeking a unique backdrop for a memorable event.
We support local artists by providing gallery space to exhibit works of art from various mediums and our gift shop offers many one-of-a-kind handcrafted items.
The Quad City Botanical Center is a 501 c 3, non-profit organization. We celebrated 20 years of bringing people and plants together in fun and meaningful ways in 2018 and welcome you to the gardens!
Description
WINTER LIGHTS POWERED BY MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY
ADVANCED TICKETS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, POPULAR DATES AND TIMES MAY SELL OUT
11.17 – 12.10 WED - SUN | 5-9 PM
12.13 – 1.1 DAILY* | 5-9 PM
Last Entry 8:30PM
*Open: New Year’s Eve and the night of New Year’s Day
*Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas
$10 Adults | $6 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2
Members $8 Adults | $4 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2
Botanical Center members and FunBundle members will enjoy free admission Wednesday nights during the exhibit. Memberships can be purchased on qcgardens.com.
The outdoor gardens will be in winter bloom with over 225,000 glowing lights, featuring new, entertaining experiences. Explore the Sun Garden, Children’s Garden, lawns, pond and pocket gardens of our outdoor light exhibit as you experience our largest fundraiser of the year. New additions include pocket exhibits, lighted nature motifs, a new dancing light show performance, and two new events.
Bundle up, stroll the gardens at night and visit the outdoor events canopy for hot drinks, cocoa and treats for purchase.
Bring the kids for free crafts to make and take or plan your visit on one of our special event nights.
Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended at qcgardens.com. For more information on the exhibit, visit: https://www.qcgardens.com/winter-nights-winter-lights.html#/
SPECIAL EVENT NIGHTS
OPENING NIGHT: EXHIBIT LIGHTING
11.17 FRIDAY | 5:30PM LIGHTING | 5-9PM EXHIBIT
Regular Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/49pXvio
Be amongst the first to experience this year’s light display. Guests will gather around the pond for the first lighting of the season after a short introduction of our presenting sponsor, MidAmerican Energy Company. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended.
Opening Night: Lights & Flights is a separate ticket that includes admission to the 5:30PM lighting.
OPENING NIGHT: LIGHTS & FLIGHTS
11.17 FRIDAY | 5:30PM LIGHTING | 6-8:30PM EVENT
$30 per person | $20 designated driver
Tickets: https://bit.ly/471iZ3D
Join us after the lighting for the first Lights & Flights of the season, featuring Radicle Effect Brewerks and Huckleberry’s Pizza. Radicle will be serving up sample flights of their delicious beer, brewed in Rock Island, and Huckleberry’s will dish out an artisanal sampler of Italian food. Each ticket includes one flight of beer, one flight of food, admission to the light display, and access to the Lights & Flights room. Enjoy live music by Roger Carlson & friends.
Must be 21+ to enter the Lights & Flights room. Must show valid ID. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Designated driver ticket includes a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, Huckleberry’s flight, admission to the light display, and access to the Lights & Flights room.
MEMBERS FREE ADMISSION NIGHTS
11.17.23 – 1.1.24 WEDNESDAYS | 5-9PM
Free for Botanical Center Members and FunBundle Members
Members must show membership card upon entry. Advanced tickets not required.
LIGHTS & LEASHES
11.19 AND 12.3 SUNDAYS | 5-9PM*
Regular Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/49pXvio
NEW! Experience the decorated gardens with your furry friends by your side. Bring your pups for a nighttime stroll on these two select nights. To ensure safety for all visitors and pets, all dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times. Last entry is 8:30PM.
IMPACTLIFE BLOOD DRIVE
11.29 WEDNESDAY | 3-6PM
You have the power to help. By giving blood, you’ll provide a lifesaving resource used by patients in the Quad Cities. Donate blood at the donor bus in our parking lot on November 29 to receive four free tickets to the light exhibit plus a pair of light glasses. Schedule an appointment at bloodcenter.org or call 800-747-5401. Hosted in collaboration with Visit Quad Cities.
KRAMPUS NIGHTS
12.1 FRIDAY AND 12.2 SATURDAY | 6-8PM
Regular Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/49pXvio
NEW! Meet the infamous Krampus and take your own photos. Visit with the German American Heritage Center & Museum to learn the folklore of Krampus. Krampus will be stationed in a designated area and will not be roaming the gardens.
SANTA AND THE MRS. VISIT
12.8 FRIDAY AND 12.9 SATURDAY | 5-8PM
Regular Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/49pXvio
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Early time slots may sell out.
LIGHTS & FLIGHTS
12.14 AND 12.28 THURSDAYS | 6-8:30PM
$30 per person | $20 designated driver
Tickets: https://bit.ly/471iZ3D
Experience the light display and sample beer and pizza from two Rock Island businesses, featuring Radicle Effect Brewerks and Huckleberry’s Pizza. Radicle will be serving up sample flights of their delicious beer, brewed in Rock Island, and Huckleberry’s will dish out an artisanal sampler of Italian food. Each ticket includes one flight of beer, one flight of food, admission to the light display, and access to the Lights & Flights room. Enjoy live music by Roger Carlson & friends.
Must be 21+ to enter the Lights & Flights room. Must show valid ID. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Designated driver ticket includes a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, Huckleberry’s flight, admission to the light display, and access to the Lights & Flights room.
Thank you to our sponsors: MidAmerican Energy Company, Quad Cities Cultural Trust, Sunbelt Rentals, Dohrn Transfer Company, Family Credit Union, Heartland Central Railroad Club, Penske Truck Rental
YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Purchase a membership for FREE ADMISSION for one year, including entrance to Winter Nights Winter Lights on Wednesdays. Or make gift-giving easy and surprise loved ones with a membership. Go to qcgardens.com/memberships to start your holiday shopping now.
Date & Time
Nov 17, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024
Venue Details
Quad City Botanical Center
2525 4th AvenueRock Island, Illinois 61201
