an illuminated holiday lights experience at the
quad city botanical center
open through december 31
pay what you want nights: january 2 and 3, 5-8pm
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Step into a dazzling scene of over 315,000 glowing lights adorning over 5 acres of garden grounds at the Quad City Botanical Center for Winter Lights Powered by MidAmerican Energy Foundation.
Explore the Crawford Company Tropical Sun Garden, Children’s Garden, the glistening pond, lawns, and pocket gardens of our light exhibit as you experience our largest fundraiser of the year. New additions include the Culture Bright Neon Forest, an immersive neon installation, newly themed areas of the garden, more lighted nature motifs, and outdoor fire tables with s’more stations. Visit the new indoor cocoa room for hot drinks, cocoa and treats for purchase. Enjoy the new indoor decor as you warm up inside. Kids can enjoy making scratcher art and winter coloring sheets. |
dates and times
PAY WHAT YOU WANT NIGHTS, sponsored by THE FAMILY CREDIT UNION
1.2.26 - 1.3.26, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
5-8PM, LAST ENTRY 7:30PM
Walk up only admission, name your price admission
11.21-12.14 WED - SUN | 5-9PM
12.17-12.31 DAILY* | 5-9PM
LAST ENTRY 8:30PM
*HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Open: New Year’s Eve
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas
1.2.26 - 1.3.26, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
5-8PM, LAST ENTRY 7:30PM
Walk up only admission, name your price admission
11.21-12.14 WED - SUN | 5-9PM
12.17-12.31 DAILY* | 5-9PM
LAST ENTRY 8:30PM
*HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Open: New Year’s Eve
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas
ADMISSION
EXHIBIT ADMISSION
$11 Adults | $7 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2
*MEMBERS $9 Adults | $5 Youth 2-15
*Includes FunBundle members
Tickets highly recommended, popular dates and times may sell out.
*MEMBERS FREE ADMISSION WEDNESDAYS
Botanical Center and FunBundle members receive free admission Wednesday nights during the exhibit. Members must show membership card upon entry.
$11 Adults | $7 Youth 2-15 | Free Under 2
*MEMBERS $9 Adults | $5 Youth 2-15
*Includes FunBundle members
Tickets highly recommended, popular dates and times may sell out.
*MEMBERS FREE ADMISSION WEDNESDAYS
Botanical Center and FunBundle members receive free admission Wednesday nights during the exhibit. Members must show membership card upon entry.
passes and discounts
Winter Lights free admission passes are good for exhibit admission, excluding Lights & Flights. Standard Botanical Center free general admission passes are not valid during Winter Lights. Visit your library for standard Botanical Center memberships that are good for $2 off Winter Lights admission.
Museums for All discounts apply. Admission is $3 per person for up to six individuals living in your household with a valid EBT/WIC/SNAP card.
Museums for All discounts apply. Admission is $3 per person for up to six individuals living in your household with a valid EBT/WIC/SNAP card.
capacity
Limited capacity. Purchase dated and timed entry tickets in advance to secure your preferred dates, as popular nights may sell out. Popular nights are typically Fridays, Saturdays, and dates just before Christmas. A select number of walk ups will be available nightly.
GIFT CARDS
Give the gift of the gardens this holiday season. Purchase a gift to be used during the Winter Lights exhibit, in the gift shop, or all year round for garden admission. Physical gift cards are available in the gift shop, digital gift cards available online.
sPECIAL EVENT NIGHTS
Over the 30 exhibit nights, special events like Santa & the Mrs., Lights & Flights, Krampus Nights, Lights & Leashes, and Members Free Wednesdays will help you decide which night(s) to attend. Don’t wait until it’s too late, visit at the beginning of the season to get you in the holiday spirit while the weather is more likely to be warm. Then - come back again later in the season to see it in the snow - when the gardens transform into a true winter wonderland! Learn more about our special events.
survey
Tell us your thoughts by completing our Winter Lights event survey. Each year we read through all survey results as we continue to improve and make changes to the display. Please share your thoughts in our survey, or leave a google review.
Share your Winter Lights photos with us for a chance to be featured on social media! Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, or email photos to [email protected].
special events
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Opening night:
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lights & leashes11.21-12.31 SUNDAYS | 5-9PM
Exhibit Admission 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 |
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lights & flights12.4 and 12.18 | THURSDAYS | 6-8PM
$35 per person | $21 non-drinking Experience the light display and sample beer and pizza from three local businesses, featuring Bent River Brewing Company, Wake Brewing, and Huckleberry’s Pizza. Bent River and Wake Brewing 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 display, and access to the Lights & Flights room. Enjoy a vinyl dj set by Just Let Go. Must be 21+ to enter the Lights & Flights room. Must show valid ID. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. The non-drinking ticket includes a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, Huckleberry’s flight, admission to the light display and access to the Lights & Flights room. |
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KRAMPUS NIGHTS12.5 FRIDAY AND 12.6 SATURDAY | 6-8PM
Exhibit Admission 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. |
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santa & the mrs.12.12 FRIDAY AND 12.13 SATURDAY | 5-8PM
Exhibit Admission Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended. Early time slots may sell out. |
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IMPACTLIFE BLOOD DRIVE11.23 SUNDAY | 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 23 to receive four free tickets to the light exhibit plus a pair of light glasses. Schedule and appointment at bloodcenter.org or call 800-747-5401. Hosted in collaboration with Visit Quad Cities. |
know before you go
Accessibility
Our gardens feature a new, paved pathway throughout the lawns, making our gardens and the Lights exhibit accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and others.
food and drink
Visit the indoor cocoa room to purchase hot drinks, cocoa, and treats.
