Skip To Content

Menu

Free Family Fun

Free Family Fun Banner

Spend time with the family enjoying free events and activities throughout Davenport! 

Activity and event details are listed below!
Check back often as we are always updating the page as new events or activities are added.

Fejervary Holiday Lights logo

DAVENPORT PARKS AND RECREATION

Fejervary Holiday Lights Show

Join us for seasonal holiday lights display at Fejervary Learning Center! This year's show will be BIGGER and BRIGHTER than ever before! Shows last approximately 15 minutes with a new show starting every 30 minutes beginning at 5:00 p.m.; the last show starts at 9:30 p.m. This is a park and watch event, not a drive or walk-through event. Download the 2023 Event Information & Map

Location: Fejervary Learning Center | 1800 West 12th Street

Dates: 11/25/23 - 01/07/24

Time: 5:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m. (last show begins at 9:30 p.m.)

Directions: Enter on West 12th Street and follow the directional signs. Attendees may park at the listed locations. Accessible parking is labeled and located directly across from the learning center. Exit by following the loop around the west side of the learning center.

Radio broadcast: Tune-in to  FM 107.5 to sync with the holiday lights music broadcast.

 Warning: This show may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.


 

Vander Veer Poinsettia & Lights

The annual holiday spectacular featuring countless poinsettias (and Paintsettias!), a multitude of lights, and extended Saturday evening hours. The Great Poinsettia Give-Away is January 13-14, 2024! 

Beginning Saturday, 11/25 through Sunday, 01/14 (closed Mondays) | Self-guided tour through park and Conservatory.

Holiday Conservatory Hours:
Normal Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
Special Extended Evening Hours: Saturdays, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9 and 12/16 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Early Closures: Sundays, 12/24 and 12/31 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Closures: Monday-Friday, 11/13-11/24  |  Monday-Tuesday, 12/25-12/26 | Monday-Tuesday, 1/1-1/2 | Monday-Monday, 1/15-2/12

Admission:
Admission is free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Vander Veer Botanical Park itself, is open daily from sunrise until one half-hour after sunset. Vehicle entrances are off Central Park Avenue.

 

 

Letters to the North Pole

'Tis the Season! Your favorite Parks and Recreation department is working with the Big Guy (AKA Santa) and his helpers this season! Santa's helpers are hard at work helping him get ready for Christmas Eve night, but they want to hear from YOU! Kids of all ages can drop off Letters to the North Pole at 3 Davenport Parks and Recreation locations. In the week leading up to Christmas, keep an eye on your mailbox for a response from one of Santa's helpers!

Saturday, November 25-Friday, December 15

  • Inside The River's Edge │ 700 W River Drive
  •  Fejervary Learning Center (outside the Holiday Lights Display) │ 1800 W 12th Street
  •  Inside Vander Veer Conservatory │ 215 W Central Park Ave
Junior Theatre: Finding Nemo Jr.

Mainstage Production of FINDING NEMO JR
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Saturdays, 2/17 & 2/24 Ι 1PM & 4PM
Sundays, 2/18 & 2/25 Ι 3PM

Admission is Free!

staff sit outside library van
DAVENPORT PUBLIC LIBRARIES

For Kiddos & Families

Interactive Movie Kits

December 1st | Virtual 2pm

Enjoy a fun family movie night at home with one of our interactive movie kits! Kits will include enough supplies for the whole family and can be picked up at any location. This program is best suited to ages 4+. Registration is required. 

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11235685

Mini Mysteries: How Do They Stay Warm?

Saturday, December 2nd | Main | Eastern | Fairmount

Stop into | Main, | Eastern, or | Fairmount Libraries and pick-up a fun science activity you can do at home! Each month we’ll offer a different science mystery available for pick-up (while supplies last). A free book provided by the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program will be available with the science kit. Best for ages 3-7.

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11174702

Grand Opening Celebration of Enhanced Children's Area

Saturday, December 2nd | Eastern 9:30am

We are excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Enhanced Children’s Area of the Davenport Public Library | Eastern! Join us for activities and cookies in the children’s area and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 am in the shiny new space. We invite you to be the first to spin the giant whirligig, check out a book from the new baby spot, and try out the interactive nature-themed kiosks and wall panels that promote imagination and early literacy skills. These elements were designed specifically for the Davenport community by a team of Library staff and Burgeon Group, a leading designer in interactive learning spaces. 

The Davenport Public Library will also celebrate Grand Opening of the Enhanced Children’s Area of the Davenport Public Library | Fairmount at with a ribbon-cutting, cookies and activities. (The Enhanced Children's Area of the Davenport Public Library | Main is expected to be installed in late 2024.)

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11203663

Jan Brett's Winter Wonderland Tour with Prairie Lights Books

Saturday, December 2nd | Eastern 10am

The Davenport Public Library and Prairie Lights Books are excited to welcome Jan Brett back to Davenport, Iowa for a stop on her 2023 Winter Wonderland Tour! The best-selling author and illustrator enchanted crowds in 2015, and we can't wait to see what magic she will bring us this December. Registration is not required, but encouraged. Registered attendees will receive reminders and updates via email. 

At 10:00 am, Jan Brett will do a 20-30 minute drawing presentation in the meeting rooms before moving to the new Children's Area for a book signing. Prairie Lights Books will have plenty of books to purchase to accommodate everyone at the event. If you purchase your book(s) ahead of time, please keep your receipt. Jan will do her very best to sign all the books that time permits. The number she can sign per family depends on how many people come.  If time does not permit her to sign every book, special signed bookplates featuring her artwork will be on hand. Families will receive a free signed Jan Brett poster while supplies last!

