Share 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 15,000 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 25 years of bringing people and plants together in fun and meaningful ways in 2023 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
11.21 – 12.15 WED - SUN | 5-9 PM
12.18 – 12.31 DAILY* | 5-9 PM
Last Entry 8:30PM
*Open: New Year’s Eve
*Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas
$11 Adults | $7 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2
Members $9 Adults | $5 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 250,000 glowing lights, featuring new lighted elements of the display. Explore the Crawford Company Tropical Sun Garden, Children’s Garden, lawns, pond, and pocket gardens of our light exhibit as you experience our largest fundraiser of the year. New additions include more lighted elements and nature motifs, a lighted tunnel, an additional holiday vignette, a new dancing light show performance, and lighting in the parking lot gardens.
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#/
*Crafts will not be available on the following nights due to special events: November 21, December 5, 13, 14 and 19. Dogs are not allowed in the Mike Peppers Holiday Activity Room on our select Lights & Leashes nights.
SPECIAL EVENTS
OPENING NIGHT: EXHIBIT LIGHTING
11.21 THURSDAY | 5:30PM LIGHTING | 5-9PM EXHIBIT
Exhibit Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/4elpPnr
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. A firework celebration will take place at 6PM. 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
11.21 THURSDAY | 5:30PM LIGHTING | 6-8PM EVENT
$35 per person | $21 designated driver
Tickets: https://bit.ly/40CBwmz
Join us after the 5:30PM lighting and 6:00PM fireworks for the first Lights & Flights of the season, featuring Bent River Brewing Company, Crawford Brew Works, and Huckleberry’s Pizza. Bent River and Crawford will be serving up sample flights of their locally brewed beer, and Huckleberry’s will dish out an artisanal pizza sampler. Each ticket includes one beer flight from each brewery, 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 sampler, admission to the light display, and access to the Lights & Flights room.
MEMBERS FREE ADMISSION NIGHTS
11.21.24-12.31.24 WEDNESDAYS | 5-9PM
Members must show membership card upon entry. Advanced tickets not required.
Free for Botanical Center Members and FunBundle Members
LIGHTS & LEASHES
11.21.24-12.31.24 SUNDAYS | 5-9PM*
Exhibit Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/4elpPnr
Experience the decorated gardens with your furry friends by your side. Bring your pups for a nighttime stroll every Sunday night. 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.
WINTER LIGHTS: CULTURE BRIGHT
PRESENTED BY THE QUAD CITIES CULTURAL TRUST
12.4 WEDNESDAY | 5-9PM | 7PM FIREWORKS
Exhibit Admission
Free for Botanical Center Members and FunBundle Members
Tickets: https://bit.ly/4elpPnr
The Quad City Botanical Center is proud to be one of the six Legacy Partners of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust. Join us on this special night where we come together with QCCT and our fellow Legacy Partners to celebrate culture in the QC with a night of interactive activities and entertainment that highlight what makes each of us unique. Artists, musicians, actors, carolers, and cultural experts from the Quad Cities will be found throughout the gardens. Join us for fireworks at 7PM.
This night is made possible in partnership thanks to our biggest annual funder the Quad Cities Cultural Trust and our fellow Legacy Partners Common Chord, Figge Art Museum, Putnam Museum, Quad City Arts, and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.
LIGHTS & FLIGHTS
12.5 AND 12.19 | THURSDAYS | 6-8PM
$35 per person | $21 designated driver
Tickets: https://bit.ly/40CBwmz
Experience the light display and sample beer and pizza from three local businesses, featuring Bent River Brewing Company, Crawford Brew Works and Huckleberry’s Pizza. Bent River and Crawford will be serving up sample flights of their locally brewed beer, and Huckleberry’s will dish out an artisanal pizza sampler. Each ticket includes one beer flight from each brewery, 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 sampler, admission to the light display, and access to the Lights & Flights room.
KRAMPUS NIGHTS
12.6 FRIDAY AND 12.7 SATURDAY | 6-8PM
Exhibit Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/4elpPnr
Meet the infamous Krampus and take your own photos. Visit with the German American Heritage Center & Museum to make Krampus masks and 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
12.13 FRIDAY AND 12.14 SATURDAY | 5-8PM
Exhibit Admission
Tickets: https://bit.ly/4elpPnr
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Early time slots may sell out.
IMPACTLIFE BLOOD DRIVE
11.27 WEDNESDAY | 3-6PM
Donate Blood: https://bit.ly/3YWTAGM
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 27 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.
Thank you to our sponsors: MidAmerican Energy Company, Quad Cities Cultural Trust, Dohrn Transfer Company, Sunbelt Rentals, Crawford Company, Family Credit Union, Davenport Jaycee Foundation, Jaycees of the Quad Cities, 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 21 - Dec 31, 2024
Venue Details
Quad City Botanical Center
2525 4th AvenueRock Island, Illinois 61201