Beverage selection includes hot cocoa, apple cider, tea, and bottled water. New this year, a curated selection of alcoholic additions are available to be added to your hot drinks.
A variety of holiday treats will be available for purchase, including Old Towne Bakery cookies and Lagomarcino's chocolate Santa suckers.
Additional drinks and snacks may be found in the Garden Store.
Beverage selection includes hot cocoa, apple cider, tea, and bottled water. New this year, a curated selection of alcoholic additions are available to be added to your hot drinks.
A variety of holiday treats will be available for purchase, including Old Towne Bakery cookies and Lagomarcino's chocolate Santa suckers.
Additional drinks and snacks may be found in the Garden Store.
parking
Parking is free and available in the lots on either side of our building. We share a large parking lot with the QCCA Expo Center. Our address is 2525 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61244.
PETS
Pets are only allowed on our special Sunday night Lights & Leashes events, where dogs are allowed to visit the exhibit. Learn more in the Special Events tab. Certified service animals are always welcomed.
If you visit shortly after it has snowed or ice, there may be salt on the paths. Pet wipes will be available in the lobby to wipe paws.
If you visit shortly after it has snowed or ice, there may be salt on the paths. Pet wipes will be available in the lobby to wipe paws.
WEATHER
Winter Lights features both outdoor and indoor experiences. A majority of the light display is outdoors throughout our gardens. We recommend wearing weather-appropriate outdoor gear to best enjoy the exhibit. The terrain will be a mix of lawns and pathways. Based on recent weather (snow, melting ice, rain, etc), the ground may be soft or muddy – appropriate footwear recommended. If the grounds are deemed unfit for exploring, some lawn areas may be limited.
New this year, our gardens feature a paved pathway throughout the laws, making our gardens accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and others.
In the event of inclement or dangerous weather, we will make any weather-related closure announcements on our social media. Please check ahead of your visit. If you have purchased tickets for a night where the exhibit is canceled due to weather, please watch your inbox for updates on ticketing adjustments.
New this year, our gardens feature a paved pathway throughout the laws, making our gardens accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and others.
In the event of inclement or dangerous weather, we will make any weather-related closure announcements on our social media. Please check ahead of your visit. If you have purchased tickets for a night where the exhibit is canceled due to weather, please watch your inbox for updates on ticketing adjustments.
NEIGHBORS
We are proudly located on the Eastern edge of Downtown Rock Island, Illinois. We have a long list of incredible neighbors who we'd love for you to support before or after your visit. Stop by Huckleberry's for amazing pizza, Wake Brewing and Bent River Brewing Company for a drink, or one of the many other Downtown Rock Island locations.
faq
ticketing questions
Can I change the date of my ticket?
Yes, there is a link in your confirmation email to change the date and/or time of your ticket. If you need additional assistance, please call 309.794.0991.
If I buy a ticket for 5PM, do I have to leave by a certain time?
No. Anyone purchasing a ticket at 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, or 8PM are welcome to stay until the exhibit closes at 9PM.
I bought a ticket for 6PM, can I come at 5PM or 7PM?
Most nights, yes. Unless it is a night we have sold out of certain time slots, then you may arrive at your ticketed time or any time after your ticketed time. If we are sold out of any time slots, it will be posted on our social media.
Can we use our Museum for All discount?
Yes. Museums for All discounts are available as walk up tickets only, and are not available online. The discount is applicable for individuals with a valid EBT/WIC/SNAP card, and applies to those living in your household. The discounted ticket price is $3 per person ages 2 and up.
If there is a ticketing question that was not covered above, please call 309.794.0991 or email [email protected].
Yes, there is a link in your confirmation email to change the date and/or time of your ticket. If you need additional assistance, please call 309.794.0991.
If I buy a ticket for 5PM, do I have to leave by a certain time?
No. Anyone purchasing a ticket at 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, or 8PM are welcome to stay until the exhibit closes at 9PM.
I bought a ticket for 6PM, can I come at 5PM or 7PM?
Most nights, yes. Unless it is a night we have sold out of certain time slots, then you may arrive at your ticketed time or any time after your ticketed time. If we are sold out of any time slots, it will be posted on our social media.
Can we use our Museum for All discount?
Yes. Museums for All discounts are available as walk up tickets only, and are not available online. The discount is applicable for individuals with a valid EBT/WIC/SNAP card, and applies to those living in your household. The discounted ticket price is $3 per person ages 2 and up.
If there is a ticketing question that was not covered above, please call 309.794.0991 or email [email protected].
Is the event all outdoors?
Winter Lights features both outdoor and indoor experiences. A majority of the light display is outdoors throughout our gardens. We recommend wearing weather-appropriate outdoor gear to best enjoy the exhibit. The indoor areas of our exhibit include the Crawford Company Tropical Sun Garden, the cocoa room and the connected seating area where guests can enjoy making scratcher art and winter coloring sheets, The Garden Store, and lobby.
What is the group ticket rate?
Organizations bringing groups of 20 or more may be able to receive a group rate. Please contact Ryan Wille at 309.794.0991 ext. 206 or email [email protected].
SPONSORS
EXHIBIT POWERED BY
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