Jan’s Tour Bus 

Jan’s tour bus will be parked in the Library’s parking lot at 9:00 am. It is wrapped in artwork from her books. Your family is welcome to take a photograph next to the bus.

Meet Hedgie

Hedgie, Jan’s favorite friend from The Mitten and The Hat, will be visiting the Library as well.  Please bring the kids to have a photo taken with Hedgie.  

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11203621

Grand Opening Celebration of Enhanced Children's Area

Saturday, December 2nd | Fairmount 2:15pm

We are excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Enhanced Children’s Area of the Davenport Public Library | Fairmount! Join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2:15 pm in the shiny new space followed by activities and cookies. We invite you to be the first to spin the giant whirligig, play in the make believe boat, and to try out the interactive nature-themed kiosks and wall panels that promote imagination and early literacy skills. These elements were designed specifically for the Davenport community by a team of Library staff and Burgeon Group, a leading company in Interactive Learning Spaces. 

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11335314

Interactive Movie Kits

Friday, December 15th | Virtual 2pm

Enjoy a fun family movie night at home with one of our interactive movie kits! Kits will include enough supplies for the whole family and can be picked up at any location. This program is best suited to ages 4+. Registration is required. 

*This week's movie will be Polar Express. Movies are not included in kits, though they can be checked out from the library or streamed on popular streaming services.

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11235686

Llama Llama Pajama Party

Saturday, December 16th | Eastern 2pm

Time to put on your PJs and join us for a Llama Llama pajama party! Help create an alphabet quilt and tuck Llama Llama in for a nap and storytime. This program is best suited for kids ages 3-7. Registration required.

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11174057

Bingo

Saturday, December 16th | Eastern 4pm

Bring your family and friends for an hour of bingo excitement. We'll play as much Bingo as an hour can handle. Winners will receive prizes! All ages are welcome. Registration is required. 

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11145560

12 Days of Kit-mas

Frida, December 22nd | Virtual 10am

On the first day of Kit-mas the Library gave to me...a supersized holiday craft kit!

Kit-mas is back again this year with one craft for each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve (December 11th - 22nd). Yes, you heard us right. ELEVEN crafts in one kit! You'll do the first 11 on your own and then on December 22nd, we'll host an in-person Kit-mas Celebration where we'll make our final craft together, read a story or two, and chat about everything we made! The celebration is optional, but we'd love, love, love to see you!

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11248802

New Year’s Eve Eve

Saturday, December 30th | Fairmount 11:30am

Get ready to start 2024 in style at our New Year's Eve Eve Party! It's an early New Year's celebration for the whole family with crafts, snacks, and a countdown to a balloon drop at noon!

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11199362

For Teens

Teen Faux Snowball Fight

Thursday, December 21st | Eastern 2pm

SNOWBALL FIGHT! Teens (ages 11-19) are invited to a faux snowball fight inside the library followed a some cozy, toasty hot cocoa tasting. Registration appreciated, but not required. 

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11177695

Formal Wear Dropoff

Friday, December 22nd | Eastern 9am

Donate clean and gently used formal wear to the Davenport Public Library to help support our Formal Wear Giveaway program in January! We are accepting donations of clean and gently used dresses, suits, blazers, dress pants, ties, bowties, and formal purses, BUT NO shoes or jewelry at this time.

Please drop off your donated items at the Library's service desks any time during our two drop-off days: Friday, December 22nd from 9-5:30p at our Eastern Avenue Branch or Saturday, December 30th from 9-5:30p at our Fairmount Street Branch.

We will be holding our Formal Wear Giveaway two days this year: Friday, January 12th from 2-5p and Saturday, January 13th from 10-3p, both at our Fairmount Street Branch. On the days of the exchange, patrons can browse the donations and take home one of each garment-type. Changing areas will be provided to try on clothing.

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11164764

Teen DIY: Snowglobes

Friday, December 29th | Main 11am

We all need a little glass jar of snowflakes that we can stare at when we need to feel cozy and existential this time of year! Teens (ages 11-19) are invited to join Miss Amber in making a simple DIY snowglobe to encapsulate their winter wonderland dreams. Registration appreciated, but not required. 

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11177767

Formal Wear Dropoff

Friday, December 30th | Fairmount 9am

Donate clean and gently used formal wear to the Davenport Public Library to help support our Formal Wear Giveaway program in January! We are accepting donations of clean and gently used dresses, suits, blazers, dress pants, ties, bowties, and formal purses, BUT NO shoes or jewelry at this time.

Please drop off your donated items at the Library's service desks any time during our two drop-off days: Friday, December 22nd from 9-5:30p at our Eastern Avenue Branch or Saturday, December 30th from 9-5:30p at our Fairmount Street Branch.

We will be holding our Formal Wear Giveaway two days this year: Friday, January 12th from 2-5p and Saturday, January 13th from 10-3p, both at our Fairmount Street Branch. On the days of the exchange, patrons can browse the donations and take home one of each garment-type. Changing areas will be provided to try on clothing.

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11164801

Teen Snack Around the World

Saturday, December 30th | Fairmount 3pm

The New Year is coming! We will be making a countdown calendar full of snacks from around the world to celebrate what the New Year means to us and what it means to others. Teens can eat their snacks all at once nom nom, or they can save them to open at specific times and dates to coordinate with New Year celebrations in different locations around the world. Teens only (ages 11-19) and registration required. 

https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/11177834